Doha to Riyadh by Train? Saudi Arabia, Qatar Sign Major Deal
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a landmark deal to build a high-speed train connecting their capitals within six years. The railway marks a significant milestone in Gulf infrastructure and growing diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.
High-Speed Travel in the Gulf
The new electric passenger train will link Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport. It will also serve Saudi cities Al-Hofuf and Dammam, forming part of a broader regional transportation corridor.
Designed to travel over 300 km/h, the train will cut the Riyadh–Doha journey to about two hours. By comparison, flights between the cities take around 90 minutes. The system will carry up to 10 million passengers each year once operational.
Construction is projected to create 30,000 jobs across both countries. The whole project is scheduled for completion within six years, according to Saudi officials.
From Political Rift to Regional Partnership
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed the agreement in Riyadh. Their meeting reflects the dramatic shift in relations between the countries since the restoration of ties in early 2021.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar. Those ties were officially restored during the Al Ula summit in Saudi Arabia in January 2021. Since then, both governments have increased cooperation in diplomacy and regional security, and now in major infrastructure as well.
The train deal is the most ambitious bilateral transport project since the thaw in relations.
Part of a Larger GCC Vision
The Riyadh–Doha line supports the long-planned GCC Railway Network, aiming to link all Gulf countries by rail. Though many pieces remain under development, this deal may push other member states to accelerate construction.
In the future, travelers may ride by rail from Muscat to Kuwait, passing through every Gulf capital. Early concepts for the GCC railway include freight links, economic zones, and unified customs processes. Details like the total project cost and train seating capacity have yet to be announced. However, the commitment signals serious intent to shift Gulf mobility into a more connected future.
Conclusion
The new high-speed train between Doha and Riyadh represents more than speed. It shows what regional unity can build. As part of the broader GCC rail vision, the project could transform how people and goods move across the Gulf.
Stay tuned as more details emerge in the coming months. Follow the Arabwheels Blog for updates on this project and all things automotive in the Gulf.