Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced remarkable growth in both passenger travel and freight transport in 2025, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s transport infrastructure development. The state-owned rail network reported carrying over 14 million passengers, a sharp increase from the 11.2 million recorded in 2023. The rise reflects strong public adoption of rail travel for daily transit, longer trips and religious pilgrimages.
Freight operations also surged, with 30 million tonnes of cargo moved by rail last year — up from about 24 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion in cargo freight is tied to booming industrial activity and the transport needs of the mining sector. By shifting so much freight from road to rail, SAR estimates that it removed around 2 million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, easing congestion and reducing road maintenance costs.
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Officials highlighted the environmental benefits of this modal shift, noting that the rail-centric transport model saved approximately 139 million litres of fuel and cut roughly 364,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. These outcomes align with Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental aspirations under the Saudi Green Initiative, which targets cleaner transportation and reduced pollution.
SAR’s success is widely seen as a key element in meeting the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, the overarching development plan that aims to diversify the economy, modernise infrastructure and boost tourism and trade. Vision 2030 emphasises transport sustainability and regional connectivity, with rail networks playing a crucial role in linking cities and industrial hubs across the country.
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A highlight of 2025 was the launch of the “Dream of the Desert,” a luxury rail service described as the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Developed in partnership with Italy’s Arsenale Group, the service offers a “rail cruise” experience with 40 custom-designed cabins that evoke the glamour of classic train travel. The route runs from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, with stops at cultural heritage cities like Ha’il and Al-Jouf, turning journeys into immersive travel experiences.
In a major strategic move, SAR also launched a SAR6 billion real estate fund aimed at transit-oriented development around key railway stations, particularly the Haramain High Speed Railway Station in Makkah. The fund will support construction of high-capacity hotels, commercial spaces and homes directly linked to the station — a boost for pilgrim logistics and accommodation ahead of projected growth in Umrah visitors.
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International acclaim followed these achievements when SAR became the first company to win the International Union of Railways Award for excellence in long-distance tourist rail, a recognition that places Saudi Arabia firmly on the global map for rail innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s rail transformation is now considered a model in the region for sustainable transport, economic diversification and high-end tourism development.
