Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a landmark agreement to construct a high-speed electric passenger railway. The new line will directly connect the capital cities of Riyadh and Doha, marking a significant milestone in the rapidly improving relations between the two Gulf nations.
According to an official Saudi press statement, the railway will also include stops in the Saudi cities of Al-Hofuf and Dammam. The project represents a major infrastructure investment for regional connectivity.
The high-speed train is designed to reach speeds exceeding 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph). This will reduce travel time between Riyadh and Doha to approximately two hours. For comparison, a direct flight between the cities takes about 90 minutes.
The project has a six-year construction timeline. Upon completion, the railway is expected to serve an estimated 10 million passengers annually. This volume underscores its potential as a critical transport corridor for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
#FRONTPAGE: Saudi Arabia, Qatar sign high-speed rail link agreement connecting Riyadh and Doha pic.twitter.com/6YVYwANTkk
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) December 8, 2025The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the Emir’s official visit to Riyadh. This deal is the latest in a series of actions cementing a dramatic diplomatic rapprochement.
Saudi Arabia, alongside the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, severed all diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar in June 2017. Relations were fully restored following the AlUla summit in January 2021. Since then, bilateral engagement has intensified.
Crown Prince Mohammed visited Doha in December 2021, his first trip since the reconciliation. Since that visit, leaders from both monarchies have met regularly. They have also collaborated on key diplomatic initiatives, including joint calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Riyadh further demonstrated its support by backing Qatar following Israeli strikes on Doha during the summer of 2025. The high-speed rail project now stands as a tangible, long-term symbol of this renewed strategic partnership and a shared vision for an integrated Gulf region.
