Saudi Arabia Railways Carries 14 Million Passengers in 2025

Saudi Arabia Railways reported that more than 14 million passengers used its services in 2025, while freight operations reached 30 million tonnes over the year. The company said the growth reflects increasing reliance on rail for commuting, pilgrimage travel and industrial logistics across the Kingdom.

Freight activity was linked to the removal of around 2 million truck journeys from highways, contributing to fuel savings estimated at 139 million litres. Rail freight operations were also associated with a reduction of approximately 364,000 tonnes of emissions, supporting objectives under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 to expand lower-emission transport options.

Passenger numbers increased from 11.2 million in 2023, indicating wider uptake of rail travel. Freight volumes rose from about 24 million tonnes in 2023 to 30 million tonnes in 2025, which the company attributed to stronger demand from industrial and mining sectors connected to the rail network.

During 2025, Saudi Arabia Railways also launched Dream of the Desert, described as the first luxury train service in the Middle East and North Africa. Developed with Italy’s Arsenale Group, the service operates between Riyadh and Al Qurayyat, with scheduled stops in Hail and Jouf, positioning rail as a tourism offering alongside its transport role.

The company announced additional plans tied to station-area development, including a real estate fund focused on land adjacent to the Haramain High Speed Railway Station in Makkah, where hotel, commercial and residential projects are planned with direct links to the rail hub.

Saudi Arabia Railways received international recognition during the year, winning an International Union of Railways award in Paris for long-distance tourist trains. The award cited the integration of tourism-focused services with heavy rail infrastructure and highlighted the Kingdom’s growing presence in long-distance rail travel.