Saudi Arabia and Qatar Plan "Gulf Railway" High-Speed Line for Up to 10 Million Passengers a Year

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are planning a high-speed rail (HSR) line known as the Gulf Railway, designed to carry up to 10 million passengers per year. The new line is also intended to serve as a symbol of renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The capitals of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Hamad International Airport in Doha, will be connected by the Gulf Railway high-speed line. The agreement on the project was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during the Emir’s visit to Riyadh on 8 December.

The Gulf Railway Project is more than a transit initiative; it's a testament to visionary infrastructure and regional unity.

Spanning 2,117 km, this high-speed network will connect all six GCC states by 2030, enhancing economic integration and setting new standards in luxury… pic.twitter.com/rN2FpGSuDs

— ArabianBusiness.com (@ArabianBusiness) October 2, 2025

The 785-kilometre-long line will include stations in the Saudi cities of Al-Hofuf and Dammam. Trains will operate at speeds of over 300 km/h, with the journey expected to take approximately two hours, according to transport modelling. Qatar had already approved plans in October to build a railway line from Doha to Abu Samra, on the border with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar Restore Transport and Diplomatic Ties

The agreement establishing long-term transport cooperation is widely viewed in the Middle East as another step toward improving diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, which also resulted in the suspension of transport links.

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt jointly cut bilateral relations with Qatar and subsequently banned Qatari-registered aircraft and vessels from using their airspace and maritime routes. Saudi Arabia also closed the only land border crossing with Qatar, effectively initiating a blockade. The crisis ended in January 2021 following an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Qatar Emerged Stronger after the Crisis

The Saudi-led coalition cited Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism and its deepening relations with Iran as the main reasons for its actions. Jordan, the Maldives, Mauritania, Senegal, Djibouti, the Comoros, and the Libyan government in Tobruk later aligned themselves with Saudi Arabia during the crisis.

In January 2021, Qatar and Saudi Arabia reached a settlement mediated by Kuwait and the United States, under which Saudi Arabia reopened its borders with Qatar and initiated a reconciliation process. Qatar ultimately emerged from the crisis politically stronger, increasing its influence across the Middle East, particularly in Syria.

Saudi Arabia–Qatar HSR for 10 Million Passengers Annually

In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressed their intention to complete the high-speed line within six years. The project is expected to create 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in both countries and to carry up to 10 million passengers per year.

Saudi Arabia has operated a high-speed rail line between Jeddah, Mecca and Medina since 2018, the first HSR line in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates is currently developing a high-speed rail connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Further cross-border rail links are also planned in the region. The UAE is preparing a connection with Oman, while Saudi Arabia plans coastal rail links with Kuwait and Bahrain. All routes are being designed to create intermodal hubs integrated with airports and ports.