Saudi Arabia and Qatar have taken a major step toward deeper regional cooperation after signing a landmark deal to build a high-speed electric railway linking their capitals, Riyadh and Doha.
The rail line—also connecting Al-Hofuf and Dammam—will run trains at over 300 km/h, cutting travel time between the capitals to just two hours. The project is expected to be completed in six years and serve 10 million passengers annually.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, highlighting the dramatic turnaround in relations after years of diplomatic rifts that ended with the 2021 AlUla agreement.
Since the reconciliation, both countries have strengthened ties—meeting regularly, coordinating on regional diplomacy, and supporting each other during crises. This new rail project signals how far the partnership has evolved.
A fast, seamless connection between Riyadh and Doha isn’t just a transport upgrade—it’s a powerful symbol of Gulf unity moving full speed ahead.
