Saudi Arabia, Qatar sign historic high-speed rail agreement linking their capitals

• New rail link to connect Riyadh and Doha in two hours.
• Project to serve ten million passengers a year by completion.
• Agreement marks continued recovery of Saudi–Qatar relations.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed a major transport agreement Monday to build a high-speed electric rail line linking their capitals, a step that reflects steady reconciliation between the two Gulf neighbors.

- Project details -

The planned railway will connect Riyadh and Doha, with stops in Al Hofuf and Dammam. Officials said the line will handle passenger trains traveling at speeds above 300 kilometers per hour. Travel time between the capitals is expected to drop to roughly two hours, compared with a 90-minute direct flight.

The project is slated for completion in six years and aims to carry 10 million passengers annually, according to the Saudi statement.

- Leadership backing -

The agreement was endorsed in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the emir’s visit. The signing follows a period of renewed engagement between the two countries.

- Context of improving ties -

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt severed diplomatic and transport links with Qatar in 2017, accusing Doha of supporting radical groups and fostering ties with Tehran. Qatar rejected the allegations. Relations were restored in early 2021 after the AlUla summit.

Since the rapprochement, leaders from both states have met frequently and coordinated on regional diplomacy, including joint calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Riyadh also backed Qatar after 'Israeli' strikes on Doha during the summer.