Saudi Arabia to Connect with Five GCC Nations Through Mega Rail Network

Saudi Arabia is set to transform regional travel with the GCC Railway Project, a mega rail network connecting the Kingdom with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Spanning over 2,100 km, the ambitious project aims to boost tourism, trade, and cross border connectivity across the Gulf, making travel between GCC nations faster, easier, and more convenient by 2030.

A transformative railway project connecting the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations is steadily progressing and could soon redefine travel across the region.

Originally launched in 2009, the GCC Railway Project aims to establish a 2,117 kilometre rail network linking Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Once completed, the project will allow residents and tourists to travel seamlessly between Gulf nations by train, opening up exciting new possibilities for tourism, business, and regional connectivity.

The railway network is expected to complement the upcoming unified GCC tourist visa, making cross-border travel easier and more accessible for millions of people in the region.

According to the Gulf Railway Authority, the ambitious project has now reached nearly 50 percent completion and is targeted for full completion by December 2030. Mohammad Al Shabrami, Director General of the GCC Railways Authority, recently confirmed the progress during an interview with Saudi newspaper Al Eqtisadiah.

The Planned GCC Railway Route

The proposed rail route will begin in Kuwait before entering Saudi Arabia through Dammam, which will serve as one of the key hubs of the regional network.

From Dammam, passengers will be able to travel directly to Bahrain and Qatar through dedicated maritime rail bridges. The Saudi rail system will also connect travellers to Riyadh and the Kingdom’s wider national railway network.

The route will then extend towards the UAE, connecting Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, before linking with Dubai through the UAE’s Etihad Rail network. From there, the railway will continue into Oman, eventually reaching the capital city of Muscat via Sohar.

Passenger trains are expected to operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, while freight trains will run between 80 and 120 kilometres per hour. Once operational, journeys such as Dammam to Qatar could take approximately one hour.

Saudi Arabia’s Central Role in the GCC Railway

Saudi Arabia will play a major role in the success of the regional railway network due to its already established national rail infrastructure.

Dammam is expected to become the primary interchange point for trains arriving from Kuwait and heading towards Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and other GCC destinations.

Two maritime rail bridges are planned to connect Saudi Arabia with Bahrain and Qatar, strengthening regional mobility and trade connections.

Bahrain’s Connection Through the King Hamad Causeway

Bahrain will join the GCC railway network through the King Hamad Causeway project connecting the island nation with Saudi Arabia.

The proposed King Hamad International Station, located in the Ramli area, will integrate with Bahrain International Airport and the future Bahrain Metro system. The railway causeway is expected to span approximately 25 kilometres and will include two rail tracks across the Arabian Gulf.

Kuwait to Serve as the Northern Gateway

Kuwait will form the northern gateway of the GCC rail network. The country’s main railway station will be located in Shadadiya, around 25 kilometres southwest of Kuwait City.

In early 2025, Turkish firm Proyapo Engineering and Consulting was appointed as consultants for the project’s first phase. Kuwait’s rail line will run along the coastline and support passenger train speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.

UAE and Oman Accelerate Regional Rail Integration

The UAE has already made major progress through Etihad Rail, which currently operates freight services and plans to launch passenger operations in 2026.

The UAE passenger network will cover approximately 900 kilometres and connect 11 cities across all seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Al Ruwais.

Meanwhile, Oman and the UAE continue to collaborate through the Hafeet Rail project, launched by Oman Rail and Etihad Rail. The 303 kilometre railway will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar and later integrate with the wider GCC network, eventually linking major cities across Oman and the UAE.

Qatar Expands Connectivity Through GCC Rail

Qatar has also advanced its participation in the regional railway initiative. In 2025, the Qatar Cabinet approved a draft agreement supporting the unified GCC railway project.

The railway will connect Qatar with Saudi Arabia through a dedicated maritime bridge and further extend towards the UAE and Oman. The project is also expected to integrate with Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, improving urban and regional mobility.

A New Era of Gulf Travel

The GCC Railway Project represents one of the region’s most ambitious transportation initiatives. Beyond improving connectivity, the railway is expected to boost tourism, facilitate trade, strengthen economic cooperation, and make travel across the Gulf faster and more sustainable.

Once completed, travellers may soon experience seamless rail journeys from Kuwait to Muscat, passing through some of the Gulf’s most dynamic cities and destinations.

Source: Timeoutriyadh

---

Did you find this information helpful? Scroll down to Like, Comment, and Share it with someone who may need it.

For the latest updates subscribe to this blog or Follow us on our social media channels  on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X(Twitter), and LinkedIn - @HowSaudi.com