Getting Around Saudi Arabia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem in Riyadh and Jeddah. Rural: Rent a car for desert exploration. Holy Sites: Haramain train for Mecca-Medina. For convenience, book airport transfers from Jeddah to your destination.
Train Travel
Haramain High-Speed Rail
Modern high-speed network connecting Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina with frequent services.
Cost: Jeddah to Mecca 100-200 SAR, journeys under 1 hour between holy cities.
Tickets: Buy via SAR app, website, or station kiosks. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid Hajj/Umrah seasons for better prices and availability.
Rail Passes
Multi-journey tickets available for frequent travelers, starting at 500 SAR for 5 trips.
Best For: Pilgrims and multiple holy site visits, savings for 3+ journeys.
Where to Buy: Train stations, official website, or app with instant digital activation.
Regional Rail Options
North-South Railway offers limited passenger services between Riyadh and Dammam.
Booking: Reserve seats in advance online for best prices, discounts up to 30%.
Main Stations: King Abdullah Station in Jeddah, with connections to Medina and Mecca.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring deserts and rural areas. Compare rental prices from 100-200 SAR/day at Jeddah Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international permit recommended), credit card, minimum age 21.
Insurance: Full coverage advised for desert driving, verify inclusions with rental companies.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 100-120 km/h highways.
Tolls: Electronic tolls on major highways like Riyadh-Jeddah, pay via app or plate billing.
Priority: Yield to roundabouts, strict enforcement of traffic signals and seatbelts.
Parking: Free in many areas, paid lots 5-10 SAR/hour in cities like Riyadh.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations abundant at 2-2.5 SAR/liter for petrol, very affordable compared to global rates.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Riyadh during rush hours and around holy sites.
Urban Transport
Riyadh Metro & BRT
Developing metro system in Riyadh, single ticket 3-5 SAR, day pass 20 SAR, multi-journey cards available.
Validation: Use smart cards or app for contactless entry, frequent checks by inspectors.
Apps: Riyadh Public Transport app for routes, schedules, and digital tickets.
Bike & Scooter Rentals
Byke app in Jeddah and Riyadh offers e-bikes and scooters at 10-20 SAR/hour with city stations.
Routes: Designated paths in coastal and urban parks, growing infrastructure.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in historical sites, ideal for short eco-friendly trips.
Buses & Local Services
SAPTCO operates nationwide buses, SAPTCO city services in major urban areas.
Tickets: 2-5 SAR per ride, purchase from kiosks or use NFC payments.
Intercity Buses: Connect Riyadh to Jeddah for 100-150 SAR, comfortable AC coaches.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in cities for easy access, central Riyadh or Jeddah Corniche for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for Hajj/Umrah (Oct-Dec) and major events like Riyadh Season.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for pilgrimage-related travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, prayer facilities, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G coverage in cities, 4G in most rural areas including deserts.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from 20 SAR for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
STC, Mobily, and Zain offer prepaid SIMs from 30-50 SAR with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, malls, or provider stores with passport required for registration.
Data Plans: 5GB for 50 SAR, 10GB for 100 SAR, unlimited for 150 SAR/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi available in hotels, malls, cafes, and public spaces like airports.
Public Hotspots: Major bus stations and tourist sites offer free public WiFi.
Speed: Fast (50-200 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for streaming and navigation.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Arabia Standard Time (AST), UTC+3, no daylight saving time observed.
- Airport Transfers: King Abdulaziz Airport (JED) 20km from Jeddah center, taxi 50 SAR (30 min), or book private transfer for 100-150 SAR.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and malls (20-50 SAR/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Modern trains and airports accessible, some historical sites have ramps and elevators.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with restrictions (fee 50 SAR), check accommodation policies.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses and trains off-peak for 20 SAR, e-bikes may require extra space.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Saudi Arabia
King Abdulaziz Airport (JED) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
King Khalid Airport (RUH): Primary hub in Riyadh, 35km from city center with metro connections.
King Abdulaziz (JED): Major gateway in Jeddah 20km west, bus to city 10 SAR (40 min).
King Fahd (DMM): Serves eastern province with regional flights, convenient for Al Khobar.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for peak travel (Oct-Dec) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Dubai and driving/bus to Saudi for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Flynas, Flyadeal, and Air Arabia serve domestic and regional routes affordably.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee 5-10 SAR, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express in larger hotels and malls.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay common, Apple Pay and Google Pay supported in urban areas.
- Cash: Needed for souks, small vendors, and rural spots, keep 100-200 SAR in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary but appreciated, add 10-20 SAR for good service in restaurants.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport bureaus with high fees.