Saudi Arabia offers a captivating blend of ancient history and modern luxury, from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hegra and Diriyah to futuristic cities like Riyadh and NEOM. Experience pristine Red Sea coastlines, dramatic desert landscapes, and authentic Arabian hospitality in the Kingdom's rapidly evolving tourism sector.
- Public
- Riyadh launched its world-class 6-line metro in 2024 covering 176 km; other cities rely on SAPTCO bus networks which are functional but limited. Jeddah and Dammam lack metro systems.
- Taxi
- Uber and Careem operate in all major cities with transparent pricing and safety features. Traditional metered taxis available but Uber/Careem strongly preferred for reliability and safety.
- Rental
- Car rental excellent value with cheap fuel (SAR 2.18/liter); essential for day trips to desert sites like Edge of the World and mountain areas. International Driving Permit required.
- Walking
- Central heritage districts (Al-Balad Jeddah, Diriyah, Al Dirah Riyadh) are walkable; modern cities are car-centric with large distances between attractions requiring transport.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: 75-100 SAR (~$20-27) to city center, 30-40 minutes
- Shuttle
- Ride-sharing (Uber/Careem): 60-80 SAR (~$16-21)
- Bus
- Private transfer: 100-150 SAR (~$27-40)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Riyadh
- Extensive bus network integrated with metro, single ride ~3 SAR (~$0.80), same card system as metro
- Jeddah
- Public bus service available on major routes, 3-5 SAR (~$0.80-1.30) per journey
- Saptco
- National intercity bus company also operates urban routes in major cities, affordable but less frequent
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Traditional taxi
- Metered taxis with 13 SAR (~$3.50) base fare + 2.7 SAR per km, can be hailed on street
- Booking
- Call dispatch or hail on street; agree on fare before journey if meter not used
- Typical costs
- Short ride (5 km): 20-30 SAR (~$5-8), Medium ride (15 km): 50-70 SAR (~$13-19)
- Tips
- Female travelers: Women can ride in front seat but many prefer back; Careem offers women-only driver option
- Apps
- Uber and Careem (most popular) widely available in all major cities
- App Names
- Uber and Careem (most popular) widely available in all major cities
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
- Private companies
- Several private bus operators on major routes, similar pricing to SAPTCO
Saptco
- Description
- National bus company connecting all major cities
- Booking
- www.saptco.com.sa or bus stations
- Routes
- Riyadh-Jeddah (13 hours): 120 SAR (~$32), Riyadh-Dammam (5 hours): 70 SAR (~$19)
- Comfort
- VIP buses with reclining seats, A/C, snacks; regular buses more basic
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures on popular routes
Flights
- Carriers
- Saudia (national carrier), flynas (low-cost), flyadeal (low-cost)
- Major routes
- Riyadh-Jeddah (2 hours): from 150 SAR (~$40), Riyadh-Dammam (1.5 hours): from 120 SAR (~$32)
- Booking
- Airline websites, booking apps, travel agencies
- Tips
- Book in advance for best prices; budget carriers offer significant savings; flights frequent on major routes
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
King Khalid International Airport
From centre: 35 km north of Riyadh
Options: Taxi: 75-100 SAR (~$20-27) to city center, 30-40 minutes; Ride-sharing (Uber/Careem): 60-80 SAR (~$16-21); Private transfer: 100-150 SAR (~$27-40); Riyadh Metro (planned extension): Future connection to airport; Rental car: Available from multiple companies at terminal
King Abdulaziz International Airport
From centre: 19 km north of Jeddah
Options: Taxi: 60-80 SAR (~$16-21) to city center, 25-35 minutes; Ride-sharing (Uber/Careem): 50-70 SAR (~$13-19); Private transfer: 80-120 SAR (~$21-32); SAPTCO bus: 15 SAR (~$4) to central bus station; Rental car: Multiple agencies at arrivals
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport
From centre: 15 km from Medina city center
Options: Taxi: 50-70 SAR (~$13-19) to city center; Ride-sharing: 40-60 SAR (~$11-16); Hotel shuttle: Many hotels offer free pickup; Private transfer: 70-100 SAR (~$19-27)
King Fahd International Airport
From centre: 20 km from Dammam, 50 km from Al Khobar
Options: Taxi to Dammam: 60-80 SAR (~$16-21); Taxi to Al Khobar: 100-130 SAR (~$27-35); Ride-sharing: Slightly cheaper than taxis; Rental car: Available at terminal
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber Saudi Arabia
Most widely used ride-hailing app; consistent service in Riyadh, Jeddah, and major cities; women-only driver options
Careem
UAE-based ride-hailing app popular across Saudi Arabia; often slightly cheaper than Uber; good for intercity shared rides
Riyadh Metro App
Official metro app for route planning, real-time updates, and digital card top-up for Riyadh's metro system
Saudia Mobile
Saudi Airlines app for domestic flight booking; best for checking schedules between Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, AlUla, and Abha
Lumi Car Rental
Saudi-based car rental app popular for short-term and long-term rentals with competitive pricing and wide vehicle selection
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Careem apps before arrival - these are essential for getting around all Saudi cities safely and affordably
Riyadh Metro covers major attractions including Olaya, Masmak area, and KAFD; buy a rechargeable Riyadh Card for convenience
Fuel is extremely cheap (SAR 2.18/liter for 91 octane) making car rental very cost-effective for exploring beyond cities
The Haramain High Speed Railway connects Mecca, Jeddah Airport, Jeddah, and Medina at up to 300 km/h - book online at haramainrail.sa
For AlUla, flying domestically from Riyadh or Jeddah is by far the most practical option (1-1.5 hours vs. 10+ hours by car)
Book long-distance domestic flights early as Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal routes fill up particularly during holidays and Hajj/Umrah season