Complete Guide to Getting Around Saudi Arabia as a Tourist or Expat (2026)
Saudi Arabia has expanded its transport network significantly — Riyadh Metro opened in 2024, Haramain Express links Makkah and Madinah, and domestic flights are cheap. But the country is vast (2.1 million km²), most cities have no metro, and Uber and Careem cannot cross city lines. This guide covers every transport option — metro, train, ride-share, intercity taxi, rental car, and bus — with a city-by-city breakdown and honest recommendations.
Quick Answer
Within a city: Use Uber or Careem (available in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, Khobar) or Riyadh Metro for the capital. Between cities: Uber and Careem do not offer intercity rides. Use ArabiaCab (private taxi, fixed prices), Haramain Express (Makkah–Madinah–Jeddah only), SAR Rail (Riyadh–Dammam), domestic flight, or SAPTCO bus. For door-to-door travel, ArabiaCab is the most flexible option across all 9+ cities.
What Are the Main Ways to Travel in Saudi Arabia?
Seven modes of transport available to tourists and expats — each suited to different needs:
| Mode | Best For | Coverage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intercity Taxi | Door-to-door travel, pilgrim routes, groups, families | All 9+ cities, all routes | SAR 250–1,100 per trip |
| Domestic Flight | Long routes (Riyadh–Abha, Riyadh–Jeddah) when time is critical | 28 airports nationwide | SAR 80–400+ (plus airport transfers) |
| Haramain Express Train | Makkah ↔ Madinah ↔ Jeddah pilgrims | Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, KAEC only | SAR 40–115 per seat |
| SAPTCO Bus | Budget solo travelers, non-time-sensitive trips | Most cities, limited frequency | SAR 40–180 per seat |
| Uber / Careem | Short intra-city trips only | Within single city only | SAR 15–80 per trip |
| Riyadh Metro | Budget travel within Riyadh | Riyadh only (6 lines) | SAR 4–10 per trip |
| Rental Car | Independent explorers within a city or region | All roads; self-navigate | SAR 80–300/day + fuel |
How Do You Get Between Cities in Saudi Arabia?
This is where most tourists get confused. Saudi Arabia is continental in scale — Riyadh to Jeddah is 950 km. There are four realistic options:
1. Intercity Taxi (ArabiaCab) — Most Flexible
Private taxi with fixed prices, door-to-door pickup, 24/7 availability, and no advance booking lead time required (though booking a day ahead is recommended for peak season). Covers all 9+ cities with no route gaps.
2. Haramain Express Train — Pilgrim Route Only
High-speed train connecting Makkah, Jeddah (King Abdulaziz Airport station), King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), and Madinah. Tickets from SAR 40 (economy) to SAR 115 (business). Journey time: Makkah to Madinah ~2 hours. Ideal for pilgrims, but does not serve Riyadh, Dammam, Taif, Abha, or any other city.
3. SAR Rail (Riyadh–Dammam)
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) operates the Riyadh–Dammam route (4.5 hrs, SAR 65–80) and the Riyadh–Qassim route. Comfortable, affordable, but limited network — does not cover western or southern Saudi Arabia.
4. Domestic Flight
Flynas and flyadeal offer budget fares from SAR 80–200. Saudia covers all routes. Good for long routes (Riyadh–Abha, Riyadh–Al-Ula) where the drive takes 9+ hours. Factor in 2–3 hours per airport and the cost of airport transfers at both ends.
Note: Uber and Careem are explicitly restricted to intra-city operation in Saudi Arabia. They cannot take you between cities, regardless of what the app shows as possible routes. See our Uber alternative in Saudi Arabia guide for full comparison.
City-by-City Transport Breakdown
Transport options differ significantly by city. Here is what works where:
Riyadh
Metro Line 1 (Red) runs from Airport (RUH) to Al Olaya direct.Riyadh is spread over 1,800 km². The Metro is great for Al Olaya–KAFD corridor but taxis are faster for most tourist spots.
Jeddah
Jeddah Airport (JEDDAH) to city center = ~35 km, ~40 min by taxi.No metro yet. Uber and Careem work well in central Jeddah. For Al-Balad (UNESCO heritage), drive-in rules apply — use taxi.
Makkah
Jeddah Airport → Makkah: 95 km, SAR 250 by ArabiaCab.For pilgrims: book ArabiaCab in advance for Hajj season. Mashaer Metro only runs during Hajj. Careem and Uber operate within Makkah city limits.
Madinah
Makkah → Madinah by Haramain Express: 2 hrs, SAR 80–115.Madinah Airport (MED) is close to the Prophet's Mosque — just 15 km. ArabiaCab MED airport transfer: SAR 80–120.
Dammam / Khobar
Riyadh → Dammam by SAR Rail: 4.5 hrs, SAR 65–80.SAR Rail (Riyadh–Dammam) is the main train link in the country outside of Haramain — comfortable and affordable at ~SAR 80.
Taif
Taif Airport (TIF) sits outside the city — always pre-book transfers.Taif has limited ride-share coverage. Pre-book ArabiaCab for airport transfers (TIF) and for Makkah–Taif (90 km, 1.5 hrs, SAR 200).
Abha
Abha Airport (AHB) to city center: 25 km, ArabiaCab transfer from SAR 80.Abha is the highland city of Asir region. Jeddah → Abha is 650 km through mountains — a scenic but long drive (7 hrs, SAR 900).
Riyadh Metro — What Tourists Need to Know
The Riyadh Metro opened to the public in late 2024 after years of construction. It is a world-class system with 6 colour-coded lines, 85 stations, and full air conditioning. Single tickets cost SAR 4–10. A tourist pass is available at the airport station.
The metro is excellent for budget travel within Riyadh. For airport transfers with luggage, or for reaching destinations outside metro range, ArabiaCab is faster and more practical.
Haramain Express: The Pilgrim Train
The Haramain High Speed Railway (HHR) is one of the fastest trains in the Middle East, running at up to 300 km/h. It is specifically designed to serve Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
| Route | Duration | Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makkah → Madinah | ~2 hrs | SAR 80 | SAR 115 |
| Makkah → Jeddah Airport | ~30 min | SAR 40 | SAR 55 |
| Madinah → Jeddah Airport | ~1.5 hrs | SAR 65 | SAR 90 |
| Jeddah Airport → KAEC | ~30 min | SAR 40 | SAR 55 |
Limitation: the Haramain does not serve Riyadh, Dammam, Taif, Abha, Al-Ula, or Khobar. For all non-Haramain intercity routes, private taxi is the primary option. See our Umrah and Hajj transport guide for full pilgrim routing.
Should You Rent a Car in Saudi Arabia?
Self-drive is viable for exploring within a single city or for short regional loops (e.g., Jeddah → Taif day trip). Consider it if:
- • Exploring Al-Ula, Hegra, or Asir mountains independently
- • Staying 2+ weeks in one city
- • Comfortable driving on dual carriageways at 120 km/h
- • Not crossing into Makkah (non-Muslim access restrictions)
- • Traveling Riyadh–Jeddah (8-lane highway, night driving, fatigue risk)
- • Visiting multiple cities in one trip
- • Traveling as a group (taxi often cheaper than car + fuel)
- • During Hajj season (extreme traffic congestion)
International licenses are accepted for 90 days. Minimum rental age is 21 at most agencies. Major agencies at all airports: Hertz, Avis, Budget, STC Car, Europcar.
Airport Transfers: What Are Your Options?
Saudi Arabia has 6 major international airports. Each has slightly different ground transport options. See our full airport transfer guide for all 6 airports. Quick reference:
| Airport | City | Distance to Center | Best Option | ArabiaCab Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEDDAH (JED) | Jeddah | 35 km | Taxi | from SAR 120 |
| RUH | Riyadh | 35 km | Metro Line 1 or Taxi | from SAR 100 |
| MED | Madinah | 15 km | Taxi | from SAR 80 |
| DMM | Dammam | 20 km | Taxi | from SAR 100 |
| TIF | Taif | 30 km | Taxi (pre-book) | from SAR 120 |
| AHB | Abha | 25 km | Taxi (pre-book) | from SAR 80 |
Why Most Travelers Choose ArabiaCab for Intercity Routes
No other single service covers all 9+ Saudi cities with door-to-door service, fixed prices, and English-speaking drivers. The breakdown:
For a direct comparison against Uber and Careem, see our best Uber alternative in Saudi Arabia guide. For city-specific info, see the best cab service in Riyadh guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there public transportation in Saudi Arabia?+
Can Uber or Careem take me between cities?+
What is the best way to get from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?+
How much does a taxi from Riyadh to Jeddah cost?+
Is it safe to travel by taxi in Saudi Arabia?+
Can I rent a car as a tourist in Saudi Arabia?+
Is the Riyadh Metro useful for tourists?+
What is the cheapest way to travel between Saudi cities?+
How do I book ArabiaCab?+
Ready to Book Your Ride?
Fixed prices. No surge. No intercity restrictions. WhatsApp confirmation within minutes.