Transportation

Saudi Arabia's main gateways are Riyadh (RUH, King Khalid International), Jeddah (JED, King Abdulaziz International) and Dammam (DMM). From each, airport taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are the easiest way into the city. In Riyadh the new metro is expanding to reach the airport, adding a public-transport option.

Public transport is growing fast. Riyadh opened its metro in 2024 with several lines, complemented by Riyadh Bus, while cities like Jeddah rely mainly on buses. Coverage is still expanding, so many visitors combine transit with ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem for door-to-door trips.

In Riyadh the transit smart card is the darb card, used to tap on and off the metro and Riyadh Bus. You can top it up at stations and use the darb app to plan trips and pay. Outside Riyadh, card systems are limited, so many trips rely on cash on buses or ride-hailing apps instead.

Ride-hailing dominates in Saudi cities: Uber and Careem are the mainstream way to get around, with transparent app fares and cashless payment. Street taxis exist but ride-hailing is usually easier and clearer for visitors. Careem is especially popular locally and also offers other services in the same app.

The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah at high speed, while the national operator SAR runs other rail lines across the country. Long-distance buses run by SAPTCO are a cheaper alternative on many routes. Book ahead, especially around religious travel seasons when demand is high.

Saudi Arabia is vast, so domestic flights save a lot of time over long distances. The main carriers are Saudia, flynas and flyadeal, connecting major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Abha. For the Makkah-Jeddah-Madinah corridor, however, the Haramain high-speed train is often more convenient than flying.

Plan around the heat: outdoor waits can be tough in summer, so favour air-conditioned metro, cars and malls in the middle of the day. Ride-hailing (Uber, Careem) is the simplest way to get around most cities. Note that non-Muslims cannot enter central Makkah and parts of Madinah, so check restrictions before travelling there.