SA Saudi Arabia: how to get around

The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) operates long-distance buses linking together all corners of the country. Buses are modern, air-conditioned and comfortable, but often slow, and the bus stations are more often than not several kilometres away from the city centre. The Riyadh-Dammam service, for example, costs SR60 and takes around 6 hours.

Special "VIP" services operate on the Riyadh-Dammam and Riyadh-Bahrain sectors. For a surcharge of about 50%, you get a direct, non-stop city centre-to-city centre services, plush seating and a meal on-board. They are quite good value, if the sparse schedules match your plans.

The railway network in Saudi Arabia used to be underdeveloped, but there has been a major push to expand rail coverage. The older line running between Riyadh (East), Al-Hofuf and Dammam has been complemented by a new north-south line between Riyadh (North), Buraydah and Al Qurayyat near the Jordanian border, with both lines operated by Saudi Arabian Railways.

In 2018, a new high speed link, the Haramain Highspeed Railway connecting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City, opened.

Online tickets are available for all services. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance as the trains are often sold out (though a waiting list option exists), but dynamic pricing doesn't seem to be used all that much.

The standard is high with all passenger services offering both second (economy) and business classes, with the former in a 2+2 layout and the latter in a 2+1 layout. All classes offer power sockets. For North-South services, private sleeper cabins are also available at a premium. Almost all trains have a cafeteria car serving up drinks and snacks, as well as push-trolley service and there are slick waiting lounges at stations. Keep in mind that unlike some other countries, buying a business class or private cabin fare does not guarantee you food or a lounge - there are two types of fares available, and only the more expensive one offers a meal and a lounge (food is otherwise buy-on-board). On the flip side, the cost for adding lounge access is relatively cheap (30 SR online or 50 SR at the station); you can expect a few hot dishes, cold sandwiches which you can take to the train, packed juices and a hot drink. Functional, but nowhere of a typical airline lounge. Lounges are available at all stations except at Abqaiq.

Wi-Fi does not appear to work in the train (from Riyadh to Dammam at least, though mobile data is mostly available throughout the line), and you can expect more noise from passengers than comparable trains in many other countries (though the engines themselves are quiet). Also, change/cancellation fares can be rather high (as a percentage) on the cheapest fare class, as only the most expensive fare class for Business offers free ticket changes. On the flip side, unless you're on the cheapest fare class, and in contrast with many other countries, you are usually eligible to get a portion of the fare back in case of a no-show (defined as a cancellation 24 hours before or after the train departs).

Saudi Arabia has operational metro systems in Mecca and Riyadh as of 2024, while systems have been proposed for Jeddah, Dammam and Medina.

Highway quality is highly variable, except highways that connect major cities, which are generally excellent. The speed limits are usually either 120 km/h or 140 km/h, with a 10 and 4 km/h buffer respectively. Note that at night, some major highways are not streetlit, and hence driving may be challenging to those not used to night driving, as the only light you'll have would be from the cars and trucks themselves. Use a navigation system; it is not uncommon for road signs to be only in Arabic. Driving during the day is recommended. There are gas stations every 30 km or so.

It is uncommon for people to use the indicator (blinker) when changing lanes. In cities, note that (at least in Riyadh) you can go right at a traffic signal showing red ahead, but must stop and check for traffic before doing so. Similarly, portions of highways have little to none in lane markings.

Car rental is available and petrol is some of the cheapest in the world. However, there are important reasons to think twice about car rental. The country has some of the highest accident rates in the world. Accidents are common, and if a visitor is involved in one, they would be exposed to the extremely punitive Saudi legal system; see elsewhere on this page for the warnings about that. Access to car rentals is limited to persons 21 and older.

If you are involved in a car accident all parties are required to stay where they are and wait for the Traffic Police (call 993) to turn up, which can take up to four hours. English is unlikely to be spoken by the police, even in big cities, so try to use the waiting time to arrange a translator. The police will issue an accident report, which you have to take to the traffic police station and get it stamped a few times in different queues (this takes most of a morning). Only then can any damage to the car be repaired, as insurance companies will not pay for any body work without this report.

It is not uncommon for the traffic police to resolve the incident there and then by determining the guilty party and deciding compensation. So, should it be your fault the Police will ask you to pay an amount to the other party, but you are not obligated to do so.

Women have only been allowed to drive on public roads in Saudi Arabia since 2018.

Within cities, taxis are the only practical means of transportation. Standardised throughout the country, metered fares start at SR5 and tick up at SR1.60/km, but outside Riyadh you'll often have to haggle the price in advance. Solo passengers are expected to sit up front next to the driver: this has the advantages of being next to the full blast of the air-con and making it easier to wave your hands to show the way. Another option, easy to use, is to use an app like Uber or Careem - should be about SR 30-35/15 km in Riyadh. Many of the taxi drivers know only Arabic, though some can converse in English or Urdu.

Ride-hailing is available in Saudi Arabia and the following are the most anticipated providers:

• Bolt. Works in Dammam, Jazan, Jeddah, Medina and Riyadh. (updated Jul 2020)
• Uber. Uber covers the whole of Saudi Arabia. (updated Oct 2023)
• Careem