Saudi Arabia Transport 2025 — Flights, Trains, Buses, Car Rental & How to Move Between Cities
UncategorizedSaudi Arabia Transport 2025 — Flights, Trains, Buses, Car Rental & How to Move Between Cities
Saudi Arabia is a large country, and the distances between cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla and Umluj can be big. Choosing the right transport method will save you hours and make your itinerary smoother.
This guide will show you exactly when to use flights, when trains are useful, when buses make sense, and when renting a car is the best option—especially in AlUla or Umluj.
Table of Contents
🔹 Quick overview of transport in Saudi Arabia
For most trips, transport will be a mix of:
- Domestic flights (fastest between cities)
- Trains (Jeddah ↔ Makkah ↔ Madinah & Riyadh ↔ Dammam)
- Buses (budget-friendly)
- Car rental (best for AlUla & Umluj)
- Uber/Careem inside major cities
✈️ Domestic flights — Best option for long distances
Saudi Arabia is huge: Riyadh–Jeddah is almost 900 km. This is why domestic flights are the most efficient way to move between major cities.
When to choose flights?
- Riyadh ↔ Jeddah
- Jeddah ↔ AlUla
- Riyadh ↔ AlUla
- Riyadh ↔ Tabuk (for Neom / The Line tours)
If your itinerary is short (7–12 days), flights will save you 1–2 days of lost time.
Estimate flight times:
- Riyadh → Jeddah: 1h 35m
- Jeddah → AlUla: 1h 20m
- Riyadh → AlUla: 1h 50m
🚄 Trains in Saudi Arabia
1) Haramain High-Speed Train (Jeddah–Makkah–Madinah)
The most comfortable option for pilgrims and tourists moving between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah.
- Jeddah → Makkah: 20–25 minutes
- Jeddah → Madinah: 1h 50m
2) Riyadh ↔ Dammam Train
Useful if you’re adding the eastern region (Dammam, Khobar) to your trip.
🚌 Intercity buses — Budget-friendly option
Buses work well if:
- You’re traveling on a budget
- Flight timings don’t match your plan
- Distances are mid-range
However, buses are not recommended for long trips with kids or tight itineraries.
🚗 Car rental — Best for AlUla & Umluj
Renting a car is extremely useful in:
- AlUla — large distances between Hegra, Elephant Rock, Old Town
- Umluj — beaches, marinas, viewpoints
- Short desert or scenic drives
Driving tips:
- Always check speed limits (Saudi Arabia uses automated cameras)
- Use Google Maps + “avoid ferries”
- For AlUla: fuel before entering remote areas
Common strategy: Fly → Rent a car locally → Return car → Fly again.
🚕 Transport inside cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla)
Most visitors use:
- Uber
- Careem
- Hotel transport services
Parking is easy in many areas, but for tourists, using apps is usually simpler.
🗺️ Sample 12-day transport plan
Days 1–3: Riyadh
- Arrive internationally
- Use Uber/Careem inside the city
Days 4–6: AlUla
- Flight: Riyadh → AlUla
- Rent a car OR join guided tours for Hegra, Elephant Rock, Old Town
Days 7–9: Jeddah
- Flight: AlUla → Jeddah
- Use Uber inside the city
Days 10–12: Umluj (optional)
- Car rental or private transfer from Jeddah
- Return to Jeddah for your international flight
💡 Practical tips
- Book domestic flights early
- Use Uber in Riyadh/Jeddah instead of renting a car
- Fuel before long drives in AlUla
- Check Haramain train times ahead of time
❓ FAQ
Are domestic flights reliable?
Yes — and they’re the preferred option for long distances.
Is it safe to drive in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Roads are wide and modern, but watch the speed limits.
Do I need a car in AlUla?
Yes, unless you book guided tours for all attractions.
Are trains useful for tourists?
Absolutely — especially the Haramain train between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.