Saudi Arabia

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Means of transport recommended in town

Recommendation

Taxis services are available from all main airports to the traveler's destination. The fare should be negotiated in advance. Service taxis which are shared by people charge fare equivalent to buses.
Buses operated by Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) are comfortable and usually follow schedule.

Maps of urban networks

Maporama
SAMIRAD

Transportation from Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car rental
Riyadh Intl (RUH)	33 km / 21 miles	SAR 60 / 30 min			Available
Jeddah (JED)<	17 km / 11 miles	SAR 45-100 / 25-35 min	SAR 50/30-40 min		Available
Dammam (DMM)	24 km / 15 miles	BHD 50	SAR 10 / 45 min		Available
Taif (TIF)	28 km of Taif, 77 km of Meccakm / 18 miles of Taif, 48 miles of Mecca	SAR 40-100 / 20-30 min

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

Recommendation

Taxis remain the most suitable means of transport for foreigners. They are regulated by government.

Rail companies

Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO)

Airlines

You can consult the list of airlines banned within the EU. Look also the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation

Disobeying traffic signals and driving beyond speed limits is common practice. These are also the main reasons for high rate of traffic accidents. Within cities taxi or renting a car is highly recommended. Most road signs are in Arabic, though, many of them are in English too.

Road maps

PlacesOnLine

Find an itinerary

Maporama
Live Search Maps

Different forms of tourism

Historical

Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam are the most important part of historical tourism in the country.  
Jeddah is home to numerous historical landmarks and buildings such as: the Old Jeddah Wall and Gates, the old quarters, historical mosques.

Cultural

Islam is the focus of Saudi Arabian culture. Festivals and Events are an integral part of Saudi Arabian culture. These celebrations highlight the customs and traditions in the country and give a beautiful perspective to this wonderful land.

Nature

Witness the astonishing landscape and wildlife of the Asir, a range of coastal mountains and the only part of the kingdom where there is significant wild vegetation. View a picturesque settlement of fishermen and weavers on Tarut Island. It is also the site of the oldest town on the peninsula.

Religious

- Al-Masjid al-Haram (The Holy Mosque), Mecca
- The Ka'ba and Black Stone, Mecca
- The Prophet's Mosque, Medina
- Floating Mosque of Jeddah, etc.

Thermal

Though thermal energy is the main source of power in Saudi Arabia, there are no natural hot springs. However few hotels provide hot spring spas.
For more details, visit Saudi World.

Beach

Some prominent beaches are Durrat Al-Arus, Shums, Bait Albahar, Salhia and Al Nakeel.

Winter sports

None

Outdoor activities

People also show a lot of interest in activities like scuba diving, windsurfing, and sailing, Golf, horse and camel racing. Do watch the King's Camel Race in April or May during the national Heritage and Cultural Festival at Jenadriyah.

Shopping

Saudi Arabia has a blend of traditional open air markets and modern air conditioned shopping plazas and malls to choose from. If open air Souk is a great place to bargain then the Saudi malls offer the popular international brands. The shops are closed on Fridays and during prayer times.

Tourism organizations

Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTTA)
Saudi Tourism

Health and safety

Health precautions

- A certificate of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis, for people travelling for HAJJ.

- Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must be given two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine.

- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers arriving from an infected area.

- Tetanus vaccine is required

Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. So it is advised to take necessary measures.

International hospitals

Some world famous hospitals in Saudi Arabia are King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, etc.
For more on list of hospitals in the country, visit the website Hospital worldwide.

For further information on sanitary conditions

Saudi Customs

For further information on safety conditions

US Department of State

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference

It is %T:%M %A in Riyadh (GMT+3)

Summer time period

None