Saudi airports are large and modern, and getting into town is straightforward if you know your options. Have mobile data ready before you land (see eSIM) so you can call a ride straight away, and ignore anyone in the arrivals hall offering an unofficial taxi.
Riyadh: King Khalid International (RUH)
The airport lies about 35 km north of central Riyadh. Your options:
- Metro: the Yellow Line stops at Terminals 1-2, 3-4 and 5 and runs to KAFD in around 30 to 35 minutes, where you can change to other lines. A 2-hour ticket costs around SAR 4, and you can tap a contactless card. It is by far the cheapest option and avoids rush-hour traffic.
- Official taxis: available outside arrivals around the clock. Expect roughly SAR 80 to 150 to central districts such as Olaya, depending on distance and time.
- Uber and Careem: pick-up from marked zones; often similar to or slightly cheaper than taxis, with the fare shown upfront.
Allow 40 to 60 minutes by road at peak times.
Jeddah: King Abdulaziz International (JED)
Most international flights use the modern Terminal 1, about 20 km north of the centre.
- Haramain train: the airport station is linked to Terminal 1 on foot. Trains reach Jeddah's Al Sulaymaniyah station in minutes, KAEC in around 30 minutes and Madinah in under two hours (Makkah for Muslim travellers only). Services do not run around the clock, so check the timetable.
- Official taxis: roughly SAR 80 to 150 to the Corniche, Al Balad or the city's hotels. Confirm the fare or ask for the meter before you set off.
- Uber and Careem: from designated pick-up zones; surge pricing is common in the Umrah peak and around Ramadan.
If you land at the North Terminal, allow extra time to reach Terminal 1 for the train.
Dammam: King Fahd International (DMM)
One of the world's largest airports by area, DMM lies about 40 to 50 km from Dammam and Al Khobar, so a taxi or ride-hail of 40 to 50 minutes is the norm. Expect around SAR 100 to 180. Some buses run, but services are limited.
AlUla (ULH) and Red Sea International (RSI)
AlUla's airport is roughly 40 minutes' drive from the Old Town and hotels. Taxis and ride-hailing are fewer than in the cities, so many visitors pre-book their hotel's transfer or hire a car, which is the best way to see AlUla anyway. At Red Sea International, the resorts arrange transfers for guests, including boat or seaplane links to island properties; these are organised when you book your stay.
Other airports
At Madinah, Abha, Taif and Tabuk, taxis and ride-hailing are the usual choice. Madinah also has a Haramain station a short ride from the airport. For any airport, agree the fare in advance if a taxi has no meter, and keep some riyals in cash in case card payment fails.
Planning onward travel? Read getting around.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Riyadh airport to the city?
Take the Riyadh Metro Yellow Line to KAFD for around SAR 4, or a taxi or Uber for roughly SAR 80 to 150 depending on where you are staying.
Is there a train from Jeddah airport?
Yes. The Haramain railway has a station linked to Terminal 1, with trains to central Jeddah, KAEC and Madinah, and to Makkah for Muslim travellers.
How much is a taxi from Jeddah airport to Al Balad?
Roughly SAR 80 to 150 depending on time and traffic. Agree the fare or ask for the meter before you set off.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.