Riyadh to Jeddah is about 950 km by road, and AlUla is more than 1,000 km from the capital, so most trips combine flights, trains and taxis. Within cities, ride-hailing apps do most of the work, and in Riyadh the new metro is a real alternative to the traffic.
Riyadh Metro
The Riyadh Metro opened in stages between December 2024 and January 2025 and is one of the longest driverless metro systems in the world: six colour-coded lines and more than 80 stations over 176 km. The Yellow Line runs from King Khalid International Airport to KAFD, the Blue Line follows Olaya Street past the Kingdom Centre, and the Green Line ends at the National Museum.
- Hours: roughly 05:30 to midnight Saturday to Thursday, and from 10:00 on Fridays.
- Fares: a 2-hour ticket costs around SAR 4 in standard class and SAR 10 in first class; 3-day and 7-day passes (around SAR 20 and SAR 40) suit visitors. Tickets also cover the city's Darb buses.
- Paying: tap a contactless bank card or phone at the gate, use the Darb app, or buy a Darb card at a station machine.
Each train has a first-class carriage and a section for families and women, so check the signs on the platform.
Haramain High Speed Railway
The Haramain line runs at up to 300 km/h between Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah (Al Sulaymaniyah station and the airport station at Terminal 1) and King Abdullah Economic City. Jeddah to Madinah takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Book on the official Haramain website or app; trains fill up around Ramadan and the Hajj season.
SAR trains: east and north
Saudi Arabia Railways (sar.com.sa) runs two conventional lines from Riyadh:
- East Train: Riyadh to Dammam via Hofuf (for Al-Ahsa) and Abqaiq, around 4 hours, several departures a day.
- North Train: Riyadh to Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al Jouf and Qurayyat near the Jordanian border. Riyadh to Hail takes around 4 to 5 hours; the full run to Qurayyat is around 10 hours, with sleeper cabins on some services and a car-carrying option.
Fares start from well under SAR 100 in economy and rise closer to departure. Business class is spacious and good value.
Domestic flights
For long hops, fly. Saudia, flynas, flyadeal and, since June 2026, Riyadh Air link Riyadh and Jeddah many times a day, and serve AlUla, Abha, Tabuk, Madinah, Taif, the Red Sea and more. Riyadh to Jeddah takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Low-cost fares can be very cheap if you travel light, but check baggage allowances.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Careem and Uber operate in all major cities, alongside local apps such as Jeeny and Bolt. Fares are shown in advance and you can pay by card. Street taxis exist but rarely use meters, so agree the price first. Women travelling alone use ride-hailing freely; sitting in the back is normal.
Buses
SAPTCO and other operators run air-conditioned intercity coaches between most cities, which are cheap but slow. In Riyadh, the Darb bus network complements the metro on the same tickets, and Jeddah, Madinah and other cities have expanding city bus networks.
Want more freedom, especially for AlUla, Asir or the desert? See car hire. Landing soon? Read airport transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Riyadh to Jeddah?
Not yet. Fly (about 1 hour 45 minutes) or drive about 950 km. The Haramain railway runs only between Jeddah, Makkah, KAEC and Madinah.
How much does the Riyadh Metro cost?
Around SAR 4 for a 2-hour standard ticket, with 3-day and 7-day passes for visitors. You can tap a contactless bank card at the gate.
Do Uber and Careem work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, in all major cities. They are the easiest way to get around, with prices shown before you book.
Can non-Muslims take the Haramain train?
Yes, between Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City and Madinah. Makkah station is inside the area only Muslims may enter.
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.