meet saudiarabia GETTING AROUND
Make the connection
In a country as vast as Saudi Arabia, air travel between major cities makes sense. However, visitors will also find transportation on the ground both efficient and affordable
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Internal flights While the majority of flights are run by the state through Saudi Arabian Airlines and budget airline Nas Air, domestic air travel is set to become more competitive in 2013 as the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) looks to grant operating licences to selected foreign airlines. Meanwhile, there are regular connections between the country’s key airports: the capital Riyadh, Jeddah in the west, Dammam on the east coast and Madinah in the southwestern region. Flights between Riyadh and Jeddah run almost hourly.
Train The rail network across Saudi Arabia is on course for huge improvement over the next decade. Until then, visitors can make use of the passenger train track that runs from Riyadh to Dammam via Al-Hofuf. Journeys cost around half the price of taking a domestic flight.
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Car Saudi Arabia is a car-orientated country with a preference for larger vehicles, which run on some of the cheapest petrol in the world (prices are equivalent to SAR1.87 or US$0.50 for a gallon). Car rental from international agents such as Avis and Budget will cost around SAR143 to SAR225 (US$38 to US$60) a day for a medium-sized car. Using a local hire company can cost as little
as SAR56 (US$15) a day for small cars. Check daily mileage limitations and, for a month’s rental, expect to reduce the cost by around 30 percent. Always be prepared to haggle. Roads are generally in good condition,
but watch out for large truck convoys on the routes between cities.
Taxis Taxis are reasonably priced and often drivers will agree a fixed fare before setting off.
Buses All cross-country buses are run by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (
saptco.com.sa) and cover all destinations in the country. During the Hajj, bus services across the country are reduced as buses are seconded for pilgrims. Local bus services in towns tend to be aimed at lower-paid foreign workers, but can be a spectacularly cheap option, if you know exactly where you are heading.
RIYADH Taxis: Short journeys will normally cost around SAR10 (US$2.70), starting at SAR5 (US$1.33) then SAR1.60 (US$0.43) per kilometre, although many drivers prefer to ask for an agreed flat fare, which can save money. A metered journey from King Khaled International Airport to the city centre should cost a maximum of SAR90 (US$25)
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