Capital : Riyadh 
Population : 34,218,169 (2019 estimate) 
Area : 1,149,690 sq km 
Currency : Saudi Riyal (SR) (SAR) 
Land : 99.3% 
Elevation : 665 M 
Water : 0.7% 
Time Zone : UTC+03:00 (AST) 
Map Referred : Middle East
Driving : Left Home / Destinations / Saudi Arabia Guide / How To Reach in Saudi Arabia
There are plenty of airline services to Saudi Arabia, airlines such as Emirates, SilkAir, Oman Air, British Airways, Saudi Airlines, Etihad Airways among others. King Fahd International Airport occupies 776 sq km of area and is the largest airport in the world.
Cruise liners currently do not stop in Saudi Arabia. A ferry service on the Red Sea that connects Safaga in Egypt with Duba and Yanbu in Saudi exist such as Namma Shipping Lines. There is also a sea connection from Suez in Egypt to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Road travel with very erratic driving standards especially in the Eastern Province is to be noted. Road travel must be ventured only with caution. However, the King Fahd Gateway that connects Saudi Arabia to Bahrain is an engineering feat and the journey is spectacular. The road quality is upgraded from time to time, much of which is of a high standard. Borders between Iraq and Saudi have opened since October 2019. A new road link is planned between Oman and Saudi. It is also possible to drive between Saudi and Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and the UAE.
As of now, there are plans by the Saudi Railway Organization to network Jeddah to Jordan, Yemen, and eventually to Egypt.
Air is the most convenient mode of travel around the country. Flyadeal, Flynas, SaudiGulf Airlines are the main domestic carriers. There are special flights organized for pilgrims during the Hajj to and from Jeddah
Taxi services are metered and easily available in all major cities. Negotiating a fare especially for long-distance travel is possible. However, it is easier to follow the meter charges and fares are not very expensive. There are also car hire agencies both at the airport and in town. The minimum driving age is 25 and all valid documentation is required as well. Road travel along the Corniche between Mecca and Taif is worth an experience.
SAPTCO is a bus travel company that offers stations in major cities. Tickets are affordable and vehicles are clean and comfortable. Try the Riyadh-Dammam route, a five-hour journey to indulge in a desert voyage that will take you through the depths of the desert. KSA Travels also offers plenty of bus routes with their services.
Saudi Railway Organization (SRO) operates the rail system and the main railway line is the Riyadh-Dammam line which is a 570 km stretch. There are also daily train services that are air-conditioned with comforts depending on the ticket. Food and beverages are served with comfortable seating. The railway on the west coast has been abandoned for a while now. SRO also operates trains between Mecca and Medina.
