Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Why go to Abha in summer?
For Abha tourism, transport is the first thing to plan, because the best sights are spread along mountain roads around the city. Abha is the highland capital of the Asir region and stays much cooler than the coast and the desert cities in summer, which is why June to September is its peak season.
That also means demand for flights, hotels and drivers is highest in summer, so book early.
How do you get to Abha?
Most visitors fly into Abha International Airport (AHB), which serves both Abha and Khamis Mushait. By road, Abha is a long drive from Jeddah or Riyadh. We run both routes with rest and meal stops included, and families can split the Jeddah drive with a night in Al Qunfudhah.
| Trip | Distance | Time | Economy fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abha Airport to Abha | 25 km | 30 min | SAR 60 |
| Abha Airport to Khamis Mushait | 20 km | 20 min | SAR 60 |
| Jeddah to Abha | 687 km | 8 h 20 min | SAR 1,170 |
| Riyadh to Abha | 946 km | 12 h 5 min | SAR 1,610 |
Al Soudah: what to expect
Al Soudah is a misty highland area about 25 km from Abha, with one of the highest points in the Kingdom and a cable car. Plan around three hours there.
Go in the morning. Fog often rolls in by the afternoon and can hide the views, and it is cool up there, so bring a jacket even in summer. Check that the cable car is running before you set off.
More day trips from Abha
Rijal Alma is a village of colourful stone tower houses west of Abha, with a museum; morning light is best for photos. Habala Village, the "hanging village" on a cliff south of Abha, is reached by cable car and takes most of a morning.
| Place | From Abha | Typical visit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Soudah | 25 km | 3 hours | Go in the morning, before the fog |
| Habala Village | 60 km | 2.5 hours | Check the cable car is running |
| Rijal Alma Heritage Village | 45 km | 2.5 hours | The road descends the escarpment |
| Al Muftaha Art Village | Central Abha | 1 hour | Artists' studios and galleries |
| Green Mountain | 3 km | 1.5 hours | Lit green at night, with cafés and city views |
| Al Namas | 140 km | Most of a day | Scenic road with fog on summer mornings |
A three-day plan
- Day 1: land at Abha Airport and check in, then visit Al Muftaha Art Village and have dinner on the Green Mountain after dark.
- Day 2: Al Soudah in the morning before the fog, then a slow afternoon in Abha.
- Day 3: Habala Village or Rijal Alma, with a driver who waits at each stop.
- Optional: a day on the escarpment road to Al Namas, 140 km and about 2 h each way.
Driving the mountain roads
The roads around Abha climb and descend the escarpment with sharp bends, and fog is common on summer mornings. Our drivers take them steadily and stop for rest or prayer on request. If anyone in your group gets car-sick, tell us when you book, and we plan the day with breaks.
Self-drive is possible, but with fog and steep descents, a local driver lets you look at the view instead of the road.
Which vehicle should you book?
For day trips, keep a driver by the hour: from SAR 80 per hour in an economy sedan or SAR 180 in an SUV, with a 3-hour minimum. A family van for up to 11 people costs from SAR 150 per hour.
Point-to-point rides inside Abha start from SAR 60, and Abha to Khamis Mushait, 30 km away, costs from SAR 60. Book your Abha Airport taxi and your day trips early for the summer months.