Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Why take a day trip to Al Ahsa?
Al Ahsa is one of the largest oases in the world and a UNESCO site, with palm groves, springs and villages around the city of Hofuf. An Al Ahsa day trip by car is the easiest way to see it from the coast: Hofuf is 150 km from Dammam on Route 615, about 1 h 30 min, and 151 km from Al Khobar, about 1 h 45 min.
The day has three parts: the old centre of Hofuf, Al Qarah Mountain and its caves, and the palm groves. This article covers Al Ahsa only. For Half Moon Bay, Ithra and Tarout, see our Eastern Province day trips guide.
Ibrahim Palace and Qaisariya Souq
Ibrahim Palace is a historic fortress-palace in Hofuf with a mosque and Ottoman-era details, about 2 km from the city centre. Allow about 1 h, then walk on to Qaisariya Souq nearby.
Check the palace's opening hours before the day, because they can change. If it is closed when you arrive, the driver can take you straight on to Al Qarah and come back later.
Al Qarah Mountain and its caves
Al Qarah Mountain is a mountain of cool limestone caves and passages inside the oasis, about 15 km from Hofuf. Plan on about 1 h 30 min. The caves stay cool in summer, which makes them a good stop for the middle of the day.
Wear shoes with grip for the passages. Opening times and tickets can change, so check before you go.
The palm groves and villages
The oasis itself is best seen as a half-day tour with a driver, about 4 h, with stops among the palm groves, springs and villages. Al Qarah sits inside the oasis, so it fits into the same loop.
October to April is the most comfortable time for walking in the groves. Tell us before the day if you want to stop at a particular farm or spring, and we plan the order of stops.
A day plan from Dammam or Al Khobar
That is about 5 h in the oasis plus the drive both ways.
- Morning: pickup in Dammam, Al Khobar or Dhahran, then about 1 h 30 min to Hofuf, with a rest or prayer stop if you ask.
- Late morning: Ibrahim Palace and Qaisariya Souq, about 1 h.
- Midday: Al Qarah Mountain, about 1 h 30 min in the cool caves.
- Afternoon: palm groves, springs and villages with the driver.
- Evening: back to the coast, about 10 hours after you set off.
By road or by train?
The SAR East Line runs between Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam, and Hofuf Station is about 5 km from central Hofuf. You can take the train and book a driver by the hour at the station, from SAR 80 per hour with a 3-hour minimum; five hours costs SAR 400. Timetables and fares change, so check them with SAR; our SAR railway guide explains the network.
By road, the car collects you at your door and brings you back to it, which suits families with small children and luggage. From Riyadh, Al Ahsa is 326 km, about 3 h 55 min each way, so it is a long day by car, and the train or a night in Al Ahsa is more comfortable. For the road itself, see Dammam to Hofuf by road.
What does an Al Ahsa day trip cost?
Fares are per car, fixed before the day, and include fuel, the driver and all waiting. Entry tickets are not included.
| Option | Vehicle | Fare per car |
|---|---|---|
| Dammam to Hofuf, one way | Economy sedan, up to 3 | SAR 260 |
| Day trip from Dammam, driver waits about 10 hours | Economy sedan, up to 3 | SAR 800 |
| Same day trip | SUV, up to 7 | SAR 1,800 |
| Same day trip | Family van, up to 11 | SAR 1,500 |
| Driver by the hour from Hofuf Station | Economy sedan | SAR 80 per hour, 3-hour minimum |