Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is Al-Balad, and why visit?
Al-Balad in Jeddah is the city's historic old town and the place most visitors want to see first. Its UNESCO-listed lanes are lined with coral-stone houses with wooden balconies, and old souqs run between them. It is about 5 km from the city centre, so it fits into a free afternoon or evening between other plans.
Most visitors spend about 2 h 30 min there. The lanes are best explored on foot, so think of the car as your way in and out: the driver drops you close to the old town, you walk, and you meet again at an agreed point.
When is the best time to visit Al-Balad?
October to April is the best season. Jeddah is on the coast, so the summer months are hot and humid, and a long walk through the lanes is hard work in the middle of the day.
Within the day, the late afternoon and evening work best. The air is cooler and the old town is livelier after sunset. Keep morning visits for the cooler months, and in summer go after dark.
Two dates make evenings busier across the city. On Saudi National Day, 23 September, central roads and the Corniche are crowded in the evening, so book your rides ahead. On Formula 1 race days, roads near the Corniche close, which can slow the drive back to seafront hotels.
How do you get to Al-Balad?
A car is the simplest way in, because you are dropped close to the lanes and collected at a set time. These are the usual starting points:
- From a Jeddah hotel: a fixed-fare ride costs from SAR 60 per car. Send us the hotel name and we confirm the fare before the day.
- From Jeddah Airport (JED): the city is 20 km away, about 25 min, from SAR 60. The driver tracks your flight and waits free for 60 minutes after landing.
- From the Haramain train: central Jeddah and Al-Balad are about 10 km from the Al Sulaymaniyah station. Book a taxi from Jeddah Haramain Station before you travel.
- From Makkah: Makkah to Jeddah is 95 km, about 1 h 15 min, from SAR 170 per car.
- Ride-hailing apps also work for a single ride inside Jeddah. A pre-booked car suits families who need a van, or anyone who wants the driver to wait.
Where does the driver drop you, and how does pickup work?
Tell us where you want to start, for example a souq or a restaurant, and the driver takes you as close as the roads allow. Before you leave the car, agree the pickup point and time, and save the driver's number. If you lose your way in the lanes, share your live location on WhatsApp so the driver can find the nearest place to meet you.
There are two ways to book. A one-way drop costs from SAR 60, and you book a separate return for a set time; at city pickups the driver waits 15 minutes free. Or keep the same car with the driver waiting, from SAR 240 for about 3 hours, which is easier if you are carrying shopping or travelling with children.
What does a trip to Al-Balad cost?
Fares are per car, fixed before the ride, and include the driver and fuel. Entry to any museum, house or event in the old town is not included.
Rides between 00:00–05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote, so mention it when you book if you plan a late dinner in the old town.
| Option | Vehicle | Fare per car |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off only | Economy sedan, up to 3 | SAR 60 |
| Return, driver waits about 3 hours | Economy sedan, up to 3 | SAR 240 |
| Return, driver waits | SUV, up to 7 | SAR 540 |
| Return, driver waits | Family van, up to 11 | SAR 450 |
| Driver by the hour | Economy sedan | SAR 80 per hour, 3-hour minimum |
What should you wear and bring?
- Comfortable shoes. The lanes are best on foot, and an evening in the old town means a lot of walking.
- Light, modest clothing, as anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
- Water, especially outside the cooler months.
- A card and some cash for small purchases in the souqs.
- A charged phone with the driver's number saved.
- For older relatives, a plan for short walks and a pickup point close to where you start.
Can you combine Al-Balad with the Corniche?
Yes, and the timing works well. Spend the late afternoon in Al-Balad, then drive to the seafront after sunset. King Fahd's Fountain, one of the tallest fountains in the world, is lit at night and best seen from the Corniche promenade, about 8 km from the city centre. Our Jeddah Corniche guide covers the best stretches and drop-off points.
For an indoor stop in the heat of the day, Al Tayebat International City Museum covers Hijazi heritage and Islamic history; allow 2 h and check opening times before you go. For buses, apps and other ways around the city, see getting around Jeddah.