Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Can you book a female taxi driver in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Women have been allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia since 2018, and a female taxi driver in Saudi Arabia is now something you can book in advance in the main cities. Our female-driver vehicles are driven by licensed Saudi women. They suit women travelling alone, mothers with children and families who prefer a woman at the wheel.
This post explains where the service runs, what it costs, how to book it and what to do in cities where it is not available. For general safety habits on any ride, see our post on taxi safety for women in Saudi Arabia.
Where are female drivers available?
Female-driver vehicles run in five cities: Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam. That covers city rides, airport pickups at Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam airports, and longer trips between these cities. Makkah has no airport of its own; most visitors to Makkah fly into Jeddah.
Fares are per car, fixed before the ride, and include fuel, tolls and the driver.
| Trip | Distance | Female-driver fare |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to Jeddah city | 20 km | SAR 90 |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | 102 km | SAR 270 |
| Madinah Airport to central Madinah | 18 km | SAR 90 |
| Riyadh Airport to Riyadh | 35 km | SAR 100 |
| Dammam Airport to Dammam | 40 km | SAR 110 |
| Makkah to Madinah | 450 km | SAR 1,170 |
| Riyadh to Dammam | 400 km | SAR 1,040 |
What does a female-driver booking include?
- A licensed Saudi female driver in a Standard sedan, such as a Toyota Camry, or a Comfort MPV, such as a Toyota Innova or Kia Carnival.
- Room for up to 6 passengers and about 4 suitcases, depending on the vehicle.
- A child seat on request. Tell us the child's age when you book.
- At airports, flight tracking, a name board at arrivals and 60 minutes of free waiting after landing.
- The driver's name and plate number the day before your ride.
- Rest and prayer stops on long routes at no extra charge.
How much does a female driver cost?
The female-driver class has its own fare. It is close to the Comfort MPV fare and above a Standard sedan. Here is how they compare on common trips:
| Trip | Standard sedan | Comfort MPV | Female driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| City ride | SAR 70 | SAR 90 | SAR 90 |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | SAR 210 | SAR 260 | SAR 270 |
| Makkah to Madinah | SAR 900 | SAR 1,130 | SAR 1,170 |
| Per hour, 3-hour minimum | SAR 95 | SAR 120 | SAR 130 |
How do you book a female driver?
Twelve hours is the minimum notice. For early-morning airport runs and busy seasons such as Ramadan, book as early as you can so we can match a driver to your time.
- Message us on WhatsApp at least 12 hours before your pickup time.
- Say you want a female driver, and give the city, pickup point, drop-off, date and time. For an airport pickup, send your flight number.
- Tell us how many passengers are travelling, the ages of any children and how many suitcases you have.
- We confirm a fixed fare and the vehicle. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 include a night surcharge of 20%, shown in the quote.
- The day before, you receive the driver's name and plate number.
- Pay the driver in cash (SAR) or by card, or pay before the ride by bank transfer or the STC Bank app.
What if you need a car in another city or at short notice?
Outside Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam, we do not offer female drivers. We send a licensed male driver instead and share his name and plate number before the ride, so you know who is coming. If you need a car in less than 12 hours, ask anyway; if no female driver is available, we tell you before you confirm.
Every driver we send is licensed by the Transport General Authority and identity-checked. If you travel with a male driver and want family to follow the trip, share your live location with them from WhatsApp for the length of the ride.
Female drivers on Umrah and intercity trips
Female drivers also cover longer trips between the five cities. Jeddah to Makkah is 95 km, about 1 h 15 min, from SAR 250. Makkah to Madinah is 450 km, about 4 h 30 min, with a rest stop on the way. On the way from Madinah to Makkah, the driver stops at Dhul Hulayfah Miqat for Ihram on request.
Rules on women performing Umrah without a mahram are set by the authorities and have changed in recent years. Check the current position in the Nusuk app and with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you book. Our guide to Umrah for women covers the practical side.