Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How do you get to NEOM?
NEOM transport starts at one of two airports. Most visitors and contractors fly into Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk (TUU), the main entry point for NEOM contractors, and continue by road. NEOM Bay Airport (NUM) is much closer to the sites and handles NEOM staff and contractor flights.
NEOM is a giga-project on the Gulf of Aqaba in Tabuk Province, with large construction zones and worker camps. You cannot simply drive in as you would to a normal city: sites need access permission, and vehicles and drivers need gate passes. This guide covers both airports, the road from Tabuk, passes and how to book.
Do you need a pass to enter NEOM sites?
Yes. NEOM sites need access permission, and your employer, contractor or host arranges it. Confirm your approval before you fly; without it you cannot enter the sites.
Our drivers on NEOM runs hold valid NEOM gate passes. At NEOM Bay Airport the meeting point is the arrivals exit, and a NEOM gate pass is required there. When you book, send us the site or camp name and your host's contact, so we can confirm the drop-off point the day before.
Tabuk Airport or NEOM Bay Airport?
Ask your employer or travel desk which airport your ticket uses. Flight schedules into NEOM Bay change, so check yours with the airline. If you land in Tabuk late and want a night in the city first, the airport is about 15 min from central Tabuk, from SAR 60.
| Compare | Tabuk Airport (TUU) | NEOM Bay Airport (NUM) |
|---|---|---|
| Main users | Scheduled flights; the main entry for NEOM contractors | NEOM staff and contractor flights |
| Drive to the NEOM area | 197 km, about 2 h 45 min | 15 km, about 20 min |
| Economy sedan | SAR 340 | SAR 60 |
| SUV | SAR 690 | SAR 140 |
| Family van | SAR 640 | SAR 120 |
| Meeting point | Arrivals exit, main doors | Arrivals exit; NEOM gate pass required |
The road from Tabuk to NEOM
Tabuk to the NEOM area is 180 km, about 2 h by car, ending at Sharma. Fares start at SAR 310 in an economy sedan and SAR 630 in an SUV, and rest and prayer stops are included.
We drop at the camps in Sharma and Gayal and run scheduled crew runs between the airports and the camps. For other NEOM sites, send us the name and location your host gives you, and we confirm the route with you before the day.
Duba and the coast below NEOM
Duba is the Red Sea port town below NEOM. Tabuk to Duba is 180 km, a mountain descent to the coast that takes about 2 h. From NEOM Bay Airport, Duba is about 1 h 5 min by road, from SAR 150 per car.
Haql, on the Gulf of Aqaba, is also within the NEOM area and is the closest Saudi town to Aqaba in Jordan. Further south, the coast road continues to Al Wajh and the Red Sea Project resorts; see our Red Sea resorts transfer guide.
Which vehicle suits a NEOM transfer?
- Economy or standard sedan: one to three passengers with light luggage.
- SUV (GMC Yukon class): up to 7 passengers and 6 suitcases, the usual choice for long desert highways and rough access roads.
- Family van: up to 11 passengers and 10 suitcases for small crews.
- Group bus: 22 to 50 seats for crew rotations.
- Cargo van: tools, kit and excess baggage that travel separately from passengers.
Crew rotations and company accounts
Contractors moving teams in and out on rotation can set up scheduled crew runs between Tabuk Airport, NEOM Bay Airport and the camps. Projects get weekly and monthly rates, one monthly invoice with VAT and trip reports per cost centre.
For engineers and managers visiting several sites in a day, an hourly driver costs from SAR 180 per hour in an SUV, with a 3-hour minimum. See transport for NEOM contractors for the full service.
How to book your NEOM transfer
- Send your flight number, airport (TUU or NUM), date and time on WhatsApp.
- Give the site or camp name and your host's contact.
- Confirm that your access is approved.
- Tell us the number of passengers and bags.
- We reply with a fixed fare and send the driver's name and plate the day before.
- Your flight is tracked and the driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing.