Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What counts as a licensed taxi at a Saudi airport?
Finding a licensed taxi at a Saudi airport is simple once you know what to look for. In Saudi Arabia, the Transport General Authority (TGA) licenses taxis, ride-hailing services and the drivers and vehicles that work for them. At the airport, that gives you three good ways to leave: the official taxi rank, a licensed ride-hailing app, or a driver pre-booked with a licensed company.
All three are sound choices, and each suits different travellers. The one to avoid is the person who walks up to you inside the terminal and offers a ride. This post explains how to recognise each licensed option and why it is best to decline the unofficial one.
Three licensed ways to leave the airport
| Option | How it works | How to check it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official taxi rank | Follow the airport's signs to the rank outside arrivals and take the next taxi | A marked taxi waiting at the official rank; the fare is by meter or set at the rank | Travellers who did not book ahead |
| Ride-hailing app, such as Uber or Careem | Request a car in the app after landing and meet at the pickup area | The app shows the driver's name, photo, car and plate; check they match | Light travellers with mobile data |
| Pre-booked driver | Booked before you fly; the driver waits at arrivals with a name board | Name and plate sent in advance by the company you booked with | Families, night arrivals and groups |
How do you spot an official airport taxi?
Our comparison of a pre-booked taxi and the airport taxi rank sets out when each one fits best.
- It waits at the official taxi rank, which is signposted in the arrivals area, not at the terminal door or in the car park.
- It is clearly marked as a taxi, with the operator's branding on the car.
- Before you set off, check whether the meter is running or what price was set at the rank.
- Note the taxi number or plate, or take a photo. If you leave something behind, it makes the car much easier to trace.
- If you cannot find the rank, ask at the airport information desk.
Why say no to drivers who approach you in the terminal?
Inside the arrivals hall, someone may come up to you and offer a taxi. Licensed taxis wait at the rank, app drivers wait for a request, and pre-booked drivers wait for the name on their board. None of them needs to look for passengers in the terminal, so a person offering a ride there is not one of the official options.
With an unofficial ride, there is no agreed price, no record of the trip, no company to contact if you leave something behind, and no way to check the driver or the car in advance. Say no politely and keep walking to the rank, the app pickup area or your named driver.
Where does a pre-booked driver meet you?
We track your flight, and the driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing. Fares are per car, fixed before you fly, and include fuel, tolls and meet-and-greet.
| Airport | Where the driver meets you | Economy fare to the city |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah (JED) | Terminal 1 arrivals hall, exit gate after customs, with a name board | SAR 60 |
| Riyadh (RUH) | Arrivals hall after baggage claim at your terminal; live pin on WhatsApp | SAR 60 |
| Madinah (MED) | Arrivals hall exit, opposite the SIM card kiosks | SAR 60 |
| Dammam (DMM) | International arrivals exit, next to the car rental desks | SAR 70 |
How to check your pre-booked driver
- The day before, we send the driver's name and plate number on WhatsApp.
- At arrivals, look for your name on his board. You do not need to go with anyone who calls out to you.
- Check that the plate matches before you load your bags.
- If the car or the driver does not match, do not get in. Message us or call +966 57 951 9804.
- If you pay ahead, only send money to payment details you received from our official WhatsApp number, +966 57 951 9804.
Arriving late at night
Many flights land late at night, when queues are short but you are tired and may have no local SIM yet. A pre-booked driver removes the need to find a car after landing. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote before you book. Our post on arriving late at night in Saudi Arabia covers the rest of the arrival.
Before you fly, read your embassy's travel advice for Saudi Arabia. It lists the emergency numbers and where to get help, so you have them ready on your phone.