Travelling with a pet in Saudi Arabia: pet-friendly taxis

What is a pet-friendly taxi?

A pet-friendly taxi in Saudi Arabia, in our fleet, is a standard sedan or SUV booked for passengers travelling with a cat or dog. Pets ride in carriers, the seats are covered, and the driver knows before pickup that an animal is coming. The class carries up to 4 passengers and 3 suitcases.

The class is used by expats moving between Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, for pick-ups from airport cargo terminals and for trips to the vet.

Where can you book one?

We run pet-friendly vehicles in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran and Jubail, from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports, and between these cities, for example Riyadh to Dammam and Riyadh to Jeddah. For other cities, ask on WhatsApp and we tell you what we can arrange.

How much does a pet-friendly taxi cost?

Fares are per car and fixed before you book, with fuel and tolls included. By the hour, for a vet visit with waiting time or a day of moving house, the class costs SAR 140 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 add 20%, shown in the quote.

Flying with a pet: who sets the rules?

Two sets of rules apply before your pet reaches the car, and neither comes from us. Your airline decides whether a pet can fly in the cabin, in the hold or as cargo, which carrier it needs and how to book its place. Ask the airline before you book your own ticket.

Bringing a pet into Saudi Arabia is covered by Saudi rules on importing animals. Check the current requirements with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Saudi authority for animal imports, and check the rules of the country you are leaving as well. Ask your vet how far ahead to prepare the documents. Rules change, so use the official sources each time rather than another traveller's experience.

Collecting a pet from the airport cargo terminal

A pet that flies as cargo may be released from the airline's cargo area rather than the passenger arrivals hall, and it may not be ready as soon as the flight lands. Ask your airline or pet shipping agent where and when to collect it, and send us that address and time.

Our pet-friendly class includes cargo terminal pick-ups. If you are on the same flight, tell us whether you want to go to the cargo area first, and we plan the pickup around it.

Moving between cities with a pet by road

Some families relocating with pets choose the road over a flight. Riyadh to Dammam is 400 km, about 4 h. Riyadh to Jeddah is 950 km, a full day of about 9 h with two rest stops and a meal break. Our Riyadh to Jeddah flight vs road comparison weighs up the two.

If your boxes and suitcases will not fit in the car, a cargo van can carry the luggage separately, with the driver helping to load.

Tips for a calm trip with a pet

• Use a secure carrier your pet already knows, with a familiar blanket inside.
• Carry water and a bowl. Rest stops are included on long routes, so ask the driver to stop when your pet needs a break.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car. Saudi summers are very hot, and a closed car heats up fast.
• Keep the pet in its carrier for the whole ride, including at stops beside the road.
• Keep the pet's travel documents in your hand luggage, not in the boot.

How to book a pet-friendly taxi

• Say that you are travelling with a pet, and give the type of animal, how many and the carrier size.
• Give the number of passengers and suitcases.
• For a cargo pick-up, send the airline, the flight number and the cargo address your airline gives you.
• For a vet visit, send the clinic address and how long you expect to stay.
• Pay in cash or by card in the car, or by bank transfer or the STC Bank app before the ride.