Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How far is Buraydah from Riyadh Airport?
The road trip from Riyadh Airport to Buraydah is about 354 km and takes around 3 h 35 min. Most of it is on the Qassim Highway (Route 65), a fast, straight dual carriageway through the desert, and the usual rest stop is at Al Majma'ah.
Buraydah is the capital of the Qassim region and the centre of Saudi date farming. Unaizah, a heritage town, is 25 km south of Buraydah. Hotels include Mövenpick Hotel Qassim and Braira Buraydah in Buraydah, and Golden Tulip Unaizah.
Taxi fares from Riyadh Airport to Qassim
Fares are per car and fixed before you land, including fuel, the driver and meet-and-greet. A 20% night surcharge applies at night (00:00–05:00) and is shown in your quote.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | To Buraydah | To Unaizah |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | 1–3 | 2 | SAR 610 | SAR 610 |
| Standard Sedan | 1–3 | 3 | SAR 710 | SAR 720 |
| Comfort MPV | 4–6 | 5 | SAR 890 | SAR 900 |
| SUV | 4–7 | 6 | SAR 1,240 | SAR 1,260 |
| Family Van | 7–11 | 10 | SAR 1,140 | SAR 1,150 |
| Luxury / VIP | 1–4 | 3 | SAR 2,130 | SAR 2,150 |
Drive, train or connecting flight?
There are three ways to reach Qassim after landing in Riyadh. Train and airline fares and timetables change, so check the operator before you choose.
If you take the train, you need a car to Riyadh North Station and another from Qassim Station. Our Riyadh to Buraydah taxi vs train comparison goes into more detail.
| Option | Door to door | How the price is set | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi from Riyadh Airport | Yes | Fixed per car, from SAR 610 | One car from arrivals to your door |
| SAR North Line train | No, station to station | Per-person ticket | Riyadh North Station to Qassim Station; taxis needed at both ends |
| Connecting flight to Qassim Airport (ELQ) | No | Per-person ticket | ELQ is 30 km from Buraydah; check airlines for routes |
What is the drive like?
The Qassim Highway is straight and fast, so the drive is long rather than difficult. Rest, prayer and meal stops are included at no extra charge, and Al Majma'ah is the usual place to break the trip.
If you are only going as far as Al Majma'ah, it is 201 km from the airport, from SAR 350. After a long-haul flight, some travellers prefer a night in Riyadh and an early start; the road trip rules guide covers checkpoints and stops on long drives.
Where the driver meets you at Riyadh Airport
The meeting point is the arrivals hall after baggage claim at your terminal, and the driver sends a live location pin on WhatsApp. RUH has five terminals, so send your flight number and we meet you at the right one.
We track your flight, and the driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing, with no extra charge for airline delays. You receive the driver's name and plate number the day before.
Busy times in Qassim
The Buraydah Dates Festival is held during the date harvest, usually in late summer, and draws traders and visitors to the city's date market. Mornings are busiest at the market. Dates change each year, so check before you plan and book your car early for that season.
If you are visiting for business, a driver by the hour keeps you moving between meetings in Buraydah and Unaizah, from SAR 80 per hour with a 3-hour minimum.
Going back: Qassim to Riyadh Airport
- Book the return when you book the outward trip; return bookings are discounted, so ask for the round-trip fare.
- Choose a pickup time that allows for the 3 h 35 min drive, a rest stop and your airline's check-in deadline.
- Send your airline and flight number so the driver goes to the right terminal.
- An early flight can mean leaving at night (00:00–05:00); the 20% night surcharge is included in your quote.
- Note the driver's name and plate number, sent the day before.