Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How far is Riyadh to AlUla by road?
Riyadh to AlUla by road is 1034 km, with about 11 h 40 min of driving before stops. The road heads north-west on Route 65 through Al Majma'ah and Buraydah in Qassim, then crosses a long stretch where services are spread out before it reaches AlUla.
Flying is much quicker. The road suits families and groups, because the fare is per car, travellers with a lot of luggage, and anyone who wants to see Qassim or Ha'il on the way.
The route, stage by stage
- Riyadh to Al Majma'ah: 190 km on Route 65, about 2 h. The first rest stop.
- Al Majma'ah to Buraydah: on along Route 65, a fast, straight dual carriageway. Riyadh to Buraydah is 330 km in all, about 3 h 30 min.
- Buraydah to AlUla: 689 km, about 8 h 10 min, on the main highway. Services are spread out, so the driver fuels up before leaving and carries water.
- AlUla: drop-off at your hotel, your resort gate or AlUla Old Town.
How to split the drive over two days
At about 11 h 40 min of driving, the whole trip in one day is tiring, even with rest and meal stops. There are two good places for a night on the way.
| Overnight in | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Buraydah | Riyadh to Buraydah: 330 km, about 3 h 30 min | Buraydah to AlUla: 689 km, about 8 h 10 min |
| Ha'il | Riyadh to Ha'il: 640 km, about 6 h 30 min | Ha'il to AlUla: 428 km, about 5 h 25 min |
Buraydah or Ha'il: which stop suits you?
Buraydah gives you a short first day, which suits an afternoon start or a morning flight into Riyadh. It is the capital of Qassim and the centre of Saudi date farming, and in late summer, during the date harvest, it holds one of the largest date markets in the world.
Ha'il splits the driving more evenly. It is the gateway to the Jubbah rock art, UNESCO-listed carvings among the oldest in Arabia, about 100 km north-west of the city; allow a half day if you want to see them. A'arif Fort, a hilltop fort above central Ha'il, is a short visit.
Each leg has its own route page, so the legs do not add up exactly to the through trip. Tell us your plan and we quote the whole journey before you book.
Riyadh to AlUla fares
Fares are per car and include fuel, the driver, and rest and meal stops. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Suitcases | Riyadh to AlUla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | 1–3 | 2 | SAR 1,760 |
| Standard Sedan | 1–3 | 3 | SAR 2,070 |
| Comfort MPV | 4–6 | 5 | SAR 2,590 |
| SUV | 4–7 | 6 | SAR 3,620 |
| Family Van | 7–11 | 10 | SAR 3,310 |
| Luxury / VIP | 1–4 | 3 | SAR 6,210 |
Road, flight or train?
AlUla's airport, Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ULH), is about 35 km from AlUla. Most of its flights run in the winter season, with reduced summer schedules, so check with the airline for current routes, fares and timetables.
A middle way is to fly to Madinah and drive the last 350 km on Route 15 via Khaybar, about 3 h 30 min; see our Madinah to AlUla road trip. The SAR North Line from Riyadh serves Al Majma'ah, Qassim and Ha'il but not AlUla, so by train you would still need a car for the last part.
Checklist for a long desert drive
- Leave early and plan to arrive in daylight.
- Keep water, snacks and medicines in the cabin.
- Choose space: an SUV takes up to 7 passengers and 6 suitcases, a Comfort MPV up to 6 with 5 suitcases.
- Send your Ashar Valley resort booking reference; it is needed for vehicle entry.
- Keep passports or Iqama to hand for road checkpoints.
- New to long drives in the Kingdom? Read our guide to Saudi road trip rules.
- Plans changed? Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.