Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How long is the drive from Tabuk to AlUla?
Tabuk to AlUla is 449 km by road, about 6 h of driving plus stops, so allow most of a day door to door. Services are spread out on this road, so the driver fuels up in Tabuk before leaving and carries water.
The drive links two of the north-west's main bases for visitors: Tabuk, the hub for NEOM, Wadi Disah and the Red Sea coast, and AlUla, the Kingdom's heritage tourism hub.
Planning the drive
- Start in the morning. With 6 h of driving, an early departure gets you to AlUla in daylight.
- Fuel and water: the driver fills up in Tabuk and carries water.
- Keep snacks, medicines and a warm layer for the evening in the cabin.
- Rest and prayer stops are included in the fare; tell the driver when you need one.
- Staying in Ashar Valley? Send your resort booking reference, which is needed for vehicle entry at the resort gate.
- Keep passports or Iqama to hand for road checkpoints.
Tabuk to AlUla fares
Fares are per car and include fuel, the driver and rest stops. An SUV, the Saudi favourite for long desert highways, takes up to 7 passengers and 6 suitcases.
| Vehicle | Seats | Suitcases | Tabuk to AlUla | Tabuk Airport to AlUla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | 1–3 | 2 | SAR 770 | SAR 760 |
| Standard Sedan | 1–3 | 3 | SAR 900 | SAR 900 |
| Comfort MPV | 4–6 | 5 | SAR 1,130 | SAR 1,120 |
| SUV | 4–7 | 6 | SAR 1,580 | SAR 1,570 |
| Family Van | 7–11 | 10 | SAR 1,440 | SAR 1,440 |
| Luxury / VIP | 1–4 | 3 | SAR 2,700 | SAR 2,690 |
Starting from Tabuk Airport
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport (TUU) is about 10 km from Tabuk. The driver can meet you at the arrivals exit and drive straight to AlUla: 447 km, about 6 h 5 min, from SAR 760 in an economy sedan.
We track your flight and wait free for 60 minutes after landing. If your flight lands late in the day, a night in Tabuk and an early start is easier than a long drive after dark.
Things to see in Tabuk first
Our post on Tabuk and Wadi Disah covers that day out.
- Tabuk Castle: a restored fort in central Tabuk on the old pilgrim road. A short visit.
- Hejaz Railway Station: a restored station of the Ottoman Hejaz Railway, with old carriages on display, close to the castle. Check opening times.
- Wadi Disah: a canyon south of Tabuk with sandstone pillars, palm groves and a stream. It is a full-day trip on its own, so plan a separate day; we send an SUV.
Arriving in AlUla
The driver drops you at your hotel, your resort gate or AlUla Old Town. Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is visited by booked tour, and we drop you at the visitor meeting point; book tours early in winter.
Elephant Rock is the classic sunset stop, and AlUla Old Town is pleasant on winter evenings. To get around, book a driver by the hour from SAR 80 per hour, with a 3-hour minimum. For a plan, see AlUla in 2 days.
When is the best time to go?
October to March are the best months for AlUla's outdoor sites, and Wadi Disah is best from October to April. The AlUla Winter Season, usually December to March, brings festivals and concerts, so book cars and tours early for those months.
In summer, start very early so most of the drive is done before the hottest part of the day.
Making a loop through the north-west
From AlUla, Madinah is 350 km on Route 15 via Khaybar, about 3 h 30 min. That makes a loop possible: Tabuk, AlUla, then Madinah. The direct road from Tabuk to Madinah is 684 km, via Khaybar.
You can also fly out of AlUla. 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.