Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How taxi pricing works in Saudi Arabia
Your taxi fare in Saudi Arabia depends as much on how you book as on the distance. There are three common ways to pay for a ride, and each sets the price in a different way.
- Street and airport taxis: licensed by the Transport General Authority and priced by the meter, or by a price you agree at the rank. The rate is shown on the meter in the car.
- Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem: the app shows a price before you confirm. It moves with demand, so the same trip can cost more at busy times.
- Pre-booked fixed fares, like ours: the price is agreed on WhatsApp before the ride, per car, and does not change on the day.
What is included in a fixed fare?
The fare is per vehicle, not per person, so a full car costs the same as a car with one passenger. Child seats and extra-large luggage are small extras, listed on each route's fare page.
- Fuel, tolls and the driver
- Meet-and-greet at airports, with a name board and help with luggage
- Flight tracking and 60 minutes of free waiting after landing; 15 minutes at other pickups
- Rest, prayer and Miqat stops on intercity trips
- No surge pricing: fares do not rise in Ramadan or Hajj season, though cars sell out, so book early
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup
Airport taxi fares at the main Saudi airports
These are one-way fares from the arrivals hall to the city, including meet-and-greet. They apply at any hour except for the night surcharge explained below.
| Airport to | Distance | Economy | Standard | Family van | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport (JED) to Jeddah | 20 km | SAR 60 | SAR 70 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Jeddah Airport (JED) to Makkah | 102 km | SAR 180 | SAR 210 | SAR 330 | SAR 360 |
| Madinah Airport (MED) to Madinah | 18 km | SAR 60 | SAR 70 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Riyadh Airport (RUH) to Riyadh | 35 km | SAR 60 | SAR 70 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Dammam Airport (DMM) to Dammam | 40 km | SAR 70 | SAR 80 | SAR 130 | SAR 140 |
| Dammam Airport (DMM) to Al Khobar | 59 km | SAR 110 | SAR 120 | SAR 190 | SAR 210 |
Intercity fares on the busiest routes
Intercity fares are door to door, from your hotel or home to your destination address.
| Route | Distance | Time | Economy | Comfort | Family van | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah to Makkah | 95 km | 1 h 15 min | SAR 170 | SAR 240 | SAR 310 | SAR 340 |
| Makkah to Madinah | 450 km | 4 h 30 min | SAR 770 | SAR 1,130 | SAR 1,440 | SAR 1,580 |
| Jeddah to Madinah | 420 km | 4 h | SAR 720 | SAR 1,050 | SAR 1,350 | SAR 1,470 |
| Makkah to Taif | 90 km | 1 h 30 min | SAR 160 | SAR 230 | SAR 290 | SAR 320 |
| Riyadh to Dammam | 400 km | 4 h | SAR 680 | SAR 1,000 | SAR 1,280 | SAR 1,400 |
| Madinah to Al Ula | 350 km | 3 h 30 min | SAR 600 | SAR 880 | SAR 1,120 | SAR 1,230 |
| Riyadh to Buraydah | 330 km | 3 h 30 min | SAR 570 | SAR 830 | SAR 1,060 | SAR 1,160 |
How does the night surcharge work?
Rides at night (00:00–05:00) add 20%. The surcharge is part of the fixed quote you accept, so it is never added in the car. If your pickup time is close to midnight or 05:00, ask which price applies when you book.
| Trip | Economy, day | Economy, night | Family van, day | Family van, night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City ride up to 10 km | SAR 60 | SAR 70 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | SAR 180 | SAR 220 | SAR 330 | SAR 400 |
| Riyadh Airport to Riyadh | SAR 60 | SAR 70 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Makkah to Madinah | SAR 770 | SAR 920 | SAR 1,440 | SAR 1,730 |
What does a driver cost by the hour?
For Ziyarat, shopping or a day of meetings, a driver by the hour is often better value than several separate rides. Prices are per hour with a 3-hour minimum, and the driver waits at every stop. Our guide to private driver costs per day has worked examples.
| Vehicle | Per hour | 3 hours | Full day, 10 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | SAR 80 | SAR 240 | SAR 800 |
| Standard Sedan | SAR 95 | SAR 285 | SAR 950 |
| Comfort MPV | SAR 120 | SAR 360 | SAR 1,200 |
| Family Van | SAR 150 | SAR 450 | SAR 1,500 |
| SUV | SAR 180 | SAR 540 | SAR 1,800 |
| Luxury / VIP | SAR 400 | SAR 1,200 | SAR 4,000 |
How to tell if a taxi price is fair
Return trips are discounted: a return booking costs about 5% less than two one-way fares. Every route has its own page in our fare guides.
- Compare per car, not per person. For six people, one van can cost less than two sedans.
- Check what is included: tolls, waiting time, luggage and the night rate.
- Compare the same vehicle class. A Camry-class standard sedan costs more than a Corolla-class economy car and takes an extra suitcase.
- In a street taxi, check that the meter is running when you set off, or agree the price before you get in.
- On long trips, ask whether rest and prayer stops are included.
- Ride with licensed drivers. All our drivers are licensed by the Transport General Authority.