Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Can women take a taxi alone in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Women travel alone by taxi, ride-hailing app and pre-booked car across Saudi Arabia, and women have been allowed to drive in the Kingdom since 2018. If you are reading up on taxi safety in Saudi Arabia as a woman, the practical questions are the same as anywhere: who is the driver, what will the ride cost, and does someone know where you are?
A pre-booked car answers all three before you travel. This guide explains how our drivers are checked, how to book a female driver, and simple habits that make any ride safer.
How are SATS drivers checked?
Every driver we send is licensed by the Transport General Authority and identity-checked before working with us. Passengers rate each ride, so we see feedback on every driver, every trip.
- The driver's name, photo and plate number reach you before the ride, and the driver messages you with a live location when he sets off.
- Most drivers speak English or Urdu as well as Arabic, and many also speak Hindi and Bengali. Ask for your language when you book.
- The fare is fixed before the ride, so there is no haggling at the kerb and no meter to watch.
- Our Makkah and Madinah offices are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How do female-driver vehicles work?
Our female-driver option puts a licensed Saudi female driver in a Standard sedan or a Comfort MPV. It runs in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam, carries up to 6 passengers, and a child seat is available. Book at least 12 hours ahead so we can match a driver to your time.
It costs a little more than a standard sedan. Here is how the fares compare on common trips:
| Trip | Standard sedan | Female driver |
|---|---|---|
| City ride | SAR 70 | SAR 90 |
| Jeddah to Makkah | SAR 190 | SAR 250 |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | SAR 210 | SAR 270 |
| Per hour, 3-hour minimum | SAR 95 | SAR 130 |
A simple safety checklist for any taxi
- Check that the plate and the driver's name match the details you were sent before you get in.
- Share your live location with a friend or family member from your phone's map or messaging app for the whole trip.
- Sit in the back seat if that is more comfortable for you.
- Keep your phone charged and have a local SIM or roaming data, so you can message the driver and us.
- At airports, use your pre-booked driver, an app or the official taxi rank, and do not accept lifts offered by strangers in the arrivals hall.
- Save our number, +966 57 951 9804, before you travel.
Arriving late at night
Night arrivals are common at Saudi airports, especially on Umrah charter flights. We track your flight, and the driver waits for you at arrivals with a name board, free for 60 minutes after landing. At Jeddah Airport the meeting point is the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, at the exit gate after customs.
Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote before you book. Our guide to arriving late at night in Saudi Arabia covers the rest of the arrival.
Travelling with children or older parents
Child seats are available on request; tell us the children's ages when you book. A family van carries up to 11 people and about 10 suitcases, so a mother travelling with children and grandparents can stay together in one vehicle.
If a parent uses a wheelchair, our wheelchair-accessible vans have a rear ramp, and the driver gives door-to-door help. Our post on Umrah transport with elderly parents has more ideas.
What to do if something feels wrong
If the car or the driver does not match what you booked, do not get in. Message us on WhatsApp or call +966 57 951 9804, and we will sort it out.
In an emergency, contact the local emergency services first. Note the emergency numbers from your embassy's travel advice before you fly, and keep your hotel's address in Arabic and English on your phone.