Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
The northern heritage route at a glance
A Ha'il and Jubbah road trip links two of the north's heritage regions: Ha'il, gateway to the Jubbah rock art and the Nafud desert, and Al Jouf, with its capital Sakaka and the old town of Dumat Al Jandal. The plan below flies in to Ha'il and out of Al Jouf, so you drive the long road between them only once.
| Day | Base | Plan | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ha'il | Land at Ha'il Airport; A'arif Fort in the late afternoon | Airport to Ha'il, 15 min, from SAR 60 |
| Day 2 | Ha'il | Jubbah rock art, a half day; Al Qishlah Palace on return | Hourly driver, from SAR 80 per hour |
| Day 3 | Sakaka | Drive to Sakaka; Zaabal Castle | 389 km, 4 h 35 min, from SAR 670 |
| Day 4 | Sakaka | Dumat Al Jandal: Marid Castle and the Omar Mosque; Al Rajajil standing stones | Hourly driver; SUV suggested for the stones |
| Day 5 | Sakaka | Fly out of Al Jouf Airport, or drive on | Sakaka to Al Jouf Airport, 40 min, from SAR 70 |
Getting to Ha'il
Ha'il International Airport (HAS) is 10 km from the city. By road, the drive from Riyadh runs on Route 65 via Buraydah, with rest stops at Al Majma'ah and Buraydah. The SAR North Line also serves Ha'il station; check train times and fares with the operator.
| From | Distance | Typical drive | Fare from (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 640 km | 6 h 30 min | SAR 1,090 |
| Buraydah | 310 km | 3 h | SAR 530 |
| Madinah | 431 km | 4 h 55 min | SAR 740 |
| AlUla | 428 km | 5 h 20 min | SAR 730 |
Ha'il and the Jubbah rock art
In Ha'il, A'arif Fort sits on a hill overlooking the centre and is best in the late afternoon, and Al Qishlah Palace is a large mud-brick fort with corner towers and an inner courtyard. Together they make an easy half day in town; check opening hours before you go.
The Jubbah rock art, north-west of Ha'il, is a UNESCO-listed site with rock carvings among the oldest in Arabia. It is about 75 minutes' drive from the city, and the visit is a half-day trip. Check visiting hours and guide availability before you set off, and keep the driver by the hour so the driver waits while you are on site.
Ha'il to Sakaka: the long, quiet road
The drive from Ha'il to Sakaka is 389 km, about 4 h 35 min, from SAR 670 in an economy sedan or SAR 1,370 in an SUV. Services are spread out on this road, so the driver fuels up before leaving and carries water. Leave in the morning, so the whole drive is in daylight; rest, prayer and meal stops are included.
Sakaka and Dumat Al Jandal
Sakaka is the capital of Al Jouf, known for its olive farms and for Zaabal Castle. South of the city, the Al Rajajil standing stones are groups of ancient stones thought to be thousands of years old. The final stretch is unpaved, so we send a suitable vehicle; bring water.
Dumat Al Jandal is about an hour from Sakaka. Marid Castle, an ancient stone castle, stands beside the historic Omar Mosque in the old quarter, and Dumat Al Jandal Lake is nearby. An hourly driver lets you combine Dumat Al Jandal and the standing stones in one day.
Ending the trip
Al Jouf Airport (AJF) is the simplest way home. The SAR North Line also has an Al Jouf station; check times with the operator. By road you can go north to the Jordan border towns or turn west to Tabuk.
| Onward trip | Distance | Typical drive | Fare from (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakaka to Al Jouf Airport | 40 km | 40 min | SAR 70 |
| Sakaka to Qurayyat | 180 km | 2 h | SAR 310 |
| Sakaka to Tabuk | 475 km | 5 h 45 min | SAR 810 |
| Sakaka to Riyadh | 982 km | 10 h 30 min | SAR 1,670 |
Season and practical tips
- October to April is the best season; summers are hot and winter nights are cold, so pack a warm layer.
- Carry your passport or Iqama for checkpoints, within reach rather than in the boot.
- Book guides and check site hours before you travel; some sites have limited opening times.
- Choose an SUV for comfort on long, empty roads and for unpaved stretches.
- Female-driver vehicles are not based in the north; all our drivers are licensed by the Transport General Authority.