Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Qassim airport taxi: which town are you going to?
A Qassim airport taxi can take you to any town in the region, so the first question is where you are staying. Qassim Airport (ELQ), named after Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, has a single terminal outside Buraydah, the regional capital. Unaizah, Ar Rass and the smaller farming towns are all within a short drive.
Qassim is the centre of Saudi date farming, and people visit on business, to see family or for the date season. The airport is also a practical way into the region if you plan to drive on to Riyadh or Ha'il.
Qassim Airport at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport code | ELQ |
| Terminals | Single terminal |
| Where your driver waits | Arrivals exit. |
| To Buraydah | 30 km, about 30 min |
| To Unaizah | 43 km, about 35 min |
| To Ar Rass | 77 km, about 1 h |
| Train | Qassim Station on the SAR North Line serves Buraydah and Unaizah |
Arriving at Qassim Airport, step by step
- Immigration and customs: on an international flight, have your passport and visa ready. Domestic passengers go straight to baggage claim.
- Collect your bags and walk out to the arrivals exit, where your driver waits with a name board.
- The driver tracks your flight and waits free for 60 minutes after landing, with no charge for airline delays.
- Give the driver your exact address or a location pin, as Qassim's towns and farms are spread out.
- If you are visiting a farm or a family home outside town, send us the pin when you book so the time and fare are right.
Taxi fares from Qassim Airport
Fares are per car, fixed before the ride, and include fuel, driver and meet-and-greet. Rides at night (00:00–05:00) add 20%, shown in your quote.
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive | Economy sedan | Family van | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Buraydah | 30 km | 30 min | SAR 60 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Unaizah | 43 km | 35 min | SAR 80 | SAR 140 | SAR 160 |
| Riyadh | 364 km | 3 h 50 min | SAR 620 | SAR 1,170 | SAR 1,280 |
| Al Bukayriyah | 27 km | 20 min | SAR 60 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Riyadh Al Khabra | 50 km | 45 min | SAR 90 | SAR 160 | SAR 180 |
| Ar Rass | 77 km | 1 h | SAR 140 | SAR 250 | SAR 270 |
| Al Mithnab | 80 km | 1 h | SAR 140 | SAR 260 | SAR 280 |
| Al Zulfi | 117 km | 1 h 25 min | SAR 200 | SAR 380 | SAR 410 |
| Al Ghat | 130 km | 1 h 25 min | SAR 230 | SAR 420 | SAR 460 |
| Al Majma'ah | 173 km | 1 h 45 min | SAR 300 | SAR 560 | SAR 610 |
Getting around Qassim after you land
Buraydah and Unaizah are about 25 km apart, with a flat fare of SAR 60 between them. For a day of meetings or family visits across several towns, an hourly driver from SAR 80 per hour, with a 3-hour minimum, waits at each stop.
- Ar Rass: one of Qassim's main cities, south-west of Buraydah, 77 km from the airport.
- Al Bukayriyah: a town just west of Buraydah, 27 km from the airport.
- Riyadh Al Khabra: between Buraydah and Ar Rass, 50 km from the airport.
- Al Mithnab: south-east of Unaizah, 80 km from the airport.
- Al Ghat: known for its restored mud-brick old town, 130 km from the airport.
Plane or train into Qassim?
Qassim Station on the SAR North Line links the region with Riyadh, Al Majma'ah, Ha'il, Al Jouf and Qurayyat. It is outside the town centres, about 20 km from Buraydah, so you need a taxi at either end. Train fares and timetables change; check SAR before you travel.
By road, Riyadh to Buraydah is 330 km, about 3 h 30 min, from SAR 570 per car. Our Riyadh to Buraydah taxi and train comparison sets out the choice.
Date season and busy periods
The Buraydah Dates Festival is held during the date harvest, usually in late summer, and is one of the largest date markets in the world. Mornings are the busiest time at the market. Book airport and station transfers early for those weeks.
Our fares stay the same in the festival: fixed per route, with no surge pricing. Only the night surcharge changes the price, and it is shown in your quote.
Flying out of Qassim
Check your airline's check-in cut-off and add the drive: about 30 min from central Buraydah, 35 min from Unaizah or 1 h from Ar Rass. Book the pickup by the day before so you receive the driver's name and plate in advance.