Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is SAPTCO?
SAPTCO, the Saudi Public Transport Company, is the national bus company. Its intercity coaches link many Saudi cities, and other operators run some routes too. For a traveller on a budget, a SAPTCO bus is often the cheapest way to get from one city to another per person.
This guide does not list fares or timetables, because operators set them and they change. Check routes, times and prices on the operator's official website or app before you plan around a bus. What follows is how intercity buses fit into a trip, and when a car or train suits you better.
Bus, train or car: how do they compare?
| What matters | Intercity bus | Train | Car with driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Per person | Per person | Per car, for everyone in it |
| Door to door | No, bus station to bus station | No, station to station | Yes |
| Timing | Set departures | Set departures | When you choose, 24/7 |
| Luggage | Allowance per ticket | Allowance per ticket | All bags that fit the vehicle |
| Stops | Set by the operator | Stations only | Rest, prayer and Miqat stops on request |
| Where it runs | Many city pairs | Haramain and SAR lines only | Any route |
Which routes have a train as well?
Some city pairs have a railway as well as buses, and others are road only. Car fares are per car in an economy sedan, fixed before the ride.
| Route | Distance | Train option | Car from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah to Makkah | 95 km | Haramain High-Speed Railway | SAR 170 |
| Makkah to Madinah | 450 km | Haramain High-Speed Railway | SAR 770 |
| Riyadh to Dammam | 400 km | SAR East Line | SAR 680 |
| Riyadh to Buraydah (Qassim) | 330 km | SAR North Line | SAR 570 |
| Madinah to AlUla | 350 km | No railway | SAR 600 |
| Abha to Jazan | 200 km | No railway | SAR 340 |
How to book and board an intercity bus
- Check routes and times on the operator's official website or app, and book ahead for busy periods such as Ramadan, Eid and school holidays.
- Book in the name on your passport or Iqama and carry that ID; the operator may ask for it, and highway checkpoints check ID.
- Check which bus station the coach leaves from, since larger cities can have more than one.
- Check the luggage allowance, and pack Zamzam water and gifts to fit it.
- Arrive early to check in and load your bags.
- Book your ride from the arrival station before you travel, especially if you arrive late.
Bus stations and the last leg
Intercity buses run from bus station to bus station, and stations are not always close to the hotel areas, so plan the last leg before you travel. In Makkah, cars use designated drop points near the Haram at busy times, so you may finish the trip on foot.
A short city ride from the station starts from SAR 60 per car. Send the driver the station name and your expected arrival time, and message when the bus is close; long journeys can run late, so the pickup works best when the driver can adjust.
Buses for pilgrims: Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
Intercity buses run between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, and many Umrah groups travel by chartered coach as well. Entry to Makkah is for Muslims only, and in the Hajj season the checkpoints on the roads into Makkah check entry permits, for bus passengers as for anyone else.
If you travel from Madinah to Makkah for Umrah, you pass the Miqat at Dhul Hulayfah near the start of the journey. Ask the operator whether the bus stops there, and ask your scholar or group leader how to handle Ihram on a bus. Our Miqat guide explains the five Miqat points.
When is a car better than the bus?
- Families and groups: a family van from Jeddah to Makkah costs SAR 310 for up to 11 people, one price for the car.
- Luggage: Umrah bags, Zamzam and gifts all go in the vehicle.
- Elderly travellers: door to door, with stops whenever they are needed.
- Late arrivals and early departures: cars run 24/7.
- Miqat and Ziyarat stops: planned into the trip, such as Badr between Madinah and Jeddah.
- Places buses do not reach: compounds, resorts and industrial sites with gate access.
Group coaches for Umrah groups and companies
For organised groups, a private coach gives you your own timetable. Our group buses seat 12 to 50 people with room for 40 or more bags, priced per vehicle; Makkah to Madinah costs SAR 2,930 for the whole bus. Our private car and group bus comparison helps you choose the right size.