Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
A Saudi Arabia itinerary for 7 days, at a glance
This Saudi Arabia itinerary covers 7 days and three regions: the capital and its heritage sites, the desert valleys of AlUla, and the Red Sea city of Jeddah. It suits first-time visitors in the cooler months. Adjust the order to the flights that operate on your dates.
| Day | Base | Plan | Getting around | Fare from (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Riyadh | Land at King Khalid Airport; evening at the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge | Airport to central Riyadh, 40 min | SAR 60 |
| Day 2 | Riyadh | Masmak Fortress, the National Museum and Murabba Palace; evening in Diriyah | Hourly driver; Riyadh to Diriyah is 20 km | SAR 80 per hour |
| Day 3 | Riyadh | Edge of the World, timed for sunset | SUV with driver for the afternoon and evening | SAR 180 per hour |
| Day 4 | AlUla | Fly to AlUla; evening in Old Town | AlUla Airport to town, 35 min | SAR 60 |
| Day 5 | AlUla | Hegra by booked tour; Elephant Rock at sunset | Hourly driver | SAR 80 per hour |
| Day 6 | Jeddah | Fly to Jeddah; Al-Balad in the evening | Jeddah Airport to the city, 25 min | SAR 60 |
| Day 7 | Jeddah | Corniche, Al Rahma Mosque and King Fahd's Fountain; fly home | Hourly driver, ending at the airport | SAR 80 per hour |
Days 1 to 3: Riyadh, Diriyah and the Edge of the World
Start in old Riyadh at Masmak Fortress, the mud-brick fort linked to the founding of the modern Saudi state. The National Museum is a good choice for the midday heat; allow two to three hours, and see Murabba Palace in the same park. In the evening, drive to At-Turaif in Diriyah, the UNESCO-listed first capital of the Saudi state, and eat at Bujairi Terrace. Visits may need timed tickets, and evening traffic to Diriyah is heavy, so book your return ride in advance.
Keep day 3 for the Edge of the World, the sheer cliffs of the Tuwaiq escarpment north-west of the city. The last stretch is an unpaved track, so we send an SUV, and access can close in bad weather, so we check before you set off. Go for sunset, and bring water and a warm layer in winter. Our Edge of the World day trip post has the details.
Days 4 and 5: AlUla
Fly to AlUla Airport (ULH), 35 km from town, and spend the first evening in the mud-brick lanes below the fort. On day 5, visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site; entry is by booked tour, sold through Experience AlUla, so book before you travel. End at Elephant Rock for sunset with the driver waiting for the return.
Resorts in the Ashar Valley need a gate booking reference for vehicle entry, so send it with your booking. With an extra day, add Dadan and Jabal Ikmah; our AlUla in 2 days post sets out a fuller plan.
Days 6 and 7: Jeddah
Fly to Jeddah, direct if your dates have a flight or with a connection. Spend the evening in Al-Balad, the UNESCO-listed old town of coral-stone houses with wooden balconies; the lanes are best on foot and cooler after sunset.
On day 7, see the Corniche, Al Rahma Mosque on its stilts over the sea at sunset and King Fahd's Fountain, lit at night, then go to the airport. With a later flight, a half day in Taif is possible: Jeddah to Taif is 170 km, about 2 h, by the Makkah bypass, so it suits travellers of any faith.
Road or air between regions?
The long legs are a full day or more by road, which is why this plan flies between regions. Domestic routes and schedules change by season, so check what operates on your dates; our guide to domestic flights in Saudi Arabia explains the options.
| Leg | By road | Road time | Fare from (economy) | Usual choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh to AlUla | 1034 km | 11 h 40 min | SAR 1,760 | Fly; the drive takes a full day |
| AlUla to Jeddah | 692 km | 9 h 45 min | SAR 1,180 | Fly, or drive with a night in Yanbu |
| Riyadh to Jeddah | 950 km | 9 h | SAR 1,620 | Fly; drive only with heavy luggage or pets |
| Jeddah to Taif | 170 km | 2 h | SAR 290 | Drive |
When is the best time for this trip?
- October to March or April: the most comfortable months for outdoor sites in all three regions.
- Riyadh Season usually runs from October to March, with heavy evening traffic around its zones.
- The AlUla winter season usually runs from December to March; book flights, tours and drivers early.
- Summer is very hot in Riyadh and AlUla and humid in Jeddah; plan outdoor visits for early morning and evening.
- In Ramadan, opening hours change, and roads are busy in the run-up to Iftar.
Adding Makkah or Madinah for Muslim travellers
Entry to Makkah is for Muslims only, and Umrah needs a time slot on Nusuk. From Jeddah, Makkah is 95 km, about 1 h 15 min, so you can swap day 7 for Umrah, or drive from AlUla to Madinah, 350 km, instead of flying to Jeddah. Our guide to Umrah plus sightseeing shows how to order the days.