After meeting many travelers who came to Saudi, many do not know how to go about and the locals they ask are not aware of the services available in the country.

Here’s a quick and to the point guide which I will continuously update.

Local Transport

InterCity: SAPTCO

Urban Buses: SAPTCO Download the app to know the routes & schedule

Car Services: Careem, Uber, Jeeny

Tip: Use Careem App and choose Sawa Car (Carpooling) it’s the cheapest fare among the other car services!

Delivery Services: Marsool, Hunger Station, HelloFood, Talabat. Luqmety

Train: Saudi Rail Way and Haramain RailWay

Shared Car: Located outside SAPTCO bus station (Jeddah)

Flight: Saudia, Flyadeal, Flynas, and Saudi Gulf.

Tip: Saudia has the most extensive flight network

Flyadeal has the cheapest flights if booked in advance.

Car Rental: Key, Theeb, Hanco, Budget

***There is a mileage limit of 250 – 300km per day.

The best way to go around Saudi is to mix between buses, car rental, and cheap flights.

Accommodation

We don’t have hostels and basic accommodation are pretty expensive

A basic room starts from 100 SAR/26USD.

Couchsurfing communities are available in Saudi or try finding a cheap Airbnb.

Clothing

Men:  Basically anything.

Are shorts allowed? YES except at the malls, a few restaurants, Saudia flights (not sure about other airlines)

Women:

Are colored abayas allowed? YES! We love stylish, colorful and unique styles! It does not have to be ankle length either, it can be above ankle length and below knee length.

Should I wear a scarf? No, not needed.

Should I wear a burqa? No, not needed.

Here’s what I wear around Saudi.

Basic Words to Know

Assalamualaykum – Hello and reply with Waalaykumsalam

Thank You – Shukran

How Much – Bekam

Where is xxxx – Fen xxxx

Left – Yasar

Right – Yameen

Straight – Alatool

Cost

Water – 1 SAR

Petrol – 0.40 SAR/liter

InterCity Bus Fare – 2 SAR

Food from local eateries

Breakfast: 5 – 10 SAR

Lunch/Dinner: 10 – 20 SAR

Emergency Numbers

Police – 999

Ambulance – 997

Traffic Police – 993

Accident – 920000560

Civil Defense – 998