Getting There
By Air
King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
+966 1 221 1000
http://www.gaca.gov.sa/GACA/Airports/Default.aspx?aNo=3&aID=003&fID=305&cid=1&l=EN
The King Khaled International Airport, an architectural masterpiece, is located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the Riyadh city center. With four terminals housed within the same building, it facilitates easy access for passengers of domestic and international flights. Visitors can enjoy duty-free shopping and dine at some of the best Arabic restaurants within the airport. There are no public transportation options from the airport.
Major airlines flying to Riyadh include:
Saudi Arabian Airlines (+966 1 488 4444/ 488 4893 / http://www.saudiairlines.com/)
Ethiopian (+966 1 478 2140 / http://www.flyethiopian.com/)
Biman Airlines (+966 +966 1 462 3376 / http//www.bimanair.com/ )
Pakistan International Airlines (+966 1 465 9600 / http://www.piac.com.pk/)
Air Malaysia (+966 1 478 4039 / http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/)
Lufthansa (+966 1 463 2004 / http://www.lufthansa.com/)
British Airways (+966 1 465 1633 / http://www.britishairways.com/ )
Thai (+966 1 476 6776 / http://www.thaiairways.com/)
Singapore Airlines (+966 1 465 5835 / http://www.singaporeair.com/)
Sri Lankan (+966 1 477 2228 / http://www.srilankan.aero/)
Air France (+966 1 477 7654 / http://www.airfrance.com/)
Phillippine Airlines (+966 1 478 0336 / http://www.philippineair.com/)
Cyprus Airways (+966 1 477 7212 / http://www.cyprusairways.com/)
Air India (+966 1 477 4484 / http://www.airindia.com/)
KLM(+966 1 477 6708 / http://www.klm.com)
American Airlines (+966 1 462 5993 / http://www.aa.com/)
TWA (+966 1 477 2228 / http://www.twa.com/)
Continental (+966 1 478 0965 / http://www.flycontinental.com)
From the Airport
Taxi:
Taxis are available 24 hours a day. It may cost about SAR60 and about 30 minutes to get to Riyadh. Look for prepaid taxis with the airport logo. Limousines are also available.
Car Rental:
The cheapest and easiest way to travel is to rent a vehicle. Car rental companies are located at the Khaled International Airport. The minimum age to rent a car is 25. Women are not allowed to drive on public roads.
Avis (+966 1 220 2639/ http://www.avis.com/)
Hertz (+966 1 220 5149/ http://www.hertz.com/)
Thrifty (http://www.thrifty.com/)
Budget (http://www.budget.com/)
Getting Around
Taxi
Taxi services are rampant in all areas within the city and are an inexpensive mode of transport. Although fare is metered, it can be negotiated in advance.
Limousines
OneLimo Worldwide is the premier limo service in Saudi Arabia providing sedans, limos and vans for travel within Riyadh. (http://www.onelimo.com/ )
Rail
Riyadh Rail Station
+966 1 473 4444
http://www.saudirailways.com
Although the railway system in Saudi Arabia is not well-developed, the Riyadh Railway Station offers trips to different parts of the country as well as local train service within the city. The main railway route is the Riyadh to Dammam line, which spans 570 kilometers (340 miles) and touches major areas such as Dhahran, Abqaiq, Hofuf, Harad and Al Kharj. Another line connects Hofuf to Riyadh. Children under the age of four can travel free, while those between four and twelve will be charged half-priced fares.
Sea
The main international passenger ports are at Dammam, Jeddah and Yanbu:
King Abdul Aziz Port (http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/ )
Jeddah Islamic Port (http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/ )
Yanbu Commercial Port (http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/ )
Bus
SAPTCO
+966 1 454 5000/ Toll Free: +966 800 124 9999
http://www.saptco.com.sa
Roads in Riyadh are well-networked with up to eight traffic lanes. Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO), the National Bus service in the country, offers intra-city as well as inter-city bus services. Most of the buses are air-conditioned. SAPTCO also offers a VIP bus service that runs between Riyadh and Al Khobar and offers luxurious facilities; the fare is costly though. As most of the commuters by bus are women, a screen is fitted in all buses to separate them from male passengers.
