How to Get from Jeddah to Al Ula (Full Guide!)
In the west of Saudi Arabia, there is an ancient oasis city of Al Ula in the Emirate of Medina that is like the gateway to some of the country’s most spectacular sites. It offers stunning scenery, with a vast expanse of dramatic rock formations, deep canyons and verdant oases dotted with palm trees. In Al Ula, you can also explore the ancient Nabataean tombs or simply soak up the stars in one of the luxurious hotels.
Exactly How to Get from Jeddah to Al Ula
There are several ways to get from Jeddah to Al Ula – you can fly (this is the quickest option) or take a bus to see the stunning Saudi landscape. If you are going to try the overland route, be prepared for a long day as it is almost 700 kilometres from Jeddah to Al Ula. Below, I will discuss all the options for getting from Jeddah to Al Ula to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Flight From Jeddah To Al Ula
If you are short of time and do not want to spend hours on the road, I would recommend taking a flight. It is the quickest way to get from Jeddah to Al Ula. Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia operates direct flights from Jeddah to Al Ula several times a week. See also Flynas offers. This low-cost airline does not offer a direct flight from Jeddah to Al Ula, but you can easily reach Al Ula with a short connection in Riyadh.
Tip: I recommend that all passengers arrive at the airport check-in desk or baggage drop at least 2 hours before their flight. Please note that check-in counters at the airport open 3 hours before departure and close 1 hour before departure.
How Long Does It Take To Fly From Jeddah To Al Ula?
A direct flight from Jeddah to Al Ula takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. With one transfer, the journey will take approximately 5 hours. Please note that flight times depend on many factors such as weather conditions or unexpected delays.
How Much Does A Flight From Jeddah To Al Ula Cost?
Saudia flight tickets from Jeddah to Al Ula cost around €100 (405 SAR) each way. Flynas flight tickets from Jeddah to Al Ula cost around €80 – €90 (320 – 370 SAR) one way. If you book your flight tickets in advance, this company sometimes runs promotions, so you may find tickets at better prices. I always use Skyscanner to find cheap flights and get the best airfares.
Where Are The Departure And Arrival Airports?
Flights depart from Jeddah Airport (JED) and arrive at Al Ula International Airport (ULH) located about 25 km south-east of Al Ula. The quickest way to get from Al Ula Airport to Al Ula city is by taxi. The taxi ride takes 35 minutes and costs on average €45 (SAR 185). There are currently no buses running between the airport and the city, but, sure, I will update this information if one becomes available.
Bus From Jeddah To Al Ula
If you are saving money and are a budget traveller, you should opt for a bus. The only problem is that there is no direct bus between Jeddah and Al Ula. You have to take a bus from Jeddah to Medina first, and from there you have to take another bus to Al Ula. There are several buses from Medina to Al Ula every day.
Please note: Remember that Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, so women and children always travel at the front of the bus and men at the back.
How Long Does It Take To Get From Jeddah To Al Ula By Bus?
Depending on the departure time, the bus journey from Jeddah to Al Ula takes 14 to 17 hours. The buses on this route have several stops along the way, during which you can eat, pray or go to the toilet.
How Much Does A Bus Ticket From Jeddah To Al Ula Cost?
Bus fares range from €39 to €45 (160 – 190 SAR) for a one-way trip. You can check all timetables on the Northwest BUS website. You can also buy bus tickets there. Select Jeddah train station as the departure point and Al Ula as the arrival point, enter the dates to see all the possible options.
When Does The Bus From Jeddah To Al Ula Leave?
Buses from Jeddah to Al Ula depart daily at 07:00, 10:00 and 23:59 from Jeddah Train Station. Be at the station at least half an hour before your journey starts. The bus driver will check your tickets before you board the bus. You can use the paper or mobile version of the tickets. The driver may also ask you for other documents, such as your passport or visa.
Is The Bus From Jeddah To Al Ula Safe?
Yes, the bus from Jeddah to Al Ula is very safe. Please note that during the journey, women and children sit at the front of the bus and men sit behind them.
Also read: Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Train + Bus to Al Ula
There are no direct trains from Jeddah to Al Ula, but you can combine a train ride with a bus ride. Take the fast train at Jeddah Al-Sulaymaniyah Station (Haramain Railway) to Medina and from there take the bus to Al Ula.
How Long Does Such A Combined Trip Take?
It all depends on which departure time you choose and how much time you plan to spend in Medina.
The journey time from Jeddah to Medina is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by high-speed train. The bus from Jeddah to Al Ula takes about 5 hours. If you only plan to make a 1 or 1.5 hour stop in Medina, the whole journey to Al Ula can take 8 to 9 hours.
It’s good to know that Saudi high-speed trains are equipped with air conditioning, comfortable seats, and spacious cabins. They offer business and economy class seats. Therefore, in my opinion, this is one of the most optimal and best options to reach Al Ula from Jeddah as quickly as possible.
How Much Do Train And Bus Tickets From Jeddah To Al Ula Cost?
Express train tickets cost €34 (143 SAR) and bus tickets from Medina to Al Ula cost €27 (109 SAR), so the total cost of your trip will be around €61 (250 SAR). You can check all train schedules on the Haramain High Speed Railway website. You can also buy train tickets there. Select Al-Sulimaniyah – Jeddah at the point of departure and Madinah at the point of arrival, enter the dates and you will see all the possible travel options.
Bus timetables can be viewed on the Northwest BUS website mentioned above.
When Do Trains Depart From Jeddah To Medina?
High-speed trains depart from Jeddah to Medina about 20 times every day from 08:00 am, making it easy to find a less tiring route than travelling by bus only.
Tip: If you choose to travel by bus or train and bus with a longer change in Medina, you can explore the central part of this holy city in your free time. If you want to visit the Prophet’s Mosque, please note that the entrance to and around the mosque is for Muslims only. Non-Muslims are strictly forbidden!
From Jeddah To Al Ula By Car
If you like to drive and you’re craving some freedom of travel, you can drive from Jeddah to Al Ula. Saudi Arabia’s roads are very good and wide, so driving is easy. Although the distance from Jeddah to Al Ula is almost 700 kilometres and the journey takes 8 hours, don’t despair. The drive will be long, but it will be very pleasant, and the journey will not take too long. During the journey, you will be able to admire the country’s stunning landscape, the Red Sea coastline and the undulating desert dunes. Fuel is also cheap in Saudi Arabia, which is another great reason to travel by car from Jeddah to Al Ula.
Tip: When driving this route, stop briefly at Yanbu Historic Area. Here you can not only have lunch, but also take a short walk through the very beautiful historic centre of the town.
If you are planning to rent a car in Saudi Arabia, I recommend Discover Cars. I often rent a car through this company myself, and the prices are often lower than competitors.
Accommodation: Here are all your hotel options in AlUla.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to travel from Jeddah to AlUla?
There are 3 travel options from Jeddah to AlUla: flight, bus or car.
What is the cheapest way from Jeddah to AlUla?
The cheapest way to travel between Jeddah and AlUla is a bus with an average price of €40 (160 SAR).
What is the fastest way to travel from Jeddah to AlUla?
The fastest way to get to AlUla from Jeddah is by flight with an average travel time of 1 h 30 min.
How far is AlUla from Jeddah?
The distance from Jeddah to AlUla is approximately 680 kilometers.
Is one day enough for Al Ula?
Unfortunately, one day is not enough to see everything AlUla has to offer. To see the main sights, I recommend spending at least 2 – 3 nights in Al Ula.
What Is the Best Way to Travel from Jeddah to Al Ula?
The best way to travel from Jeddah to AlUla is to rent a car. On this trip, you will be able to see many of Saudi Arabia’s wonderful sights.
Book your flight
Skyscanner is my favorite tool for finding the cheapest flights and flight combinations. Using the Multi-city or Explore Everywhere features, I always discover great travel deals.
Rent a car
Discovercars.com is my top choice for comparing car rental prices for any road trip around the world. The booking experience is always smooth and easy.
Find your acommodation
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I hope you enjoyed reading this complete guide on how to reach Al Ula from Jeddah!
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Marius
Hi, my name is Marius, and I’m driven by a desire to explore the hidden corners of the world. Less-traveled destinations like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Mongolia fascinate me with their authentic cultures and untouched landscapes. For me, every trip is an opportunity to challenge myself, meet new people, and create memories that last a lifetime.
