If someone asked you which two cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are the most culture-rich and magnetic, Riyadh and Jeddah would invariably come to mind. Bustling with energy, the two are among the biggest in the Middle East.
What draws people to Riyadh?
Let us start with Riyadh, the KSA capital and the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula. Riyadh receives around 5 million tourists annually, making it the 49th most visited city globally and the 6th most seen in the Middle East.
Riyadh is also one of the most populated cities in the KSA, with 7.6 billion people. Riyadh is the political and administrative center of Saudi Arabia, with the King living there and the Consultative Assembly in Riyadh.
What makes Jeddah so unique?
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s commercial center and second-largest city after Riyadh. It is home to the Jeddah Islamic Port, which is situated on the Red Sea and is the 36th-largest seaport worldwide.
Now, all this information naturally leads to how these two cities are connected and how someone could reach the other. Well, that is exactly what we will discuss today: traveling from Riyadh to Jeddah and vice-versa.
How do you travel from Riyadh to Jeddah?
By flight
The first way to travel would be to travel by flight. Multiple flights fly to and from Riyadh and Jeddah every day. Passengers can board an airplane from Saudia, Flynas, or Flyadeal. The average time for a flight from Riyadh to Jeddah or vice-versa would be 1 hour 35 minutes. The flight cost between these locations is between 370 and 850 Saudi Riyal, depending on the airline and the timing of the booking.
By bus
The second most popular way to travel between these cities is by bus via Ta’if. This is one of the most economical ways to travel between Riyadh and Jeddah, and it would cost between 120 and 170 Saudi Riyal. Buses are the preferred way to commute between the two cities, especially if they are regular commutes. However, the one downside is that the journey is quite long—about 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Of course, one can also get a direct bus from Riyadh to Jeddah or vice versa, which doesn’t stop in Ta’if. These direct bus journeys are a little shorter, averaging 13 hours and 25 minutes. They do, however, cost more, starting from 130 to 200 Saudi Riyal. It is important to note that traveling through public transport is very unsafe because of the pandemic. It is not something that should be done until it is essential.
By self-driven car
The third option, and the safest in the current scenario, is to drive from Riyadh to Jeddah and vice versa. This option allows travelers to set their schedule and is convenient. The cost of the trip depends on the type of vehicle one owns. The fuel cost can be virtually zero if one owns an electric car. Driving from Riyadh to Jeddah or from Jeddah to Riyadh takes approximately 9 hours and 27 minutes.
To conclude, there are plenty of ways to travel between the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. These ways are as diverse and unique as the cultures of these two cities. What’s important is to choose the right method for you, keeping in mind your timelines, budget, and, of course, the pandemic. Happy traveling, folks!
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