Jeddah is a sprawling city whose layout has evolved over millennia rather than decades and, as such, it is not the easiest or most intuitive place to get around. On the one hand, parts of Jeddah are walkable in a way that most Saudi cities are not: wandering the Old Town amid the narrow streets and coral houses, or strolling on the Corniche as the sun sets is a popular pastime here.
On the other, it is extremely difficult – nigh on impossible – to see everything that Jeddah has to offer without the use of a car or a taxi. Jeddah is loosely divided between old and new: with the ancient city in the south and the newer city in the north and some 30 kilometres between them. There are lots of luxury hotels in new Jeddah, and many of the most impressive sites are in the old part of town.
For now, the Jeddah Metro is a distant dream, due to begin construction in 2025. As for buses, Jeddah’s seven lines are budget-friendly and run very early to very late, but don’t serve key areas like most of the corniche.
As a result, any traveller to the city will rely on a car: either their own or more likely – given the parking and traffic situation – a taxi.
See the best bits of old Jeddah and the Corniche on foot
By the standards of sprawling Middle Eastern cities, much of Jeddah is very walkable: particularly once you’re in a neighbourhood such as Al Balad or the Corniche. In the evenings after dinner and prayers, families and couples stroll along the seafront or in the narrow streets of the Old Town, stopping for tea or some food and just taking it all in. Don’t hesitate to join them.
Once you’re in a neighbourhood, walking is a good option – the challenge comes when moving between them. The distance between the Old City and Jeddah Waterfront Park on the Corniche, for example, is nearly 20 km and to Al Rahmah Mosque and the Promenade, nearly 30km. The only way to get there is to drive or take a taxi.
Do as everyone else does and take a taxi
Ride-sharing apps have made a lot of noise about expanding into Jeddah, but recent travellers complain that wait time can be over half an hour, especially from outlying districts.
Then there are the ubiquitous regular ‘white’ Jeddah taxis, that are supposed to use their meters but that doesn’t always happen. You will need to negotiate. If you get a particularly truculent driver your best bet is to just walk away and try another one: during the day, there are plenty of white taxis around. You can also ask your hotel to organise a hotel taxi, although this will be more expensive.
Note that to use Careem in Saudi Arabia you will need a local mobile number, but available alternatives are Uber and Bolt.
Brave the traffic and bring your own wheels
For visitors to Jeddah who are coming for an event or business and are not planning to leave, there is no need to hire a car. It is far easier and cheaper to take taxis. Even if Jeddah is a stop on a longer road trip, visitors may prefer to leave their car at the hotel and take taxis rather than brave the roads and the parking issues associated with driving in a city of four million people.
But equally, driving in Jeddah is supremely convenient, and it is certainly what most of the locals do. If you’re visiting restaurants or hotels and there is valet parking then use it; it is always worthwhile. Elsewhere, paid parking is usually relatively cheap and a far better option than trying to find a space on the street and risk damage to your rental car.
Like most cities, the traffic in Jeddah can be daunting, as can the driving etiquette, particularly for those who have not driven in the Middle East before. Driving is always aggressive and often erratic and you need to keep your wits about you. Avoid driving on Thursday and Friday nights on the Corniche unless you like sitting in traffic jams.
Save some money and hop on a bus
Jeddah has a total of six bus lines, all of which spread between Al Marwah in the North (Line 9 and Line 9B) and converging on the main bus station near the Bin Laden Mosque in Al Balad. Line 7A goes as far west as the Saudi Airlines office near King Abdul-Aziz Road but not as far as the corniche, which is at least a 15-minute walk west.
Officially there are bus stops along the lines, but most locals pretty much hail a bus from anywhere along the route. To ride the bus you need to download the SAPTCO app, which allows you to pay for buses and can be automatically recharged.
Advice for disabled travellers
Saudi Arabia’s government has committed to improving the transport infrastructure for disabled travellers, and pilgrims in particular say that wheelchair access at Jeddah Airport and in Mecca has improved. Ride-sharing apps certainly make it easier than regular taxis for visitors who have mobility issues, with the ability to inform your driver ahead of time if you need assistance. It is also worth checking with your hotel in advance whether they can assist you.
When it comes to getting around the city streets and pavements, newer areas will be far more accessible than areas like the Al Balad, which has narrow, busy pavements, steps, and other obstructions within pedestrian areas that could make getting around a challenge.
