Rent a Car in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia car rental starts at SAR 56 a day for an automatic car, with free cancellation on every booking. Collect your car at Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Tabuk, or Jazan airport, or choose from more than 50 pickup points in 15 cities, and reserve online in minutes.
Plans change. Cancel your Saudi Arabia car rental before pickup and pay no cancellation fee. Every car listed carries free cancellation.
Return the car with the same fuel level you received and pay no fuel charge. Photograph the fuel gauge at pickup and again at drop off.
Reserve online with about one sixth of the rental price and pay the balance at the counter. Each car carries a daily kilometre allowance, and the deposit is held on your card.
Saudi Arabia Car Rentals: Essential 10 Tips
Where a Rental Car Takes You
A rental car reaches what buses and tours skip. Drive from Riyadh to Diriyah and the Edge of the World, follow the Red Sea road to Yanbu, climb to Abha, or head north to AlUla and Hegra, the Kingdom's first UNESCO site. Distances are long, so plan your stops and fuel.
Documents and Age Requirements
Bring your passport, visa, home driving licence, and a credit card in the main driver's name. Most suppliers ask for an International Driving Permit. Drivers must be 21 or older, and some set 25 for SUVs.
Makkah and Madinah Access
Only Muslims can enter Makkah, and signs send other drivers onto bypass roads. Central Madinah around the Prophet's Mosque is closed to non Muslims. Pilgrims should carry permits.
Deposit and Credit Card
A credit card in the main driver's name covers the deposit. Debit cards seldom work. Deposits typically run from SAR 1,000 to SAR 3,000 and are released within 7 to 14 business days.
Speed Limits and Saher Cameras
Drive on the right. Highways allow 120 km/h, city streets 60 to 80 km/h, lower near schools. Saher cameras watch most main roads and ring roads. Child Seats in Saudi Arabia Children under 10 must ride in the back, in a child seat or booster that suits their size. Add a seat when you book. Seatbelts are compulsory for everyone.
Alcohol Limit and Phone Use
Saudi Arabia has zero tolerance for alcohol, so never drive after any drink. Holding a phone while driving is illegal. Keep your passport, licence, and rental papers in the car.
Tolls and Fuel Stations
Saudi highways are toll free, except the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain. Petrol costs roughly SAR 2 to SAR 2.50 a litre. Refuel before leaving any big city.
Navigation and Parking
Google Maps works across the Kingdom, and road signs use Arabic and English. Download offline maps for desert and mountain routes where signal often drops. Malls and hotels offer parking, but busy districts of Riyadh and Jeddah charge for it.
Heat, Camels and Unpaved Roads
Summer heat reaches 45 degrees in Riyadh, so check tyres before long drives. Camels and drifting sand cross rural desert roads at night. Carry extra water. Rental cars may use paved roads only, and damage on dirt tracks is not covered.
Driving Conditions and Insurance
Saudi Arabia has a modern road network, although drivers should exercise additional caution in desert areas and during adverse weather conditions. Before starting your trip, review your rental insurance coverage and choose the protection option that best suits your travel plans.
Car Hire at Saudi Arabia's International Airports
Best Time to Book a Saudi Arabia Car Rental
Summer Rates Are Lower in the Big Cities
June to September heat pushes past 40 degrees in Riyadh and Jeddah, so tourist demand drops and daily rates are often lower. Air conditioning is standard, and Abha and Taif stay cooler and fill up with local families.
November to March Is the Busiest Season
Cool weather brings visitors to Riyadh, AlUla and the Red Sea coast. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for the best choice of cars, and earlier for SUVs.
Ramadan, Hajj and Umrah Need Early Booking
Pickups in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah sell out first. Reserve as soon as your dates are fixed, and keep your visa, permit, and credit card ready for the counter.
