Taxis are one of the easiest ways to move around in Saudi Arabia. Whether you are a traveler exploring new cities or a pilgrim visiting holy sites like Makkah and Madinah, taxis offer comfort and convenience. However, knowing how to travel safely and smartly is essential. If it’s your first time visiting Saudi Arabia, these taxi tips will help you avoid trouble and make your trip smoother.
Things to Know
In this guide, we will share 12 important taxi tips for travelers and pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. These include safety suggestions, advice on payments, route tracking, driver choice, and more.
Use Only Licensed Taxi Drivers
Always choose a licensed taxi. This is one of the most important taxi tips for travelers in Saudi Arabia. Licensed drivers are usually registered with local authorities and work for trusted companies. Their vehicles have proper taxi signs, meters, and ID displayed.
This is especially vital in cities like Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, where unlicensed drivers may approach visitors at airports, hotels, or busy streets. Choosing a licensed driver helps you avoid taxi scams in Saudi Arabia and ensures a safe and fair ride.
Book in Advance When You Can
Booking your ride before your arrival is always a good idea. It saves time, avoids confusion, and keeps you away from aggressive taxi offers at busy terminals. Pre-booked rides are often tracked by companies and come with fixed fares.
There are many benefits of booking a taxi in advance, especially during Umrah, Hajj, or tourist seasons. This is one of the most smart taxi tips for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, as crowds can make it hard to find a good ride on the spot.
Use known services like Fater Transport to book your Umrah taxi in advance and ensure a peaceful start to your journey.
Confirm the Fare Before the Ride
If you’re not using a meter-based taxi, always ask about the fare before starting the trip. In some cases, especially in smaller cities or near airports, taxis may not run on a meter. Confirming the price avoids arguments or surprises at the end of the ride.
This tip is useful for everyone, but it becomes one of the most important taxi tips for pilgrims in Madinah and Makkah, where taxi demand is high, and fixed pricing varies by season.
Always Track Your Route with Google Maps
Want to make sure your driver is taking the right route? Track your taxi route with Google Maps. It’s free, simple, and gives you control. You can see if the driver is going in the wrong direction. If something seems off, speak up politely or send your live location to a trusted contact.
This is one of the best safety tips while using taxis in Saudi Arabia. It is also helpful in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah where roads can be confusing.
Choose the Back Seat for Extra Safety
If you are riding alone, it is better to sit in the back seat. It gives you distance from the driver and helps you stay alert. This is especially one of the smart taxi tips for solo travelers and pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, especially females.
If you are a solo female traveler, it’s best to avoid late-night travel, sit in the back, and always use a trusted taxi service.
Female Travelers Must Take Extra Caution
One of the important taxi tips for female travelers in Saudi Arabia is to stay cautious and reserved. Avoid sharing personal details. Dress modestly. Use ride services that allow female-friendly drivers or provide female-only options where available.
It is also advised that solo female safety tips when using taxis include sharing your ride details with a friend or family member, and not boarding any taxi that does not seem professional or registered.
Know What to Do If Your Driver Takes the Wrong Route
Sometimes drivers may take a wrong turn, either by mistake or to extend the fare. Stay calm. Politely ask why. Show them the correct route on Google Maps. If things still feel unsafe, ask them to stop in a public place or near a shop. You can call emergency help or your taxi company.
Knowing what to do if your taxi driver takes the wrong route helps you stay safe and avoid unnecessary problems.
Avoid Scams by Using Trusted Apps
Apps like Uber, Careem, and local services such as Fater Transport make travel easier. They give you fare estimates, route tracking, and driver details. This reduces the risk of scams or wrong charges.
Knowing how to avoid taxi scams in Saudi Arab is vital. Never agree to random taxi offers at airports. Use official booths or book online instead. This becomes one of the most important taxi tips for pilgrims in Jeddah and Madinah, especially during the Umrah and Hajj seasons.
Keep Taxi Info Saved for Emergencies
Before the ride starts, take a photo of the license plate and save the driver’s contact info if possible. This helps in case you forget something in the taxi or need to report an issue.
Saving these details is one of the smart taxi tips for travelers in Saudi Arabia and makes your ride more secure. It’s a small step that offers big benefits if needed later.
Avoid Peak Tourist Hours
Taxis become more difficult to obtain during prayer hours, festivals, or high Hajj days. Drivers may charge more or refuse rides to crowded areas. Try to plan your taxi rides early in the day. This is one of the tips for using taxis during peak tourist seasons that can save both time and money.
Use Airport Taxis Carefully
At airports like Jeddah and Madinah, be careful. Many unofficial drivers offer rides. It’s better to go directly to the official taxi booth or use a trusted online taxi service. This is among the top safety tips while using airport taxis at Jeddah airport and Madinah airport.
For example, important taxi tips for travelers in Jeddah include walking straight to the authorized desk at King Abdulaziz International Airport and avoiding strangers offering rides.
Trust Only Legitimate Taxi Services
Legitimate services follow rules, have trained drivers, and often provide insurance. Using them reduces your chances of getting scammed or lost. This is why you should use legitimate taxis only when traveling in Saudi Arabia.
Always choose a known company or an app where you can leave a review, track your route, and get a receipt. This is one of the most important taxi tips for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, where people may be emotional or tired after long spiritual activities.
Bonus Tip: Share Your Ride Details
If you’re unsure or traveling alone, share your live trip or driver details with a family member. This is one of the best travel safety tips for taxi rides in Saudi Arabia that many people ignore.
For Umrah or Ziyarat pilgrims, where spiritual focus is high and awareness may be low, these small steps help keep the journey safe and easy.
Final Thoughts
Staying safe while using taxis in Saudia is not difficult. You just need a little awareness and preparation. These important taxi tips for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are meant to guide you, protect you, and help you focus on your real purpose.
So, whether you are a traveler in Riyadh or a pilgrim in Madinah, remember these smart taxi tips. Use legitimate services, plan ahead, track your ride, stay polite but alert, and always trust your instinct.
Safe travels and may your journey in Saudia be full of peace and ease.