The Only Taxi Service in AlUla? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About AlUla Taxi – How to Use It and What to Watch Out For

For travelers visiting AlUla, a tourist destination in Saudi Arabia, securing transportation is one of the major challenges. This article explains in detail the “AlUla Taxi” service available in AlUla, including its features, how to use it, and important points to note.

Transportation Situation in AlUla

AlUla is a historic city in Saudi Arabia, but as a tourist destination, it’s still developing, and the public transportation system is not yet fully established. Ride-hailing services like Careem and Uber technically operate here, but with few registered vehicles, wait times can range from tens of minutes to several hours, making them not really viable options. Rental cars and private car charters are convenient choices, but they may cause anxiety for those unfamiliar with driving in the region. This is where “AlUla Taxi” comes into focus.

What is AlUla Taxi?

AlUla Taxi is a ride service operated as a kind of public service in AlUla. Compared to services like Careem, it offers relatively faster dispatch times and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It also allows for advance reservations, making it suitable for planned travel.

How to Use AlUla Taxi

To use AlUla Taxi, first download WhatsApp and register the dedicated phone number (+966 55 853 9318). When requesting a ride, send a message via WhatsApp with your planned departure time, pickup location, and destination. AlUla Taxi will then send you the driver’s contact information. After that, you communicate directly with the driver to confirm the meeting place and time. The process involves waiting at the designated spot, boarding the taxi, and paying the fare upon arrival at your destination.

About the Fares

AlUla Taxi’s fares are comparable to those of Careem and Uber. In my actual experience, I traveled late at night from AlUla Old Town to the bus stop in the new city center, a distance that would take over an hour on foot, and the fare was about 1,500 yen (approximately $10-15 USD).

Points to Note

There are several important points to keep in mind when using AlUla Taxi.

First, since there’s no dedicated app, communication is done through WhatsApp, which may take some getting used to. Additionally, depending on the time of day, you might need to wait 15-30 minutes for a ride. Compared to major cities like Jeddah, it’s important to remember that ride dispatch takes longer in AlUla.

Furthermore, you rarely see AlUla Taxis cruising for passengers. Since you’ll hardly ever spot an AlUla Taxi on the streets, you must always request a ride in advance.

For More Mobility Freedom, Consider Rental Cars or Charter Services

For these reasons, my recommended transportation options for traveling in AlUla are rental cars or charter services. I particularly recommend the car hire service from Alfateh Transport, a company based in Jeddah.

This service typically supports long-distance travel for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims but also gladly accommodates general travelers. Among the various car hire services I compared, this one was exceptionally affordable. Having provided my detailed itinerary in advance, I was able to move around AlUla flexibly and smoothly. While the full-day rate of 600 SAR (about $160 USD) might seem somewhat expensive, considering that taxi fares add up with each ride, I felt it wasn’t an unreasonably expensive option.

https://www.alfatehtransport.com/

Summary

AlUla Taxi is a convenient transportation option for travelers visiting AlUla. By understanding how to use it in advance and allowing extra time, you can enjoy a smooth travel experience. Once you get used to the unique dispatch system using WhatsApp, AlUla Taxi will undoubtedly become a strong ally for your AlUla sightseeing. Why not make good use of AlUla Taxi to fully enjoy the historical charm of AlUla?