Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia but your bank account says, “Maybe later”? Don’t worry, we found the ultimate travel hack for broke besties, visa holders, and anyone who doesn’t own a car (or just really loathes airport queues): international bus rides from the UAE to Saudi. Yup, it’s a thing – and it’s super organized. If you’ve never considered taking a coach from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, allow us to introduce you to a budget-savvy, no-car-needed, ultra comfortable travel option.
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Enter: SAPTCO, the Desert’s Transit Titan
The Saudi Public Transport Company – SAPTCO if you’re into acronyms – isn’t just your average intercity shuttle. These folks are the backbone of Saudi’s bus game, and they’ve got their wheels spinning across borders into the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and beyond. Here in the UAE, their official ticketing partner is Belad Al Sham Passenger Transport.
And the cost, you ask? Well, practically a steal! Sure, flights to Saudi may give you wings, but SAPTCO gives you savings. A one-way ticket will set you back a mere AED 140, while a round trip is just AED 260. That’s not just reasonable – it’s borderline miraculous in today’s economy. I mean, that’s cheaper than a fancy brunch in Dubai Marina. Oh, and buses leave around 2 to 3 PM, so you’ll have time for a quick grab, a karak and a power nap before boarding. In case there’s a delay in boarding, you’ll be notified prior by the operator.
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Where to Catch Your Chariot
They’ve got departure points in all the hot spots: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman. Just head to these locations:
- Dubai: Bin Rasheed Building, Al Khaleej Road – Al Murar
- Abu Dhabi: Al Nahhat Street – New Shahamah
- Sharjah: Al Soor
- Ajman: Near Hamad bin Ghalaita Mosque – Al Muntazi 2
Now, let’s talk about the destinations in Saudi! So, you can get down at either of the two stops – the cost remains the same!
Riyadh: Azizia – South Circular
Dammam: 11th Street, As Salam district
(Your future Google Maps searches, you’re welcome.)
Also, booking isn’t exactly a two-tap app experience (yet), but it’s still delightfully simple. You can call Belad Al Sham to confirm availability, or walk into any of their UAE branches to sort it out in person during their office hours. That’s Saturday to Thursday: 10am to 10pm and Friday: 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 10pm.
How Long Is the Ride, Though?
Okay, real talk! I mean, how long can we not address the elephant in the bus? So, this isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and jump. The journey can stretch anywhere from 15 to 18 hours depending on where you board, the route taken, and border bureaucracy. But hey – good podcasts, bingeable playlists, a best-seller novel and deep conversations with your buddies make the time fly. Well, sort of, at least.
Travel Documents For Border Crossing
Here’s what you must carry and present at the Al Batha border:
Passport with 6+ months validity
Emirates ID
Saudi eVisa (yes, print it – don’t trust your phone’s battery)
Pro tip: Keep hard copies of everything. Border Wi-Fi is about as reliable as a 2008 BlackBerry.
So, Are We Boarding Or What?
Each traveller is granted a generous 50kg baggage allowance. Got extra? No sweat – it’s AED 3 per surplus kilo. If you’re unsure whether your overstuffed bag makes the cut, dial up the Belad Al Sham team in Dubai at 04 2710620 and get the lowdown.
While it may not be the fastest route, it’s a wallet-hugging, horizon-expanding, character-building journey with serious street cred. So pack your essentials, queue the road trip playlist, and let the desert lead the way.
Saudi Arabia, here we come!
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