Jeddah

The climate is dry and hot. The best time to visit is on January and February, when it is the least hot.

The sea water becomes quite hot from July to October.

Jeddah is a huge city that sprawls along the coast of the Red Sea, connected together by the Corniche, a seaside avenue full of bizarre sculptures and nearly 30 km long. The old city or al-Balad, on the southern side of modern Jeddah, is a crumbling but fascinating warren of multi-story houses made from coral. The main thoroughfare Medina Road starts from the northern side of al-Balad and runs all the way to the city.

🌍 King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED  ^IATA). The largest airport in the Kingdom and served by airlines from around the world. (updated Jan 2022)

• Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia). All Saudi airlines use this facility, including domestic services. Nas Air, a privately-owned Saudi low-cost carrier, also operates domestic and some international flights to and from this terminal. Air France, Korean Air, and Kenya Airways, being part of the SkyTeam alliance along with Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), also operate flights to and from this terminal.

Used by all other international flights.

• Pakistan International Airlines has flights from all major cities of Pakistan to and from Jeddah.

There are also two special terminals, used exclusively for Hajj pilgrims heading directly to Mecca, which are basically enormous tents of fiberglass fabric on reinforced concrete poles and steel cables. Driving to the normal non-Hajj terminal, you pass between the two. In season, this lets you admire long rows of large aircraft parked alongside the Hajj terminals.

A taxi to the city from either will cost around SR50, so agree on the fare before you set off.

National bus company SAPTCO runs buses from almost all cities and larger towns to Jeddah as well as from a number of international destinations such as Amman and Cairo. However, make sure before booking your seat that you don't have a "by air only" entry visa. Several smaller companies runs long-distance buses too. While there are plenty of "VIP" buses with comfortable seats, journey times are grueling. Travel time from for example Amman is up to 18 hours.

• 🌍 SAPTCO bus station. The main bus station. (updated Apr 2021)

Jeddah is one of the major ports along the Red Sea and cargo ships arrive here from all over the world with plenty of choices for travellers, too. Al-Blagha is one of the largest shipping companies and operates several ferry routes, most notable a once-weekly service from Port Suez taking 42 hours (1st/2nd/3rd class SR845/695/395, car from SR850). There's also a service from Suakin, 50 km south of Port Sudan, three times a week with journey time of 10 hours (1st/2nd/3rd SR470/370/300, car from SR460). A more irregular ferry service is available from Al Hudayda in Yemen.

Ferries fill up quick during high season, meaning Hajj and Ramadan, so book early.

A high-speed railway linking Jeddah with Mecca and Medina via King Abdullah Economic City opened in 2018. These trains also serve Jeddah (Naseem) and King Abdulaziz International Airport.

• 🌍 Jeddah railway station (Southeast of the city centre). (updated Mar 2022)

Many of the hotels chains have a "water taxi" or a small minivan that will take you to the mall and main shopping areas. Taxis are very inexpensive, with most 10-minute rides costing about SR10-20. There are two types of taxis: one is yellow and will have a sign that says, simply, TAXI. They are usually cheaper, but a little "rougher" on the inside and out and usually are not air conditioned. But they are very rare in Jeddah now. Also, most of them are now air-conditioned new cars. If you're looking for better quality, opt for the white "Limousine" taxis which are of better quality. There is a rule in KSA that a Limousine must not be older than 5 years. So, you find all the new cars in Limousines. Limousine taxis are about $1–3 more expensive. There are also "unlicensed" taxis, which are normal cars (usually a Toyota Camry) without the "TAXI" sign. Those taxis are cheaper than "Limousines" but are not legal. Police take strict actions against such taxis, so to avoid them. Normally they honk or flash lights when they see you standing in street (you can't recognize them as they're normal cars).

It can be cheaper to negotiate a fixed price than to use the meter. This requires some experience with Jeddah and its streets. Sometimes, a taxi driver will pretend to be "lost" as a pretext to turn on the meter or make you pay extra in exchange for his "lost time". Whatever the situation, never consent to pay more than the price you agreed on before the beginning of the ride. Also, some Saudi drivers ask for a higher price and don't treat clients very well, so look for Indian or Pakistani drivers.

Many rental agencies like Avis or Budget will rent you a 2008 mid-size car for the price of SR100-140 per day. You'll also find a bargain when it comes to fuel, as Saudi Arabia has some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world. The streets are wide and signs are written in both Arabic and English. Look for maps in the libraries or big supermarkets.

Buses are not a commonly-used means of transportation in Jeddah even though you can ride one for SR1-2 from certain main streets to Albalad (downtown). It is, however, a very interesting way to enjoy traditional Arab music and the sound of people mixing together all while enjoying sights during the ride. Smaller buses are mostly private so the owner is responsible for cleanliness. Larger buses are provided by the government, which are big and clean but don't follow a schedule, so consider using the smaller buses if you're on a specific timetable.

Boats are not particularly a means of transportation, but rather a way to enjoy the views of the Red Sea. You can catch boats in Obhur north of Jeddah at the marina; a one hour ride in a small boat is around SR200 (US$55).

Jeddah's top sight is al-Balad, or the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city wall has long since been torn down, but the old gates still mark where it once stood. Within you'll find a warren of ancient buildings and traditional souqs (markets), and the teetering, multistory coral houses that Jeddah is famous for. Unfortunately, coral is not a very durable building material, and most of the buildings are in disrepair. Spend time wandering around the old city and get lost in the seemingly endless souks. You will find yourself in another world and entirely 'in' the world, surrounded by people from all over the Arab world, Asia and Africa.

• 🌍 Souq al-Alawi. At the heart of the old city, coral houses line both sides of this busy market street. A photography permit is theoretically necessary (inquire at the office behind Naseef house), but in practice nobody seems to bat an eyelid as long as you don't stick your camera in people's faces without permission. 
• 🌍 Naseef House (بيت نصيف, Bayt Nasseef). 5-9PM (may be closed Friday). The former house of one of Jeddah's main trading families is being renovated as a museum and cultural center. Great views from the top floors when it's open. SR20. 

• 🌍 Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. Located in the Khuzam Palace, built in 1928. The collection ranges from artefacts of the Stone Age attributed to the Acheulean period found in nearby Wadi Fatimah over items of several pre-Islamic cultures and items illustrating the rise of Islam to relics from the time the palace was used by the royal family. A second collection holds ethnographic items portraying the recent culture of the region. (updated Mar 2021)
• 🌍 Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum. (updated Mar 2021)

The Jeddah Corniche offers spectacular views of the Red Sea. Check out the main shopping street on Tahliya for interesting wares, and if you're looking for good quality gold, try the Gold Souq where you can bargain for 18k and 24k gold by weight. The King Fahd Fountain is not only the tallest water fountain in Jeddah, but also the world.

• 🌍 King Fahd's Fountain. With a maximum height between 260 and 312 m, this fountain in the Red Sea is the tallest in the world. Water ejected reaches supersonic speeds of 375 km/h, and the amount of water in the air can exceed 16 m³. As a prominent landmark, it is visible from most parts of the city, and illuminated at night by over 500 spotlights. It was constructed between 1980 and 1983, and sponsored by King Fahd, hence its name. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Asfan Castle. An Ottoman qishla (fort) built in the 1800s. (updated Mar 2021)
• 🌍 Jaffali Mosque. (updated Mar 2021)

Scuba diving is a major draw for expats in the Kingdom, although the Saudis themselves seem oblivious to the treasures that await offshore.

Because of Jeddah's location on the Red Sea, the flora and fauna are quite similar to what you'd see on Egypt's Red Sea Coast or off the Sinai Peninsula, only minus all the tourists.

Visibility can be spectacular (30-40m is common) and the corals are virtually untouched. There are plenty of interesting sites to explore like the Chicken Wreck, a boat carrying tons of frozen chicken that hit the reef and sunk at a depth of 10-18m. Most of the better dive sites are around one hour out to sea by speed boat.

The Red Sea gets chilly in the winter, with water temperatures dropping to 22°C, so you'll want to use a 5 mm wetsuit with hood. In summer, temperatures climb up to a much more balmy 29°C, and 3mm shorty or 1 mm diveskin is plenty.

• 🌍 Water park at Sail Island. A good spot, especially for families, when the blazing Saudi Arabian sun becomes too much to bear. The park was built on an artificial peninsula and is covered by several sail-like tents, which offer shade while you enjoy the pool and recreation facilities. 
• 🌍 Atallah Happy Land Park, 6263 Al Kurnaysh Rd (Jeddah Corniche), ☏ +966 12 699 1189. 5PM. An amusement park with indoor and outdoor rides and attractions, ice skating and bowling, dining and shopping, 6D theatre and live shows. SR25. 
• 🌍 Al-Shalal Theme Park (Fakieh Poultry Farms), Jeddah Corniche near end of Sary St.. The park boasts of having the largest double looped roller coaster in the Asian continent. Operational since 2004, the roller coaster at the Theme Park is 34 m high and caters to more than 700 visitors/hr. The two storey entertainment building at the centre of the Park features an ice skating rink and a theme area, a roller skating rink and the Amazon Ride with a jungle theme, complete with life-size figures of animals, light and sound effects. The Amazon Ride is spread over an area of 1800 m2 with a lagoon and 15 m high waterfall. Seven restaurants, party rooms and a games arcade are housed in the entertainment building. The party rooms can be reserved by the public for birthday parties and private gatherings at reasonable rates. The park also has a European village theme area, a Far East village area and a large number of retail outlets for souvenirs and soft toys for the children. The complex has a separate building for car parking which can accommodate 300 cars plus an additional open air parking facility which has an additional capacity of 300 cars. 

• Al Baik. One of the most popular fast food chain of Saudi Arabia available in Jeddah, Mecca, Medina & Yanbu. Al Baik has 25 branches in Jeddah. Saudi dishes as well as fast food. (updated May 2023)

• 🌍 Khayal, Prince Sultan Road, History Roundabout. One of the best Turkish restaurants in Jeddah. It offers a variety of Turkish food to its customers. Especially, fresh fruit juices and kunafah (a traditional dessert) are delicious. (SR 50-100). 

• 🌍 Aromi Restaurant, Qasr al Sharq. Italian restaurant with sea views. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Mataam Al Sharq (at Waldorf Astoria Jeddah - Qasr Al Sharq). Lebanese cuisine. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Al Safina Restaurant (at the Jeddah Hilton). Persian cuisine. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Cafe Vienna (at the Jeddah Hilton). Italian Cafe. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Al Nakheel (Corniche area), ☏ +966 12 606 6644. Traditional food with sheesha. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 Byblos. 
• 🌍 Caffe Aroma (located on Corniche). Theme-fusion food. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Papaya (next to Sawary Mall). International food. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Yildizlar, ☏ +966 2 653 1150. In front of Saudi American Bank, Al Hamra Area. Excellent Turkish, Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian food. 

• 🌍 Waldorf Astoria Jeddah - Qasr Al Sharq, North Corniche Rd, ☏ +966 9200 09565. The "Palace of the Orient" is Waldorf-Astoria's attempt to create a "seven-star" luxury hotel in Jeddah. Decoration is opulent, and prices are a splurge. Food is primarily Venetian. All amenities can be found. (updated Mar 2022)

Floods are not unusual in Jeddah, and they can be both violent and destructive, mainly because the city lacks the necessary infrastructure to protect itself against floods.

Refer to the various tips in the Flash floods article if the city experiences flooding.

• 🌍 Algeria, Behind Honda Motors P.O. Box 8132, ☏ +966 12 698 5034, fax: +966 12 698 5038, consulat@consalg-jeddah.org. Sunday-Thursday 9AM-3PM. (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Canada, 11F Ali Reza Tower, Madinah Rd, ☏ +966 2 653-0597, fax: +966 2 653-0538, canada.consulate.jeddah@mattarest.com. Sa-W 8AM–3:30PM. (updated Nov 2023)
• Greece, Nour El Hayat. plot 187 AL Andalus District, ☏ +966 2 667-4064, +966 5 3067-6885, fax: +966 2 656-228, grgencon.jed@mfa.gr. Temporarily suspended. (updated Nov 2023)
• India, Building of Mr. Mansoor Abdul Rahman Al Hueesh, Tahlia Str, Villa 34. (Behind National Commercial Bank), Near Al Huda Mosque, ☏ +966 12 66 03 779, fax: +966 12 26 14 093, consular@cgijeddah.com. 
• Indonesia, Al-Mualifin Street, Al-Rehab District/5, (P.O. BOX 10 Jeddah 21411), ☏ +966 12 671-1271, jeddah.kjri@kemlu.go.id. (updated Nov 2017)
• Pakistan, N 17 E 7 Sector, Mushrefah Ibrahim Al-Tassan Street 19, Building No. 58, ☏ +966 12 669 2371, parepjeddah@mofa.gov.pk. By appointment. (updated Jan 2022)
• Romania, Al-Khalidieh Quarter, Rawda Street, Burj Al-Badrieh Building, 4th Floor, Office 49, P.O.Box 118649, ☏ +966 12 606 6049, fax: +966 12 606 5780. Honorary Consulate (does not provide consular services. Instead, Romanian citizens in need of assistance should contact the embassy in Riyadh.) 
• United Kingdom, Salmah Ibn Thabit St, Ash Shati. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 United States, Falasteen Rd, Al-Ruwais District, ☏ +966 12 220 5000. (updated Sep 2020)
• Uzbekistan, Al-Naeem/4 District Abu Al-Hajjaj Al-Mosali Street No. 41 P.O. Box 50036, ☏ +966 12 667 7250, info@uzbekconsuljeddah.com. By appointment. 
• Yemen, Alnuzlah Al-Sharqia, Beside Prince Mansour Mosque P.O. Box 2793, ☏ +966 12 689 8555, ycon-jeddah@mofa.gov.ye.