Saudi Arabia Archives - Car or no Car .com

Asia > Saudi Arabia > Dammam

See: Why hire a car in Dammam ? | Why not? | Ratings | Summary | Comments

Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Dammam car hire advice, please use the comments form below.

Quick Ratings

Price band:

Dammam is in car rental price band: 7/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)

General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Dammam?

No. Car rental is expensive by global standards.

Volatility:

Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Dammam between the peak and the off peak season?

5/10 (0 = stable prices)

Driving score: 3/10

Non car score:1/10

Balance: 10

(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)

General comment -

Saudi Arabia being is largely closed to international tourists from outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. However, based on regional traffic, Dammam is one of the world’s top 50 visitor destinations by international rivals.

Why? Visiting Dammam using a hire car

Why do you need a car in Dammam ?

Other cities in the Gulf region, including most prominently Dubai, but also the Saudi cities of Riyadh and Mecca, are rapidly developing urban rail systems. However, there is no such scheme in Dammam.

The natural way to get around is by car or taxi.

Why not? Visiting Dammam without a car

Why don't you need a car in Dammam ?

This region also includes the world’s largest oasis, and it is possible both to get here by bus, and then to get around this pleasant environment on foot.

Ratings: How does Dammam compare?

Is it worth hiring a car in Dammam? TBC

This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Dammam, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.

How does this compare if:

You are travelling:

Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc

Does car rental make sense on different budgets?

Do you need to hire a car in Dammam? TBC

This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Dammam (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".

Should you rent a car in Dammam? TBC

This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.

See global comparisons

Hiring | Driving | Parking

Trains | Buses | Local travel

Car hire basics:

Public transportation basics:

Regular bus services: YES

Coach (inter-city): YES

Tram: NO

Metro: NO

Commuter Rail:

High Speed Rail:

Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):

As you start ....

Does Dammam airport have a direct rail link?

(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No

Changelog

Has our advice for Dammam car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?

2017 - 10

2019 - 10

2021 - 10

Average score - 10

Notes:

Do you need a car in Dammam? However, on balance, this region is still very much one that is car dominated.

Summary

Do you or don't you need a car in Dammam ?

Asia > Saudi Arabia > Riyadh

See: Why hire a car in Riyadh ? | Why not? | Ratings | Summary | Comments

Although Riyadh is currently developing an extensive rapid transit network, this is still a city that was developed around the car, with an extensive network of vast multilane highways. Local buses are available, but they are slow.

Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Riyadh car hire advice, please use the comments form below.

Quick Ratings

Price band:

Riyadh is in car rental price band: 7/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)

General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Riyadh?

No. Car rental is expensive by global standards.

Volatility:

Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Riyadh between the peak and the off peak season?

5/10 (0 = stable prices)

Driving score: 3/10

Non car score:1/10

Balance: 10

(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)

General comment -

Despite being such a closed shop, Riyadh is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, with a rapidly growing tourism sector, aimed mainly at nationals of other Gulf Cooperation Council member states, for whom access is a great deal easier. The city is also still popular for domestic tourism with people who are already based in the country.

Note that tourists can only usually visit Saudi Arabia via an invitation through an organised tour operator, or by visiting close relatives who are already working in the country.

Why? Visiting Riyadh using a hire car

Why do you need a car in Riyadh ?

Sprawling Riyadh has been built around the car. This is a modern but heavily congested city with all the trappings of car culture!
Buses are of poor standard.
Visit Thumamah National Park – a desert recreational area on the northern edge of the ciy.

Why not? Visiting Riyadh without a car

Why don't you need a car in Riyadh ?

Few reasons to visit Riyadh without a car.
You can manage using local buses and taxis, but options are limited for a city of this size.

Riyadh is currently embraking on one of thre largest metro building projects in history, with a total of 6 lines.

Ratings: How does Riyadh compare?

Is it worth hiring a car in Riyadh? TBC

This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Riyadh, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.