Jeddah to AlUla Epic Drive

Highlights

• Red Sea Coastal Highway (Highway 5)
• Yanbu Historic Al-Balad District
• Hejaz Railway Ruins & Ottoman Forts
• Dramatic Granite Mountain Scenery
• Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) Sunset
• Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Site
• AlUla Old Town & AlJadidah Arts District
• Fresh Red Sea Seafood in Yanbu

Day 1: Jeddah: Historic Al-Balad and Corniche Departure

Your road trip begins in Jeddah, the gateway to the Hejaz. Start early with a stroll through Al-Balad, the UNESCO-listed historic district where coral-stone merchant houses with ornate rawasheen balconies line narrow alleys dating back to the 7th century. The area underwent a massive restoration by the Saudi Ministry of Culture and is best explored before the midday heat. Grab a traditional ful medames breakfast at Foul Al-Taif (around SAR 25) in the old souk area. After exploring Al-Balad, head to the Jeddah Corniche for views of the 312-metre King Fahd Fountain before beginning the 330 km drive north on the coastal Highway 55 toward Yanbu. The drive takes approximately 3.5 hours through flat coastal terrain with the Red Sea on your left. Arrive in Yanbu by late afternoon and check into the Novotel Yanbu or the Holiday Inn Yanbu (rooms from SAR 350-500). Yanbu, once a vital Hejaz port and a base for T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt, now serves as a gateway to some of the Red Sea coast best diving. End the day with fresh seafood at one of the restaurants along the Yanbu Corniche waterfront.

Morning

• Explore Jeddah Al-Balad UNESCO historic district — rawasheen houses, Nassif House Museum (SAR 20 entry, opens 09:00), Sharbatly House
• Breakfast at a traditional ful and tameez bakery in Al-Balad souk (SAR 20-30 per person)
• Visit the Jeddah Corniche and photograph the King Fahd Fountain (312 m, world tallest)

Afternoon

• Depart Jeddah via Highway 55 north — 330 km coastal drive to Yanbu (approx. 3.5 hours)
• Brief stop at Thuwal coastal village for Red Sea views and coffee (around km 80)
• Arrive in Yanbu and check into hotel — Novotel Yanbu or Holiday Inn Yanbu (SAR 350-500/night)

Evening

• Walk the Yanbu Corniche waterfront promenade at sunset
• Fresh grilled hammour and shrimp dinner at a Yanbu Corniche seafood restaurant (SAR 80-120)
• Browse Yanbu old town historic area near the port — Ottoman-era buildings and heritage houses

Day 2: Yanbu to Medina Outskirts: Hejaz Railway and Volcanic Landscapes

Day two heads inland from the coast toward the ancient Hejaz heartland. After breakfast, consider an optional early morning dive or snorkel trip at Yanbu coral reefs — operators like Yanbu Dive Center offer half-day trips (SAR 250-350 including equipment) to sites with healthy hard coral and reef fish. By mid-morning, drive east on Route 15 toward Medina, a 240 km journey taking roughly 2.5 hours. The landscape transitions dramatically from coastal flats to dark basalt lava fields of Harrat Rahat, one of the largest volcanic fields in the Arabian Peninsula. Non-Muslims cannot enter the Haram area of Medina, but you can stop at landmarks outside the restricted zone, including the Hejaz Railway Museum at the restored Ottoman-era Medina station (free entry, open 09:00-17:00 except Fridays). The Hejaz Railway, built between 1900-1908, once connected Damascus to Medina and its ruins dot the landscape you will follow for the next two days. Continue northwest from the Medina area on Route 375 toward Al-Ula, covering about 150 km to reach the small town of Al-Ula by evening (total drive from Yanbu approximately 4-5 hours with stops). Check into Habitas AlUla (from SAR 2,500/night for a luxury desert experience) or the more affordable Shaden Resort (from SAR 600/night).

Morning

• Optional early morning snorkel or dive at Yanbu reefs — Yanbu Dive Center half-day trip (SAR 250-350 with gear)
• Breakfast at hotel, then depart Yanbu heading east on Route 15 toward Medina (240 km, 2.5 hours)

Afternoon

• Drive through Harrat Rahat volcanic lava fields — photo stops at black basalt formations
• Visit the Hejaz Railway Museum at the restored Ottoman Medina station (free entry, 09:00-17:00, closed Friday) — note: non-Muslims cannot enter Medina Haram zone
• Continue northwest on Route 375 from Medina outskirts to AlUla (approx. 300 km, 3 hours)

Evening

• Arrive AlUla and check in — Habitas AlUla (from SAR 2,500) or Shaden Resort (from SAR 600)
• Dinner at Suhail Restaurant in AlUla old town — traditional Hejazi cuisine (SAR 80-140)
• Night sky stargazing from the resort — AlUla has minimal light pollution and is recognized for dark sky viewing

Day 3: AlUla: Hegra UNESCO Site and Sandstone Wonders

Dedicate this full day to AlUla, the crown jewel of Saudi cultural tourism. The AlUla valley stretches 30 km through a dramatic sandstone canyon carved over millennia. Start at Hegra (Madain Saleh), Saudi Arabia first UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2008. This Nabataean city dates to the 1st century CE and features 111 monumental rock-cut tombs with elaborate facades rivaling Petra in Jordan, but without the crowds. Entry costs SAR 95 per person and the site opens at 08:00 — arrive early to beat the heat and secure a spot on the guided shuttle tour included in the ticket price. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) manages all tourism here and has invested billions of SAR into preserving and opening the region. After Hegra, drive 20 minutes to Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), a massive natural sandstone formation resembling an elephant, which is free to visit and particularly photogenic in golden afternoon light. In the afternoon, visit Dadan, the ancient capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms (9th-2nd century BCE) with its cliff tombs, and explore the atmospheric AlUla Old Town with its 900 mud-brick houses. If visiting between December and March, check the Winter at Tantora festival schedule — the Maraya concert hall, the world largest mirrored building at 9,740 square metres, hosts international performances in a surreal desert setting.

Morning

• Visit Hegra (Madain Saleh) UNESCO World Heritage Site — SAR 95 entry, opens 08:00, allow 2-3 hours for the guided shuttle tour of 111 Nabataean rock-cut tombs
• Explore Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza, the largest tomb at Hegra (16 metres tall), and the Diwan ceremonial gathering hall
• Photography at Qasr Al-Farid (the Lonely Castle), Hegra most iconic single-block carved tomb

Afternoon

• Drive to Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) — 20 minutes from Hegra, free entry, stunning sandstone formation best photographed in afternoon golden light
• Visit Dadan archaeological site — ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite capital with cliff tombs (9th-2nd century BCE)
• Walk through AlUla Old Town — 900 abandoned mud-brick houses along a narrow canyon, being restored by the RCU

Evening

• Check Winter at Tantora festival schedule (Dec-Mar) — performances at Maraya, the world largest mirrored building (9,740 sqm)
• Sunset dinner at an AlUla canyon restaurant — many RCU-licensed venues serve Hejazi and international cuisine (SAR 120-200)
• Optional night tour of Hegra with atmospheric lighting (seasonal, SAR 150, book via experiencealula.com)

Day 4: AlUla Hidden Canyons and Return Journey

Use the final morning to explore AlUla lesser-known natural wonders before heading back. Start with a visit to the AlUla Oasis, a 5 km stretch of over 2 million date palms and citrus groves fed by ancient underground water channels (falaj irrigation system). The Oasis Trail is a gentle 2.5 km walk that opens at 07:00 and costs SAR 50. Next, for the adventurous, book a morning heritage trail hike through one of AlUla many sandstone canyons — popular routes include the Harrat Viewpoint Trail (moderate, 3 km) offering panoramic views over the volcanic basalt fields. Many visitors also enjoy a final stop at one of the small artisan workshops in the old town area where local craftspeople sell handmade pottery, woven baskets, and AlUla date products (prices from SAR 30-150). Begin the return drive after lunch. The fastest route back to Jeddah is via Medina on Route 375 then Highway 15 south, covering approximately 800 km in 8-9 hours total. Alternatively, break the journey with an overnight in Yanbu or Medina outskirts. If flying, AlUla has a domestic airport (ULH) with direct Saudia and flynas flights to Jeddah (1.5 hours, from SAR 250 one-way) and Riyadh (2 hours, from SAR 350 one-way), a far more comfortable option for those short on time.

Morning

• Walk the AlUla Oasis Trail — 2.5 km through 2 million date palms, opens 07:00 (SAR 50 entry)
• Heritage canyon hike — Harrat Viewpoint Trail (3 km, moderate) with panoramic views over volcanic basalt fields
• Browse artisan workshops in AlUla Old Town — handmade pottery, woven baskets, date products (SAR 30-150)

Afternoon

• Lunch at Tawlat restaurant — farm-to-table dining using AlUla local produce (SAR 100-180)
• Begin return drive to Jeddah via Route 375 and Highway 15 (800 km, 8-9 hours) or break journey in Yanbu
• Alternative: fly from AlUla Airport (ULH) — Saudia/flynas to Jeddah (1.5 hrs, from SAR 250) or Riyadh (2 hrs, from SAR 350)

Evening

• If driving: stopover in Yanbu for final Red Sea sunset dinner on the Corniche
• Arrive Jeddah late evening or overnight in Yanbu and drive final 330 km to Jeddah next morning
• Reflect on the journey — the Hejaz route covers over 1,200 km of diverse Saudi landscapes from coast to canyon

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Jeddah to AlUla drive?

Approximately 850 km via Medina, taking 8-9 hours of driving. This itinerary spreads it over 4 days with stops, making each driving segment 2-3 hours. The highway is modern and well-maintained.

Can non-Muslims do this road trip?

Yes. Non-Muslims bypass central Medina but can stop in the outskirts for fuel and food. The Khaybar and desert segments are equally rewarding. The route works for all travelers.

What type of vehicle do I need?

A standard sedan handles the highway perfectly. A 4x4 SUV is better if you want to explore Khaybar's volcanic fields and desert side roads off the main highway.

Road trip budget?

SAR 4,000-10,000 per person for 4 days. Car rental: SAR 200-400/day. Fuel: SAR 200-300 total. Hotels: SAR 300-1,000/night. Hegra tour in AlUla: SAR 95-250.