Major city · Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah Economic Cityمدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية
Skip unless you have a specific reason: a golf weekend, a beach resort stay or a Haramain train stop. One night is enough; day-trip from Jeddah if you just want the beach.
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is a planned city north of Jeddah that remains mostly empty. As of 2026, it has a golf course, a few beach hotels and a Haramain high-speed rail station. It works as a quiet resort base or a train stop, not as a sightseeing destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SAR
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid May–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airport
- JED
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- Saudi Arabia ↗Apply for the tourist eVisa only on the official visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com); lookalike sites charge extra.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Dress modestly in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees; women are not required to wear an abaya but should cover up.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Alcohol is banned: do not bring it in, and do not buy it from anyone.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Shops close for about 20–30 minutes at prayer times; plan around them.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Makkah is closed to non-Muslims; checkpoints on the approach roads turn cars back.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for King Abdullah Economic City999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about King Abdullah Economic City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?SAR (riyal) is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.75.Saudi Arabia-wide
- SIM or eSIMSTC, Mobily and Zain sell tourist SIMs at arrivals; passport and fingerprint registration are required.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is desalinated and treated; most people drink bottled water, sold everywhere for SAR 1–2.Saudi Arabia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge; small change at cafés.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Saudi Arabia-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risk is heat and sun exposure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets with a hand shower in malls, hotels and mosques; squat toilets at older fuel stations.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 997 ambulance · 911 Unified emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckShops close for 20–30 minutes at each of the five daily prayers (not required by law since 2024, but many still do — check); Friday midday is closed.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJED King Abdulaziz International Airport (About 1 h by taxi or private car; no direct public transport.).
- Getting aroundNo public transport inside the city.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at hotel caféSAR 15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from KAEC to Jeddah city centrecheckSAR 150–250
- Budget bedResort double room (Bay La Sun or similar), a night, per roomSAR 500
- Mid-range bedResort double room (Bay La Sun or similar), a night, per roomSAR 800
- High-end bedResort double room (Bay La Sun or similar), a night, per roomSAR 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SAR 300 · Mid SAR 600 · High SAR 1,200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JED King Abdulaziz International Airport (About 1 h by taxi or private car; no direct public transport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Oct
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Nov (2 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
King Abdullah Economic City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Sep
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Oct
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport inside the city. Taxi or private car is the only option; the train station is on the eastern edge, about 15 min by car from the beach hotels.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car, about 1 h south on the coastal highway
Al-Balad old town, the corniche and seafood; easy day trip.
Door to door: About 1 h
Haramain train from KAEC station, about 30 min
Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca; check the rules.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Haramain train from KAEC station, about 1 h 15 min
Visit Al-Masjid an-Nabawi and Quba Mosque; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bay La Sun area
The main hotel cluster on the beach; everything is within the resort or a short taxi ride.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SAR 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- SAR 500–1,000 excl. bed
- High
- SAR 1,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort double room (Bay La Sun or similar)1 × 1 night × SAR 800 | SAR 800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SAR 600 | SAR 1,200 |
| Taxi from Jeddah airport to KAEC, one way1 × SAR 200 · check | SAR 200 |
| Haramain train KAEC → Jeddah, one way2 × SAR 60 · check | SAR 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SAR 232 |
| Trip total≈ SAR 1,276 per person per day, bed included | SAR 2,552 |
2026 estimate in Saudi riyals; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from KAEC to Jeddah city centrecheck | SAR 150–250 |
| Haramain train KAEC → Jeddahcheck | SAR 60–90 |
| Coffee at hotel café | SAR 15–25 |
| Meal at hotel restaurant | SAR 80–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The city is very spread out and mostly empty; you need a car or taxi for everything.
- Restaurants and shops are limited to the hotel and a few outlets; stock up in Jeddah.
- The Haramain station is not within walking distance of the beach area.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
- Unified emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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King Abdullah Economic Cityمدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance997
- Unified emergency911
Embassy
Most embassies are in Riyadh; Jeddah has consulates for some countries.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jeddah airport → KAEC, taxi: about SAR 200, about 1 h (check)
- Haramain train KAEC → Jeddah: about SAR 60, about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم؟ — How much? (kam)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (na'am / la)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for King Abdullah Economic City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid May–Sep (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about King Abdullah Economic City
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