Cheapest Way to Reach Dubai from Riyadh

Remove the comfort and swift travel of reaching your dream destination, Dubai. Through SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Co.), people can now reach Dubai and Abu Dhabi with little spending. In addition to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, they also offer travel to Qatar, Dammam, Jeddah, Bahrain, etc.

SAPTCO is a 2 by 2-seater bus where women and family are seated in front while men are on the back area. It has 2 stopovers for you to go in the comfort room or eat for 20 minutes and another 2 stopovers in the border (exit to Riyadh and entry to Dubai).

EXPENSES:

1. Bus fare- 300SR (back and forth)
2. Exit and Re-entry Visa from Saudi- 200SR
3. Entry Visa to Dubai- 271SR

     TOTAL: 771SR

As compared to fare in the plane, which is around 800 to 1000SR, fare by bus is less than fifty percent cheaper. However, if time is too short for you since travel hours will take 14 hours, it is better to book plane earlier. In our case, travel time took 18 hours since there are delays in the border such as problem with my friend's passport, passengers who were not able to book their entry visa online, and officers who had random check on one of our co-passenger's belongings.

SAPTCO terminal station

The terminal of SAPTCO in Riyadh is located in Azizia Exit 19.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

1. Book everything online. SAPTCO should be booked online. Don't forget to print hard copies of your booking as a proof. If you don't have a place to stay, then also book your hotel.
2. In order not to create delay in the border, book your entry visa online. Book it a month before you leave since it has expiration. The processing of visa will take 2-3 days but luckily our visa was sent a day after sending the documents. Make sure to send it before the holiday (e.g. Hajj or Ramadan) so as not to cause further delay. Furthermore, there are bus drivers and conductors asking for money when you don't have the visa so beware. This however is the case of passengers who were not able to book their entry visa to Dubai online. To apply visa online, click HERE.
3. Bring your passport and iqama (residence I.D.). The staff from the passport office allowed us to bring both documents since they know that we will travel to  Dubai and it is badly needed.

This is the longest ride I have ever been in Riyadh and all I can say is that it is safe. The ride may be long but I had a great experience and knowledge leaving Riyadh by land. My parents asked if it is safe since the journey takes a while but there are a lot of FIlipinos who will also go to Dubai and even on our way home, the conductor is a Filipino. Unleash those worries, pray, and have a safe journey!