Jeddah
Eco-friendly travel guide to Jeddah advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Air quality: 4 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 2.5 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 3 / 5
- Public transportation: 4.5 / 5
- Parks: 4.5 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 4.5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 4.8 / 5
- Safety: 4.8 / 5
- Accommodation: US$300 - $500
- Budget per day: US$250 - $1000
Contents
Responsible Travel
The 10th largest city in the Arab world, Jeddah is one of the major cities situated in Hejaz area of S. Arabia. It has a population of approximately four million people. Jeddah ranks first when it comes to being the largest city in the whole province of Mecca, and it is second when it is about being the largest in all of Saudi Arabia, second only to Riyadh. It has a port called Jeddah Islamic port, which is situated0 on the ‘Red Sea’ which is the second largest as well as the busiest seaport among the Arabic countries. It is located 65 kilometres to the east of Makkah which is in fact the most holy city in the religion of Islam and 360 kilometres away from Madina which ranks second when it comes to the holiest cities as per Islam. Nicknamed as the Laila this city is a technological hub and focuses on scientific development within the Arab country, as well as the Middle East region. It is a primary Resort City which was named ‘Beta World City’ by GaWC.
It is well connected to Saudi Arabia's most important Road, which is Highway 40, that crosses the entire Arabian Desert to Dammam, having Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Yanbu, and Taif in between.
Being a tourist in Jeddah, you have to make sure you travel responsibly and in an eco friendly manner. There are lots of ways to do that like:
- The best way to encourage environmentally-friendly travel is to include the habit of cycling. Not only will it help you to discover the place in a better way but it is also good for the environment and your health. Even though Jeddah is not the most bicycle friendly city but there are designated routes. It is more liberal than other cities in the Kingdom so it would be generally fine for women to bicycle alone.
- Walking short distances instead of using a cab will massively help in reducing your carbon footprint. If it is a grocery run, going somewhere close by etc you should always opt to walk instead of taking a taxi or driving.
- If planning to travel a long distance, you can use public transport which would help you sustainably explore the city and curb the traffic problem prevailing in the city due to the busy life of the people. There are two main public transport firms in the City called the Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company: a regulated bus system and Unregulated Coaster buses services by individuals.
- To have an enjoyable and meaningful time around the city take as many eco friendly measures as possible.
Air Quality and Pollution
The average Air quality of Jeddah ranges from Moderate to unhealthy. The Air Quality Index shows the numbers ranging between 50-150 which means that during different times of the year the Air Quality can be unhealthy for sensitive groups. It is a good idea to carry a mask with you and your inhaler along with any other medication if you belong to the sensitive group. Due to the increased Global concerns about the environment and awareness among common people regarding air pollution, there has been a lot of emphasis on public transport and eco-friendly travel to help with the air quality of the place and the whole world. The main air pollutant is PM2.5, which is in a fairly low concentration of 10.8 micrograms per cubic meter, well above 24 h as per the WHO guideline of 20 micrograms per meter cube. In the study of air quality by the state of ambient air quality of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, it was found that the sulfur concentration ranges from 0.99 to 7.39 microgram per meter cube. The major contributors of PM2.5 are soil, vehicle emissions, fuel oil emissions, and sulfur factor, according to the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF).
Respect the Culture
Most of the citizens of Jeddah are Sunni Muslims. The government, courts, Civil laws, and criminal laws are based on Shariah's moral code. Along with a small minority of Shia Muslims, there is a large workforce made up of foreigners. The beautiful city has over 1300 mosques. For non Muslims, the practice of religion should be done privately. If you are visiting Jeddah, you have to adhere by this rule as it the law of the land and a way to respect the local culture. As a non muslim you can also not buy any property in the city. As this city is the principal entrance to Mecca, it has hosted millions of Muslim pilgrims to Hajj (annual pilgrimage for muslims), which has a major impact on society, religion, and the place's economy. There are many projects and foundations in Jeddah that do charitable work because charity is a huge part of the local culture. The local culture is intertwined with the religion of Islam and you will notice that many of the norms and values and the lifestyle of people is influenced by the religion. You will see the local women dressed in Abayas ( a black cloak) and the men in ghutras (long white dress). Even though foreigners visiting the city are not expected to wear these, they are still expected to dress modestly which means, shoulders and knees covered for women and no shorts for men except on the beach. Modesty is a huge part of the local culture so public display of affection is massively frowned upon and something you should avoid. As a way of respecting the local culture and local people you should not talk excessively when its time for the call of prayer and you should not play music at that time (it is fineable offence). People of Jeddah have a distinct speech pattern called the Hejazi dialect, which is recognized in the Arabic language. There are four major Arabic newspapers and two major English newspapers in Jeddah. It has the largest market for radio and television in all Saudi Arabia with hundreds of cables and other special types of equipment for entertainment lovers. The Jeddah season is the government initiative for aiming increased tourism activities in Saudi Arabia, with Jeddah being a beautiful destination with cultural richness for over 3000 years. The government has taken a lot of steps recently to relax the restrictions and make the city a more tourists friendly place but things that you should strictly keep in mind in order to show your respect for the local culture are:
- Respect the people, their lifestyle and their values
- Do not criticise their way of living or their religion
- Adhere to the local laws and norms
- It is okay to be inquisitive and ask questions but in a polite way
Top 10 Places to Visit
The city holds various beautiful places for you to adore and make good memories on your way back home. Let's know more about places so that you can easily choose your travel destinations.
- Al-Balad: It is an interesting place with Arabic fairy tales kind of set up and a vibrant Marketplace. It has multi-story buildings where you can find everything from silver and gold ornaments to textiles to spices and food.
- Red Sea Mall: A stunning Mall which give you the choice to shop from local and international brands and a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment options for you to enjoy your visit to Jeddah.
- The Jeddah Corniche: It is a beach located between the prime location of Mecca and Madina 50 kilometers from the seafront, including the seaport. It is a beautiful place for leisure walking, playing with kids, family picnics, and enjoying the weather.
- King Fahd's Fountain: Also known as the Jeddah Fountain, is the tallest fountain globally, which was constructed between 1980 to 1983 and launched in 1985. The water Jets that propels reaches up to the maximum height of 260 to 312 meters. This beautiful fountain is visible throughout the city and uses the saltwater taken from the Red Sea. There are over 500 spotlights to illuminate the beautiful fountain after dusk.
- Fakieh Aquarium: A beautiful place, one of its kind with a good-sized aquarium and a variety of marine life. The major attractions include the beautiful aquarium tour and a dolphin show. You can also swim with the dolphin and feel the bliss in the blue. They also have various packages for you to choose from according to your budget and choice.
- Al Rahma Mosque: It is a beautiful white mosque that is visited by Tourists and worshippers from Dusk to Dawn for the beautiful view of the Red Sea that it captures. It was built back in 1985 on the edge of Jeddah Cornish and is the most visited mosque in Jeddah by Muslims from east Asia. It covers a whopping 2400 square meters of area and has a combination of beautiful art and architecture. It has 52 domes and the main Dome and 23 external umbrellas, which add to its beauty.
- Biet Nassif: It is a beautiful historic structure in Al-Balad, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is a Museum which exhibits different artifacts from historians. You can spot a 15th century Cannon and A 700 years old flag mast that has been preserved in the building along with various other crumbling structures with the efforts of the government.
- Gabel Street Souq: It is a beautiful marketplace where you can find almost everything from electronics perfumes, dates, household items, spices, and honey. It is a famous flea street market.
- Al-Tayebat International City of Science and Knowledge: It is a must place to visit if you want to capture the history and extraordinary range of exhibits that have been displayed in the museum. There are 12 buildings on the premises that contain Islamic Heritage cultural heritage and an International heritage for its tourists. It also holds various exhibitions which are worth paying a visit to.
- Al-Shallal Theme Park: It is a beautiful theme park located in the region. The amusement park is a good entertainment and vacation place for you and your kids with the best sports and games and a rich cultural food court for utmost enjoyment. It is a complete Paradise for kids with ice skating and roller skating. It has an Amazon jungle with complete side sound effects and lighting with several party rooms and games.
Explore
Jeddah is a beautiful and vibrant city and you will have a wonderful time exploring the city. Albeit your experience will be different but it will be unique and fulfilling. It is a complete treat for people who love scuba diving along with various other places, museums, parks, and beautiful mosques that carry so much history and culture within them.
City Parks
There are beautiful City Parks to grab your attention and where you can spend a quiet and peaceful day.
- Fakieh Aquarium: It has a beautiful and massive aquarium whose major attractions include beautiful marine life and tours that you would always remember for being a mesmerizing experience because of the variety of marine life it carries within it and also the Dolphin show that would leave you amazed. There are various packages available for you to choose from according to your budget.
- Jeddah Water Front Park: It is a beautiful water park that is best recommended for you if you are with your kids and are looking for amusement and enjoyment. The lights that it has will absolutely be your kid's favorite, and you would have a beautiful family time at the place.
- Jack N Jill: It is a beautiful children's park where you can have your toddlers enjoy to the full of their capacity and be happy. They provide good services and care to small children.
- Skyline Vision Sports Centre: It is a beautiful Sports Centre which is one of its kind. It is the first one in Saudi Arabia to offer professional badminton training and playing space. You can also have yourself registered for playing badminton if you love the sport.
- Lake Al-Arbaeen: It is a beautiful lake in the Mecca region of Saudi Arabia, famous for its beautiful fountains and Palm trees that would leave you amazed. It also has beautiful structures erected along the lake, which provides a beautiful backdrop for images and videos that you would want to shoot on your trip.
National Parks
There are two beautiful national parks for nature visits for adoring the beautiful scenery that this amazing city in Saudi Arabia has to offer.
- The Jeddah National park
- New Jeddah Corniche
Beaches
The city of Jeddah also has beaches that would grab your attention and give you beautiful leisure time. They also have amazing private beaches for you to swim in. Have a look at some of the beaches that you can visit.
- Silver Sands Beach: It is a beautiful beach with white and smooth sand. It is spotless and loved by kids who love to have picnics with their family and friends. You would surely want to revisit the place on your trip back to Jeddah.
- Duurat Al Arus: It is the oldest private beach in Jeddah and is most loved by the place's residents. It has Villas, Driving School, Golf Course, and its theme park. The resort that it has would serve you the best services and is an ideal trip for Eid.
- Indigo: An exclusive beach that is modeled to look as if it is in Bali. It offers annual membership on the invitation. You can also book Studio apartments and 4 bedroom Villas for privacy And enjoyment. There are pools, spas, boat trips, and waterfalls also.
- OIA Resort: Another private Resort that is based on Greek culture. It has a lot of Aqua activities along with Whitestone houses and a floating water park. It also contains a restaurant with Intercontinental foods and snacks.
- Salhia: A Beach Club where you can enter only if you have a membership. You can find people of all ages. There are a lot of options for kids friendly Sports like volleyball, and you can sunbathe and listen to music and have a great experience out there.
- Bhadur Resort: A small beachside resort that is perfect for you if you want to avoid the excessive ground and have personal time with your family. It has restaurants, Cafe sunbeds, and Spa services for those who are looking for comfort and peace at the same time.
- Makarem Annakheel Hotel and Resort: It is a 5-star luxury hotel and resort with excellent restaurants and pool services. It includes a private yacht jetty and a playground for children. It features a Tennis court for sports lovers and is popular among tourists and visitors.
Landmarks
As Jeddah is a historical place, there are various landmarks in the City that carry the culture, tradition, and local essence of lifestyle of the people that are native to the place. There are various small districts in the city that have beautiful landmarks to grab your attention.
HARRIET AL-MATHLOUM The landmarks include:
- Dar Al-Qabil
- Dar Al-Ba'asyin
- Al-Shafi'i Mosque
- Dar Al-Sheikh
- Mosque of Uthman bin Affan
- Al-Mia'mar Mosque
- Souq Al-Jama
HARRIET AL-SHAM The landmarks include:
- Dar Al-Sadat
- Dar Al-Serti
- Dar Al-Zahid
- Dar Al-Banajah
- Al-Basha Mosque
HARRIET AL-YEMEN The landmarks include:
- Dar Al-Jamjom
- Dar Al-Sha'araoui
- Dar Al-Abdulsamad
- Dar Al-Kayal
- Beit Al-Matbouli
- Beit Al-Joghadar
HARRIET AL-BAHAR The landmarks include:
- Dar Al-Nas
- Dar Al-Radwan
- Dar Al-Nimr
Along with these regional landmarks, various other places are the landmarks of Jeddah, including various museums, fountains, mosques, and Towers. Some of these are:
- Matbouli House Museum
- Naseef House
- Fish Market
- Little India
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Museums
The place has beautiful museums that showcase its culture, tradition, religion, and art forms wonderfully and aesthetically, which gives you beautiful memories to take back from the trip to Jeddah. Some of the major and the most beautiful museums have been listed for you to choose from for your visit:
- Abdul Raouf Khalif's Museum: It is a 2000 years old historical building that was constructed to showcase the culture, tradition, and heritage of the people of Saudi Arabia. It has beautifully showcased the Islamic Heritage and the Saudi Arabian heritage.
- The Municipality Museum: It was built by the fishermen to preserve seashells and corals from the Red Sea. It also has various photographs and paintings from local artists.
- Al Tayebat Museum: It is a small collection of various civilizations that contains and preserves old oil paintings, traditional Arabic costumes, poetry music, art forms, rock paintings, and many other things.
- Makkah Gate: It is one of the oldest Gates in the City and is as old as Jeddah. It is of great importance for the pilgrims that go to Mecca.
- Khozam Palace: It was formerly the palace of King Abdul Aziz built 8 years ago, has been converted to a museum with a collection of the personal belongings of the king and family.
- Jeddah Science and Technology Museum: It is visited by almost 200000 people who love science and culture and upgrade their knowledge.
- The castle of cultural arts: It was established in 1980 and on the private collection of famous Arabian musician Tariq Abdul Hakeem
- Open-air art: It is one of the many museums that Saudi Arabia has. It has beautifully preserved sculptures, paintings, and statues since 1960 and before.
- Jeddah Regional Museum: It is a museum of archaeology and ethnography which preserves beautiful artifacts right from the stone age to the recent culture.
- The Pasha Mosque: It has been converted into a real historical museum that is decorated with various elements of the Islam
Eat
The multi-ethnic citizenry of Jeddah has largely influenced the traditional cuisine of the place. Though some dishes like Saleen, which is a white rice dish cooked in chicken or meat broth, is native to the area, people often like dishes such as Foul, Shorabah Hareira, which is the Harira soup, Mugalgal, Madhbi which is tasty chicken grilled on stone, Mad fun, Magloobah, Kibdah, Manzalah which is usually eaten at Eid ul-Fitr and mouth-watering Magliya that is an exotic local dish. Saudi Arabia people are mainly non-vegetarians with a love for Kofta kebab meat chicken and seafood. There are various Syrian Turkish and Lebanese restaurants in the area that have been influenced by the tourist and workforce people that come to the place. Kabsa is the national dish of Saudi Arabia prepared with rice, meat, and vegetables along with yogurt and potatoes. Liquor is, however, not allowed in the country and may lead you to severe punishment or even jail if you are found consuming liquor on the Arabian land. There are many restaurants and fast-food areas for quick ok and easy food pickup. Asian food has also become popular in the country with PakistanI Bangladeshi and Indian cuisines. Some fancy American French or Italian restaurants can also be found in the area with a local touch of variety. Being land on the sea coast, the people of Jeddah have a good preference for seafood with local variety and various other international dishes falling under the non-vegetarian slab.
Traditional Local Restaurants
- Byblos is a local Lebanese restaurant
- Mataram al Sharq is a Lebanese restaurant
- Shawarma Shakir Aljazeera is a local traditional restaurant
- Abu Zaid restaurant is a traditional restaurant
Vegetarian and Vegan
As Saudi Arabia is a primary non-vegetarian country, there are fewer opportunities you could find a vegetarian or vegan restaurant. Here are some restaurants that you could find if you are a vegetarian or vegan tourist.
- Sinless
- Sakura
- Ginger leaf
- Chennai Darbar restaurant Aziziyah
Street Food
Jeddah some of the most exquisite snd delectable street food. You will throughly enjoy the street food scene especially if you are open to trying new things and new flavours. Some of the things you must try are:
- Shawarma
- Al Baik
- Falafel
- Yugmish
- Mutabaq
- Malabari
- Kulfi
Drink
More than any other city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah has brought coffee culture into practice. On your way to exploring the city, you can spot numerous cafes along the way. There are various places where you can sip on drinks while enjoying the breeze from the Red Sea. Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia. You have various other options for the drink, which are special and Indigenous to the place. These amazing drinks include:
- Mirinda citrus is the king of all drinks but Mountain Dew can present to be a crucial contender for many people as per their preference.
- Saudi champagne is in actuality a totally non-alcoholic tasty drink of the place that is made out of apple juice orange juice mint springs, as well as lemon and ice cubes. Almost every restaurant has this drink.
- Shaani is made by Pepsico and is available in several stores in the Middle East along with drinks like Pepsi, Sprite, Coca-Cola or Seven up.
- Suntop and Sun-Cola is a tasty drink famous in Saudi Arabia which targets and emphasizes on children but it is also available for adults throughout the country.
- Barbican is a cold drink that is available only in the Middle East as well as in North America. It is a malt juice, which does not contain alcohol. It is available in numerous diffferent flavours including Peach, Grape, Lemon and Passion fruit.
- Lemontia is a carbonated lemon drink which is exotic to Saudi Arabia and is liked by the local people as well as tourists who visit the place.
- Rani pulp drinks is a fruity beverage brand that is mainly available in Saudi Arabia and different flavours with mango as well as orange being the most favourite of the people.
Tap-water
Most of the Arabian Portable water comes from groundwater and distillation plants. As it is a desert country and does not have any river, most of its Portable water comes from extracting salts from the seawater and making it fit for human consumption. Though tap water is labeled safe to drink, many people still stick to the use of bottled water and purified water for the sake of their health. Water is fit when it leaves the water treatment plant but may gather impurities on the way to tap. It is thus advisable to ask the locals about the quality of tap water or prefer bottled water instead.
Organic Cafés
You can find various retailers in Jeddah that have both fresh and perishable food items for you. There is a popularity of organic foods, healthy foods, and other options for you. You can easily find items free of artificial Chemicals, conventional pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms. The farms where the product is made is thoroughly inspected by government-approved certifiers to ensure the standards of the product that you buy for consumption. Listed here are some organic food destinations that you can prefer:
- Watania shop is a commercial branch of an agricultural Corporation in Saudi Arabia that has played a key role in organic food consumption.
- A bazaar with two branches in Jeddah, one in Alhamra and the other in Tahliya on Prince Sultan Road
- Organic is yet another organic Cafe having their personalized products like garlic Honey tomato paste and kafir
- Mother Nature is an organic Cafe having fresh vegetables that have been certified and imported from certain suppliers.
- Imtenan is an Egypt based brand which mainly focuses on the production and consumption of healthy products, including natural foods, diet foods, energy and immunity based foods, as well as nutritional supplements for medical conditions.
- Organica delivers Fresh Food to your doorstep. There are various subscriptions available for you, which are certified organic food products.
Breweries
There are no breweries in the country because alcohol of any kind is completely banned. Those who break the law or by bringing alcohol to the country may face serious punishments, including lashes, deportation, fines, or even imprisonment. Do you may get alcohol on the flight, you are not allowed to get intoxicated by the drink.
Activities
It is a beautiful city that not only is a technical hub of the country and offers you the most peaceful and serene environment to enjoy. The beaches that have calmness and strength at the same time believe you are mesmerized in the lap of nature and also present before you the beautiful marine life that the Red Sea treasures.
Yoga and Retreats
The people of Jeddah are very conscious about their health and fitness and therefore have adopted yoga and sports in their life. You can find the various yoga and sports centers in Jeddah. However, there are three best places that you can always choose if you are conscious about your health and want to look at what the country has to offer in terms of Health and peace.
- My Retreat studio is an All-in-One studio that offers an extensive schedule of ladies yoga classes, kids yoga classes, prenatal yoga for mummies to be, and karate classes for kids. This is a place where you can go according to your personalized schedule and your health concern, if any.
- Studio 55 is yet another amazing yoga spot. It is a good choice for mummies who want to get back into shape and burn some extra calories. they not only provide you with exercises but also have mindful healing workshops and even outdoor cycling. It does a complete package for females with health concerns.
- Legendary heroes is also a yoga center in the city of Jeddah, which has special offers during the new year time and the perfect place for not only yoga but also so healthy and fitness-related extra activities. This place offers you a complete resume for personal health and well being.
Accommodation
Being a very famous and well-visited place by people with different objectives, there are various places for accommodation ranging from ones with basic facilities to the ones with the most luxury services you can ever think of having. It is a well-visited tourist place and also a pilgrimage Centre for the people following Islam, so it has a wide variety of accommodation facilities for its people to avail of.
Green Hotels
If you are searching for eco-friendly ways to travel and want to stay in the Green Hotel, The City won't let you down. It has one of the best choices for responsible Travellers like you and offers a great variety of Green hotels to stay in. Some of these Green hotels are listed below for you to choose from.
- Movenpick Hotel Jeddah is an excellent hotel with comfortable and airy rooms, excellent breakfast, and a poolside area.
- Amjad Hotel Royal Suite is also a beautiful, clean, and spacious hotel offering its visitors the luxury they are searching for.
- Movenpick Resort Al Nawras Jeddah offers you a great staying experience and has preserved its old and unique service style, which makes it even more unique in the first place.
Hostels and Guest Houses
This beautiful city offers you the best possible hotels and guest houses for the most luxurious and comfortable stays that you would remember the most about your trip. The list of some hotels and guest houses is mentioned below for you to choose from according to your requirements:
- Intercontinental Jeddah
- Ibis Jeddah Malik Road
- Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway
- Centro Shaheen Jeddah by Rotana
- Rosewood Jeddah
- Hyatt House Jeddah Sari Street
- Makarem Annakheel Hotel and Resort
- Park Hyatt Jeddah- Marina club and spa
Apartments
The city also gives you the choice of apartments at really affordable prices and a comfortable experience. Some of these Apartments are listed below to give you a good choice for your stay.
- Sama Furnished Apartments
- Ajnihat Kanuz Hotel Suite
- Yazan Tower furnished residential units
- Rawa'a Al Ahlam
- Norkom Jeddah for furnished apartments
- Tamayoz Jeddah Al-Raqi
- Llama Rose Jeddah
- Iwan AlAndalusia Alsafa
- Vision Jeddah for furnished residential units
Couchsurfing
If you are interested in Couchsurfing, Jeddah provides you with the opportunity to know travellers of your community virtually or in person. Often there are visits and meetups organized. You can also virtually connect to the travelers of your community through the online meet.
Camping
There are various campgrounds in the city for those who have a love for camping and nature exploration. There are various resorts and beachside venues for you to try camping. Some of the camping sides are listed below.
- Rural Tents Naseem Alouzaib
- Al Ward Beach Caravan Resort for families
- Shahari Al Ula Resort
How to Get There
Jeddah is located at a prime location in Saudi Arabia and is thus the technological hub of the country. You can easily get to the place from various routes and ways including air, bus, train, and hitchhiking.
Air
The Jeddah Airport also called the King Abdulaziz International Airport, is located 19 km north of Jeddah and is a hub for Flynas, Saudi Arabia, and Federal. It serves the city and is among the busiest airports in Saudi Arabia. The main destination from the city is the holy land of Mecca, where seasonal Airlines operate for Hajj flights. The airport welcomes travelers, but non-travelers are however not allowed on the premises of the airport. You can find almost everything on the premises of the airport. There are ATMs, currency exchange terminals, barbershop toilets, mobile chargers, luggage storage, post office prayer, Mosque food, and drink concessions market, Bank public telephones, medical clinic first aid services, rest areas, and shops and cafes.
Bus
There are bus services available from the airport to the city center and also to Mecca and Madina. They are both the easiest way and the cheapest way to reach the city while capturing scenic beauty and local culture. SAPTCO runs frequent bus services for you to reach in the City. The buses Run from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at a reasonable cost of SR2. You can help and ride the buses across various destinations according to the chart that is being provided by the bus service provider. The international bus services include direct trips to the UAE and Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan.
Train
There is only one high-speed railway service called Hara Mian high-speed Railway that connects Jeddah to Mecca and Madina.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking may be tried in the city but is not advised because the people do not encourage strangers in their vehicles.
Others
You can also find private taxis running all around the area if you want a personal vehicle for your travel both around the city and to the holy land of Mecca and Madina.
Moving Around
For a city like Jeddah, which is frequently visited by both tourists and pilgrims, you will have plenty of options to move around. The city has several options to move around. You can walk, ride a bicycle, use public transport or hire a taxi. You can find your desired model for moving according to your preference and budget.
Walk
Walking is always a good idea if you want to explore the city in depth.
Bicycle
Bicycling is also encouraged for the sake of environmentally friendly travel as well as health.
Electronic Vehicles
Jeddah is interesting in friendly travel, and thus electric vehicles are given great importance in Saudi Arabia. A French company called Schneider Electric specializing in electric vehicles has been in charge of these in the country. The president of the company has taken on a project to serve the country with the best services at the most reasonable of costs.
Public Bus
The SAP PCO buses connect the city with over 385 cities, villages, and small villages all across the kingdom. You can carry 75 kg luggage with an adult ticket and 35 kg luggage with a children's ticket. You would, however, have to pay extra charges for any extra weight that you carry along. For a tourist, there are visa regulations and documents are required before you can board the bus. The ticket can cost as low as SR2. All the buses that serve you are fully air-conditioned.
Tram, Train and Subway
The 16 km long coastline has recently undergone the cable car connection as per the public transport program named the Corniche Ram project. There are abundant recreational and tourist facilities that you can avail of while enjoying the Tram ride.
Sustainable Shopping
The love for shopping is prevalent in Saudi Arabia and is often the favorite pastime of local people and visitors. Jeddah has a beautiful arrangement for an amazing shopping experience for visitors and local people.
Food Markets
You can easily find food markets and eateries in the city. The exotic cuisine that the place has to offer is loved by the tourists and the locals.
Flea Markets
There are various flea markets in the area containing goods of every variety ranging from the cheapest to the most expensive of brands and products for entertainment, dining clothing, luxury goods, and casual brands. Some of the famous flea markets are listed below:
- Haraj Flea Market
- Souk Al Nada
- Gabel Street Souq
Second Hand Stores
Responsible Shoppers not only understand the value of money while buying products but also consider it important to have a look at second-hand stuff for the sake of minimum pollution to the environment and minimum expenditure with maximum quality. Some second-hand stores have been listed below.
- Mojama'a Al Sharg
- Mawakeb Al Ajer
- Al Sawareekh
- Souq Al Shate'e
Eco-Fashion
International Conference on Eco-fashion and recycled clothing have been recently held in the country that calls for research in Eco-Friendly fashion. Not only is fashion eco-friendly, but it also provides unique and stylish clothes that are worn by Arab women. The Untitled Project is a project that aims at the development of Eco-fashion in the City.
Recycling
Increasing environmental concerns have pushed the country and its people to think more about the environment and the generous when recycling their waste products. Various companies have taken responsibility for complete waste management and recycling in Jeddah. There is a list of different companies that deal with waste management and recycling.
- Al Rayyan Alshamali Est. For Selling Steel
- Nilufer Railway
- Gulf Union Limited Fund
- JK Enterprises
- Middle East Plastic Industries
- SETE Energy Saudia
- United International Group Co.Ltd.
Waste
Jeddah is a major hub in the Middle East and the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia. The management of solid waste has been a major problem for the city's people due to its increasing population and increasing waste production rate. More than 5000 tons of solid waste is produced every day by the city's population, which is posing a major threat to the environment. There is a proper facility for the collection of waste from residential and commercial areas. The Burman lake is the place where Jeddah sewage water is being dumped for more than a decade. This reckless dumping of sewage water has posed a threat to the aquifers of the city. There have been some reports of the poisoning of freshwater due to the inflow of untreated sewage from Municipal Corporation. There is daily dumping of 50000 cubic meters of water into 2.5 million square meter lake. Only a small fraction, that is, the remaining 30% of household water, goes to the treatment plants before being dumped into the Red Sea.
Work and Study Abroad
Jeddah is the hub of technological development in Saudi Arabia and has tremendous opportunities for work and study abroad. The Institutions present in the place provide quality education and international opportunities for its students and workers to find their career in some other lands.
Exchange Student
Various students are offered scholarships based on merit to avail the opportunity to go to other countries to complete their education. These programs are available to high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional people. Some institutes that provide student exchange facilities are listed below.
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- Effat University
- King Abdulaziz University
- King Soud University
- Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Au Pair
There are options and availability for au pairs in Jeddah. There are various sites online where you can find a new pair according to your requirement and preference. You can find babysitters, caretakers, housekeepers, and personal assistants also.
Volunteering
There are various voluntary initiatives in Jeddah where you can contribute. Some of these kinds of Institutions are listed below.
- Mawakeb Al Ajr
- Dallah Academy
- Al Faisaliya Women Welfare Society
- Jeddah Autism Centre
- Joy Of Youth