Taif to Jeddah by Car: Down the Mountain to the Red Sea

Taif sits high in the mountains, and Jeddah lies on the Red Sea coast below. Many families combine the two: cool evenings in Taif and a day by the sea in Jeddah. Renting from the Sajil branch in Taif makes the trip easy, and you come back to the same branch.

The routes

• Distance: about 170 km, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours.
• Via Al-Hada: the famous mountain road down the escarpment, with tight hairpin bends and wide views. It is the most scenic way, but it can be closed at times for maintenance, so check before you go.
• Via As-Sail: a gentler road through As-Sail Al-Kabir, useful when the Al-Hada road is closed.
• Passing Makkah: both routes go around Makkah. Follow the signs for Jeddah; non-Muslim travellers must use the signed bypass roads around the city.

In Jeddah

• Al-Balad: the historic old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with coral-stone houses and wooden balconies.
• The Corniche: a long seafront with parks, walking paths and the King Fahd Fountain, one of the tallest fountains in the world.
• Beaches north of the city: for a swim or a quiet evening.

See the Jeddah guide for more ideas and the nearest Sajil branches.

Driving the mountain road safely

• Use a low gear going down and let the engine slow the car instead of pressing the brakes all the way.
• Do not stop on the bends for photos; use the viewpoints.
• Watch for baboons near the road at the top, and never feed them.
• Fog can come in quickly in the afternoon, so switch on your low beams.

Which car is best?

For the climb back up to Taif, a car with a stronger engine helps: the Geely Coolray or Hyundai Elantra. For a family, the Kia Carnival.

Planning the rental

• A day trip to Jeddah works with daily rental from SAR 87 per day.
• For a summer stay in Taif with several trips, compare weekly rental in Taif.
• Book early in summer and Eid: see car rental prices in Taif.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Sajil branch in Jeddah?

Not yet, so plan to return the car to the Taif branch, or to another Sajil branch if you continue your trip.

Can I make Umrah on the way?

Yes, many families do. Read Umrah by rental car from Riyadh or Taif.

What is the best time to drive down?

In the morning, so you reach Jeddah before the midday heat and drive back up in the cooler evening.