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Exploring Jeddah’s New Horizons: My 5-Hour Bus Adventure

 Jeddah’s public transport system is growing fast, and as someone who relies on the city’s pulse, I decided it was time to put the Jeddah Buses app to the test. With new routes expanding across the city, I planned a 80-kilometer loop to see parts of Jeddah I had never encountered before.

Here is how I spent five hours exploring the city for just 13.45 Saudi Riyals .


Starting the Journey: The Industrial Loop

My adventure began right after work. My shift ended at 3:00 PM, and by 4:00 PM, I was at the King Abdul Aziz bus stop . My first task was simple: I purchased a one-day validity pass via the app. For 10 SAR, I was granted five journeys—an absolute bargain for the distance I intended to cover.

I boarded the L11 bus heading toward the Industrial City . The bus wound through the heart of the industrial zone, passing various company headquarters and warehouses.

  • Distance: 12 km

  • Time: 15 minutes

  • Experience: Efficient and quick.

The bus reached its final stop at the edge of the industrial area. To catch my next link, I had to travel about 1 km on foot to reach the Sanabil area , located near the Jizan Express Road.

Into the New Neighborhoods: L4 and L10

After a 30-minute wait in Sanabil, the L4 bus arrived. This route is fantastic for anyone wanting to see the residential expansion of Jeddah. We traveled through Sanabil, Al-Ajaweed, and Amir Fawaz , eventually hitting the Old Makkah Road .

Watching these neighborhoods roll by was interesting; you can really see how much the city is stretching outward. This leg took 30 minutes to cover 13 km.

Once I hopped off at Old Makkah Road, I only waited 7 minutes before the L10 bus pulled up. This bus runs from Balad to the National Guard Hospital . It was a short, 15-minute burst (8 km) that dropped me off right under the overbridge near the massive government hospital.

The Long Stretch: Harazat and Beyond

At that area near the hospital, I found the next bus L1 already waiting, though it wouldn’t depart for another 15 minutes. This was the most scenic part of the trip. Starting at 6:00 PM—exactly two hours after I began—we set off toward Al Mahameed, Harazat, Al-Raghama, and Quwayzah .

The Solo Traveler Experience: > Interestingly, the bus started with only three passengers. Within 15 minutes, the others got off, leaving just me and the driver. For the next hour, it felt like a private tour of Jeddah’s outskirts.

We headed toward the Makkah side, weaving through areas I had never seen before. I was surprised by how developed these "remote" areas have become.

  • Route Length: 30 km

  • Duration: Over 1 hour

  • Destination: Al Jamiah

The Final Lap

By the time I reached Al Jamiah , I was exhausted and dehydrated. I took a quick break to buy some water and walked about 1.5 km back to the main bus stop on Old Makkah Road.With one journey left on my daily pass, I caught the L10 back to Balad . We covered the 



8 km in 15 minutes, and I arrived in the historic heart of the city by 8:00 PM. After a quick shopping stop at Lulu Supermarket , I boarded the L11 one last time to return to my room in the MahjarArea.

Summary of the Trip

Metric Details
Total Distance 80 Kilometers
Total Time 5 Hours (4 PM – 9 PM)
Total Cost 13.45 SAR
Buses Taken L11, L4, L10 and  L1

Final Thoughts:

I am not reccomend this,  If you have an afternoon free and want to see the "New Jeddah" beyond the Corniche and the malls, I highly recommend using the Jeddah Buses app. It’s affordable, the buses are clean, and the routes are opening up parts of the city that were once very difficult to reach without a car. Just remember to carry water!

Read my Saudi Arabia Chronicles

As an expat living here for years, I treat every weekend and break as an opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage and incredible geography of Saudi Arabia.

About the Author

Ikbal Valiyathodi is the founder of Ishabil.com , a travel blog sharing budget-friendly travel stories, stopover hacks, and real experiences from around the world. He believes travel should be simple, honest, and possible for everyone.

📍 Follow on: Facebook | Instagram

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