Car & Van Hire - Jeddah

Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's second-largest city and an important cultural and commercial centre. Crucially, it also functions as the main travel hub for pilgrims visiting the holy city of Mecca and every year, millions of pilgrims travel to Jeddah with this purpose in mind. For motorists, Mecca can be reached easily via Highway 40. However, it should be noted that Mecca is off-limits to non-Muslims and entry as a non-Muslim can result in deportation from Saudi Arabia.

One of the most famous attractions in Jeddah itself is King Fahd's Fountain, which is the world's tallest fountain, shooting water 260 metres into the air. Due to its size, the fountain is visible from many parts of the city and it is illuminated by hundreds of LED lights during the night.

The Jeddah Corniche, or Jeddah Waterfront, is a 30 km stretch along the Red Sea, which contains many facilities and attractions that are popular with visitors to the city. Examples include the Al-Rahmah Mosque, an aquarium, a number of restaurants, beaches where swimming is permitted, and play areas for children. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a street circuit which hosts the annual Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Two of the most popular museums in the city are the Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, which is housed in Khuzam Palace, and the Humane Heritage Museum. If you have an interest in history, you may also wish to spend time in the Old City, or Al-Balad, which contains many historic buildings and has UNESCO World Heritage status.

For sports fans, King Abdullah Sports City is a multi-purpose sports venue in Jeddah, which is primarily used for football matches, including those of the Saudi Arabia national team. However, the Sports City complex has also hosted high-profile professional wrestling and boxing events. It is worth noting that King Abdullah Sports City often stages music performances, firework displays and other events during the Jeddah Season, which spans from May until June.

In terms of other notable events held in the city, the Red Sea International Film Festival is held annually in December and highlights filmmakers from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world. December is also the month of the Jeddah International Book Fair, which serves to highlight Saudi Arabia's best authors and writers.

Tahlia Street, also known as Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street, is the main area of interest for fashion enthusiasts. It is home to a number of upscale boutiques and department stores, with major fashion brands having a presence there, including Prada, Versace, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Cartier.

The city has relatively little public transport available, which makes car hire in Jeddah a necessity for many visitors. You will need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Saudi Arabia, and driver's licences from the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all valid for short stays. An International Driving Permit, meanwhile, is valid for up to one year.

Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers alike, while children under the age of 10 are required to sit in an appropriate booster seat. In terms of etiquette, visitors are asked to avoid playing music in their cars during call-to-prayer times. Traffic congestion is notoriously bad around holy days, so it is recommended to use an app, such as Google Maps, to monitor traffic levels and plan your route carefully.

Jeddah, like the rest of Saudi Arabia, has a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol and recreational drugs, and this includes both possession and consumption. The penalty for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, even at low levels, is likely to be a substantial prison sentence, as well as a significant fine.

Most car parks in the city require payment. Phones can be used in vehicles, but only on a hands-free basis. Speed limits are strictly enforced, and some of the city's speed limit road signs are in Arabic only. Therefore, it is recommended to take some time to learn Arabic numerals before travelling to Jeddah. Speed cameras are present throughout the city, and police also enforce speed limits, so stick to the limit strictly, even if the other vehicles around you do not.

Speed limits are usually between 100 and 140 km/h on expressways and between 40 and 80 km/h in urban areas. Many of the roads within Jeddah itself will have a 40 to 50 km/h speed limit. On the spot, fines can be issued for a number of driving offences, including parking in undesignated areas and reversing on main roads.

Finally, Highway 40 links Jeddah to both Mecca and Riyadh, making it one of the most important roads out of the city.