Weekend Getaways from Riyadh 2025: Saudi Escapes & Short-Haul Adventures
- Sarah Green
- Nov 11, 2025
- 5 min read
A Change of Scene, Saudi-Style
We all have that Friday moment: the sky’s a bit too bright, the coffee’s gone cold, and the children are treating the living-room sofa like a bouncy castle. Time to make an exit.
The good news? Riyadh is brilliantly positioned for quick getaways. Whether you’ve got 48 hours or a bonus long weekend, there are plenty of easy escapes that don’t require a second mortgage or a suitcase the size of a camel.
This 2025 guide splits the options into two neat camps:
Keep It Saudi — easy road trips and short domestic flights.
Hop-Over Escapes — nearby countries within three hours of Riyadh.
Pack light, charge your playlist, and let’s go.
Keep It Saudi: Weekend Getaways from Riyadh 2025 Without a Passport
Diriyah — Heritage and Brunch, 30 Minutes Away
If you fancy culture without commitment, head for Diriyah. Stroll the palm-lined paths of Wadi Hanifa, wander through At-Turaif’s mud-brick splendour, and finish with lunch or dinner at Bujairi Terrace where the waiters outnumber the pigeons.
Drive time: 25–40 mins
Stay: Samhan Heritage Hotel
Best for: Quick culture fixes & lazy brunches
Edge of the World — Desert Drama in a Day
Ninety minutes from Riyadh and you’re standing on the edge of forever. The views are staggering, the silence addictive.
Drive time: 1.5–2 hrs (4×4 essential)
Best season: October–March
Pro tip: Pack more water & snacks than you think you need and leave early... unless you’re chasing that sunset glow — in which case, linger a little longer.
People Also Ask: Is Edge of the World safe for children? Yes - with common sense and firm hand-holding near the cliffs.
AlUla — Fly for a Weekend of Wonder
Too far to drive, but perfect for a two-night break. Direct flights make it doable, and the desert scenery looks like it’s been designed by Pixar.
Flight: 1 hr 50 mins (Saudia or flynas)
Stay: Habitas, Cloud7 or Caravan by Jabal Ikmah
Don’t miss: Hegra tombs and Maraya Hall
Best months: October–March
Do you need a permit to drive to AlUla? No — just valid papers and booked tickets for heritage sites.
Jeddah — Red Sea Rhythm and Old-Town Soul
Part art gallery, part seaside stroll, Jeddah is the city that remembers to breathe.
Flight: 1 hr 40 mins (10 hrs by car if you’re brave)
Top picks: Al-Balad, the Corniche, Art Jameel, Jeddah Edition hotel pool
When to go: October–April
Why go: Sea breeze, seafood and something different from sand.
Al Khobar — The Eastern Province Escape
Drive east for a dose of sea air and Sharqiyah charm.
Drive: 4–5 hrs via Dammam Highway
Do: Visit Ithra, swim at Half Moon Bay, café-hop along Ajdan Walk
Stay: Coral Al Khobar or Mövenpick
Best for: Families and low-stress weekends
Drive Times at a Glance
Destination | Drive Time | Flight Time | Best Months | Notes |
Diriyah | 30 min | — | Year-round | Inside Riyadh; heritage + dining |
Edge of the World | 1.5–2 hrs | — | Oct–Mar | 4×4 essential |
AlUla | 12 hrs | 1 h 50 m | Oct–Mar | Fly only; book tours early |
Jeddah | 10 hrs | 1 h 40 m | Oct–Apr | Red Sea weekend |
Al Khobar | 4–5 hrs | 1 h | Oct–Apr | Family-friendly coast |
Hop-Over Escapes: Under Three Hours from Riyadh
Bahrain — Easy Island Energy
Hop the causeway or fly an hour. Brunches, booze, spas and gentle sea air await.
Stay: The Merchant House or Address Beach Resort
Travel tip: Leave really early Friday to dodge border queues and the mad chaos of Thursday afternoon.
Thinking of driving? Read our Family Road Trip from Riyadh to Bahrain for real-life tips, border timings and hidden gems along the way.
Doha — Polished and Peaceful
Compact yet cultural: Msheireb’s cafés, the National Museum, with a seaside setting.
Flight: 1 hr 30 mins (Qatar Airways or Saudia)
Stay: Park Hyatt or Banyan Tree Doha
Why go: Clean, safe and surprisingly sereneand if you’re planning a girls’ trip, don’t miss our Desert Roses & Rooftop Cocktails: The Ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Doha
Dubai — Guaranteed Fun
Love it or roll your eyes at it, Dubai is easy and endlessly entertaining.
Flight: 2 hrs (Saudia, flynas, Emirates or FlyDubai)
Stay: Atlantis, Jumeirah Beach or One&Only Za’abeel
Pro tip: Use ENTERTAINER Getaways for two-for-one deals.
Muscat — Coastal Calm and Cultural Charm
Oman’s capital is a gentle breath of fresh air: mountains to one side, sea to the other.
Flight: 2 hrs (Oman Air or Saudia)
Stay: The Chedi or Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah
Do: Snorkel, souq-shop and sip Arabic coffee at sunset.
Amman — Hills, History and Hummus
Friendly, walkable and wonderfully flavourful.
Flight: 2 hrs 15 (Royal Jordanian or flynas)
Do: Explore the Citadel, Jerash ruins and Rainbow Street cafés
Stay: Fairmont Amman or The House Boutique Suites
Why go: Middle Eastern soul with a Mediterranean feel.
Cairo — Culture, Chaos and Character
A classic city break for families who like their history up close.
Flight: 2 hrs 30 (EgyptAir, Saudia or Nile Air)
Stay: Marriott Mena House or boutique Zamalek guesthouses
See: The Grand Egyptian Museum and a Nile-side sunset
Flight Map and Airlines (Updated 2025)
Destination | Flight Time | Airlines from Riyadh | Visa Notes |
Bahrain | 1 hr | Saudia, Gulf Air, flynas | GCC travel is simple; eVisa for non-GCC nationals |
Doha | 1 hr 30 m | Qatar Airways, Saudia | Online eVisa; fast weekend option |
Dubai | 2 hrs | Saudia, flynas, Emirates, FlyDubai | Visa-on-arrival for many nationalities |
Muscat | 2 hrs | Oman Air, Saudia | Online eVisa available |
Amman | 2 hrs 15 m | Royal Jordanian, flynas | Visa on arrival for many |
Cairo | 2 hrs 30 m | EgyptAir, Saudia, Nile Air | eVisa available online |
AlUla | 1 hr 50 m | Saudia, flynas | Domestic route — no visa needed |
Note: Riyadh Air has launched (October 2025) and additional routes will open — check their schedule for updated weekend options.
Before You Go
Best months: October to April for outdoor comfort; summer for coastal cool-offs.
Booking tips: Check Webook.com & Flynas weekend deals and ENTERTAINER Getaways for discounts.
Apps to use: NOFOMO & Webook.com for events, Time Out Riyadh for what’s new, Google Maps for live traffic.
Travel light: Reusable water bottles, chargers, and patience at check-in.
Ready to Hit the Road (or Runway)?
From sandstone cliffs to sea-spray brunches, weekend getaways from Riyadh 2025 prove you don’t need a long flight to feel far away. One weekend you’re sipping qahwa in Diriyah, the next you’re watching the sun drop behind the Red Sea — and all without jet lag.
So pick your vibe: road-trip desert dreamer or short-haul city-hopper. Either way, the hardest part is deciding where to go first.
Google Maps for each drive route:
Everyone has a favourite Saudi escape — tell us yours. Where’s your go-to spot when Riyadh starts to feel too busy? Drop your tips in the comments and we’ll feature a few reader picks in our next travel roundup.
Next stop: Watch our Reel “5 Easy Escapes from Riyadh” and tap through for Google Maps and flight links.
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