Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Al Khobar

Enterprise car hire locations in Al Khobar

Al Khobar is located on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast. The nearest international airport is 60 kilometres away in Dammam. There’s no direct public transport to Al Khobar, only 6-7 bus departures per day going to downtown Dammam, but you will still need to arrange onward connections. The most convenient option is vehicle rental from the airport’s Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch, which is open 24/7. In addition, there are four other branches in Dammam city, from where you can drive to Khobar in 35 minutes.

What to do and see in Al Khobar

Due to its location on the Persian Gulf, Al Khobar is a popular seaside resort and holiday destination. The city’s Corniche is a 16-kilometre-long seaside promenade that has become one of Al Khobar’s top attractions.

Along the Corniche, you’ll find several city beaches, urban parks, gardens and artificial lakes, many of which have dedicated children’s play areas. On the Corniche’s northern side, you can visit the Tea Museum and learn about the historical importance of tea in the Gulf region. A couple of blocks away is Sharqiah SciTech Centre, which functions as a museum and is well worth a visit if you’re interested in natural sciences, as its permanent exhibits cover areas like oceanography, astronomy and physics. The centre is also home to Al Khobar’s observatory and to an IMAX dome.

In the same area and right on the waterfront is Alardha Square, known for its interactive fountains, which deliver a water and light show in the evenings. If you continue strolling along the northern Corniche, you’ll come to Unification Square, from where you can see one of Al Khobar’s most distinctive landmarks: the Water Tower.

If you’ve arranged car hire in Al Khobar or at Dammam’s airport, you can explore the southern side of Al Khobar, which starts at the city’s marina. A five-minute drive from the marina is King Fahd Causeway, a feat of engineering that connects Saudi Arabia with Bahrain.

The beaches in the southern Corniche have calm waters and are rarely crowded. A popular choice is Azizyh Beach, where you can go ATV driving or take the family on a camel ride. The southern beaches are also popular among watersports enthusiasts. You can then continue driving to Half Moon Bay, one of the top destinations for tourists in Al Khobar. There are several beaches along this picturesque bay, some of which are equipped with showers, restrooms and picnic tables.

The majority of attractions in Al Khobar are kid-friendly, but if you’re planning a family day out, a 30-minute drive will take you to Loopagoon Water Park.

Back in the Corniche, you can find dozens of restaurants and cafes overlooking the sea and open until late. King Fahd Road and Prince Turkey Street are also teeming with local and international eateries.

Al Khobar is a known shopping destination. The best-rated shopping venues include the Mall of Dhahran, Al-Rashid Mall and Khobar City Walk, all of which are a short drive from the Corniche.

Cultural events are regularly held at Dhahran Expo building, which hosts international fairs and congresses. The religious holiday of Eid is widely celebrated in Al Khobar with fireworks displays and family-friendly activities.

Driving in Al Khobar

If you’ve arranged a car or van hire in Al Khobar, you’ll need to be familiar with the main hazards in the area. First of all, the city has extreme and changeable desert weather, so be prepared for sudden hail and thunderstorms in the winter, mainly between November and January. Dust storms are possible during the first half of the year, but they’re not as common as in other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Secondly, defensive driving is a must since local drivers don’t follow traffic rules consistently. Tailgating and turning or changing lanes without warning are particularly common, especially on multi-lane roads that connect Al Kohbar with Dammam. You’ll also want to be extra vigilant when exiting roundabouts and motorways.

Road quality varies but is generally good if you stick to the city’s main thoroughfares, which run parallel to Corniche Road and include King Fahd and King Khalid roads. On these roads and on motorways in the surrounding area, road signs and in English and Arabic, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding your way around.

Other roads that will be useful to visitors include motorway 605, which you will need to get to and from Dammam airport, National Road 80, which becomes King Fahd causeway and goes from Bahrain to Riyadh, and road 617 going to Half Moon Bay.

Speed limits range from 120 to 140 km/h on motorways, 70 km/h on national roads and between 40 and 50 km/h in built-up areas. On King Fahd Causeway, the speed limit is set at 100 km/h.

Although there are no toll roads in the vicinity of Al Khobar, there’s a toll booth just before the access to King Fahd Causeway. Non-residents can pay by card or with cash.

As in the rest of Saudi Arabia, drinking and driving is a criminal offence leading to high fines, driving bans and can have severe legal consequences.

Car and van hire in Saudi Arabia with Enterprise

Enterprise Saudi Arabia offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Al Khobar

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Al Khobar

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Al Khobar, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.