Cheapest Flights to Taif
From the Most Popular Cities to Taif
About Taif
Taif, often referred to as the "City of Roses," is a picturesque city located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia in the Makkah Province. Situated at an elevation of about 1,800 meters in the Sarat Mountains, Taif enjoys a cooler and more temperate climate compared to most of Saudi Arabia, making it a popular summer retreat. As of 2023, the city has a population of approximately 1.2 million people and is well-known for its beautiful landscapes, agricultural richness, and cultural significance.
Unlike the hotter regions of Saudi Arabia, Taif boasts a more moderate climate, particularly during the summer months, when residents and tourists alike escape the heat of the lower plains. The best time to visit Taif is from April to October, when the weather is most pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Taif is served by Taif Regional Airport, located around 30 kilometers from the city center. The airport offers flights via airlines such as Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal to domestic destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. International travelers can reach Taif through connecting flights from Jeddah or Riyadh, or via direct flights from nearby countries such as Egypt, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Taif is famous for its agricultural produce, particularly its roses, from which rosewater and perfumes are made. The local cuisine reflects the region’s diverse agricultural offerings, with traditional Saudi dishes such as kabsa (spiced rice with meat), margoog (meat stew with flatbread), and mutabbaq (stuffed pastry) being popular. Visitors can enjoy these at local eateries, or opt for more contemporary dining options in the city.
Taif offers a variety of attractions that reflect its natural beauty and historical importance. One of the city’s most famous sites is the Shubra Palace, a former royal residence turned museum, known for its striking architecture and historical exhibits. Nature lovers will appreciate the Al Hada and Al Shafa mountains, both offering breathtaking views, scenic drives, and cool breezes. The Taif Rose Gardens are also a must-see, especially in the spring when the roses are in full bloom, filling the air with their sweet fragrance.
For those seeking adventure, the Al Kar Tourist Village features cable cars that provide stunning views of the mountains and valleys below. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Saiysad National Park, where hiking, picnicking, and nature watching are popular activities.
Taif is also famous for its annual Taif Rose Festival, which celebrates the city's rose industry with exhibitions, cultural performances, and artisan markets. Additionally, the city is known for hosting horse races and camel races, reflecting its traditional heritage and love of equestrian sports.
International visitors to Taif require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has made this process convenient with tourist e-visas available online. To apply, travelers need a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and a return ticket. Once the formalities are completed, tourists can immerse themselves in the natural beauty, rich history, and cultural experiences that make Taif an exceptional destination in Saudi Arabia.
Transportation to Taif City Center from Airport
Taif Regional Airport
Taif is located on the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains in Mecca province of Saudi Arabia, which has rich ethnic roots and is home to the world's leading industrial and commercial centers. Taif is also referred to as Green Haven, thanks to its about 3,000 gardens. Taif is one of the most preferred cities in the Mecca region, one of the most visited places by tourists in terms of religious tourism, thanks to the developed transportation facilities and affordable accommodation options in the city. It is 150 kilometers away from the city of Mecca.
The most important feature distinguishing Taif from Mecca and Medina, which is the third largest city in Mecca province after Mecca and Jeddah, is that non-Muslim foreigners are allowed to enter the city. You will not have any difficulty in terms of transportation in Taif city, which is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia and in the south-east of Jeddah within the boundaries of the Mecca Administrative Region.
Taif's transportation networks have been extended to the Mecca province as a whole, and even to other parts of Saudi Arabia. There are intercity bus services between major cities in Saudi Arabia such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Taif, Dammam, Abha, Naseem, Tebuk and Hael.
If you prefer to stay in Taif city center, you can go to other cities of Saudi Arabia with these services on daily basis. There are also local buses within the city, like intercity buses. Transportation within the city is very easy. City roads, rail systems, and highway connections allow you to get to any other point in the city as quickly as possible. You can also rent a car for a fixed period of time from the car rental companies for your transportation in Taif.
In fact, the most profitable, time-saving and easiest way to tour other parts of Saudi Arabia apart from Taif is renting a car. Access to the city is very easy thanks to the buses. Local buses within Taif city center are extremely comfortable and reach almost every point of the city. If you travel as a lonely woman on these buses, you must show your passport to the officers. This is because women throughout Saudi Arabia are banned from driving, traveling and accommodating alone. But if you are a tourist and you prove it, you can travel all by yourself.
In Taif city transportation there are many options such as cable car, car, bus and taxi. Because Taif is a bit smaller than other cities in Saudi Arabia, thus local buses are preferred rather than car rental and taxi options. Domestic or foreign tourists willing to travel with intercity trains need to purchase special seats reserved for ladies and families.
Taif Airport, which has direct flights from many parts of the world, is one of the busiest airports in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 30 kilometers east of the city center, Taif Airport has domestic flights to almost every city in Saudi Arabia.
Bus
There are buses directly from the airport to Taif city center. You can easily get to the city center by buses which are cheaper than the taxi. You can purchase your bus tickets online or at the ticket sales points located inside the terminal. You can travel to any point in the city with a bus that you can take from any stop at the exit of the Taif Airport arrival terminal.
It takes approximately 1 hour to get to the city by bus. Local buses, which have stops in many places of Taif, are the most preferred means of transportation for visitors of the city. As is the case throughout Saudi Arabia, few bus seats can be reserved for ladies and families within Taif city.
Traveling as a lonely woman on a bus requires special permission, which can be very difficult for Saudi Arabian citizens. As a lonely woman and tourist, if you want to travel in these buses, you would be asked to prove that you are a tourist by showing your passport.
Taxi
Taking a taxi is the most expensive way of travelling from Taif Airport to the city center. You can take this distance of 29.5 kilometers in approximately 30-35 minutes by taxi. From the airport to the center of Taif, you pay a taxi fare of 160-190 Suudi Riyali (130-150 TL). Of course, the price we specify in TL may vary depending on the changes between the Saudi Riyal and the Turkish Lira. It is more profitable to rent a car or take a bus instead of taking a taxi just outside of the arrival terminal of Taif Airport.
Car Rental
In almost every region of Saudi Arabia, women are prohibited from driving. Therefore, only male tourists can benefit from car rental option. If you rent a navigation device with your car, you can easily go to Taif and other major cities around.
You can reach the city center by the car you will rent from Taif Airport in approximately 20-25 minutes. In Saudi Arabia, oil is quite cheap compared to Turkey. Hence, one of the best options for your transportation is renting a car. On average, the amount you would pay for the oil to go to the city center from Taif Airport is approximately 1-2 TL.
