Jeddah is a sprawling, car-centric city — main areas spread 25 km along the Red Sea coast — and public transport is limited. Uber and Careem are the easiest way to get around for foreigners. Both apps work well, fares are cheap (a typical cross-town ride is 30–50 SAR), and drivers know the city better than any map app.
The new Jeddah Metro is under construction; the first lines opened in 2024 and the network is gradually extending. For now, expect to use ride-hail for most journeys.
Renting a car gives you the most freedom, but Jeddah traffic is chaotic and aggressive — only worth it if you plan day trips up the coast. Women can drive in Saudi Arabia (since 2018) on an international or local licence.
Walking works inside Al Balad and along the Corniche; elsewhere distances are too great and pavements are intermittent.