Airport location, terminals and transportation
King Abdulaziz International Airport (that is also called Kaya Airport) was opened in Saudi Arabia in 1981. This airport is used by civil and military aviation of the country. It was named after the first ruler of the country, King Abdulaziz. The airport is 20 km from Jeddah. It services about 30 million people every year and is considered to be the busiest in the country. It is one of the three largest airports in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers are serviced in three terminals. King Abdulaziz International Airport services passengers in three terminals: Northern, Southern, and a special terminal for pilgrims making hadj. The VIP terminal can be used only by kings, governmental delegations, official representatives and other high-ranking figures.
From the airport, you can travel to Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina by public bus. At the airport, you can use the services provided by licensed taxi companies offering fixed payment rates. The taxi rank is located in the territory of the airport. Besides, you can take a limo in several car rental companies. You can also rent a car.
Rental offices, how to find them, where to return car
To rent a car at Jeddah Airport, it is recommended to pre-order the vehicle model you need in advance. If you don’t book a car, you will hardly find the preferred vehicle model upon your arrival.
At the airport, there are the following international and local car rental companies: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Strac rent a car, Hanco, Bin Hadi rent a car, Accord Company car rental, Alwefaq rental car, Key car rental, and Tipoa. Most of the companies’ offices are located in the area behind the covered parking B1. Companies have special parking lots, as well as their own parking area in the territory of the airport.
Due to the specificity of traffic signs in Saudi Arabia (most of them are only Arabic), companies offer to rent a car with the driver.
Cars are taken in companies’ parking lots. Cars are returned to the special parking area for rented cars or to companies’ parking lots.
Long-term and short-term parking, hotels nearby
There are various types of parking lots at the airport: lot A1, covered parking B1 (both parking lots are located near the terminals); a parking area for rented cars, a lot for returned cars; free parking near the territory of the airport.
There is the Crom Hotel near the VIP terminal. Near the airport, there are a lot of hotels: Mena Airport Jeddah, Garden Palace, Al Basmah Coral, Lavena Apartments, and Kimo Aldyafa.