Last updated: 23 October 2026. We could not confirm the current operating status and opening hours of each crossing from an official source on this date, so check before you set off. The UK government advises checking the status of border crossings before you travel, and its Bahrain advice notes that the King Fahd Causeway was closed at the same time as airspace in April 2026. Check our Saudi Arabia travel status page for airport closures and government travel advice before you book.

Saudi Arabia shares land borders with seven countries and is linked to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway. For travellers arriving overland from the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait or Bahrain, the Kingdom operates several large, busy crossings. Whether you are driving from Dubai to Riyadh, crossing the King Fahd Causeway for a weekend in Bahrain, or entering the northwest from Aqaba on the way to NEOM and Tabuk, this guide covers every crossing you are likely to use. It forms part of our broader Saudi Arabia travel guide, with detailed procedures, documents, fees and practical tips for each border post.

Overview: Saudi Arabia’s Land Borders

Saudi Arabia is connected to its neighbours through a network of land border crossings serving Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, the UAE and Oman to the east, Yemen to the south, and Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway. For tourists, the four most relevant borders are the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain crossings — the focus of this guide.

Customs at the crossings is handled by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). GCC nationals (Saudi, Bahraini, Emirati, Kuwaiti, Omani and Qatari) may cross with a valid national ID card or passport. Other nationalities need a valid visa — see our Saudi e-visa application guide for step-by-step instructions, or the visa on arrival page to check if your nationality qualifies.

Tip: Check that your visa allows entry by land before you set off. The UK government warns that a Saudi visa may only allow entry by air and says to check your visa before using the Bahrain causeway. The tourist eVisa portal’s terms say the eVisa is valid for entry through all airports and seaports, and do not mention land borders. Ask the Saudi embassy if you are unsure, do not rely on getting a visa at a land border, and carry a printed copy of your visa.

Documents You Will Need at Every Crossing

Regardless of which border you use, prepare the following before you arrive:

• Valid passport — with at least six months’ validity from your date of entry
• Saudi visa — e-visa printout, visa on arrival eligibility confirmation, or GCC national ID
• Vehicle registration (istimarah) — original document for the car you are driving
• Valid driving licence — your home country licence or international driving permit. See our driving in Saudi Arabia guide for full details on licence requirements
• Vehicle insurance — Manafith third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all non-Saudi-registered vehicles entering the Kingdom (more below)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) — needed if the car is not registered in your name (rental cars, company cars, financed vehicles). Note that the UK government’s current advice for British nationals leaving Saudi Arabia by road says the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name

Manafith Vehicle Insurance

By Saudi law, every non-Saudi vehicle entering the Kingdom must carry Manafith insurance, a mandatory third-party liability (TPL) policy. This covers damage your car may cause to other vehicles or people; it does not cover your own vehicle. If your existing policy has a GCC extension, check with your insurer whether it is accepted in Saudi Arabia; if not, buy Manafith cover.

You can purchase Manafith insurance through the Manafith website or mobile app before you travel, saving time at the border. Alternatively, insurance kiosks at the main crossings sell policies on the spot. The price depends on the length of cover and is shown before you buy.

Rental Cars

If you are driving a rental car across a Saudi border, check your rental agreement carefully. Rental companies set their own cross-border rules, and you will need written permission from the rental company authorising the crossing. The UK government’s current advice for leaving Saudi Arabia by road says the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name, so a rental car may not be accepted. For cars rented in the UAE, many agencies prohibit Saudi border crossings entirely — confirm this before you book. If you need a rental inside Saudi Arabia instead, see our Saudi rental car guide.



King Fahd Causeway — Saudi Arabia to Bahrain

The King Fahd Causeway is the 25-kilometre series of bridges and causeways linking Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province to Bahrain. Opened in November 1986, it is a busy crossing, especially at weekends, when many Saudi residents head to Bahrain. It is run by the King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA).

Crossing Procedures

The causeway is a single route with passport control on an artificial island roughly midway between the two countries. You will pass through:

1. Departure immigration — Saudi passport control stamps you out (or Bahraini passport control if travelling the other direction)
2. Customs inspection — quick vehicle check; for Saudi customs rules, check our dedicated guide
3. Arrival immigration — the receiving country stamps you in and may take biometrics

Crossing times vary from short at quiet times to several hours at weekend peaks, national holidays, Eid and major events in Bahrain. The KFCA website and its JESR app show the current average transit time; check them before you set off.

Toll and Fees

We could not find the current toll published on the KFCA website on 23 October 2026. The last published change we could confirm is below; the toll may have changed since, so check the JESR app or call KFCA customer service on 800 4000 999.

Vehicle Type	Toll from 1 January 2016 (Arab News, December 2015)
Small car	SAR 25
Vehicles carrying passengers	SAR 35
Trucks	SAR 5 per ton

KFCA offers traveller packages, including a frequent traveller package and a 50% toll discount with a dedicated lane for travellers with disabilities, for Saudi and Bahraini students studying across the border, and for families of martyrs under 18, according to its website.

Useful Apps

The official app helps you avoid the worst queues:

• JESR (جسر) — the official King Fahd Causeway Authority app. The KFCA website shows the average transit time to Bahrain, and the app offers e-services and traveller benefits.

Who Can Cross

GCC nationals need only a valid national ID card or passport. No visa is required. Check the minimum ID validity and any age rules with the authorities before travelling.

Residents of Saudi Arabia with a valid iqama and an exit/re-entry permit may cross to Bahrain, subject to Bahrain’s own visa rules. Check Bahrain’s entry requirements for your nationality before you go.

Tourists on a Saudi e-visa may exit via the causeway. If you plan to return, check that your visa has entries left and that it allows entry by land: the UK government warns that a visa may only allow entry by air and says to check it before using the causeway.



Practical Tips for the King Fahd Causeway

• Cross on a weekday morning if you can, and check the average transit time first
• Fill your tank before crossing
• Duty-free restrictions — Bahrain permits alcohol; Saudi Arabia does not. Do not attempt to carry any alcohol, even sealed, into Saudi Arabia. Saudi customs officers inspect returning vehicles
• Check that the causeway is operating before you set off, and avoid Thursday and Friday evenings
• If you are visiting Al Khobar or Dammam, the causeway is a short drive away

Al Batha–Ghuwaifat — Saudi Arabia to UAE

The Al Batha border crossing (Saudi side) and Al Ghuwaifat (UAE side) is the main land crossing between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It sits on the eastern border and is the crossing used on the Riyadh to Dubai road trip, a long drive that usually takes most of a day including border formalities.

Step-by-Step Crossing Process

Leaving Saudi Arabia (Al Batha)

1. Follow signs for “Light Vehicles” or “Private Cars”
2. Proceed to the passport control booth — hand over your passport for an exit stamp
3. Drive to the customs checkpoint — a brief vehicle inspection for most private travellers
4. Exit Saudi territory and drive across the neutral zone to the UAE side

Entering the UAE (Ghuwaifat)

1. Join the lane for your nationality — separate lanes for GCC citizens and other nationalities
2. Immigration — passport checked and biometrics may be taken. Check the UAE entry rules for your passport before you travel
3. Purchase vehicle insurance — mandatory UAE third-party insurance from designated kiosks at the border. You cannot proceed without it
4. Take your insurance slip and vehicle documents to the customs counter for processing
5. Drive through the physical customs inspection point — luggage and vehicle may be checked

Distances and Driving Times

Route	Approx. Distance	Approx. Driving Time (excl. border)
Riyadh to Al Batha border	~560 km	~4.5 hours
Al Batha to Abu Dhabi	~300 km	~3 hours
Al Batha to Dubai	~430 km	~4 hours
Dammam to Al Batha	~420 km	~3.5 hours

The recommended route from Riyadh is Riyadh – Al Kharj – Haradh – Al Batha – Ghuwaifat – Abu Dhabi – Dubai. This is the most direct, with proper rest stops, lighting and clear signage throughout.

Practical Tips for Al Batha

• Fill up in the last Saudi town — fuel stations can be sparse on the approach to the border
• Travel November to February for more comfortable weather; summer temperatures along the route are extreme
• Beware of fatigue — the drive through the desert is long and monotonous. Take regular breaks and carry plenty of water
• Stray camels are a genuine hazard on Saudi desert roads, particularly after dark. Drive with high beams where possible and stay alert
• Check that the crossing is operating before you set off; weekday mornings are usually quieter
• For a broader road trip itinerary, see our Saudi driving rules page

Important: If you are driving from Qatar to the UAE via Saudi Arabia (the only land route since the Abu Samra–Salwa border connects Qatar to Saudi Arabia), you will pass through two Saudi border posts: Salwa on the Qatar side and Al Batha on the UAE side. You will need a valid Saudi transit or tourist visa for this journey.

Jordan–Saudi Arabia Border Crossings

Jordan and Saudi Arabia share a long desert border with three main crossings. Check that each is operating before you travel. The one you choose depends on where you are starting in Jordan and where you are heading in Saudi Arabia.



1. Durra / Haql (Western Crossing)

This crossing connects Aqaba in Jordan to Haql in Saudi Arabia. The border post sits roughly 30 kilometres from each town. It is the most scenic route, running along the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, and the natural choice if you are heading to the Tabuk region, the northwest Saudi coast or Wadi Disah.

• Operating hours: Check before you travel
• Distance from Aqaba: about 30 km (approximate)
• Distance to Tabuk: about 280 km via Haql (approximate)
• Best for: Travellers combining a Jordan trip (Petra, Wadi Rum) with northwest Saudi Arabia

The coastal highway is modern and in excellent condition. Depart Aqaba early in the morning for the shortest queues.

2. Halat Ammar / Al Mudawara (Central Crossing)

The Al Mudawara border crossing on the Jordanian side connects to Halat Ammar in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia. It lies about 322 kilometres south of Amman in Ma’an Governorate and handles both passenger and heavy commercial traffic.

• Operating hours: Check before you travel
• Distance from Amman: about 320 km (approximate)
• Distance to Tabuk: about 200 km (approximate)
• Best for: Travellers starting from Amman or central Jordan heading to Tabuk

3. Al Haditha / Al Omari (Eastern Crossing)

Al Haditha border port (Saudi side), opposite Al Omari in Jordan, is a major transit point for travellers and freight moving between the Levant and the Gulf. It is the best choice if you are driving from Amman toward Riyadh, Ha’il or the Eastern Province.

• Operating hours: Check before you travel
• Distance from Amman: about 280 km (approximate)
• Best for: Travellers heading to Riyadh, Ha’il, or continuing south through the Kingdom

Jordan Crossing Tips

• Departure tax: Jordan charges a departure tax when leaving by land; check the current amount before you travel
• Jordan visa: Check Jordan’s current entry rules for your passport, including whether a visa on arrival is available at land borders
• Saudi visa: Obtain your Saudi e-visa before arriving at the border. Carry a printed copy
• Vehicle customs: Vehicles entering Jordan from Saudi require a temporary import permit and insurance. Similarly, vehicles entering Saudi require Manafith insurance
• If you are planning to explore the northwest, our Tabuk region guide has detailed itinerary ideas

Al Khafji / Nuwaiseeb — Saudi Arabia to Kuwait

The Al Khafji border crossing (Saudi side) and Al Nuwaiseeb (Kuwait side) is the primary land crossing between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The two countries share a relatively short border in the northeast of the Kingdom.

Crossing Procedures

1. Park at the immigration building and proceed inside. Plan to cross in a vehicle
2. Take a number and wait to be called at the immigration counter
3. Present your passport and visa — GCC nationals show their national ID; others need a valid Kuwait visa. Check eligibility for Kuwait visa on arrival, which is available for many nationalities
4. Pay the visa fee (if applicable) — Kuwaiti Dinar required; credit cards are usually accepted but carry cash as backup
5. Purchase vehicle insurance — mandatory third-party insurance from kiosks at the border complex. You cannot proceed without it
6. Customs inspection — vehicle and luggage may be checked

Wait Times

The process can be quick at quiet times and take several hours at peak times, which include Thursday and Friday evenings, holiday seasons and Hajj periods. Trucks often wait longer than cars.

Distances

Route	Approx. Distance	Approx. Driving Time (excl. border)
Dammam to Al Khafji border	~290 km	~2.5 hours
Al Khafji to Kuwait City	~120 km	~1.5 hours
Riyadh to Al Khafji border	~480 km	~4 hours

Practical Tips

• Plan to cross in a vehicle — the UK government notes that some crossings have no onward transport and very limited facilities
• Have all documents organised and easily accessible: passport, visa, car registration, driving licence, insurance
• If heading to or from the Eastern Province, our Dammam travel guide and Al Khobar guide cover the closest major cities

Other Saudi Land Borders

While the four crossings above are the most relevant for tourists, Saudi Arabia also operates land borders with Qatar, Oman, Iraq and Yemen:

Salwa — Saudi Arabia to Qatar

The Salwa border crossing is the sole land link between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, connecting to Abu Samra on the Qatari side. Check Qatar’s Ministry of Interior website for any vehicle pre-registration required before you arrive at Abu Samra. The drive from the border to Doha is roughly 80 kilometres. Processing can take several hours on busy days.

Al Rub’ Al Khali (Empty Quarter) — Saudi Arabia to Oman

The Empty Quarter border crossing is reached by a highway built across the Rub’ Al Khali desert and connects Saudi Arabia with Ibri in Oman’s Al Dhahirah Governorate. This is a remote overland route: make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition and carry extra water and fuel for the desert sections.

Iraq and Yemen

Saudi Arabia shares borders with Iraq (Arar crossing) and Yemen (Al Tuwal and other crossings). These are not tourist routes. The UK government advises against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Yemen, and says the Saudi Tourism Authority has banned tourist trips to military zones and border posts. Always check your government’s travel advice before considering any travel to border areas with Iraq or Yemen.

Best Time to Cross Any Saudi Border

Regardless of which crossing you use, timing matters enormously:

When	Conditions	Verdict
Weekday morning (Sun–Wed)	Shortest queues, fastest processing	Best
Weekday afternoon	Moderate traffic	Good
Thursday afternoon/evening	Weekend exodus begins — heavy traffic	Avoid
Friday evening	Weekend return traffic — heaviest queues	Worst
Public holidays / Eid	Extreme congestion at all crossings	Avoid
Hajj season	Heightened security, diversions possible	Plan carefully

For driving conditions, November to February offers the most comfortable weather across all Saudi borders. Summer crossings mean very high temperatures in the desert corridors. Check our Saudi Arabia weather guide for regional breakdowns.



Entry Requirements Summary

Your experience at the border depends heavily on your nationality:

GCC Nationals

Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar may cross between GCC states using a valid national ID card or passport. No visa is needed. Check the minimum ID validity before you travel.

E-Visa Eligible Nationalities

Citizens of the 68 countries listed on the official eVisa portal on 23 October 2026, including the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, Canada and many Asian nations, can apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online before travel. Visit Saudi has listed the fee at SAR 535 online and SAR 480 on arrival at an airport. The e-visa is valid for one year with multiple entries and 90 days in total in the country, according to the UK government. Check that it allows entry by land before you rely on it at a border. For the full list, see our visa on arrival and tourist visa cost pages.

GCC Residents

Residents of GCC countries (holding a valid iqama or residency permit) may be eligible for a Saudi visit visa under separate rules. Eligibility criteria change regularly, so check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ KSA Visa platform or our entry requirements guide for the latest rules.

All Other Nationalities

Travellers from countries not on the e-visa eligible list must apply for a Saudi visa through a Saudi embassy or consulate before travel. Do not arrive at a land border without a valid visa — you will be turned back.

Driving Safety on Border Routes

The roads leading to Saudi land borders are generally excellent — wide, multi-lane highways with modern signage in Arabic and English. However, the distances involved and the desert terrain demand respect. Review our Saudi Arabia safety guide for general advice, and keep these border-route-specific tips in mind:

• Fuel up in advance — stations can be far apart in desert corridors, particularly between Al Kharj and Al Batha or between Tabuk and Halat Ammar
• Carry plenty of water for everyone in the car — breakdowns in summer heat are dangerous
• Watch for camels — stray camels are one of the most serious road hazards in Saudi Arabia, especially at dawn and dusk
• Speed limits — follow the posted limits; Saher speed cameras are widespread. Our Saudi road rules page has the full breakdown
• Carry your vehicle documents — random police checkpoints exist on routes approaching border areas
• Mobile coverage can be patchy in remote desert sections. Download offline maps and carry a Saudi SIM with data — see our SIM card guide

Latest news on this topic

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk across any Saudi land border?

Plan to cross in a vehicle. The UK government notes that some border crossings have no onward transport and very limited facilities, so check with the border authorities before relying on crossing on foot.

Can I take a rental car across the border?

Only if your rental agreement explicitly permits it and the rental company provides a written No Objection Certificate (NOC). Many rental companies prohibit cross-border travel, and the UK government’s current advice for leaving Saudi Arabia by road says the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name. Check before you book.

Is there public transport across any border?

Some bus services, private hire taxis and other vehicles offer cross-border travel; the UK government names SAT Transportation as one bus service. Check schedules, confirm bookings, make sure the operator has permission to cross the border, and check where you will be dropped. See our SAPTCO bus network guide for domestic routes.

What if I need to transit through Saudi Arabia?

If you are driving from Qatar to the UAE (or vice versa), you must transit through Saudi Arabia. You will need a valid Saudi visa — either an e-visa or a transit visa. The route runs from Salwa (Qatar border) through Saudi territory to Al Batha (UAE border).

Are borders open 24/7?

Not necessarily. We could not confirm current hours for each crossing on 23 October 2026, and the King Fahd Causeway was closed for a period in April 2026 according to UK government advice. Check the status of the crossing before you travel. Early morning is usually the quietest time to cross.

Explore More Saudi Arabia Travel Guides

• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
• Driving in Saudi Arabia — Roads, rules, international licence and road safety
• Renting a Car in Saudi Arabia — Requirements, costs and the best rental companies
• Saudi Arabia Customs Rules — What you can and cannot bring into the Kingdom
• Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements — Documents, health rules and customs procedures
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained