Planning
Riyadh or Jeddah?
The capital is a desert city of heritage sites, megaprojects and a new Metro. Jeddah is a humid Red Sea port with the best old town in the country. Here is how to choose.
Joseph Azrak · CC BY-SA 4.0On this page
Head to head
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| Riyadh | Jeddah | |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO site | At-Turaif in Diriyah (2010) | Historic Jeddah, Al-Balad (2014) |
| Signature day | Edge of the World at sunset | Al-Balad at night, then the Red Sea by boat |
| Climate | Dry: cool winter nights, extreme summer heat | Humid all year, milder winters |
| Getting around | Riyadh Metro: 6 lines, 85 stations, plus Uber and Careem | No metro: Uber, Careem or a driver |
| Rail links | - | Haramain high-speed train from the airport to Madinah (Makkah is for Muslims only) |
| Flights to AlUla | Up to 7 a week (summer 2026) | 3 a week (summer 2026) |
| Best for | History, desert landscapes, events in Riyadh Season | Old-town atmosphere, food, the sea and diving |
Weather month by month
Average daily high / low in °C, with the average relative humidity (Open-Meteo, 2016–2025).
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| Month | Riyadh | Jeddah |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21° / 9° · 46% | 28° / 20° · 62% |
| Feb | 23° / 11° · 38% | 28° / 20° · 60% |
| Mar | 28° / 16° · 30% | 30° / 21° · 61% |
| Apr | 33° / 20° · 27% | 32° / 24° · 58% |
| May | 39° / 26° · 16% | 34° / 26° · 58% |
| Jun | 42° / 29° · 11% | 35° / 27° · 59% |
| Jul | 43° / 30° · 12% | 36° / 28° · 56% |
| Aug | 43° / 30° · 13% | 36° / 29° · 64% |
| Sep | 40° / 26° · 15% | 35° / 28° · 69% |
| Oct | 35° / 21° · 21% | 34° / 26° · 68% |
| Nov | 28° / 16° · 39% | 32° / 24° · 65% |
| Dec | 22° / 11° · 46% | 29° / 22° · 61% |
What it means: Riyadh is the better city from November to March, when highs are 21–28°C, but it is properly hot (39–43°C) from May to September. Jeddah never gets as hot, but humidity stays around 56–69% all year, so it feels sticky even in winter. November is Jeddah’s wettest month on average, and the FCDO warns of flash floods from November to February.
Which should you choose?
- Only time for one, first trip: Riyadh, because it is the easier jumping-off point for AlUla, with more flights. Riyadh guide.
- Want the sea and an old town: Jeddah. Al-Balad is the most atmospheric old quarter in Saudi Arabia, and the reefs are close.
- Summer trip: Jeddah, or a Red Sea resort. Riyadh’s summer heat can close desert trips like Edge of the World.
- Both: fly between them, or put AlUla in between, as in our 7-day itinerary.
Both cities have been targeted by missiles and drones in 2026, according to the UK FCDO. See is Saudi Arabia safe right now?
Questions travellers ask
Is Riyadh or Jeddah better for tourists?
Riyadh for history, desert trips and easy AlUla connections; Jeddah for the old town, food and the Red Sea. On a first trip with only time for one, Riyadh usually fits better.
Is Jeddah hotter than Riyadh?
No. Riyadh is hotter in summer, with average highs of 42–43°C in June to August against 35–36°C in Jeddah. Jeddah is far more humid, so it can feel worse.
Does Jeddah have a metro?
No. Use Uber, Careem or a driver. The Haramain high-speed train runs from Jeddah airport and the city to Madinah and Makkah, but Makkah is open to Muslims only.
