Bus Services
On-demand service
Operates 7-days per week during non-peak hours.
- Workdays from 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
- Weekends/Holidays from 6:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M
The on-demand bus comes when you need it and takes you where you want to go on campus and residential areas of KAUST.
To use the on-demand bus, download the Rekab app available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Tips to consider when using the on-demand bus:
- Remember you can book for multiple passengers – and you don't even need to be one of them. You can book a ride for a family member without joining them on the bus.
- Booking is required. We recommend using the Rekab app to book your journey, however, a smartphone is not required to book a trip with the on-demand bus; you can call the Saptco helpdesk for booking assistance at 012-808-5222 between 6:00 A.M. and 12:00 A.M.
- Book a little ahead of time. For example, if you want a bus to pick you up as close to 3:10 as possible, don't wait until 3:10 to make your request – start making your request at
3:00.
Color-Coded Bus Service
- Operating Hours: Workdays during peak hours - from 6:20 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. and from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
- To use this service, simply wait at the signposted bus stop. Booking is not required.
- Schedule:
If STOP arm is out, please stop & proceed with care
Golf Cart Shuttle Service
Park your vehicle in the Discovery Square car park, located across from the KAUST Inn, and jump straight on the shuttle from Shuttle Stop 1. Get dropped off close to a variety of food and retail options in Discovery Square or the Harbor Walk.
- Service is available 7 days per week from 11:00 A.M. to 1:45 P.M. and from 5:00 P.M. to 7:45 P.M.
- Golf Cart Shuttle Service Schedule
Disability Services
Services for people with physical limitations are provided for qualifying passengers. For more information, contact the SAPTCO Helpdesk or 012-808 5222
Dive center Bus
- Mon- Tue - Wed (18:00 - 21:00) From Tamimi
South Beach Bus
- Sun - Mon- Tue - Wed - Thur (16:00 - 19:00) From Tamimi
- Fri - Sat (09:00 - 19:00) From Tamimi
- Daily: On-Demand service
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Coaches are available for off-campus trips, which cover the major shopping malls located in Jeddah such as the Red Sea Mall and Mall of Arabia. These are available for KAUST community members and visitors who hold a valid KAUST photo
ID.
Free On-board Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is now available on all of the large gold buses, covering the majority of destinations. The smaller bus which travels the short journey to Thuwal does not have Wi-Fi.
Jeddah Shopping Bus
Buses to various Jeddah shopping centers are available:
Makkah and Madinah Busses
- Makkah Trip will be conducted every Friday
- Departure @ 13:30
- Return @ 22:30
- Madinah Trips will be conducted every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month
- Departure on Friday @ 07:00
- Return on Saturday @ 17:00
Thuwal and KAEC Bus
Work Haul Bus Schedule (Sunday - Thursday)
Work Haul buses operate for staff who live in Jeddah and work at KAUST. Payment is arranged through HR and the schedule is as follows:
Work Haul Bus REGULAR Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
From Jeddah | ||
6:20 A.M. | 6:50 A.M. | |
From KAUST | CSAB | Bldg 16 |
4:30 P.M. | 4:40 P.M. | |
Jeddah Medical buses DSFMC, My Clinic, DSFH & IMC (Saturday - Thursday)
| (Saturday - Thursday) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical bus regular schedule | |||||
| Trips | Departure from KAUST | Return From IMC | Return from DSFH | Return from My Clinic | Return from DSFMC |
| 1 | 08:00 | 13:00 | 13:15 | 13:40 | 13:50 |
| 2 | 11:30 | 18:00 | 18:15 | 18:40 | 18:55 |
| 3 | 16:00 | 21:00 | 21:15 | 21:40 | 21:55 |
Note: The above timing may be impacted by traffic delays, especially during public holidays and weekends.
| Destination | Pick up/Drop Off | Destination | Pick up/Drop Off |
| Habitat | Main Gate | Red Sea Mall | Parking in front of Gate 5 |
| DSFMC | Main Gate | Mall of Arabia | Gate 5 downstairs |
| My Clinic | Main Gate | KAEC | Water Front |
| IMC | Main Gate | Thuwal | Main Market |
| DSFH | Main Gate | Madinah | SAPTCO Station |
| Ballad | Parking opposite Corniche Center near the big Mosque | Makkah | Jarwal bus parking |
| IKEA | Main Parking lot | |
Tawakkalna Status Required
For bus users ages 12+, you must show your COVID-19 status is listed as "immune by both doses" using the Tawakkalna app at the time of boarding. Download the Tawakkalna App.
For the safety of the whole community, please ensure you follow the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines at KAUST and while using KAUST buses off-campus.
Payment
While our off-campus bus services remain heavily subsidized by KAUST, fees are in place for Thuwal and KAEC corniche buses. In keeping with the strategy to "Grow Strategically While Optimizing Costs," introducing charging for these buses will help us continue to find efficiencies and optimize resources.
The round-trip fee is paid by card only when you arrive at the bus. There is no one-way payment option and cash cannot be accepted at this time.
Discounts: Children aged 12 and under ride free. University Students and their dependents also ride free, and a copy of the KAUST ID indicating the primary's student status is required to be provided as proof
Booking
Pre-booking is recommended to guarantee your seat. The bus departure point for all trips is located opposite Tamimi Supermarket.
Private Bus Hire
KAUST also provides a Special Events Bus Service. For inquiries regarding this service please contact us.
Contact
- E-Mail: BusServices@kaust.edu.sa
- Tel: (012) 808-5222