City Information    Affärsresor -                   Queensway Travel
Airport
King Fahad International airport is approximately 70 km to the north of Dammam. Flight time is 6 hrs 45 mins from London. It is modern, luxurious and clean, and with the exception of a few minor inconveniences, operates extremely well. There is a coffee shop on the ground floor before passport control, and a snack bar and a larger restaurant which is clean and bright, with waiter service. Bags will be searched on arrival. 
Airport to City Centre
Taxis wait outside the terminal and the trip to Saudi Aramco will cost you around SR75-80. The trip to Al Khobar will cost around SR80-85. Most hotels will arrange airport pick up for you, although some will charge so check when making your reservation. Alternatively there are plenty of buses. Although neither KLM nor BA operate a bus service, SAPTCO buses leave when full from the terminal to Al Khobar, and from Al Khobar at the back of the Park Hotel. The cost should be SR20, and the journey will take about 40 mins.
Orientation                  Affärsresabyrå -                        Queensway Travel
The Eastern Province consists of the three main ‘towns’ of Al Khobar, Dhahran and Dammam. Al Khobar is the retail and residential centre, and the most modern of the three. It is linked by the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, which lies 60 km to the est across the Arabian Gulf. There’s a highly attractive Corniche, with walking routes and many fast food restaurants. Its shopping centres range from the smaller, downtown, ethnic shops to the ultra-modern Al Rashed Mall, with its many Wstern brands. Most of the best hotels are situated here and are particularly convenient if visiting Saudi Aramco. 
Dammam, the administrative capital of the Eastern Province, lies 20 km north of Al Khobar. The Head Offices of many companies are to be found here. Dammam is old and well established, again with a fairly well-developed Corniche, and it contains a fascinating old souk area selling everything from spices to gold. Dhahran is home to the head office of Saudi Aramco, British Aerospace and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. 
Lying 120 km to the north is Jubail, the world’s largest petrochemical park, while to the south is Al Ahsa, which is the largest agricultural centre in Eastern Province. On the Saudi/Kuwaiti border is Al Khafji, home to the Head Office of Arabian Gulf Operations Company.
Getting Around
There are two types of taxis available, yellow and white. Yellow taxis are not exclusive and will stop to collect more passengers until full. They are usually old cars with Saudi drivers and are metered. White, private hire limousines are invariably newer, more comfortable cars with expat drivers who will usually understand English. They can be flagged down in the street, though your hotel will be happy to book one for you. They are not metered so be sure to negotiate a price beforehand. The usual fare is SR20 from hotels into the nearest town. From Al Khobar to Dammam would be around SR40. All three towns will have street names in common so do find out beforehand which town it is you need to be in – don’t just give a 
street name!
What to see
Heritage Centre Dammam: This museum depicts various aspects of regional life in Saudi Arabia. It also has a restaurant. Dammam Corniche. Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography: Interesting collection of local Bedouin crafts, traditional costumes and Islamic pottery, as well as some Stone Age tools. 
The Saudi Aramco Exhibition Centre: This is the best museum in Saudi Arabia; a fascinating guide to the oil industry, explaining how the oil is brought up to the surface and how it is located in the first place - ironically the British failed to find oil when they were given the first licence in this region. There are also displays on Arab science and technology. 
Half Moon Bay: Local companies have private beaches in this area up the coast, known as Half Moon Bay. It is worth a drive along the coast road, and there are public areas where you can stop. Quadpeds are very popular and there are many areas where you can hire these for an hour and drive up the quite impressive sand dunes – although watch out for the Saudi youths who can appear from nowhere at high speed. If you’re still feeling adventurous, book a camel ride. There are also diverse open market areas to browse.
Shopping                        - Lågprisflyg -                         Queensway Travel
Al Rashid Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, with department stores such as Next, Royal Doulton, BHS, Oasis and Sony, so you can buy virtually anything you wish. Two new shopping malls have opened within 5 mins walk of the Gulf Meridien Hotel. The Fouad Centre has fast food counters and mixed seating on the top floor and ground floor shops selling an admittedly limited range of clothing, jewellery and handbags. Al Jumah City Centre mall is good for buying carpets, clothing, jewellery and souvenirs. The Alissa Souk in Al Khobar sells linen, shoes and computer software. King Khalid St is famous for gold shops, while Prince Bader St or Ladies St is good for ladies clothing.
Where to walk
In the cooler weather and in the evening, the Corniche, fronting onto the Gulf, is a most attractive place to saunter and collect your thoughts, whether in Dammam or along the constructed pathways of Al Khobar. In certain places, there is access to the shore, which is sandy in parts. Bathing is not allowed, though fishing is popular. 
Otherwise, the souk areas in Dammam or Al Khobar can prove exciting for their Islamic crafts and architecture. Mosques periodically interrupt the skyline; the most picturesque fronts the Corniche in Al Khobar. Art galleries displaying international and local work are in abundance. Ladies walking around should wear either the abaya or sensible clothing, eg very baggy trousers and baggy shirt with long sleeves. A Western woman does not need to cover her head, as she might have to in Riyadh or Jeddah. 
Weather and Climate
Daytime temperatures from Apr to Oct regularly rise above 40oC with a fair degree of humidity, especially in Aug and Sept. In winter (Dec and Jan) temperatures drop to around 18oC during the day and 10oC at night. Rainfall is negligible all year round.