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Post by fishfash on Sept 16, 2014 0:32:19 GMT
Hi all
What's stopping someone from renting a car through one of the international companies at Dammam airport on arrival?
Hertz/Avis/Sixt all have offices open 24 hours and after speaking to them, renting a car on arrival with your home country driving license should not be a problem...
Has anyone got any experience of this?
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Wutz
Senior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Wutz on Sept 16, 2014 2:53:55 GMT
You won't be able to rent (except inside one of the compounds) without an iqama.
Wutz
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Post by fishfash on Sept 16, 2014 11:05:40 GMT
I've spoken today to the desks of Hertz, Sixt and Europcar in Dammam and all categorically deny you need an iqama to rent a car.
They all corroborated that all you need is an international drivers license, a passport and a credit card. They were even allowing me to book and pay over the phone.
I think this will hopefully make our arrival a lot easier...
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Post by vpainter on Sept 22, 2014 2:52:49 GMT
Please let your relocation guide know you are renting a car at the airport. There will be a driver sent to the airport for you, which you won't need, although you may need the driver for excess baggage and leading you to your new home.
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Post by yycjor on Oct 3, 2022 16:33:36 GMT
I don't think this post got enough responses to make it clear whether one can or can't rent a car at the airport. Is Iqama needed? honestly if that is the case, that would defeat the purpose of car rental concept imo.
Accessing Aramco compond and finding assigned resident is another concern if your aramco rep or buddy didn't showed up at the airport to escort you.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2022 10:21:13 GMT
Just hire a car from the places near to the camp, after you've got your badge and you are in the camp. It will make things a lot easier. Just because you can get a car without an Iqama at the airport doesn't mean it won't cause you unforeseen issues... and believe me you will be blamed. Remember you're not on a tourist visa where rules are different. Good luck when you hit a police checkpoint with them accepting your lack of docs...
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Post by absvis on Oct 4, 2022 12:17:04 GMT
What is required for hiring a car to drive within the compound. Do they accept the british driving license and what would be approx monthly cost?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2022 5:06:31 GMT
Get an IDP (international driving permit) from the post office before you come here, you can drive for 90 days on this apparently (though its actually against Aramco policy). British licence is accepted (with IDP) at the place close to camp, cost around £25 a day for a basic toyota,so not cheap at all. Better to buy once you've got your feet under the desk.
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Post by absvis on Oct 5, 2022 7:32:46 GMT
Thanks that is useful. I believe car cannot be bought before iqama. Are there any other requirements for buying a car? How do new employees travel to HQ from compound without cars?
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Post by jazz81 on Oct 5, 2022 7:47:52 GMT
Hi absvis,
I landed in KSA last week and for now I am travelling by bus to the office. It is not quite reliable but it works for me for now as my family is not around and it will be some time before they join me
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Post by absvis on Oct 5, 2022 8:17:44 GMT
Hi absvis, I landed in KSA last week and for now I am travelling by bus to the office. It is not quite reliable but it works for me for now as my family is not around and it will be some time before they join me Thanks Jazz. In terms of family joining, is there any restriction of family joining before probabtion period? I have seen family joining much sooner then 3 months in some cases. |
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Post by absvis on Oct 5, 2022 9:10:22 GMT
Thanks that is useful. I believe car cannot be bought before iqama. Are there any other requirements for buying a car? How do new employees travel to HQ from compound without cars? Interarea buses or expensive taxi. It's ridiculous. So are those local buses or Aramco specific buses? |
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Post by jazz81 on Oct 5, 2022 9:36:00 GMT
Hi absvis, I landed in KSA last week and for now I am travelling by bus to the office. It is not quite reliable but it works for me for now as my family is not around and it will be some time before they join me Thanks Jazz. In terms of family joining, is there any restriction of family joining before probabtion period? I have seen family joining much sooner then 3 months in some cases. My understanding is I need to have my Iqama first which will take a few weeks and then can apply for family. |
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Post by absvis on Oct 5, 2022 10:47:47 GMT
Was told by RA there are buses, car sharing options. Seems initially its buses. Thanks for sharing your experience. Seems like I would be in the same boat.. I mean bus 😊
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 548
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Post by tamsin on Oct 5, 2022 12:50:09 GMT
My husband rented from the airport, end of his first week. Got a taxi up,to get it. Then switched it out for one from Samara on camp ($1k a month), a little bit more expensive but a lot bigger, still has a week left on that.
To buy you need your Iqama and a KSA licence, there are no finance options for people with less than 6 months in country. We bought ours yesterday, I can drive it for 3 months on my UK licence according to the insiurance. Don’t know if that’s 3 months from arriving or receiving Iqama, though. I suspect the former.
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