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Post by aramcon2012 on Sept 14, 2011 8:40:35 GMT
Hi everyone,
I am on the verge of completing my medical and obtaining my Visa with a likely departure date in October and have a few questions which I would really appreciate some help with:
1 - I don't drive and wanted to find out how easy it is to get around Dhahran and into Khobar. I know Aramco has buses but how frequent and reliable are these and do they operate trips to Khobar or are they only within camp?
2 - Do the Aramco buses go to Bahrain or would I need to get a taxi and, if getting a taxi, roughly how much would this cost?
3 - If anyone knows how much, on avee, flights cost to Dubai from either Bahrain or Dammam that would be helpful
4 - In regard to internet, how quickly can I get internet connection. I am leaving my partner back in the UK and would like to be able to Skype with her as soon as possible. Can anyone recommend any good wireless internet providers?
5 - In terms of mobile phone use - would you recommend a pay as you go mobile or getting a contract phone? I would only be using it for local purposes and it is unlikely I will be making any international calls on it.
6 - Dentists - I understand there is a waiting list. Roughly, on avee, how long would it take to get treatment in the company facilities?
7 - On initial arrival into Dammam, what can a new hire expect? Is the transition from the airport to Dhahran smooth?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Post by henpecked on Sept 15, 2011 17:44:06 GMT
Hi
Congratulations on your job offer. I'll do my best to answer your questions:
1)The Aramco buses are pretty good for getting out and about, it's the in camp ones I still haven't got my head around! There are 2-3 buses to Dhahran Mall and Rashid Mall and back every evening and 9am buses - 11:30am returns in the morning. There is a twice weekly bus to Dammam and regular morning buses down to Al-Khobar, Lulu and Tamimi/Safeway (supermarkets). Buses are very reliable and comfortable though be careful about asking WHERE to catch the bus back if you are in Khobar - drop off and collection points differ!
2) There has been a bus to Bahrain every Thursday recently this has been laid on by the SAEA (Employees Association) and had been 10SAR (I think this was taken off during the troubles in Bahrain - don't know if it is back), before this there was a bus with a fare of 150SAR return. You can get a taxi, sharing it is a good idea, you would need to book ahead, I would think about 150-200SAR each way would be about right.
3) Just check on flight websites - try Gulf and Qatar, there are also so budget operators.
4) Aramco will sort out your Internet. There is currently a backlog, a dial-up takes about 1 week and Broadband about 5 weeks. I think this will have eased by October but I don't know how much by, last winter they got it down to 1 week for Broadband. You can always ask a neighbour if you can borrow their Internet or use the computers at the Library. Aramco will provide your Wireless Broadband service, I think there is a nominal fee taken straight out of your salary.
5) I suggest you sign up for the dentist as soon as you arrive - it could be a 3 month wait.
6) Initial arrival is smooth but can be lenghty. It is a matter of luck. There can be a delay at Passport Control - I suggest you RUN from the plane to get to the front of the queue. When you pass through Customs you will be met by an Aramco representative and taken to the Aramco office in the airport where you will be given a temporary ID, you will be met there by a work colleague, who will take you to your new home (or Steineke). This same colleague will usually collect you from home for your first day of work.
Hope this helps
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Post by henpecked on Sept 15, 2011 17:49:23 GMT
Whoops
Forgot about a phone! You can buy phones here - expensive or cheap the choice really is yours. Our whole family is on Pay as You Go. I have a 100SAR Nokia (I can't be trusted with anything better!) and my daughter and husband have Blackberry's we are all with STC (Zain's covee on Aramco is pretty poor). You will need to buy a sim at the STC shop in Al Rashid Mall (they no longer sell them at STC shop on camp.)
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Post by aramcon2012 on Sept 16, 2011 12:14:18 GMT
Hi Henpecked,
Thank you very much for the response to my questions, that is very helpful and much appreciated. Am looking forward to flying out at the end of October.
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Post by Twofeets on Sept 16, 2011 13:50:58 GMT
Henpecked pretty much nailed it all.
The ADSL is about $40/month. Dhahran has a new faster/fiber optic connection, but not sure how much it is as I am in Ras Tanura.
Most people here dont seem to go with contracts, they simply buy prepaid SIM cards. Nokia seems to be the biggest dealer. I went with a Samsung Galaxy due to the android operating system (Nokia uses its own). The biggest carriers are STC and Mobiley, STC seems to have better covee in the districts, but both seem to work around DH and Khobar.
Taxis are cheap. It's an hour from here to DH/Khobar. A round trip taxi, all day shopping (usually a 4-7 hour ordeal) usually costs about $70. A short trip in town or just out of town is usually only 10-20 SR (about $3-$6) one way.
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Post by aramcon2012 on Sept 16, 2011 15:05:28 GMT
Thanks Twofeets. Very helpful, much appreciated.
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Post by azraeil on Sept 16, 2011 19:00:07 GMT
The fibre optic costs the same as ADSL.
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Post by emma on Oct 18, 2011 18:50:01 GMT
Taxis are not cheap in Dhahran. A trip to the mall is 25 SR and to town 30 to 35 SR one way!!
If you want to pay per hour, then you have to hire a private driver and the rate really depends on the integrity of the driver, he can charge anything between 20 to 50 SR per hour.
Any trip in camp only is 10 SR. :roll:
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