What is it like to live in Dhahran as an expat, and who lives in the Aramco community?

Dhahran is home to Aramco's global headquarters and its largest residential community, which houses Aramco employees; others rent in Dhahran's neighborhoods or elsewhere on the Eastern Province bus network.

The Aramco community

• Aramco calls Dhahran its largest residential community and the location of its global headquarters.
• Aramco lists health and dental clinics, sports facilities, walking trails, restaurants and central dining halls, with access to Half Moon Bay beach.
• Housing for Aramco employees may be in a company community or rental assistance in local neighborhoods, depending on role and availability.

Getting around without a car

• SAPTCO's Eastern Region bus network covers Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran and Qatif.
• It runs 18 hours a day, from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, and you pay with a digital card issued in its app.

Renting outside the community

1. Shortlist areas near your workplace and a bus route.
2. Check the broker's licence on REGA's broker inquiry service.
3. Get the lease registered on Ejar.

Official sources

• Aramco: Life in Saudi Arabia (residential communities)
• Aramco: Global contacts (headquarters address)
• SAPTCO: Eastern Region Bus
• REGA: Real estate broker inquiry (FAL)

On Saudi Expats: the Dhahran city page and Aramco Hills.

Checked September 2026. Bus routes and hours can change, so check SAPTCO's app before relying on a route.

Living in Dhahran? Share your experience below: what should newcomers know about the area?