Last-minute bookings are causing chaos at some of the country's airports, train and bus stations as people rush to get local and international tickets for the Eid vacations, according to media reports.

There has been large numbers of people turning up at airports and other public transport stations in Al-Ahsa, Tabuk and Hail.

Fahad Al-Arajani, a commuter, said: "I have been looking for a seat to Arar for Eid for the past two days. I only found one in the business class section from Riyadh next Friday, so I decided to travel by car."

Ayed bin Fahran, another commuter, could not get a ticket to Riyadh at the airport or train stations. "Saudi Airlines, train stations and other public transport firms should provide extra trips during Eid and other holidays to meet the growing demand."

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk was overcrowded at the start of the Eid holiday, with many passengers looking for tickets. Trips to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are most in demand. However, many passengers have decided to travel to their destinations by car.

There were also many travelers at Hail airport looking for tickets on domestic and international flights. Khadeja, an Egyptian expatriate, said she has been waiting to see if she can get a ticket to spend Eid with her family.

Citizen Abdulrahman Abdulkarim said he booked his ticket to Egypt two months ago to avoid the holiday rush.