Doha without a car? (Khobar (Eastern Prov.))

Does anyone know whether there are other ways to go outside of Saudi Arabia without going by air and waiting in the queues?

When I said to one Saudi I was going to pay Protected content to fly to Doha, he said that it was too expensive and I should get to Al Hasa and then find a taxi from there into Doha. Is this idle talk or is there a way to go outside the Kingdom cheaper when you haven't got a car.

Remember time to spare go by air.