eberhardt travel saudi arabien

To view images fullscreen please turn device

Travel to the birthplace of Islam on one of our Saudi Arabia group tour. This undiscovered gem encompasses a vast expanse of arid desert and mountains. The second largest country in the Arab world (after Algeria), it covers some 2,150,000 square kilometres and is the only nation with coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Home to Mecca and Medina, the Kingdom is the spiritual caretaker of the two holiest shrines in the Islamic world, a role it takes very seriously. Staunchly ...

Travel to the birthplace of Islam on one of our Saudi Arabia group tour. This undiscovered gem encompasses a vast expanse of arid desert and mountains. The second largest country in the Arab world (after Algeria), it covers some 2,150,000 square kilometres and is the only nation with coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Home to Mecca and Medina, the Kingdom is the spiritual caretaker of the two holiest shrines in the Islamic world, a role it takes very seriously. Staunchly traditional, the country’s citizens are required by law to be Muslims and it is one of the few places on earth that has a ‘religious’ police force.

But this is also a land with a vibrant cultural pedigree. Away from the glamour and glitter of its oil-rich modern cities, the country is strewn with World Heritage sites and remote mountain villages. Amongst the rock-hewn splendours of Madain Saleh you can find Nabatean treasures on a par with those at Petra, while the mud-brick ruins of Diriyah provide a fascinating insight into the origins of the Saud Dynasty. The mountains of the south-west are home to a surprising collection of traditional villages that still evoke echoes of the past, whilst the haunting ruins of Al Ula provide a chance to explore one of the most impressive ghost towns anywhere in the Middle East.

Enigmatic and intriguing, Saudi Arabia by its very nature is one of the last great adventures left to discover. Be one of the first to discover it on a Wild Frontiers small group tour to Saudi Arabia.

Meet the Expert

Start your journey, group tours.

Travel to Saudi Arabia with like-minded people on one of our Saudi Arabia group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SAUDI ARABIA

Best experiences.

Visit the rock-cut city of Hegra

Discover the Nabatean city of Hegra, with its rock-carved buildings, built in the same style as Jordan's Petra.

The souqs of Riyadh

Go for a spot of shopping and explore a colourful labyrinth of stalls and walkways making up the many souqs and bazaars of Riyadh.

Visit a volcanic crater

Visit the spectacular Al Waba Crater, a dramatic volcano formation with a salt field at its centre. Here there is the option to circumnavigate part of the crater or you may opt for the more challenging steep climb down to the basin and then back up again.

Stand on the edge of the world

Embark on a journey through dusty tracks and rocky plains to Jebel Fihrayn, otherwise known as "The Edge of the World." As you ascend by 4x4, you come to a cliff edge that is 300 metres high and 800 kilometres long.

Discover more

Given the extreme summer heat of the desert, October to March is definitely the optimum time for visiting Saudi Arabia. At these times of year typically you can expect daytime temperatures to reach 20 - 30oC with night times being surprisingly cool, often in the single digits. Rain is rare although not unheard of!

Meet the expert, Dan

Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Daniel by calling +44 (0)20 3944 6258

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations   

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Saudi Arabia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

Currency  

In Saudi Arabia the official unit of currency is the Saudi Riyal, which is subdivided into 100 halala. 

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com . 

Cultural Sensitivity  

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

Saudi society is going through some major changes at the moment so please bear in mind that any considerations raised here may alter at any time. Ultimately the Kingdom remains a deeply conservative country and is likely to be different from any other destination to which you may have travelled. 

Tourism (other than for religious purposes) is a new concept for the Kingdom so come expecting enthusiastic but inexperienced levels of service. Encouragingly, in contrast to previous edicts, there are no current restrictions placed on adult women travelling solo and while it is expected that foreign visitors will dress conservatively, women will not have to wear an abaya (the long black dress covering the body from shoulders to feet) and they will not have to cover their hair. 

Alcohol however is still currently forbidden and should not be brought into the country; you should also not arrive into Saudi Arabia under the influence of alcohol. 

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend. 

Public displays of affection are not considered as being consistent with local culture and traditions. 

Both men and women are asked to dress modestly in public, avoiding tight fitting clothing or clothes with profane language or images. Women should cover shoulders and knees in public. 

The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal including wearing religious jewellery for example a crucifix.  So please be mindful of anything that may be interpreted as religious iconography. 

Language & Religion  

In Saudi Arabia, the major language is Arabic, although English is commonly spoken in larger cities. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced and the public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal. 

Time  

Saudi Arabia is 3 hours ahead of GMT. 

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com .  

Food and drink  

Food in Saudi Arabia is full of flavour and packed with spices, dishes are often rice-based with flat breads and meats such as lamb, goat, chicken and beef. 

Food can vary from region to region, but Kabsah is considered by many to be national dish.  Kabsah compromises of rice, meat, vegetables and a mixture of spices.  The spices can differ depending on location but cloves, cardamom, saffron and nutmeg are often used.  Some varieties may be enhanced with nuts such as peanuts, almonds, pine nuts etc. 

Lunch is considered the main meal of the day.  Traditional dishes are preferred but in larger towns a full range of international cuisine is available.  Pork and alcohol are forbidden under Islamic law.   

There is a traditional and unique “coffee culture” in the Kingdom.  Offering guests coffee is a display of hospitality and generosity which is very much entrenched in the culture so expect to be served Arabic coffee with nearly all your meals.   

It is customary for Saudi coffee to be served from a dallah (coffee pot) in a ritualistic manner. The flavour is very distinctive due to the addition of other elements such as cardamom, cloves or saffron. 

Travelling Solo In Saudi Arabia

All of our   small group tours   are designed to cater for   solo travellers : the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.

Travel in Saudi Arabia: The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide

January 1, 2020.

Complete guide to backpacking in Saudi Arabia. Where to go, how to get around, safety, and visa requirements are all covered in this comprehensive post.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a destination that’s allured travellers for decades.

Saudi Arabia has long been off-limits to foreign travellers. Tourist visas simply didn’t exist – there was basically no hope of a visit to the mysterious nation.

As of September 2019, that has changed. The government has introduced a new tourist e-visa scheme , making it easy to get a visa and visit the Kingdom independently.

I was one of the first travellers to visit Saudi Arabia with the new tourist visa, in November 2019. I spent over two weeks independently solo travelling all over the country, from the sand dunes of the center to the monkey filled mountains in the south.

• 1 Before you visit Saudi Arabia
• 2 Getting to Saudi Arabia
• 3 Where to visit in Saudi Arabia
• 4 Getting around Saudi Arabia
• 5 Accommodation in Saudi Arabia
• 6 When to visit Saudi Arabia
• 7 Internet & SIM Cards in Saudi Arabia
• 8 Culture in Saudi Arabia
• 9 Travel Costs in Saudi Arabia
• 10 Safety in Saudi Arabia
• 11 Health in Saudi Arabia
• 12 Saudi Arabia Travel Guide Wrap-Up

Before you visit Saudi Arabia

Why visit saudi arabia.

I mean, how often do you get a chance to visit a country that’s been closed off to tourists for so long?

So much of Saudi Arabia is just waiting to be discovered by tourists. Most bedouin camps, mountain villages and sandy beaches have likely never seen a foreign tourist.

Saudis are extremely hospitable and are eager to show their culture, food, and nature to visitors. Meeting locals is always a great part of travel, but Saudis things to another level!

Saudi Arabia is very geographically diverse. During your trip, you’ll have the opportunity to see green mountains, beautiful beaches, endless cliffs, and red sand dunes.

Arabia is waiting for you – be one of the first to visit.

Is Saudi Arabia safe?

Saudi Arabia is a pretty safe country.

Petty theft isn’t much of an issue. As tourists are a very new thing in Saudi, there aren’t any pickpockets in popular tourist spots. I left my backpack unattended in a couple of cafes and restaurants while I went to the washroom – that’s how safe I felt.

Many governments state that you should avoid travel to the areas near the Yemeni border (Abha, Jazan, Najran) due to the ongoing war. These warnings are overblown. The situation on the Saudi side of the border is business as usual, you’d never know how close you are to the border.

Travel Insurance for Saudi Arabia

No matter where you go, you should always have travel insurance – Saudi Arabia is no exception. Even though Saudi Arabia is safe, accidents can still happen.

I personally use and recommend World Nomads. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities (important if you plan on doing any camel riding or dune bashing while in Saudi Arabia).

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS HERE

Communication in Saudi Arabia

Like in other Arab countries, Arabic is the most common language spoken in Saudi Arabia. Due to a large number of workers from countries like Pakistan, India, and the Philippines, you’ll hear Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog spoken in certain areas.

Luckily for us travellers, many people in Saudi Arabia can speak some English – especially workers from India or the Philippines. In the large cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, you’ll frequently hear English being spoken by plenty of people.

Restaurant menus are usually in Arabic and English making it easy to order whatever you want.

When you get out into the more rural parts of the country, English is less common. I’d recommend downloading Arabic on Google Translate for offline usage just in case you need it.

To make things easy, why not pick up an Arabic phrasebook before your visit?

Money in Saudi Arabia

The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) .

The Riyal is pegged to the US Dollar at a rate of 3.75 SAR = 1 USD .

Getting cash is easy – there are ATMs everywhere and they almost all accept international Visa or MasterCard. I had zero issues withdrawing cash using an ATM.

Credit cards are also widely accepted in Saudi Arabia, especially in more urban areas. Terminals are all equipped with contactless support, so you can just tap or use Google Pay (or Apple Pay… if you swing that way).

While the USD to SAR rate shouldn’t change, you can always check the latest rate at XE.com .

VPN for Saudi Arabia

You might not have realized this (I didn’t before my visit), but certain websites aren’t accessible from within Saudi Arabia without the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Here are a few examples of websites that are inaccessible from within Saudi Arabia:

• Pornography
• Sites that disagree with the regime (Qatar based Al Jazeera is a big one)
• Drug-related sites

While most of those topics are likely of little interest to the average Saudi Arabia traveller, there have been cases where the government blocked certain Wikipedia pages or WhatsApp Voice Calling.

It’s also a good idea to use a VPN no matter what when you’re in a place where your internet traffic can be monitored.

The best VPN for travelling in Saudi Arabia right now is NordVPN .

I’ve used a bunch of different VPNs while travelling in even more restricted places like China , and had by far the best experience with NordVPN . They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and high-speed servers that are reliable and consistent.

Getting to Saudi Arabia

Before your trip to Saudi Arabia, you need to be sure that you have a valid visa and decide if you’ll enter the country by air or land.

Visa Requirements for Saudi Arabia

If you’re from one of the 49 lucky countries, then you’re eligible to apply an e-visa to visit Saudi Arabia.

The countries that are currently eligible for the e-visa are the following:

• North America  – Canada, United States
• Europe  – Switzerland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Andorra, Russia, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia
• Asia  – Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, China (including Hong Kong, Macao), Taiwan
• Oceania  – Australia, New Zealand

If you’re from one of the above countries, you can apply for an e-visa on the official Saudi Arabia e-visa website .

If your country isn’t on the list, don’t worry – it’s still possible to apply for a tourist visa at your nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy .

For more details on getting a tourist visa, check out my complete Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Guide . 

Flying into Saudi Arabia

If you’re flying into Saudi Arabia, you’ll most likely end up flying into either Riyadh or Jeddah. They have the largest airports and the most international connections.

The flag carrier of Saudi Arabia is called Saudia , and it has direct flights from Riyadh to New York City, Washington DC, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Istanbul, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and a number of other destinations.

There are also direct flights from Jeddah to the above destinations, along with Los Angeles and Johannesburg.

You can also easily get to Saudi Arabia by flying with Emirates and taking a short layover in Dubai.

I recommend using Google Flights to find the cheapest flights to Saudi Arabia.

Overland into Saudi Arabia

It’s possible to enter Saudi Arabia overland with the new tourist e-visa.

I was told that the following border crossings are open for entry with the e-visa:

• King Fahad Land Port (This is the border crossing between  Saudi Arabia and Bahrain )
• Batha Land Port (This is the border crossing between  Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates )

It may also be possible to enter overland from Jordan, Kuwait, or Oman, but I haven’t been able to confirm this. Let me know if you were successful!

The border crossing with Qatar is definitely not open for tourists at the moment due to the political situation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Where to visit in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is the nation’s capital and largest city. Its located in the center of the country and is a good place to start your adventure in Saudi Arabia.

The city itself isn’t the most interesting place in the world (you’ll come to notice this is a common trend with Saudi cities), but it’s got some beautiful surroundings including massive cliffs and red sand dunes.

You can see the main sights of Riyadh in a single day, but you should plan for a few days so that you’re able to explore the areas surrounding it.

Where to stay in Riyadh

There is accommodation available in Riyadh for all budgets. Like usual in most Saudi cities, the cheapest option is an aparthotel .

If you’re on a budget, I recommend the Al Eairy Apartments . This is where I stayed, and it’s an alright option to save money. Rooms aren’t perfectly clean, but it could be worse. As it’s located in the older area of Riyadh, there are plenty of cheap Indian and Filipino restaurants around.

Check out Al Eairy Apartments prices here

The Riyadh Hilton is a perfect mid-range option for those looking for a comfortable place to stay. It’s got multiple restaurants inside, and even has two pools to let you escape from the Saudi heat.

Check out Riyadh Hilton prices here

As a business hub, Riyadh has a number of luxury hotels. They definitely aren’t cheap, but if you really want to live it up while you’re in Saudi Arabia, then why not! The Four Seasons Riyadh looks incredible – it’s located inside the Kingdom Tower (that famous bottle opener building), and has all the facilities that you could ever need.

Check out Four Seasons Riyadh prices here

Things to do in Riyadh

In Riyadh, your first stop should be the Kingdom Tower . It’s a stunning building, and you can even visit the Sky Bridge on it’s 99th floor. Tickets to go up to the Sky Bridge are 60 SAR.

Next, make your way to Riaydh’s Old Town and visit the Masmak Fortress . In 1902, the fort was the epicentre of the battle to recapture Riyadh led by Ibn Saud. Inside the fortress, there is a very interesting museum about the Kingdom’s history – and entry is free!

After checking out those sights, I’d advise that you get out of the city and check out some of its epic surroundings! Let me tell you about the best places to see around Riyadh.

Edge of the World

The Edge of the World is probably the most photographed landscape in Saudi Arabia – for good reason! It’s absolutely stunning, and you definitely shouldn’t miss it.

It’s located a 2-hour drive from Riyadh, part of which is on a rough off-road trail. You can drive here yourself, but I advise getting a 4 wheel drive vehicle to make things easier.

Try to visit in mid-afternoon and stick around for sunset. The cliffs turn a beautiful orange colour when the sun is setting.

For more info on visiting, check out my detailed Edge of the World Guide !

Red Sand Dunes

Sand dunes are a classic Saudi Arabian destination, and there are some pretty cool ones only about 30 minutes outside of Riyadh.

You can easily drive here yourself in any sort of car, or take Uber (although it won’t be cheap). This is a popular place for Riyadh locals to visit on weekends, so consider visiting during the week if you’d like a more quiet time.

On the roadside near the dunes, there are a ton of places renting out quadbikes. Rentals are about 100 SAR per hour but may vary depending on the time of year and day of the week.

I ended up finding a secluded section of dunes near a road, parked my car, and then spent a night camping in the dunes. It was great to watch the sunset over the dunes, although it turns out my tent isn’t very sand-proof so things got a bit messy.

Here’s the location of the sand dunes on Google Maps.

Getting around Riyadh

Riyadh is the most unfriendly city towards pedestrians that I’ve ever been to. In most of the city (even downtown), there are no sidewalks. Or if there are sidewalks, they randomly end and shove you onto the busy road. There’s also often no way to cross busy roads without making a 30-minute detour to the nearest pedestrian bridge.

Because of this, you need a car to get around Riyadh. Uber and Careem both work here, so you can call a taxi to get around (this can get expensive, though). Renting a car is the best option to get around Riyadh, and also lets you visit places nearby such as Edge of the World and the Red Sand Dunes.

There is a large metro system being built, but it won’t be opened for another year or so.

From the Airport

There is no public transport from Riyadh Airport to the city – crazy! Your only option is an expensive taxi. With Uber or Careem, taxi prices from the airport to the city are around 70 to 80 SAR. It’s almost the same price to rent a car for a day as it is to take a taxi from the airport.

Welcome to Saudi Arabia’s most liberal city. Jeddah is a port city, and for centuries has hosted travellers and traders from all over the world.

In Jeddah, it’s much more normal to see mixed-gender groups hanging out, and girls who aren’t wearing a niqab. It’s still extremely conservative here by Western standards, but it feels like a breath of fresh air after travelling elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.

Where to stay in Jeddah

Jeddah is also popular with business travellers, so there’s a good range of accommodation available here.

I stayed at the Praha Hotel while in Jeddah and loved it – the room was spacious and even had a kitchen. The location is pretty good and not too far from the airport.

Check Praha Hotel prices here

Things to do in Jeddah

In Jeddah, the main thing that you should do is check out its historical Al-Balad district. It was once the center of Jeddah and even had walls surrounding it. The walls were torn down in the 1940s, but plenty of old architecture still remains.

Al-Balad is also one of the more lively places I visited in Saudi Arabia. Due to the heat, most Saudis spent their time indoors, but the market of Al-Balad was bustling with people when I visited. If you want to visit when it’s quiet, go in the morning. If you want to see people selling and buying in the market, go around sunset. I’d recommend going at both times if you have the chance!

I’d also recommend checking out the King Fahd’s Fountain while you’re in Jeddah. It’s the world’s largest fountain, shooting water over 300 meters into the air. Visit at night to see the fountain it up against the dark sky.

There are also a ton of malls in Jeddah, if you’re into that. The largest one is the Red Sea Mall – it’s worth checking out!

Getting around Jeddah

Like Riyadh, Jeddah isn’t a very walkable city. Al-Balad district is walkable, but that’s about it.

To get around, you need to either rent a car or use a ridesharing app.

Abha is the capital of the Asir Region, once an independent kingdom.

The Asir region is a mountainous slice of land in southwest Saudi Arabia. Much of Asir is at elevation, making for a cooler climate than the rest of the country. Saudis often vacation here in the summertime to escape the desert heat.

Abha is the best place to base yourself while you explore the area. It’s a reasonably large city that is well connected by air and bus to other parts of Saudi Arabia.

I really enjoyed visiting Abha. I met a local guy named Abdulaziz via Couchsurfing, and he took me around to a number of different sights, showed me his local food, and taught me a lot about life in Saudi Arabia.

Where to stay in Abha

If you’re on a budget, the OYO 324 Green House Hotel is a good option. WiFi is included, and the rooms are spacious and clean.

Check out OYO 324 Green House Hotel prices here

For those with a little bit more to spend, consider the The View Suits. It’s well-reviewed and rooms include a coffee machine!

Check out The View Suits prices here

Things to do in Abha

Most of the popular sights in the Asir region are located just outside of Abha.

Rijal Alma is one of the most famous places in Saudi Arabia, and a must-see place if you make it to Abha. Once upon a time, this fortress town was where Asiri tribes defeated a 50,000-strong Ottoman army, winning independence for the region.

Travel Tip – Visit Rijal Alma at just before sunset – the light reflects beautifully on the stone buildings 🙂

Another place you need to see near Abha is Jabal Sawda . It’s the highest peak in Saudi Arabia, rising to 3,133 meters above sea level. There are even monkeys roaming around up here!

To get to Rijal Alma and Jabal Sawda, you need a car. There is a cable car between Jabal Sawda and Rijal Alma, but it’s only open during the summer months when Saudi tourists are visiting Abha.

Jazan Region

When I stepped off the plane in Jazan, I was instantly blasted with a wave of heat and humidity. I remember asking myself – “if this is winter, then how dang hot does it get in summer?!”.

Jazan is Saudi Arabia’s southernmost city and lies on the coast of the Red Sea directly across from Eritrea. It’s known for its Yemeni-like culture and hot-as-balls weather.

Jazan itself isn’t the most exciting city – it’s more of a base to explore the surrounding areas. Two places near Jazan that you can’t miss are Fayfa and the Farasan Islands .

Fayfa is a mountain village about a hundred kilometers away from Jazan. In Fayfa, locals can be seen wearing traditional flower hats and carrying daggers at their waists. The mountains around Fayfa are full of old terraces used for agriculture.

To get to Fayfa, you’ll need to rent a car or visit with a local who has one. The drive takes about two hours from Jazan, and is on paved road the entire way. As you begin to climb up into the mountains, the road can get pretty steep and there are a lot of hairpin turns – take it slow!

Farasan Islands

If you make it all the way down to Jazan, you can’t miss the Farasan Islands. Located about 40 kilometers off the coast of Jazan, the islands are a beautiful archipelago home to amazing beaches, undiscovered reefs, and unique wildlife.

Farasan can easily be visited as a day-trip from Jazan, but it’s also possible to spend a few days there if you really want to take it all in.

For more details on how to visit, check out my Farasan Islands guide .

Where to stay in Jazan

The best decent budget option I was able to find in Jazan is the Al Safa Hotel Suites. WiFi is included, and the hotel is in a good location.

Check out Al Safa Hotel Suites prices here

Tabuk Province

The Tabuk Province was probably my favourite part of Saudi Arabia.

It’s only really feasible to explore by renting a car, but if you do, you’ll get to see epic wadis, shipwrecks, endless deserts, and more.

I seriously can’t recommend this region enough. I kinda stumbled upon it by looking at Google Maps, and then checked out more photos and decided that I had to go there.

I’m going to write an entire post on my Tabuk Region Itinerary and share some recommendations, but for now, I’ll leave you with a few must-see places near Tabuk.

Wadi Al-Disah

Al-Disah is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been to, and I wish I could’ve spent longer. The entire drive to the Al-Disah is gorgeous – I probably stopped to take photos about twenty times.

Try to see this place at sunset for the best photos. You could also camp here and watch a beautiful sunrise if you’ve got the time.

Georgios G Shipwreck

Yep! There’s a shipwreck near Tabuk. It’s located on the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba, meaning that you can see Egypt just across the water!

The drive here from Tabuk (via a small town called Haql) is beautiful. After leaving the city limits of Tabuk, the landscape turns to sandy desert with unique rock formations sticking out. After a few hours, you’ll arrive at the shipwreck.

Spend a little time here taking in your gorgeous surroundings. Hell, you could even camp here if you want to!

Want to visit the shipwreck? Here’s it’s location on Google Maps .

Getting around Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a giant country, and getting around it can be a bit of a challenge. Let’s go over the different transportation options that a traveller has to get around the country.

Domestic flights in Saudi Arabia

Domestic flights are cheap and fast in Saudi Arabia, making them a great way to get around the country.

In many cases, a flight on a budget carrier between two cities is actually cheaper than taking the bus. I took a number of domestic flights while I was in Saudi Arabia – they helped me save time and money.

Saudia operates a number of domestic flights but is usually the most expensive option. Budget carriers such as Flynas and flyadeal offer the best prices but will charge more for food and extra baggage.

Here are a few sample prices for domestic flights around the Kingdom:

• Jeddah – Riyadh : 145 SAR ($39), 1.5 hours
• Riyadh – Jazan : 160 SAR ($43), 2 hours
• Jeddah – Abha : 100 SAR ($27), 1 hour
• Jeddah – Tabuk : 130 SAR ($35), 1.5 hours
• Riyadh – Damman : 73 SAR ($20), 1 hour

As you can see, flights are a pretty affordable way to travel around Saudi Arabia.

Buses in Saudi Arabia

There is a decent network of intercity buses operating in Saudi Arabia. Most buses are run by the state-owned SAPTCO and are both comfortable and reliable.

The main downside to bus travel in Saudi Arabia is that it’s often more expensive than a cheap flight. Distances between cities can be very large, so flying is a good way to save money and time.

Certain routes do make sense, however.

Here are routes that I think are most useful to travellers:

• Jazan – Abha : 58 SAR ($15), 4 hours
• Jeddah – Taif : 47 SAR ($12), 3 hours

Trains in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia currently has three different train lines,  operated by two different state-owned companies.

The existing train lines in Saudi Arabia are:

• Riyadh – Dammam (Stops in Al Hofuf and Abqaiq)
• Riyadh – Jauf (Stops in Majmaah, Qassim, and Hail)
• Mecca – Medina (Stops in Jeddah, Jeddah Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City) (Muslims Only)

Riyadh to Dammam and the high-speed line from Mecca to Medina are operated Saudi Railways Organization , Riyadh to Jauf is operated by Saudi Railway Company .

Tickets can be booked on the websites that I linked above (Mecca to Medina is bookable on this website )

Self-driving in Saudi Arabia

Renting a car and driving around yourself is the best way to see Saudi Arabia, in my opinion.

Most sights are inaccessible without a car, and public transportation within cities is basically non-existent. When you rent a car, you’re able to visit wherever you want at your own pace.

Gas in Saudi Arabia is very cheap (1.5 SAR/L during my visit), and car rental prices are quite reasonable – typically around 100 to 120 SAR per day for a basic automatic vehicle.

Saudi Car Rental Requirements

If you plan on driving in Saudi Arabia, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) . Most rental companies require that you have this, and won’t rent to you with your normal driver’s license (even if it’s in English).

My visit to Saudi Arabia was a bit unplanned, so I didn’t have an IDP. Luckily, I was able to rent a car from Avis and Budget with my normal Canadian license, but they charge more than other companies.

One thing to watch out for when renting a car is the mileage limit. Most companies have a 200 km/day limit, and after that charge per kilometre. In a country as big as Saudi Arabia, 200 kilometers is nothing. The only rental company I know that offers an unlimited mileage option is Al-Wefaq Rent A Car   for a reasonable 15 SAR per day.

Rules of the road

Saudis are some of the craziest drivers I’ve ever seen, and the country has a very high accident rate. When driving in Saudi Arabia, you should be very careful and always pay attention to the road. Highway driving is usually pretty straightforward, but driving in big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah is hell (especially during rush hour).

It’s not uncommon for people to use the curb to overtake you, or for people to travel at 180 km/h on the highway. It takes some getting used to, but I found after a few hours I was feeling pretty comfortable.

Watch out for invisible speed bumps. They’re everywhere and can really take you by surprise.

Oh – watch out for camel crossings too!

Hitchhiking in Saudi Arabia

Hitchhiking is totally possible in Saudi Arabia. The main issue with hitchhiking here is that it is super hot most of the year, so pack a lot of water and have some sun protection.

Saudi drivers are pretty crazy, so do be careful and ask to be let out if you’re worried about the way someone is driving. Saudis are very hospitable – when I tried hitchhiking just outside of Abha, the guy who picked me up drove me right to my destination because he was worried about me.

Accommodation in Saudi Arabia

When you travel to Saudi Arabia, you’ve got a few different options for accommodation.  There aren’t any hostels in the country yet, which is a bit of a bummer for those of us on a budget.

Let’s go over the other types of places to stay that are available:

Hotels are everywhere in Saudi Arabia and there’s something for every budget (other than the extreme low-end).

Typically, the cheapest hotels are known as aparthotels . They’re basically apartments that are rented out on a per night basis. You can find these on Booking.com , and a basic room will usually be anywhere from 60 to 100 SAR.

There are plenty of mid-range hotels in cities, including chains such as Hilton, Novotel, and Marriot. In the largest cities (Riyadh, Jeddah), there are also luxury hotels available if money isn’t a concern.

Airbnb is growing in Saudi Arabia, and the larger cities have some decent options available already. You might be able to find a place that’s cheaper than an aparthotel on Airbnb, so definitely check it before making a booking.

There are quite a few ways to find a cheap deal on Airbnb , so play around with the search filters and you’ll be able to save some cash! I always recommend checking Airbnb alongside a hotel booking site to find the best deal.

GET $65 CAD OFF YOUR FIRST AIRBNB BOOKING

Couchsurfing

Saudi Arabia has a great Couchsurfing community. I stayed with a few different hosts during my trip, and they were all wonderful.

Couchsurfing is a great way to learn more about local culture, especially in a country with such strong traditions as Saudi Arabia.

I spent a few nights camping (in both a tent and my car) while I travelled around Saudi Arabia.

It’s a great way to save money, and I didn’t have any issues with people telling me I couldn’t camp somewhere (I always found any out-of-sight location).

A friend of mine told me that she had tried to camp a few times, but was always told to move somewhere else. I think the key is to pick a hidden area and only set up camp just before sunset.

When to visit Saudi Arabia

When most people think of weather in Saudi Arabia, 50+ degree temperatures come to mind. Trying to travel around in that kind of heat  really sucks. Luckily, there are times of the year when the Kingdom is blessed with much more bearable temperatures.

Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

Winter is by far the best time to visit Saudi Arabia. Lasting from mid-November until mid-March, wintertime brings comfortable temperatures to most parts of Saudi Arabia.

In Riyadh, expect lows of around 10°C and highs going up to 25°C. In coastal areas such as Jeddah or Jazan, temperatures are a bit higher and the air will be more humid. I visited Jazan in late November, and daytime highs were still around 37°C – I can’t imagine what it’s like in the summertime.

You won’t believe it, but certain mountainous areas in the northern part of the country even receive occasional snowfall in the winter (although the snow doesn’t stick around for long).

If it is possible for you, I recommend visiting Saudi Arabia in the winter. It’s definitely the most comfortable time of year to travel here.

The worst time to visit Saudi Arabia

Summer is definitely the worst time to visit Saudi Arabia. The entire country will be engulfed by 50°C+ temperatures, and everybody will stay indoors. I really don’t recommend visiting at this time of year unless you really have to.

Ramadan is also a bad time to visit Saudi Arabia, as all shops and restaurants will be closed during the daytime.

Spring and autumn are not as comfortable as winter, but they are still better than summer. Try visiting then if you are unable to go in the wintertime.

Internet & SIM Cards in Saudi Arabia

The Internet is decent in Saudi Arabia, most hotels and cafes have medium-speed WiFi.

I’d still recommend picking up a SIM card if you’re going to be spending some time travelling around. Mobile data isn’t that cheap here, but towers are everywhere and you’ll almost always have a signal in towns and along major highways.

There are three major telecom companies in Saudi Arabia – STC , Zain , and Mobily .

They all have 4G networks and are even beginning to roll out 5G. STC is the state-owned and most expensive option but also has the widest coverage.

I couldn’t find an STC shop near my hotel, so I ended up picking up a Zain SIM. They advertised a decent plan with unlimited social media usage (Instagram, YouTube, etc.) for 140 SAR. I asked to buy this plan, but they told me as a tourist I was only able to buy the new “Visitor Package”.

The visitor package that they offered wasn’t a very good deal compared to the other offer that I saw. For 99 SAR, you get just 4GB of data. You can then pay for more data if you use it all.

I’d imagine that both STC and Mobily will also introduce this sort of visitor package, which is a bit of a shame.

For the most up-to-date info on SIM cards in Saudi Arabia, check out the  Prepaid SIM Wiki .

Culture in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the most religious countries in the world. When visiting, you need to be mindful of this and act appropriately. If you’ve previously travelled to a Muslim country such as Pakistan or Afghanistan , then Saudi Arabia will be a bit more familiar for you.

But still, Saudi Arabia is even more conservative than both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Here’s what you need to know:

What to wear

Men don’t need to worry much about what they wear in Saudi Arabia. Pants and a t-shirt are perfectly fine . Shorts are also acceptable in more liberal places such as Jeddah (but you won’t be allowed inside malls wearing shorts).

I chose not to wear shorts, as I didn’t see any locals wearing them and didn’t want to stick out too much.

Most Saudi men wear a traditional white thobe . If you’re spending a decent amount of time in the country, you could consider buying one. They’re very comfortable in the heat and protect you from the sun quite well.

For the ladies, things are a little bit more restrictive. Almost all women you see in Saudi Arabia will be wearing a black abaya.

While it’s not a legal requirement for female travellers to wear one, I’d strongly advise it. If you don’t, you’ll stick out like crazy. Outside of the urban centers in Jeddah and Riyadh, 99% of women in Saudi Arabia are seen wearing a full niqab .

It’s not necessary to cover your head, but covering it will reduce unwanted attention.

Here’s some more info on what to wear as a woman in Saudi Arabia to help you prepare.

How to act in Saudi Arabia

Here are a few things you should know about behaving properly in Saudi Arabia.

Don’t say that you’re an atheist

Not believing in God can be considered a form of blasphemy in Saudi Arabia. Even if you’re an atheist, it’s better to say that you’re a Christian or something. People will be perfectly alright with you being a Christian, but being an atheist will raise some eyebrows.

Don’t drink alcohol

Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and there isn’t anywhere that you can buy it (even fancy business hotels don’t have it). Like other countries where alcohol is banned (Afghanistan, for example), it’s still possible to find it if you know the right people.

I’d advise not messing around with that in Saudi, as the punishments if you are caught can be severe. Stick to the non-alcoholic beer that can be bought in supermarkets!

Don’t do drugs

Same as alcohol – drug use comes with high punishments in the Kingdom. Stick away from it during your trip.

Don’t show any public displays of affection. At best you’ll get angry looks from people, and at worst you could end up in jail. PDA even includes things such as holding hands with someone of the opposite sex.

Female Travel

Female travel in Saudi Arabia comes with its own set of challenges. The country has a number of restrictions on women’s rights, making it a difficult place to travel for women to travel around.

It’d be a good idea to have a bit of experience travelling in another conservative Muslim country prior to your trip to Saudi Arabia so that you know a bit about what to expect. Saudi Arabia was by far the most conservative country I’ve ever been to (yes, even more so than Afghanistan and Pakistan), so you do need to do some research on how to act and dress appropriately.

Solo Travel

During my 2.5 weeks in Saudi Arabia, I was travelling solo the entire time (other than when I was with a Couchsurfing host).

Solo travelling in Saudi Arabia is perfectly fine. Locals are eager to talk to you, and the active Couchsurfing community makes it easy to make new friends if you want to.

Hotels often don’t have single rooms, so you will be stuck paying the price of a double room. Hopefully, hostels begin to open up and get rid of this issue.

Any trouble I ran into while solo travelling here was usually cost-related. It would’ve saved me a lot of money if I could have shared hotel and car rental prices with a friend or two.

LGBTQ Travel

Saudi Arabia is not a friendly country for LGBTQ travellers.

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and it is punishable by death.

If you’re an LGBTQ traveller, you should keep that to yourself if you do choose to visit Saudi Arabia. Avoid mentioning anything related to it, and if you’re with your partner just say you are friends and avoid  any   sort of PDA.

During the holy month of Ramadan , everything in Saudi Arabia comes to a standstill. Many businesses are closed and no restaurants will be open during the daytime.

This is one of the worst times to visit Saudi Arabia in my opinion. A lot of things won’t be possible, and you’ll be stuck eating biscuits all day.

The main positive side of Ramadan is the meals at iftar (breaking of the fast). If you have  iftar with a Saudi family, it’ll be a great experience!

Photography

I didn’t have very many issues with photography in Saudi Arabia. Avoid taking photos of any government, military, or police buildings. Ask before taking photos of people. I didn’t get much of a chance to photograph any women during my trip, but this is still a sensitive subject so approach it with caution.

Opening Times

One of the more frustrating things about travelling in Saudi Arabia is the opening times for shops.

There are five daily prayers in Saudi Arabia, and all shops must close for about 30-45 minutes during this time. Yes, this includes gas stations, cafes, McDonald’s, and anything else you can think of.  I always felt like getting lunch or coffee just as the call to prayer happened, and had to wait for the next 40-minutes until the restaurant unlocked its doors.

You can Google “Saudi prayer times” when you’re in the country to figure out exactly when things will be closed. If you’re in a restaurant or cafe, and the call to prayer happens, you’ll usually be allowed to stay inside and finish your food – but no new orders will be accepted.

Travel Costs in Saudi Arabia

Like many other gulf countries, Saudi Arabia is a pretty expensive country. There are no backpacker hostels and no affordable tours to tourist sights. Public transport within cities is non-existent, so expensive taxis are the only option. Luckily food can be found for reasonable prices, and many sights don’t have entrance fees (yet).

As a rough estimate, budget anywhere from $50 to $70 a day for independent travel in Saudi Arabia.

Sample Prices

• Budget Aparthotel – 80 SAR/night
• Mid-range Hotel – 200 SAR/night
• Car Rental – 120 SAR/day (200km limit)
• Gas – 1.5 SAR/litre
• Coffee – 10 t0 15 SAR
• 500ml Water – 1 SAR
• Dinner at Indian Restaurant – 25 SAR
• SIM Card (4GB) – 99 SAR
• 4-hour SAPTCO Bus Ride – 58 SAR
• Jeddah Airport to City Uber  – 40 to 50 SAR
• Riyadh Airport to City Uber  – 70 to 80 SAR

Money-Saving Tips

Here are a few ways you can save some money during your trip to Saudi Arabia.

• Travel with a friend or two. This way, you can split costs such as accommodation and car rentals.
• Use Couchsurfing! As there aren’t any budget hostel options in Saudi Arabia, Couchsurfing is a great way to save money. The scene here is good and full of friendly locals.
• Eat at Indian/Pakistani restaurants. These places are frequented by workers from those countries and offer much cheaper food than other restaurants.
• Go camping. Accommodation is expensive in Saudi Arabia, so camping will save you a bunch of cash and let you spend more time in nature.

Safety in Saudi Arabia

Crime rates in Saudi Arabia are low, so in that regard, it’s a very safe place. Be aware of your belongings, but you don’t really need to worry too much about things like pickpocketing right now.

There have been one-off terrorist attacks in the country, but these are very infrequent and no more common than in places like Europe.

Places near the Yemen border are still safe to visit, contrary to what many governments advise. Life in the city of Jazan is no different than normal, even though it’s only about 50 kilometers from the Yemen border.

Driving in Saudi Arabia is one of the more dangerous things that most travellers will do. The Kingdom has one of the highest accident death rates in the world, so you need to be extremely careful when driving there.

Follow the strict laws in Saudi Arabia, and you shouldn’t have any safety issues as a tourist.

Health in Saudi Arabia

Here is what you need to know to stay healthy during your trip to Saudi Arabia.

Food & Water

I found sanitary conditions in Saudi restaurants to be quite good. I had no stomach issues during my visit, and none of the other travellers I know have had issues either.

Tap water in Saudi Arabia  is not drinkable . Stick to bottled or filtered water.

Vaccinations

You likely don’t need any new vaccinations for Saudi Arabia if you’ve travelled before. Check out the CDC guide for more info

Healthcare in Saudi Arabia is expensive, so it’s important to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong.

I personally use and recommend World Nomads. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.

Saudi Arabia Travel Guide Wrap-Up

I hope that this post has helped you plan your trip to Saudi Arabia! It’s a fantastic country, and I definitely recommend visiting soon before tourism numbers grow too much.

For more info on visiting Saudi Arabia, check out the other posts I’ve written about it:

• Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Guide
• Farasan Islands: How to Visit Saudi Arabia’s Island Paradise
• A Guide to the Edge of the World near Riyadh
• How to visit Wadi Al Disah
• How to get from Riyadh to Dubai – KSA/UAE Border Crossing

I plan to keep working on more Saudi Arabia content, so subscribe to my email list do be notified of future posts!

Remember to follow me on Instagram for the latest photos and news from my travels!

21-year old Canadian dude who loves to visit off-the-beaten-path places, climb tall mountains, and try delicious foods.

Read more about me

Want more like this?

4 thoughts on “ Travel in Saudi Arabia: The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide ”

Thank you for this excellent guide to the KSA. We are here now and find it invaluable.

We do t have camping gear so will be sleeping in cars for the few nights we decide to camp out”

Was it easy to do near Al-Disah? What’s the temperature in the evening like?

Also, which road did you take the moon scape like picture Al Tabuk please? Would love to get some shots there.

Glad you have been finding the guide helpful!

I also camped out in my car a few times and had no issues, although I did have a down quilt to keep warm.

It should be no problem to do near Al-Disah, although expect nighttime temperatures similar to those in Tabuk (almost freezing at this time of year).

I took the moonscape photo right near here . If you look on Google Maps, you’ll see that there’s a windy pass just to the north of it.

Good luck, and safe travels!

Hi, I am an expat in Saudi Arabia and need to visit Edge Of The World in Riyadh, is it possible to go there with Toyota Rush 2wd and which road do you suggest ?

Hi Jacob, dude, you’re such a talented photographer! I just love your pictures. I must also say that it is by far the best travel blog about Saudi arabia I found so far. Thank you for it and for all the useful information.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2024

By Joan Torres 100 Comments Last updated on April 12, 2024

Skip all content and get ExpressVPN

Get unrestricted access with the fastest VPN for Saudi Arabia country.

Once one of the most difficult countries to visit, Saudi Arabia is finally issuing visas for tourism purposes and independent travel.

Before, the only way to travel to Saudi was on a business visa, via a strong local connection who could sponsor your visit, or by getting a pilgrimage visa to visit Mecca and Medina (only for Muslims).

Therefore, the fact that all of a sudden, Western tourists can visit Saudi Arabia on their own, with a backpack, both men and women, is a very radical change.

This incredibly big change, however, didn’t come alone. 

During the last couple of years, a lot of their super strict Islamic laws have been softened or, at least, they have become more flexible. For example, allowing women and men to hang out together in public spaces was one of the most significant changes.

All these small changes will make things easier for future international visitors.

Despite everything that you may have read in the media, Saudi Arabia is an incredible country. There is just so much to do and see, a country filled with loads of stunning sites, both natural and archaeological, hugely contrasting landscapes and some extremely hospitable people that could easily rival my beloved friends from Afghanistan , Pakistan and Iran .

I strongly believe that this is the most underrated country on this planet, and here I have compiled a comprehensive travel guide to Saudi Arabia packed with tips and everything you need to know to travel to the Kingdom.

In this Saudi Arabia travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Travel Insurance
• Best time to visit
• Top experiences
• Getting to Saudi
• Tourism in Saudi Arabia
• Is it ethical?
• Blocked websites
• How to behave
• Rules to follow
• Misconceptions
• Saudi people
• Solo female travel
• Moving around Saudi
• Internet and SIM Card
• Accommodation
• More information

eSIM card for browsing when traveling in Saudi Arabia

With Holafly , you can now get an electronic SIM card for Saudi Arabia from home with just 2 clicks.

5% discount with the following code:

AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

🪪 How to get a visa for traveling to Saudi Arabia

For visiting Saudi, you can either apply for an e-visa or get a visa on arrival.

Which countries are eligible to visit Saudi with tourist e-visa?

All EU countries + Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and the United States,

How to apply for Saudi tourist e-visa 

You can easily apply for it through visitsaudi.com

This is what the tourist visa for Saudi looks like.

Just follow the steps, and you will be on the way.

How much does the Saudi e-visa cost?

The total visa price is 535 Saudi Rials, which is around 142 US Dollars.

From that amount, 180 Saudi Rials refer to the Saudi travel insurance, a COVID-related requirement.

How long is it valid for?

The visa allows you to stay in Saudi for 90 days, and it has a 1-year validity from the issuance date.

It’s also valid for multiple entries.

This means that, within a year, you travel to Saudi as many times as you want with the same visa, as long as your stay doesn’t exceed more than 90 days.

How to get a visa on arrival (VOA) for Saudi Arabia

In 2023, they also introduced a VOA regime, valid for any entry port into Saudi Arabia.

The VOA on arrival costs 300 Saudi Rials, but they also make you buy travel insurance, which costs an additional 180 Saudi Rials.

The total cost is 480 SR, cheaper than the e-visa.

As of today, nobody understands why should someone go through the hassle of applying for an e-visa, when the VOA costs 55 SR less.

Can single women apply for a Saudi visa?

Yes, they certainly can, no restrictions for being a female.

What about the rest of the nationalities, can they travel to Saudi?

Actually, yes, they can.

A fellow traveler with an Argentinian passport told me that she applied at the embassy in Buenos Aires and managed to get her visa in only 1 week.

She had to present things like a payslip, vaccines, return flight ticket, and things like that.

Also, travelers with valid US and Schengen visas – and that includes Indian and Pakistani citizens – can also get a visa for Saudi on arrival.

Don’t forget to read my 2-week itinerary in Saudi Arabia .

Get this epic travel guide to Saudi Arabia!

My friends Sian & Bob have recently published a full guidebook to Saudi Arabia, containing loads of actionable advice and a great overview of each one of their regions. A great introduction to the country, this must be the only available travel guide to Saudi Arabia !

🚑 Travel Insurance for Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia the Health Care System is private and crazy expensive, so do get proper travel insurance. I strongly recommend IATI Insurance because:

• It covers up to 5 million € of medical expenses
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

⛅ Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is during the cooler months, from November to February .

March, April and October could be bearable but outside this ”winter season”, the country could be too hot to enjoy.

By the way, note that the north of Saudi Arabia can be extremely cold in winter, with temperatures below 0ºC in transited regions such as Al-Ula and Tabouk.

🛖 5 Top things to experience in Saudi Arabia

Visiting mada’in saleh, like petra but more epic.

Mada’in Saleh is an archaeological complex composed of hundreds of tombs carved out from rocks and scattered across the desert. Mada’in Saleh was founded by the Nabateans, the same civilization that built Petra.

Being one of the first tourists to ever visit Medina, the second holiest city in Islam

The city of Medina had remained off-limits to non-Muslims for decades but from 2022, Western tourists are allowed to visit the city, as long as you stay just at the entrance of the Holy Mosque, the place where Prophet Mohammed is buried.

Exploring Fayfa, a region of Saudi Arabia with Yemeni-like culture

Fayfa is a southern region bordering Yemen that historically, had been part of Yemen, so several aspects of their culture – including the way they dress and their cuisine – have remained.

Discover the natural wonders from Tabouk region

Tabouk is a northern region bordering Jordan home to incredible wadis, rock formations, deserts and Bedouins.

Snorkelling in the Read Sea

Everybody knows about the beauty of the Red Sea, the reason why Egypt has become a prime diving destination. However, few people know that the same coral reefs can also be found along the Saudi Arabia coast, and I particularly like the area between Yanbu and Umluj.

🛫 How to get to Saudi Arabia

Remember to get travel insurance for Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s health care is extremely expensive, so insurance is a must. IATI Insurance offers different plans, for all budgets. Get your 5% exclusive discount if purchasing via this link

How to travel to Saudi Arabia by air

The easiest way to travel to Saudi Arabia is by flying in. There are loads of international flights, especially to Jeddah and Riyadh .

Saudia Airlines has many direct flights from Europe and other destinations, while other airlines like Pegasus or Emirates fly there via Istanbul and Dubai, respectively,

How to travel to Saudi Arabia by land

As long as you have a valid visa for traveling to Saudi, getting in to the country by land is totally doable.

Saudi Arabia shares a border with:

• United Arab Emirates – Easy to cross.
• Oman – The desert road that goes through the Empty Quarter, linking Oman and Saudi was recently open. This border crossing can be quite an adventure. Read my Oman travel guide .
• Qatar – Should be easy to cross, now that the displomatic relations between both countries have normalized.
• Bahrain – Easy to cross.
• Iraq – Since March 2021, it’s now possible to travel to Iraq , so overlanding into Saudi shouldn’t be a big issue.
• Jordan – Easy to cross.
• Yemen – Not possible to cross. Read my Yemen travel guide

Read: A guide to finding the best area to stay in Dubai

🚶‍♂️ Tourism in Saudi Arabia, what is it like

Interested in off-the-beaten-track countries? Check: Somaliland travel guide Eritrea travel guide

As you may imagine, tourism in Saudi Arabia is in a very embryonic stage.

Random Saudi: Where are you from? Me: Spain Random Saudi: Where do you live, in Jeddah or Riyadh? Me:   Nowhere, I am just visiting 🙂 Random Saudi: No, I mean where in Saudi are you working?

I had this conversation over and over. They still don’t know that foreigners can now travel to Saudi Arabia.

When I was exploring the southern part of the country and was walking around the souk with my big backpack, people were asking me if I was carrying a parachute and one even said if it was an inflatable boat.

This was back in 2019, when I visited the southern part of the country. When I came back in 2022, the country had massively changed, so I didn’t really experience any of the above conversations, but that’s partly because I explored the northern part, which is far more developed and receives more international visitors.

So yeah, the idea of having international visitors who are not expats or workers is still a concept they aren’t familiar with.

However, there is a relatively developed domestic tourism infrastructure, so you can find hotels pretty much everywhere, even though they tend to be expensive.

Moreover, as per things to do, you should know that there are loads, loads of things to do in this country.

I mean, just check its size and you will see that it is bigger than any European country. Here you can check my complete Saudi itinerary .

Is it ethical to travel to Saudi Arabia?

When I came back from Saudi Arabia, I received many, many messages from very upset people who claimed that traveling to Saudi Arabia implicated collaborating with a regime that doesn’t respect basic human rights. 

Some messages were from friendly, skeptical people who wanted a response, while others were from really extreme haters who I blocked right away.  

Well, let me tell you something: like in any place around the world , you find good and bad people and, when I travel, I don’t meet with Prime Ministers but I visit places and hang out with humble locals. 

This is a very long and controversial topic, so I recommend you read my article:

Is it ethical to travel to Saudi Arabia as a tourist?

🔓 How to access blocked sites in Saudi

Something you should know is that, in Saudi, the internet is censored .

This means that some websites might be blocked and inaccessible for regular internet users.

Moreover, because of this censorship and, since there is no freedom of speech, the Government reserves the right to monitor your internet activity.

Therefore, if you want to access blocked sites and navigate anonymously, you will need something called a VPN (Virtual Private Network) .

There are several VPNs in the market but the one I personally use and recommend is ExpressVPN , the fastest and the one that works best for Saudi.

If you have no clue about VPNs, read my tutorial: What is it and how to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia

🚫 Tips on how to behave when you travel in Saudi

Saudi Arabia is the most religious country I have ever been to.

In fact, this is the most religious Muslim country in the world. Everybody knows that. 

Most Saudis follow a branch of Islam named Wahhabism , which is characterized for having the most conservative interpretation of Islam and the law of Saudi Arabia strictly follows it.

This means that their penal code includes some very hardcore punishments such as public beheading or getting flogged. This is their country and we are not here to judge and unless you plan to kill someone, smuggle drugs or have sex in public, you shouldn’t be afraid of traveling to Saudi Arabia as a tourist.

Seriously, it is not even close to what you may think.

Saudis prefer to be called Salafis, instead of Wahabis. In their eyes, Wahabism is a few steps ahead than Salafism when it comes to conservatism, meaning that it is really extreme, a term usually used to designate Islamic terrorists. Whereas Salafists are really, really conservative in nature, it is more socially accepted.  Thank you, Graham, from Inside Other Places for the clarification

Some rules you need to follow when you travel to Saudi Arabia

Women need to wear an abaya – The abaya is a local dress that covers your body (not your head).

Some public spaces are segregated by sex –  You will figure it out by yourself but some restaurants or cafés are still composed of two areas: men and family section. Women or men that go with women need to sit in the family section. This kind of segregation is slowly disappearing, especially in Jeddah and Riyadh.

Depending on where you are, during prayer time, you can’t be inside shops or restaurants – To be honest, this rule has become more flexible but, outside of Riyadh and Jeddah, they kicked me out from shops during the prayers and I could not even stand in front but I had to walk away. A very weird rule.

Don’t drink alcohol – Drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia is not legal, not even in 5-star hotels.

Seriously, stay away from drugs – Drugs may lead to death sentence, so don’t play with them.

No public shows of affection – Same as when you travel to Dubai or Qatar.

Don’t say you are an atheist – Even if you were, say you are a Christian or any major religion in your home country. Being an atheist can be considered as blasphemy and this is a very serious crime in Saudi. Moreover, you came to Saudi to meet people and make local friends, so saying you are an atheist won’t help you at all.

On Friday, everything is closed until Asr prayer, which is around 4 or 5pm – Not everything will be closed but some restaurants may open in the morning. However, at noon, during Dhuhr prayer, absolutely everything is closed.

Eat with your right hand, always – This is a generic Muslim rule but in Saudi is particularly strict. If you are sharing a meal with more traditional people, try to always eat with your right hand. I am actually left-handed and sometimes I forget about it and Saudi has been the only place where the locals got a bit upset when they saw me eating with my left hand.

Misconceptions about Saudi Arabia – Things you can actually do

Like I said before, in the last couple of years, the laws of Saudi Arabia have become more flexible. Well, this is not entirely right. According to my local Saudi friends, some laws haven’t been changed but the religious Islamic police (mutaween) has lost power, so they aren’t controlling what people do anymore.

Men and women who aren’t family related can hang out together, in public – Some years ago, you couldn’t go to a restaurant or a café with a friend from the opposite sex but now you can do it normally, like in any other country.

Foreign women can travel around the country independently, and alone – I have already lost count of all the women who asked me if they can go there by themselves. Yes, you can travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman, by yourself. Would it be challenging? It would be different from being a man, indeed, but it is definitely legal.

Single foreign women can also visit Saudi on a tourist visa – You can travel to Saudi with your unmarried boyfriend and even if you are single, no problem.

Women don’t need to wear hijab – You don’t need to cover your head but, like I just said, you must cover your body with an abaya. If you travel to Iran , you will see that the clothing rules are even more strict.

Women can drive, including renting a car – From June 2018, women can finally drive and, as a female tourist , you can also rent it.

Men can wear shorts – Nobody will say anything to you.

🕌 The people and the culture – The Saudis

Like in many countries in the Middle East , in Saudi, you find loads of particularly kind people.

Typically, Saudis are so easy to recognize because they wear the thawb , which is the white traditional dress. They also cover their heads with the ghutrah , which can be of different colors but red & white seems to be the most commonly used.

Language in Saudi Arabia

Arabic is the official language. English can be a sometimes problem when you travel in Saudi Arabia, as most people don’t speak it but you will always find someone who does.

Religion in Saudi Arabia

According to the Saudi Government, 100% of the Saudis are Muslim, the large majority being Sunni Wahabbis. There is a large Shia population, as well. Remember that Saudis are very conservative, so try to be respectful and sensitive.

Hospitality in Saudi

Before traveling to Saudi Arabia, I knew a lot of people who had been there on a business visa and the truth is that I am extremely disappointed with all of them because they had told me:

• Saudis are arrogant
• Saudis are racist to anyone who is not from the Gulf
• There is nothing to do in Saudi

Seriously, I don’t know where they have been but, from the moment I met the immigration officer who stamped my passport with a big smile while he tried to improve his Spanish, I have just had positive experiences with Saudi people.

Saudi people are extremely hospitable. From endless coffee and meal invitations to random people who insisted on showing me around the city, I seriously met some incredible locals, some of whom I can call now friends.

Honestly, the experience was no different from the blessings of hospitality in Pakistan , Oman or Iran , no kidding. I shared many short moments with so many locals but there were two Saudis in particular who really changed the perspective of my trip.

First, I met Abdullah, an English teacher from Kharj. He picked me up when I was hitchhiking and drove me to a city that was 80km away (and it was not his way). There, we met with one of his friends, we had lunch at his house and then we visited his camel farm.

Abdullah taught me many interesting things about Saudi culture, especially their interpretation of Islam.

Do you like extreme destinations? Read: How to travel to Syria

A few days after, I met Ibrahim, a real Saudi from Abha. We met at the souk of Abha and, after having a chat, he invited me to his famous village named Rajal Alma.

We had dinner, stayed at his friend’s house and showed me around on the day after. Ibrahim comes from a very traditional Saudi family (his father was actually a famous Imam from the region) but he married a Filipina girl, something quite unheard of from Saudis with a similar background.

Seriously, don’t trust anyone who has just been to Jeddah or Riyadh for business. First of all, you can’t judge a country by the inhabitants of a several-million people city.

And second of all, don’t trust the judgment from someone who has traveled to Saudi Arabia for business because he hasn’t seen much beyond the office, the fancy restaurant, and the hotel.

Saudis are not happy about how the Western media portraits them

Our media doesn’t really do justice to Saudi people, as they portray them as religious fanatics who force women to submit to their Sharia rules.

The reality is miles away from this stereotype.

Like in any country, there are loads of awesome people and, like in any off the beaten track Muslim country, most of them are extra-nice with foreigners.

Local Saudi women

Most women in Saudi wear the black niqab, which covers the whole face except the eyes.

The reason they wear it is that, according to their interpretation of the Quran, women can’t show their face to any man who isn’t their dad, uncles, grandfathers, sons, and husband, of course.

For years, many pro-feminist groups in Europe have been claiming that the use of niqab is sexist, against the women’s rights and they wear it against their will.

Whereas I fully understand their point, I think that their argument is quite simplistic and it just lets you see one tiny side of the whole picture.

Please note that I am not trying to justify the use of the niqab but I just wanted you to know that many Saudi women actually choose to wear it. Really.

They choose to wear it because they think that this is the right thing to do because the Quran says so. They believe they need to wear it as much as men believe it.

Obviously, there will be many cases of liberal Saudi women who will tell you a different story but I am just talking in generic terms.

My point is that this topic is way more complicated than we think and, as tourists, we shouldn’t be talking or trying to change it because you are traveling to Saudi Arabia to learn about their culture and visit beautiful places.

How to deal with women in Saudi

Now that every day you see more and more women working in public spaces, you are likely to talk to quite a few Saudi women who wear the  niqab .

If you are a man, don’t try to shake hands and keep a reasonable distance with them but you can talk to them freely and you will see that they are as lovely women like any other.

If you are a foreign woman, they will definitely be extra nice to you and, if you are on the countryside, expect them to invite you to their house.

When I visited Al-Jawf, 1,000km north of Riyadh , I went there to work on an assignment for a local company and I was very lucky to be received by two super nice ladies wearing niqab . I spent the whole day with them.

They showed me around their province, we went to have some coffee and I even went to their house where they fed me until I exploded. They were as hospitable as any Muslim man I had met before and the only difference is that I didn’t see their faces. It was an enriching experience.

Saudis are multi-ethnic

For centuries, Muslims from all over the world came to Saudi on their journey to Mecca and, at some point, decided to settle there.

Over time, they became Saudi citizens and that is why, today, you find Saudis from all types of ethnicities.

From Bedouin to East-African-looking people and even the cultural-Yemeni-like people from the south of the country, in Jizan, Saudi is the most multi-ethnic Arab country.

For me, this was one of the most surprising things about the country.

🍲 Food when visiting Saudi Arabia

The food was another extremely surprising thing about traveling in Saudi.

Before visiting Saudi, I was traveling in Oman for 1 month. In Oman, I felt that, after day 2, I had already tasted all the local food, which was always simplified to different variations of rice with meat, chicken or fish.

Then, I tasted one or two different local dishes in some houses and the rest was all Indian food.

Saudi, however, is a different story. Since it borders with so many Arabic countries, its huge dimensions with many different geographical areas and its multi-ethnic population, the food in Saudi Arabia is a real blend of all the Arabic food you can think of .

From the Yemeni food-like dishes from the south to the olive oil-rich food from the north of the country, Levantine Arabic dishes such as vine leaves and makluba, foul and hummus for breakfast and, of course, the classic Gulf food that includes all sorts of rice with meat, the cuisine of Saudi Arabia also shows the cultural richness of the country.

By the way, traditionally, Saudis eat on the floor and use their right hand to eat. Eating like them is a sign of respect but if you are struggling, you can always help yourself with a spoon.

💃 Solo female travel in Saudi

Since I left Saudi Arabia, I have been bombed with tons of questions from many women who are skeptical about traveling to Saudi.

Sure, Saudi is an extremely patriarchal country, so this kind of reaction is perfectly understandable. However, let me tell you that, as a woman, Saudi Arabia is much safer than you could ever think.

I am perfectly aware that, since I am not a woman, my opinion doesn’t really count here but, luckily, during my journey, I met Nada al Nahdi , a Yemeni / Indonesian girl who was born in Saudi, so she knows the people and culture very well and has traveled around the country extensively.

Nada wrote an article about this topic on my site, so if you want to know more, read:

9 misconceptions about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman .

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?

From a crime perspective, Saudi Arabia is just another very safe place to visit in the Middle East . I mean, you should always be aware of your belongings but pickpocketing or being robbed is quite unheard of.

As per terrorism threat, I will not deny the fact that there have been some one-off terrorist attacks but even  UK travel advice says that, except for the areas close to the Yemeni border, all Saudi Arabia is safe to visit. 

However, I also went to Jizan, the region bordering Yemen and everything was extra peaceful. The war is happening on the other side of the border, not in Saudi.

In my opinion, the only actual threat when traveling in Saudi Arabia are the extremely crazy drivers. Seriously, after all my years of travels, I can now confirm that Saudi people are the most insane people on wheels.

For a more detailed analysis, read this article from Joao Leitao: Is Saudi Arabia a safe country to travel?

💰 Money, budget and costs in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Rial is the official currency and:

1 USD = 3.75 SAR

Exchanging money

Euros, United States dollars or British Pounds are widely accepted. You can even exchange Indian and Pakistani rupees and other Asian currencies, as there is a large Asian population living in Saudi.

Of course, the currencies from other Gulf countries, such as Omani Rials or UAE Dirhams are also accepted.

ATM and credit cards

ATMs are available pretty much everywhere and credit cards are accepted in most modern cafés, restaurants, and hotels. However, bring always some extra cash, as the Indian-run cafés and other more local places don’t accept cards.

How much does it cost to travel in Saudi Arabia?

These are the prices of the most typical things:

• Budget Hotel – Double room from 100 to 150SAR
• Breakfast in Indian-run café – 5 to 10SAR
• Breakfast in local Saudi eatery – 10 to 15SAR
• Lunch in Indian-run restaurant – 10 to 15SAR
• Lunch in local Saudi eatery – 15 to 20SAR
• Lunch in mid-range restaurant – From 30-35SAR
• Short taxi ride in Riyadh – 15 to 25SAR

🛺 Transportation: How to move around when visiting in Saudi Arabia

Something you need to know: Saudi Arabia is the least walking-friendly place I have ever been to. That being said, here is what you need to know regarding moving around the Kingdom:

Moving inside cities

Public transportation in Saudi cities is awful and, except in some parts of Jeddah, you must drive with your own car or by taxi. You can’t seriously walk.

If you aren’t self-driving, I recommend you download Uber or Careem, so you won’t have to deal with negotiating a price with a taxi.

Domestic flights

Another problem of Saudi Arabia is that distances are ridiculously huge and the nice places to visit in Saudi are scattered all around the country.

For example, Al-Ula is nearly 1,000km north of Jeddah and Jizan is another 1,000 south of Jeddah. If you are short of time, a very good alternative is taking domestic flights.

I recommend you check on Saudia Airlines , as they have the largest number of domestic connections in the country.

For cheaper flights, check Flyadeal .

Actually, the most effective way to travel in Saudi Arabia would be taking a domestic flight and then renting a car in the destination itself.

Renting a car in Saudi Arabia

Road tripping around Saudi Arabia is the best way to enjoy the country, and I strongly recommend you do that.

Gas is cheap, so are the daily rental rates. However, all companies offer limited daily mileage , around 250-300km a day I think, so if you drive to faraway places like Al-Ula or Jizan, it can get expensive for solo travelers.

By the way, most rental companies won’t rent you a car if you don’t have an international driving license, so remember to convert it before leaving your country.

Moving around Saudi Arabia by bus

You can also move by bus between cities. They are very cheap but the problem is that you will have to rely on taxis once you get to any destination. There is not a single city in Saudi which is walking friendly.

You check all bus schedules and buy tickets on this website .

Hitchhiking

As crazy as it may sound, I hitchhiked all across Saudi Arabia .

I actually hitchhiked from Riyadh to Jizan, 1,300km. I had some really good experiences but, at the same time, I had not so good experiences.

On the one hand, it is relatively easy to get a ride and, normally, Saudis will be extremely helpful and, if you are lucky, they will invite you to their house.

On the other hand, most places in Saudi are connected with highways where people drive extremely fast and, sometimes, they overtake cars by the shoulder of the road, which is extremely dangerous if you are waiting there.

Moreover, many Saudis are crazy drivers, more than in any other country I have been to. On one occasion, I refused to continue with a man because I was seriously afraid of dying. When I finally reached Jizan, I decided not to hitchhike anymore. It was too intense.

💻 Internet and SIM Card

Esim for browsing, calling and traveling in saudi arabia.

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Saudi Arabia . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Connecting to Wi-Fi in Saudi

Saudi is a modern country, with pretty good Wi-Fi in most places.

Getting a SIM Card in Saudi

I got ZAIN which, according to locals, has the worst network but it was the only company I found which you could buy just 1 or 2GB. Mobily is the most popular one but they asked me to buy 10GB, at least, which was around 150SR (40USD). With ZAIN, I think I just paid around 30SR for the SIM Card plus 1GB worth of data.

Remember that, in Saudi, the internet is censored and, if you want to access blocked sites, you will need a VPN. Read: How to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Saudi

In Saudi Arabia, there is plenty of accommodation options.

Typically, budget hotels will be apartment-style hotels , which tend to be a very good value-for-money option when you are two people or more.

In Jeddah and Riyadh, good but basic apartment-style hotel will start at 50-60USD a night, approximately, while in smaller towns, you can find for 30USD.

Read: How to find the right accommodation in Riyadh

Like in any Gulf country, luxury hotels abound in Saudi, especially in big cities.

❗ More information for traveling to Saudi

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Saudi Arabia destination

• Travel Guide to Riyadh
• Where to Stay in Riyadh
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Riyadh
• Is it Ethical to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Tourist
• Hitchhiking and Backpacking in Saudi Arabia
• VPN for Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia Itinerary

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

• Iran Travel Guide
• Iraq Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Oman
• Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Syria Travel Guide
• Palestine Travel Guide
• Yemen Travel Guide

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

100 comments

Very nice article. I love the way you describe everything to know before going to saudi arabia. It was a pleasure to meet you again and hang out with you for a couple of days. After Iran we met in Saudi… Morocco next meeting. I’m also going to publish an article about Saudi Arabia soon. Big hug all the way from Ouarzazate.

Cheers man! and where is going to be the next after Morocco 😀 ?

Great introduction thanks, hope I can go in the not too distant future. You should appreciate that no Muslim would refer to themselves as a Wahabi as it is an insulting term, albeit deserving for some more extreme believers. Saudis who follow the state approved version of Islam will probably call themselves Salafis, although this term can have a broader meaning elsewhere it is always conservative in nature.

Hey Graham, for some reason I had missed this comment. Thank you for the clarification. I have added a note in the respective section with a link to your blog

Saudi is up for big change. And it is going to be a positive change. It is slowly opening its door for the outside world for them to know more about saudi arabia and its rich cultural heritage and religion. The vision 2030 will have the world see a modern, welcoming, more hospitable and economically stronger Saudi Arabia. I have been living in this country for well over 10 years and I can attest with certainty that this is one of the most family friendly countries in the world. Everything in moderation and the laid back lifestyle will have you a lot of time to contemplate what really matters to you. You will always have a lot of “me time” since there aren’t too much of distraction around. The country is quiet, slow paced, and friendly. Recently, women are able to drive, cafes can have live performances in the form of bands or theatre. Men and women can now congregate in public. Cross my finger, in a few years time we will be seeing hundreds of thousands of tourists to experience Saudi Arabia…and we will be glad to welcome you all. By the way I am a filipino expat in this country.

thanks for your positive feedback!

I wanted to vist my friend in Saudi Arabia. Is it possible?

Hola, Me ha encantado tu artículo, explicas muchísimos detalles interesantes y creo que es un sitio grandioso para visitar. Me encantaría si pudiese ser que nos pongamos en contacto ya que quisiera preguntarte alguna cosa más vía mail.

Hola Lara, si es una pregunta sobre viajar a Arabia Saudita, mejor si lo preguntas aquí mismo, en comentarios. Pero este es el artículo en inglés, así que mejor publícalo en el link en español: https://againstthecompass.com/es/viajar-a-arabia-saudita/

Thank you so much for this … look forward to visit8ng next year after Mada’in Saleh opens up to visitors.

I wish it opens soon as well 🙂

One of my biggest issues as a female living for two years now in Saudi Arabia is that it is practically impossible as a western woman to go outside alone. Men will come up to you and see you as a free ticket to sex. It even happened that a complete stranger started kissing me. Saudi Arabia is not as bad as the media is saying, but please if you’re a woman still be on your guard and do not go outside alone. If you’re accompanied by a male nobody will come talk to you, at most you’ll have people stating at you for being different.

Hi Joan. You’re really giving us the useful info. Thanks a lot. I just wondering if you’re still keeping updated about that e-visa. Is it still available? And does this visa have limit country? Thank you.

Hi Jina, yes, the post contains the latest traveling information. Unfortunately, they stopped issuing visas… Perhaps, they will renew the process in winter

Thank you for the tips. You may need to update the part of the post about men wearing shorts, because that’s now illegal in public (unless you’re at a pool or a gym) pursuant to a new public decency law and you could get fined for it. You might have some leeway if you’re a white foreigner, though.

So it’s mostly walking the streets and malls and shops and stuff where you’re not allowed ot wear shorts. But it may target Saudi men more than anyone else.

so are you saying they changed this law recently, so they are going backwards?

On this particular issue they are going backwards unfortunately. I thought I included a link to the news, but I don’t know if it got posted with my previous post and I’ll try it again. If it doesn’t work, you can just Google “Saudi Arabia shorts stepfeed” and check the news on Stepfeed’s website. Either way, I’d hate for a would-be tourist to read your post and think it’s all right to wear shorts only to go there and get fined the equivalent of $1,500.

Hi Nayef, I delete all links posted because many of them end up being 404, which is not good for my SEO

It’s disappointing to read people from other cultures with other worldviews speak of different dress codes as “going backwards.” Even if it’s a Western value that more dress code freedom is “moving forward,” speaking about this kind of value as if it were a moral fact others are obliged to recognize is very often counterproductive. Different countries, different perspectives, different rules.

Thanks to Joan for an otherwise fun, informative article.

thanks for your comment. However, going backwards refers to the fact that they force you wearing certain clothes. If they forced you wearing a bikini at the office, it would also be going backwards. Not being free to choose whether wether shorts or not is dictatorial

Joan, thanks for being polite in your reply. I respectfully disagree. There are all sorts of opportunity costs to apparently free choices. That a culture considers some effects of freedom acceptable is no reliable litmus for what is “forward,” only what’s acceptable to most in the culture. Every government forces citizens to do many things. It’s an arbitrary decision that some freedoms (like the freedom to verbally bully people online or to operate grisly slaughterhouses) are “forward” while the prohibition of others (like wearing shorts in schools or in public) is “backwards.”

I respect you have your own perspective. We’ll just have to respectfully disagree. Cheers.

Please come on, don’t compare wearing shorts with bullying people online. Wearing shorts doesn’t produce any harm to anyone.

Joan, I appreciate a fair exchange. 🙂 The comparison between the prerogative to wear shorts and the prerogative to bully people online is valid because both the judgment of either as right or wrong is rooted in changing cultural values. In the US, the cultural perception of freedom of speech takes priority over the documented harms of verbal (and online) bullying. Other countries limit harmful speech freedoms, something many US citizens find unforgivable. Very different Western cultural responses to the question of permissible freedom.

While many Westerners don’t see any problem with people wearing whatever they want, other cultures don’t agree. All that says is that a majority of people in a culture feel some way. There’s nothing objective to validate claims of moving forward or backward. I’m not trying to be argumentative. I agree with what you wrote above in your blog, “This is their country and we are not here to judge.” So I was disappointed to read the judgment of the Saudi culture as (moving) “backwards” because it has different dress code rules than our cultures do.

Thanks for the polite exchange and the fun read on Saudi Arabia.

I completely agree with what you said — we should not refer to this change as moving backwards, and the point you made about online bullying was spot-on! Saudi Arabia has a different culture than the Western world and it sounds like they’ve been changing a lot of their rules to make it more liberal lately. Asking people to cover up is not harming anyone, it is just asking that people remain respectful of their culture and the prevailing religion there. I think that as Westerners, we should understand that they want to protect their culture as they begin allowing tourists into their country, and this is a very reasonable law in the grand scheme of things.

can i go to Saudi Arabia with a business visa in july? i was told i may not be allowed in during the period of hajj. i need answer to make some business decisions. thanks

Hi Malik, this is a tourism-related blog. For business visas contact, better contact your embassy

Saudi Arabia e-visas are finally available again 🙂 Read the visa section of this post!

I know Saudi arabia is very nice cantry I was there for about 5 years. in Riyadh. but the problem is I can not go back to Saudi. I ask the Embassy of Saudi arabia here in Addis Ababa but the Answer is No They say to me if you have family only you can visit they say to me.

I want visit visa

Hopefully this doesn’t sound like a silly question, but it is a concern for me. I have travelled to the UAE and to Lebanon, with no issues, other than lots of stares, but I pretty covered in tattoos. Full sleeves on both arms, chest is completely covered and am working on both legs. I have the utmost respect for the culture and faith of Muslim people. I’m assuming that I’d be expected to be covered while there? I would happily wear a thawb or kandoora but I hope it would not be seen as mockery. I’ve worn a kandoora when visiting mosques. Help!!!

Hey Todd, are you asking whether wearing tattoos are illegal or not in KSA? From a legal point of view, I doubt you need to be covered but yeah, if you do, you will definitely avoid continuous stares.

Hola Joan! Thank you for this amazing post. I am planning a trip to Delhi and I found many well-priced tickets with a loooong layover in either Jeddah or Riyadh. Any comments or suggestions about the airports? Same dress code applies inside the airport or covering my head would suffice? Thanks a lot 🙂

Hi Ani, in Saudi, the only compulsory thing is wearing an abaya to cover your body (not your head). Not sure how is it in the airport, but bring one just in case

hi joan, do you know if its going to be a problem travelling to saudi with a iran-visa in the passport? thanks

There are still no tourist visas available for non-religious travel. There were temporary visas issued corresponding to specific events for which they wanted to attract foreigners. Good luck traveling with an unrelated member of the opposite sex!

The issue here is that Vision 2030 and all of their current projects are taking place while there is a law that allows the government to declare just about anything a threat to its existence and allows them to whisk you off the street and keep for as long as they want.

Do not be fooled by the work of countless foreign consulting firms. Women are in jail being sexually abused. Other people have simply disappeared since 2015. Saudi Arabia has not just suddenly transformed, no matter what the under-informed believe.

Good news: e-visa for Saudi Arabia is finally available. The system still has a few bugs and I was not able to apply, but they just launched a few days ago, so we will have to wait.

I have updated the article accordingly. Your experiences are very welcome 🙂

Hi. Do you know if it’s OK to travel with your own car? If so, can you go in from one country and then out to another country?

Yes, it is OK, as long as you have valid visas for your next country

Do you know whether you’ll be denied entry if, like Lebanon, one has an Israeli stamp/visa in your passport? I’m an American but live in Israel.

In the past for sure (even though they could be kind of flexible with resident expats). Now, with the tourism boom that the country will suffer, let’s see how it goes

In the past for sure (even though they were be kind of flexible with resident expats). Now, with the tourism boom that the country will suffer, let’s see how it goes. I am not certainly sure

Juan.. Greetings. Travellinandi from Sudan and Iraq.

So I got my visa….yeah…note to appliers that when you load your foto, it doesn’t show up til the end!! And when you do your bday, after clicking a few hundred times, hold the status bar and a decade year range will show up..

Question.. How much time does one need I. SAYDI.. Jeddah, AL ulra, abha and mountains.. .. As a budget backpacker, seems a bit expensive to hang around.. I have researched internal flights and C-Surfing is possible…. Any sites for 4*4 rental….cheaper to book in country r out of country.. Is a 4*4 needed to go into AL ulra…

Yeah, Saudi is expensive indeed, but there are ways to get around. Couchsurfing in Jeddah and Riyadh is really easy, and I assume in other big cities as well but I couldn’t find a couch in Jizan and Abha.

Distances are huge. For example, Jeddah to Jizan via Abha is around 900km and if you want to go to Al-Ula, then you have to go back to Jeddah and Al-Ula is another 670km (one way). I hitchhiked from Riyadh to Jizan. Hitchhiking to get out of Riyadh was tough but then it was so easy. It took me 3 days to get to Jizan (1100km)

Also bear in mind that cities in Saudi are like in Dubai or Oman. Not walking friendly at all, meaning that once you reach the city, you will have to hitchhike again, or take a taxi, but the locals are generally helpful.

A 4×4 is not needed but the problem with car rental is that you are only allowed to drive X km a day, and then they charge you per km, so doing a loop around the country can turn expensive. I think it would be cheaper if you take a flight to Abha and you rent the car at the airport and explore the Abha & Jizan for a few days. Same with Al Ula.

How many days you need, maybe 3 days in Jeddah, 3 days Abha & Jizan, 2 days in Al Ula + traveling time. Did you check my itinerary? https://againstthecompass.com/en/places-visit-saudi-arabia-itinerary/

Anything you need, let me know!

There is no need women to cover their body with an abaya, any more… Please update your information given

Hi! Thanks for all this. When we apply for the VISA, do we have to tell them where we are going to sleep or can we couchsurf ior choose a place as soon as we arrive? Thanks!

Hey Pedro, I seriously doubt they will ask you for this information but the best way to know find it to test it by yourself and see 🙂 !

Hi, we are Belgian citizens and got our visa very easy online through http://www.visitsaudi.com We fly return with Pegasus from Brussels, Istanbul to Kuwait for 250 euro. For Kuwait we got a single visa only, I called their embassy in Brussels and they told us that we can cross land border in either direction and we can apply our second Kuwait visa at the border coming back from KSA. Hope this was useful. We fly soon.

thanks for the info 🙂

I was totally unaware that Saudi Arabia has so much To offer the adventure crazy traveler. However for acquiring a visa, the procedure seems fairly easy. Hope to visit in 2020.

Hola Joan. He leído que obtuviste una sim Card en KSA. Yo estoy ahora por aquí y se niegan a servirmela porque dicen que necesitan mi huella dactilar, la cual no figura en el pasaporte. Me pregunto como la obtuviste

Hi. I’m a filipino guy working here in Riyadh KSA. I have a girlfriend here in Riyadh also and of course we’re not yet married. My question is, can we sleep on a hotel together? Thank you.

Wonderful article! Question for you – If you had only 4-5 days to spend in Saudi, where would you go?

Jeddah, definitely, and then Riyadh, where you can do a a few day trips t natorual places nearby

Hi, do you know if Australians are elible for the tourist visa. You don’t mention it in visa info section and couldn’t find it online.

Never mind, we can 🙂

I lost a friend there. Is tracing possible there?

Wow, You killed it.. One of the best experience of travel I read. I am living in Saudi Arabia and know most of the things you said, So, I know most of the information you expressed in your blog.

Hi Joan! Thank you so much for this! I would love to travel to KSA and this makes it so much simpler. Any place where we can listen to or learn the local musical instrument – ‘oud’ ? Thanks in advance.

really love all your posts man. Though basically i belonged to Pakistan, yet I love your enlightened posts about Saudia. Really love that one day, all those misconceptions about Saudi people also removed, and I wish they also get their true representatives one day. i mean, i am not against any family, nor I am talking about near past history, yet Saudi people really love others, they also deserve rightly representations one day. I wonder one day, people will get what they actually deserve. And exploring the holy land, well you will definitely get the signs of greatness of ALLAH too, so i think that policy of current Saudi givernment is really worth appreciatable, though many of its policies still needs open arms and thinking. stay bless people of whole Saudia Arabia (both Hijaz and Najd), amen! and thanks for such great and informative vlog. Peace!

Type here..Am so much happy for the wonderful information you give out about the culture and law operating in Saudi Arabia God bless, my dream is to be in Arabia one day not just for anything but to understand the language of Arabia to promote and advance the level of my education even if am to get someone who I will work with in any of his local company , May Allah help us all.

You will just have to secure a visit visa from saudi embassy in the country where you are in right now. Once visa is issued for you, you can enter Saudi Arabia.

I’ve been living in Saudi only since February 2019 (Eastern Province) but the drivers have definitely gotten better over that time. Every day more speed cameras and signalling on changing lanes has become much more of a thing. 😉

That’s very good to know 🙂

Amazing Photos,

Glad you love Saudi Arab and Thanks you share the real experience with your readers because most people things negatively about Saudi Arabs.

Another very insightful and interesting article. Thank you!

Look forward to visiting Saudi Arabia as soon as I can. I have loved Pakistan and Iran where I have studied and worked. Any country that can be compared to these in term of hospitality has to be remarkable.

Hi Joan, Same name with my elder sibling☺️. I’m living here in saudi for two years now. Worked here as a nurse. I stumble on your blog as I am searching on updates regarding saudi (it’s good to be mindful of your surroundings and be updated) and about where I wanna be after my contract here if I still wanna be in saudi. As I read your blog, I am reminded of when I first stepped my foot out of the airport. “Dessert, two years what you will bring to my first tiptoeing”. Here’s really my msg…Reading your blog gave me a new perspective.

Thank you! ᒪᑌᑎᗩ

great article about my beloved country

i suggest to you to redo it again. we had huge changed here in Saudi Arabia.

i would like to clarify some points for you on Friday it is consider as religious holiday as Sunday for Cristian. so the majority of locals and resident sleep till noon and the pray take only one hour so it will be ended before 13:00 afternoon then life start.

normally in Saudi Arabia locals don’t prefer to go out between 12:00 till 4:00 due to the hot weather

Saudi citizen get upset of any person use his left hand due to we are using this hand for dirty stuff (WC and such) so they prefer not to put this hand in the food or even to handle anything with another person ( it is respect and cleanness perspective)

the women traveling alone in Saudi Arabia are more safe than a local person walking alone ( it is 100% safe) Ramadan month is fasting (we don’t eat from Sunrise till sunset ) month and the whole country will be different in good way as the local will start their day from 3 or 4 pm till Sunrise. it is great experience don’t miss it even if you are non Muslim.

The abaya is not mandatory anymore.

about shops during pray time it is not big issue anymore but the locals didn’t get use of it yet so you may face something like what you mention.

i hope you will visit again and we can meet to show you different Saudi Arabia even more extreme than you imagine

best wishes to you

I love your blog and I visit and revisit every time to get information for my own round the world trip.

The only thing is that I sometimes miss information about how countries react to people with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual.

I understand that as a straight man you have no experience with these issues, but I think that since it is possible to bring a point of view about being safe to travel as a woman alone, maybe a note or two about the attention LGBTQIA+ people need when visiting certain places would be interesting too.

I know I can’t visit, for example, Iran and just say I’m gay, but that doesn’t stop me from getting to know the country, right? The information about Saudi Arabia here in America turns out to be very negative and it is difficult to distinguish between what to believe and what not.

Anyway, just a suggestion. ^^

Anticipate visiting Saudi Arabia straightaway. I have cherished Pakistan and Iran where I have considered and worked. Any country that can measure up to these in term of cordiality must be surprising.

Hi all, where is it possible to hire a 4×4 for self-driving through the country? Christian

anywhere, at the airport, 5-star hotels… All major car rental companies are there

Thanks for sharing! The country has long been closed to tourism, so it’s great that we can finally visit the place. Definitely on my list once all the restrictions ease up.

If you’ve been to IRAN and your passport has been stamped in Iran, you might want to check from reliable source if you can enter saudi arabia with such passport with iranian stamp. They don’t allow that here as far as I know.

What site would you recommend for asking the visa ? Is it also a problem between iran and Saoedi Arabia ? Cause I want to go to iran First but don’t want any issues between pasport stamps

The site where you can ask for the visa is linked in the visa section of this blog.

No problem between Iran and Saudi from a traveling perspective

Hello, I want to travel to Saudi Arabia from Slovenia ( Eu country ) by car .Is it possible and which route you suggest? Where I can get more information? Slavko

Hi, you can do Turkey-Iraq-Saudi or Turkey-Iran-UAE (ferry)-Saudi

Hi Thank you for your answer. I’m not a world traveler and I don’t know where to get more information. Can you suggest a kind of forum or something similar where I could find out more about how to plan my trip. Slavko

Cheers everyone! I really like the detailed article as always on this great blog.

It also states that entering KSA from Jordan by land border would be easy to cross – is that information still current as of now?

Anyway I hope you or one of the readers can help me with my questions on crossing the border from Jordan to Saudi Arabia as it’s kind of hard to find any information on that. I’ve already tried several FB groups, TripAdvisor forums, iOverlander and even contacting some travel agencies as well as visitsaudi.com but was not able to get a clear statement (if any).

My questions would be: – Is it possible to cross from Jordan to Saudi Arabia at Al Muddawarah border crossing with a Saudi Arabian eVisa or would I need another type of visa (e. g. from an embassy)? – Are there any restrictions or special requirements on exiting Jordan at the named border (e. g. special visa type needed etc.)? – Are there any public transportation services (at least to the Jordan side of the border and then from the Saudi Arabian side to Tabouk) as I’m not travelling by own vehicle?

For the record, I’m a EU citizen with respective passport and no Israeli stamps, if that’s of concern for my request.

I really would appreciate any hint on the issue. Thank you so much in advance!

Best, Philipp

Hi Phil, I don’t know about public transportation options but I’d certainly try to hitchhike in that area. It will be an adventure.

Cities in Saudi are not meant to walk at all, and Tabouk is so spread out that in the best case, your bus will drop you in the middle of nowhere, having to either hitchhike or taxi a pricey taxi to your hotel or next destination.

The border is fully open with the evisa, as I’ve been told.

Dear Joan, thanks for your advice on that. In the meantime I have also received a statement from http://www.visitsaudi.com on the land border/eVisa question and they confirmed that it should be possible to enter KSA that way. Next step is to check if Jordan let’s us leave via that border with a regular visa ;). Best, Phil

Hi Philipp, I lived in Tabuk (the city) in 2009/10. We often took a taxi from the bus stand (in advance, usually a big people carrier as there were 4 of us) to the border and cross with our multi-exit visas. On return, we’d call the driver and he’d pick us up. One time, he didn’t come and so the 2 of us got a lift on an empty coach to Tabuk, for which we gratefully paid a fee. There was absolutely no public transport on that route; only single cars and trucks and the odd train of camel.

Cheers Justin, weirdly only now I was notified of your comment, so sorry for the late reply. Thanks for sharing your experience!

To whom it may concern: We’ll actually do the tour from Aqaba to Tabouk on 13th of November with just the standard eVisa and hopefully a shared taxi. It’s not clear yet how and where to find them but the tripadvisor forum says they exist as of July 2022: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293991-i4477-k13850870-Hotel_in_Haql_and_shared_taxi_from_Haql_to_Tabuk-Saudi_Arabia.html#115457755 . Otherwise we’ve found a couple of agencies/drivers who offer the trip at a comparatively high rate of 1000 SAR after negotiation but therefore in a huge Chevy Escalade…

Thank you a interestingly objective current read ( which is very hard to find) A mixed group of us are travelling to Riyadh from England in Dec and this has answered a few of my concerns ( female married westerner )

Excellent, thanks!

Hi Joan, I fly to Riyadh in a week. I read that evisa costs 535 SAR and visa on arrival 480 SAR. The only difference I can see is that evisa includes a medical insurance for Saudi Arabia. Since most of us travel with insurance, is there any reason to go for the evisa instead of the visa on arrival? Thank you!

Hello Bego! They just changed the rules recently, thanks for pointing that out 🙂

Hi, does the mileage limit for rental cars still apply in 2023?

I’m really struggling to find information about Ramadan in KSA. It’s the only time I can go next year and don’t know what challenges and possible benefits it might have

KSA is a tough place for Ramadan… Everything will be closed during the day. Benefits? Nightlife and joining iftars but Saudi isn’t like Syria or Jordan, where people are walking and shopping along markets…

I am planning to go to Saudi Arabia alone in the next February. But it is very expensive to join a local tour. For example, if I go to moon crater from Jeddah, it costs me US$900. Madly expensive! Can I rent a taxi /uber to get to tourist spot? Do you have any information about any reliable tour agents?

Hi Wilson, things in Saudi are getting tremendously expensive. You can travel on your one by renting a car, just on rentalcars.com

Thanks for all your posts about Saudi ,that helped me on my two weeks trip from Jeddah to dammam. Very interesting country; Al Ula is excellent 👌 and Riyadh a good surprise ; but in general not easy to travel without a car (saptco national bus company ceased operations oct2023) and little info available. The high speed cars are really everywhere.

thank you for the update Cyril!

Do you have to to provide proof of accommodation on arrival at the airport?

No, you don’t have to

Are there many shared taxis in Saudi?

there are, but they aren’t as common or easy to find as in other countries. I remember taking one from Abha to Jizan

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  Notify me when new comments are added.

Join our Expeditions

From Syria to Iraq in Pakistan, Against the Compass is finally running expeditions to the most epic and off-the-beaten-track countries.

We have scheduled expeditions for every month of the year.

Latest posts

• How to Travel to Libya in 2024
• Backpacking Venezuela Travel Guide (2024)
• How to travel to Afghanistan during Taliban rule (2024)
• How to visit Los Llanos in Venezuela
• How to visit Angel Falls and Canaima National Park

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Saudi Arabia

Travel Advisory January 24, 2024

Saudi arabia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated after periodic review to provide information on the risk of arrest due to social media use and the importation of prohibited items.

Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to  the threat of missile and drone attacks.   Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to  terrorism, the risk of arrest based on social media activity, and importation of prohibited items.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to the following locations due to the threat of  missile and drone attacks  and  terrorism :

• Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, as well as the cities of Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushayt;
• Abha airport;
• Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

Country Summary : U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission responsibility must adhere to the above travel restrictions.  As such, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these locations.

Missile and drone attacks perpetrated by Iran and Iran-supported militant groups have occurred as recently as September 2023.  The Islamic Republic of Iran has in the past supplied Yemen-based Houthis and regional proxy groups with weapons to conduct destructive and sometimes lethal attacks using drones, missiles, and rockets against a variety of Saudi sites, including critical infrastructure, civilian airports, military bases, and energy facilities throughout the country, as well as vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes.  Past attacks were aimed at targets throughout Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Jizan, Khamis Mushayt, the civilian airport in Abha, Al Kharj, military installations in the south, as well as oil and gas facilities.

Debris from intercepted drones and missiles has also represented a significant risk to civilian areas and populations in the recent past.  Militant groups have threatened to conduct attacks against locations in Saudi Arabia.  U.S. citizens living and working near military bases and critical civilian infrastructure, particularly near the border with Yemen, are at heightened risk if missile, drone, or rocket attacks reoccur.

Terrorism continues to be a concern in Saudi Arabia.  Attacks can occur with little or no warning.  Past attacks have targeted tourist locations, large gatherings, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.  Terrorists are also known to time attacks around major holidays and/or in response to military operations.  Terrorists have targeted both Saudi and international interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by U.S. citizens.

Be advised that social media commentary – including past comments – which Saudi authorities may deem critical, offensive, or disruptive to public order, could lead to arrest .  This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments about Saudi institutions, policies, and public life.  U.S. citizens have been convicted for social media activity under Saudi laws concerning cybercrime, terrorism, and disrupting public order.  Punishment for social media activity has included prison sentences of up to 45 years in some cases.  Saudi courts do not necessarily consider the timeframe of the posts or the location from which they were made to be material to these cases.

The importation of drugs (including marijuana), drug paraphernalia, alcohol, weapons, pork, or any materials that could be considered pornographic or suggestive, is prohibited.   Penalties for drug possession, consumption, and trafficking are severe by U.S. standards.  An extensive list of banned items is available on our Saudi Arabia country information page .

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Saudi Arabia, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM).  For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Saudi Arabia.

If you decide to travel to Saudi Arabia:

• Visit our website for information on  travel to high-risk areas .
• Stay alert in large crowds and/or locations frequented by foreign nationals.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Review local laws and conditions before traveling, including our Saudi Arabia country information on arrest notification and the Department of State’s general information on arrests of U.S. citizens abroad .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report   for Saudi Arabia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Yemen Border, Abha airport, and Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Militants in Yemen have attacked Saudi border towns and other sites in Saudi Arabia with armed drones, missiles, and rockets .  Civilians that are near the border with Yemen are especially at risk.   Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia, including in Qatif.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to this area.

Visit our website for information on  travel to high-risk areas

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A minimum of six months’ validity beyond the date of travel is recommended.

One page required for entry stamp.

Required for certain visa classes

More than 16,000 USD must be declared. Customs details are here .

Embassies and Consulates

The normal work week in Saudi Arabia is Sunday through Thursday.

U.S. Embassy Riyadh Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street Roundbaout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800 Emergency Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800 Fax: (966) (11) 488-7670 [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Telephone: (966) (12) 220-5000 Fax: (966) (12) 220-5093 [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran Off King Saud bin Abdulaziz Road, at the corner of Salaheddin al Ayoubi Street and Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Street, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Telephone:   (966) (13) 839-5700 Emergency Telephone:   (966) (13) 839-5700 Fax:   (966) (13) 330-6816 [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

See the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia’s website  for visa information.

COVID-19 Requirements: There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

For residency permit-holders (iqama), an exit/reentry permit is required to leave Saudi Arabia as well as six month’s validity on your passport to request an exit/reentry permit.

• Saudi law requires that residency permit-holders carry their residency card (iqama) at all times while in the Kingdom. Failure to do so could result in a fine of 3,000 Saudi riyals and a jail sentence of six weeks.
• Females and minors may require a male guardian’s permission to leave the country, including U.S. citizens or dual-nationals.
• You must exit Saudi Arabia using the passport for the nationality corresponding to the one on which you entered Saudi Arabia.

Saudi law requires all Saudi citizens to enter and depart the country with a Saudi travel document. If you enter the country on a Saudi laissez-passer (temporary travel document), you may encounter difficulty leaving the Kingdom.

Saudi embassies do not have the authority to adjudicate citizenship claims or issue passports, but they may issue a laissez-passer for presumed Saudi citizens for whom citizenship has not been adjudicated, such as children of a Saudi parent or parents who were married outside of Saudi Arabia. Once admitted to Saudi Arabia on a laissez-passer, the traveler must obtain a Saudi passport before leaving the country. Saudi nationality is not conferred quickly or easily, and the processing time for a Saudi passport in these cases has often been six months or years in some cases. Obtaining a U.S. passport will not help, as you will not be able to leave Saudi Arabia without an exit visa which will not be granted if you entered as a Saudi citizen.

The Department strongly recommends that U.S. citizens enter Saudi Arabia on a U.S. passport and Saudi visa, and not a laissez-passer.

Length of Stay:  Bearers of tourist visas are generally admitted for a 90-day stay and may not remain in the Kingdom more than 180 days in a twelve month period. Carefully check your visa validity and length of stay granted, and clarify any questions on permitted length of stay with Saudi immigration officials on arrival. Dates are calculated in accordance with the Hijri calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar.

If you overstay your visa, you could face significant fines, detention, and/or deportation, and a ban from returning to Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Embassy is unable to intercede, reduce fines, or prevent incarceration if you violate Saudi law.

Travel Bans:  When placed under a travel ban, you cannot exit the country, even if you are a U.S. citizen or a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen. Travel bans are rigidly enforced and can take months or even years to resolve. Only Saudi Arabian authorities and sponsors can remove travel bans.

The government may issue travel bans on people who are/have:

• charged with criminal offenses;
• under investigation;
• involved in financial or labor disputes;
• failed to report to work according to the terms of the contract (absconded);
• unpaid debts or who have passed bad checks.

The list above is not exhaustive. Private Saudi citizens may also initiate travel bans against foreign citizens for various reasons.

Residency Permits:  If you are seeking residency in Saudi Arabia, make sure you have all required legal documents authenticated before arriving. Neither the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh nor the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran can provide this service.

You should have all U.S. issued documents authenticated by the  Department of State Office of Authentications  (202-485-8000) and attested by the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia  in Washington D.C.

Work Visas: If you plan on working in Saudi Arabia, you must obtain a work visa before you arrive. Foreigners working in Saudi Arabia are subject to the country’s sponsorship system, which concedes substantial legal authority over the worker to the employer. This can include the ability to prevent the employee from leaving the country. American citizens considering working in Saudi Arabia should carefully review the information about employment in the “Local Laws and Special Circumstances” section below.

If the visitor or business visa has been annotated “not permitted to work,” you are not allowed to legally work in Saudi Arabia. You risk substantial financial penalties, detention, deportation, and a ban from returning to Saudi Arabia if you work without legal permission. Additionally, without a work visa, there would be no legal grounds to pursue a case against an employer should a dispute arise.

HIV/AIDS:  To obtain work and residence permits, you are required to obtain a medical report or physical examination confirming that you are free from contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. If you test positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, you will not be allowed to work in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has not imposed HIV/AIDS or hepatitis travel restrictions on other categories of travelers. Please inquire directly with the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia  before you travel.

Vaccinations:  Visitors to Saudi Arabia should check vaccination requirements on the  Saudi Ministry of Health website.

Yemen Travel:  The Department strongly advises U.S. citizens against travel to Yemen due to the ongoing conflict in that country. See our  Yemen Travel Advisory  for further information. A visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia, and Saudi authorities generally do not permit foreign citizens to enter Saudi Arabia using land border crossings from Yemen. The Embassy and Consulates General cannot provide assistance to U.S. citizens seeking to cross the Yemeni-Saudi border.

Safety and Security

The Department of State advises you to exercise increased caution when traveling to Saudi Arabia due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets. See the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia here .

Do not travel:

• Within 50 miles of the border with Yemen due to terrorism and armed conflict.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Terrorists have targeted both Saudi and Western government interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by U.S. citizens and other Westerners.

Houthis operating in Yemen have fired long-range missiles into Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting populated areas and civilian infrastructure; they have publicly stated their intent to continue doing so. Missile attacks have targeted major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, Riyadh’s international airport, Saudi Aramco facilities, and vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes. Rebel groups are also in possession of unmanned aerial systems (UASs or drones) which they have used to target civilian infrastructure and military facilities in Saudi Arabia. U.S. citizens living and working on or near such installations, particularly in areas near the border with Yemen, are at heightened risk of missile and drone attack.

On October 11, 2018 the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation issued a Notice to Airmen about threats to civil aviation and airports in Saudi Arabia posed by missiles and UASs launched from Yemen. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the U.S. Government’s Defense Internet NOTAM Service (Type “OEJD” in the search field, then click “View NOTAMs,” then scroll down to W0438/18 and click to view).

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the following locations as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to:

• Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the cities of Jizan and Najran;
• Qatif in the Eastern province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

You can find additional details relating to safety and security in our Travel Advisory and Alerts and the website of the U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia .

Crime: Crime in Saudi Arabia has increased over recent years but remains at levels far below most major metropolitan areas in the United States.

• You should be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables out of sight and secure, and travel with a companion, if possible.
• Some Saudi citizens who perceive that a foreigner is not observing conservative standards of conduct or dress have been known to harass, pursue, or assault that person.
• Even when released from detention, witnesses to criminal incidents may be prohibited from leaving the country until investigation of the incident is complete.

See the websites of the Department of State  and the  FBI for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, you should contact the local police at “999” and contact the Embassy in Riyadh or one of the Consulates in Jeddah or Dhahran.Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See the Department of State’s webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

The Department can:

• help you identify appropriate medical care;
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms;
• provide a list of local attorneys;
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home;
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: If you are the victim of any form of physical violence, including domestic violence, you should contact the Saudi police by calling “999”.  In addition, victims of domestic violence can contact the Saudi National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing “1919.” The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development runs a network of shelters for women and children. Contacting the domestic violence hotline (“1919”) is the only way to access these shelters. The Saudi National Family Safety Program also runs a Child Help Line “116111” and can assist children in accessing Saudi social services.

When reporting domestic violence, it is imperative to get a case reference number as all Saudi social and legal assistance is tied to this case number. It is also a good idea to document any injuries and obtain a copy of any medical reports. U.S. citizens should be advised that filing a police report or utilizing any Saudi victims’ assistance services may result in the Saudi authorities informing your sponsor or guardian.

U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy or Consulates for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Dual Citizenship: Saudi Arabia generally does not recognize dual nationality. Saudi law requires Saudi citizens to obtain official permission from the government before obtaining a second nationality. At times, Saudi authorities have confiscated the passports of U.S. citizens applying for Saudi citizenship. This does not constitute loss of U.S. citizenship. If this happens to you or someone you know, report the incident to the U.S. Embassy.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or consulate immediately. Be aware that Saudi Arabia generally restricts consular notification of the arrest of foreigners to the Embassy of the country that issued the travel document used to enter the Kingdom. If you enter Saudi Arabia with a Saudi travel document, or with the passport of a country other than the United States, it will be extremely difficult for the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services if you are subsequently detained. Persons detained in Saudi Arabia may be held without charges for lengthy periods and denied access to counsel; dual citizens may not have consular assistance. See the Embassy’s webpage for further information.

Drones: The importation of drones for commercial or personal use is prohibited without prior approval from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). A customs clearance certificate authorizing importation can be obtained as part of the GACA approval process. Visit GACA’s website for further information.

Criminal Penalties: While in Saudi Arabia, you are subject to local laws. If you violate Saudi laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled; arrested; imprisoned; held without trial for lengthy periods of time; interrogated without counsel; subject to corporal punishments, including lashings; or executed.

Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, public floggings, and deportation. The penalty for drug trafficking is death. Furthermore, some laws are prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law. For examples, see our webpage on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website .

There are substantial limitations on freedom of speech and political expression in Saudi Arabia. For additional information see the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Saudi Arabia .

Faith-Related Travel Issues: Islam is the official religion of the country and is present in all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. See our Hajj and Umrah Fact Sheet .

• Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam or Muslim religious figures, including on social media.
• The government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam. Non-Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed and/or deported. Church services in private homes have been raided, and participants have been jailed and/or deported.
• Muslims who do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam prevalent in much of Saudi Arabia may encounter societal discrimination and constraints on public worship.
• Public display of non-Islamic religious articles, such as crosses and Bibles, is not permitted.
• Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to Mecca and parts of Medina, the cities where two of Islam’s holiest mosques are located.
• See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations, even when consensual, are criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Violations of Saudi laws governing perceived expressions of, or support for, same-sex sexual relations, including on social media, may be subject to severe punishment. Potential penalties include fines, jail time, or death. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is generally found in the United States. Saudi law does not prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, and there is no legislation requiring public accessibility. Newer commercial and government buildings, however, often include such access. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, there are numerous government-sponsored centers for people with disabilities. Note that Saudi Arabia has limited infrastructure to care for those with mental disabilities.

Students: See the Department’s Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Residents and Travelers: Married women, including non-Saudis, require their husband's permission to depart the country, while unmarried women and children require the permission of their father or male guardian.

Minor children must have their father’s permission in order to leave the Kingdom. Children visiting their fathers in Saudi Arabia, even when there is a custody agreement, can be prevented from leaving unless the father consents. This is true even if the child is an American citizen. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot obtain exit visas for the departure of minor children without their father/guardian's permission.

If a foreigner and a Saudi living in Saudi Arabia divorce, Saudi courts rarely grant permission for the foreign parent to leave the country with the children born during the marriage, even if he or she has been granted physical custody.

Foreign mothers of Saudi children, who are divorced or widowed, may apply for a permanent residency permit(iqama) without the need for a sponsor. To do so, they must prove maternity and that they were legally married to the Saudi father.

Also see the Department’s travel tips for Women Travelers .

Employment: The Arabic text of a contract governs employment and business arrangements under Saudi law. Verbal assurances or side letters are not binding under Saudi law. In the event of any contract dispute, Saudi authorities refer to the written contract.

• Sponsors have wide latitude and responsibilities for employees and family members under their sponsorship, including obtaining residence permits for the employee and for any family members.
• All residents should be issued a Saudi residence permit (iqama) and are legally required to carry it at all times.
• The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in Saudi Arabia cannot sponsor private U.S. citizens for Saudi visas.
• Sponsors have been known to demand that residents working in Saudi Arabia surrender their passports while in the Kingdom. Such practices are illegal and should be reported to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development .
• Since the Saudi sponsor controls the issuance of exit permits, U.S. citizens may be prevented by the sponsor from leaving Saudi Arabia in the event of a labor or business dispute, which could take months or years to resolve.
• To change employers within the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia requires the written permission of the original sponsoring employer.
• The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General cannot assist in labor or business disputes, nor can they provide translation or legal services.
• U.S. consular officers can provide lists of local attorneys to help U.S. citizens settle business disputes, but ultimate responsibility for the resolution of disputes through the Saudi legal system, and payment for those services, lies with the parties involved. For additional information on Saudi labor law, please refer to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development’s webpage .
• Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of such banned items as alcohol, weapons, and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam (such as pork, anything considered pornographic under strict Islamic principles, and religious materials).
• Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.
• Christmas and other holiday decorations, fashion magazines, and "suggestive" videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines.
• Electronic devices may be subject to inspection upon entry or exit. Please see the Department’s Customs Information page as well as the Saudi Customs webpage.

Importing Animals: The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture must approve all pets imported into Saudi Arabia.

• Cats and dogs entering Saudi Arabia require a Veterinary Health Certificate and a dated letter from the veterinary practitioner addressed to his/her sponsor to obtain the necessary approval from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Both documents must be authenticated by the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Service Office and the State Department's Authentications Office and attested by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia .
• The certificate must indicate that the animal was examined and is free from disease and confirm that rabies and other vaccines are current. Information on the name, breed, sex, color, and age of the animal must also be stated.
• Please see additional information on taking a pet overseas .

Teaching English in Saudi Arabia: In recent years, increasing numbers of American language teachers have experienced contractual and other problems. Some teachers have complained about arbitrary dismissals, difficult living conditions, salary arrears, unwanted reassignments, restrictions on their movement, and inability to leave the country. Prospective teachers in Saudi Arabia should vet their potential employer and carefully review their employment offer as well as the detailed information found in the Embassy’s Guide to Teaching English in Saudi Arabia . Additionally, prospective teachers should also take care to make sure that they obtain the appropriate work visa prior to coming to Saudi Arabia. The Embassy cannot help you if you violate Saudi labor law.

Standards of Conduct and Religious Police: Norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative. Both the uniformed police and the religious police, referred to colloquially as the mutawwa or al-hay’a, are charged with enforcing these standards.

• Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police.
• While a 2016 government decree withdrew the authority of the mutawwa to make arrests independently of regular police forces, visitors should be prudent in their interactions with mutawwa.
• An individual must, if requested, present his/her residence permit (iqama) or other identification to the mutawwa or the police.
• U.S. citizens who are involved in an incident with the mutawwa should report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.

In most areas of Saudi Arabia, and particularly in Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, women wear a full-length covering known as an abaya. Most women in conservative areas also cover their hair with a hijab for modesty, and many also cover their faces with a niqab.

Tourists are expected to dress modestly in public, avoiding tight fitting clothing or clothes with profane language or images; women are not required to wear abayas or cover their hair but are expected to cover their shoulders and knees, and men should not go without a shirt. Women who choose not to conform to Saudi Arabia’s dress code face a risk of confrontation by mutawwa, negative or hostile comments by Saudi citizens, and possible detention Guidelines on public decorum for tourists are available at the Saudi government’s official tourism website, www.visitsaudi.com. Many areas of life in Saudi Arabia are segregated by sex to ensure that unrelated men and women have no possibility of mingling (a punishable crime) by unmarried men and women. Less frequently, members of the mutawwa try to enforce this by asking for proof that a couple is married or related. Men and women detained for socializing with individuals who are not relatives may be charged with moral crimes such as khulwa (mixing with unrelated members of the opposite sex). Less frequently, some restaurants may refuse to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative In addition, a few restaurants or cafes do not have a "family section" in which women are permitted to eat. Men not accompanied by a close female family member are not allowed to enter family sections and cannot use services (such as registers at supermarkets) designated as “family.” These restrictions are not always clearly posted.

While there are now movie theaters, musical concerts, and artistic performances in Saudi Arabia, the country remains socially conservative. Social media postings which contravene cultural standards can have legal and/or criminal consequences.

Photography: The Saudi government does not permit photography of governmental facilities, such as military bases and government buildings, nor military, security, or police personnel. The Saudi government is also sensitive to photographs that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavorable light. This policy can include photos of mosques, impoverished areas, the local population, and traditional souks (markets). You should not take anyone’s picture without clear consent, and never take a picture of a woman or a place where women congregate. Be aware of local sensitivities whenever you are taking pictures in public. U.S. citizens have been routinely detained for violating these policies. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General are unable to intervene if you violate Saudi law.

The Hajj and Umrah: Please review the Department of State’s Hajj and Umrah Fact Sheet for useful information on traveling to perform the Hajj or Umrah.

COVID-19 Testing:  COVID-19 testing is available to U.S. citizens throughout Saudi Arabia at public and private facilities. Private hospitals and clinics charge a fee for COVID-19 testing.  Cost, delivery method, and timing of results varies. Some facilities can electronically deliver results within 24 hours or less.  

COVID-19 Vaccines:  The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Saudi Arabia. For more information, please see the Ministry of Health’s website.

Visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

Medical care varies greatly in quality, and high-profile cases of medical malpractice and errors have occurred. Consult your regular physician if you are considering serious medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers in Saudi Arabia accept cash or credit card payments.  See the Department’s webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . Supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation is strongly recommended. If you are covered by Saudi insurance, be sure to read the fine print: local insurance can have exclusions that are unusual in the United States. For example, some local policies may not supply coverage for accidents that occur while engaging in adventure sports, such as riding quad vehicles in the desert, that are a common past-time for expatriates.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  government of Saudi Arabia  to ensure the medication is legal in Saudi Arabia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Please note:

• Saudi Arabia has a dry climate with extreme heat several months of the year – travelers should stay hydrated.
• Air pollution is a significant concern in many parts of Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Al Jubail, Jeddah, and Dammam.
• Many infectious diseases, such as measles, typhoid, dengue, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), are present in Saudi Arabia.

Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For further health information, go to:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   (CDC)
• Saudi Ministry of Health

Medical care varies greatly in quality, and high profile cases of medical malpractice and errors have occurred. Consult your regular physician if you are considering serious medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. If you are covered by Saudi insurance, be sure to read the fine print: local insurance can have exclusions that are unusual in the United States. For example, some local policies may not supply coverage for accidents that occur while engaging in adventure sports, such as riding quad vehicles in the desert, that are a common past-time for expats.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  government of Saudi Arabia  to ensure the medication is legal in Saudi Arabia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

For health-related information on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), formerly called “novel coronavirus,” visit the  CDC’s MERS-CoV webpage .

Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations   recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Driving in Saudi Arabia can be hazardous due to speeding and aggressive driving, lax enforcement of traffic regulations, and a high volume of traffic.

Beginning on June 24, 2018, women have been able to obtain a driver’s license and can legally drive in Saudi Arabia. With a valid visitor visa and U.S. or international driver’s license, visitors may drive a rental car. However, outside the major cities of Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah, visitors—especially women—may experience difficulty renting a car. Female residents with independent sponsorships and U.S. or international driver’s licenses also may obtain a Saudi driver’s license, necessary to drive vehicles other than rental cars. Foreign women residing in Saudi Arabia who are listed as dependents on their Saudi residency permit (“iqama”) may experience difficulties in obtaining Saudi driver’s licenses. To drive vehicles other than rental cars, a Saudi driver’s license, appropriate car registration, and auto insurance are required. Police may detain you if you cannot produce these documents.

See the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior website for further information.

Traffic Laws :

• Temporary visitors may drive using their valid U.S. or international driver's license for up to 90 days.
• Foreigners resident in Saudi Arabia who wish to drive must obtain a local driver's license from the Department of Traffic Police.
• In the event of a traffic accident, U.S. citizens should dial “993” to report the accident. You must remain on the scene until the traffic police arrive. Failure to do so can result in a criminal offense.
• Additionally, U.S. citizens should contact Najm, a private company contracted by the traffic police to complete the accident report (+966 9200 00560).
• In the event of a traffic accident resulting in personal injury, everyone involved (if not seriously injured) is likely be taken to the local police station.
• All drivers, regardless of fault, can be held in custody for several days until responsibility is determined and any reparations paid.
• Use of front seat belts (driver and passenger) is required by law.
• U.S. citizens involved in a serious accident resulting in injury or death should immediately contact their sponsors and the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate.
• Residents should update their personal details through one of the methods available here to receive SMS notifications once a traffic ticket is issued.
• Delay in payment of any ticket might result in doubling of the ticket amount.
• Travelers will need to pay any fines issued through this system before leaving the country.

Public Transportation:

• U.S. Government employees are prohibited from using taxis in Saudi Arabia with the exception of Uber Black in Riyadh, Kareem First in Jeddah, and Majestic taxi service in Dhahran. If you must use a taxi, only use established companies, such as those offering cabs with meters. Taxis and lift services are available throughout major cities, and you should arrange a pickup by telephone or via smartphone app when possible.
• Avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxi, do not travel to unfamiliar areas, and do not enter taxis with unknown passengers.

Please refer to the Department’s Road Safety page for more information. Also, it is recommended that you visit the website of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior .

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of Saudi Arabia's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA safety assessment page .

Information for Mariners:

Mariners should also review U.S. maritime alerts and advisories on the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Saudi Arabia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, saudi arabia map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Saudi Arabia

Warnings and insurance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Areas where FCDO advises against travel  

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. 

Saudi Arabia-Yemen border  

FCDO advises against:  

• all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen 
• all but essential travel to areas between 10km and 80km from the border with Yemen 

Abha International Airport  

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abha International Airport in Asir province.  

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .

Arriving in Saudi Arabia from Sudan 

If you’re arriving in Saudi Arabia from Sudan, contact the Saudi authorities for the latest entry clearance procedures. See the latest  Sudan travel advice  for information about how to leave Port Sudan.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and see support for British nationals abroad for information about specific travel topics. 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Saudi-Arabien

Luxusreisen nach Saudi-Arabien

Saudi-Arabien lebt von seinen aufregenden Kontrasten, denn die unendliche Weite der Wüste konkurriert mit den gigantischen Höhen der Skyscraper. Als größtes Land der arabischen Welt hat Saudi-Arabien vieles zu bieten: Von der Metropole Riad und der unendlichen Wüste, bis zu einer atemberaubenden Unterwasserwelt und strahlend weißen Stränden am roten Meer. Der Tourismus ist gerade erst im Aufbau und so werden Sie hier geheimnisvolle Schätze und einsame Orte finden, aber auch viele einzigartige Bauprojekte wie die längste und nachhaltigste Stadt der Welt.

• Destinationen

Rundreisen in Saudi-Arabien

Auf dieser 15-tägigen Reise tauchen Sie ein in die Geschichte und Wüstenlandschaften Saudi-Arabiens und Katars: Von den pulsierenden Städten Riad, Dschidda und Doha über spektakuläre Natur in AlUla und Dschaizan bis hin zu historischen Stätten in Ha’Il.

Luxushotels in Saudi-Arabien

Die ersten Sonnenstrahlen wecken Sie an diesem wunderschönen Morgen. Ihr Blick schweift über die unendlichen Weiten der Wüste. Das Licht der Sonne taucht die Wüste in ein rötliches Licht und Sie fühlen sich wie in einem Märchen. Der Geruch exotischer Früchte und duftender Gewürze liegt in der Luft und erinnert Sie an den gestrigen Tag auf einem orientalischen Basar. Selbst gemachte Tonschalen und farbenfrohe handgewebte Stoffe haben Sie sich dort gestern gekauft. Im Schatten blühender Feigenbäume hatten die Einheimischen ihre Marktstände aufgebaut. Doch heute in der Wüste erwartet Sie das nächste Abenteuer: Schon in wenigen Stunden werden Sie das erste Mal auf einem Kamel reiten und die atemberaubenden Weiten der Wüste durchstreifen.

Schiffsreisen in Saudi-Arabien

Sie interessieren sich für:

Unter diesen Begriff konnten wir nichts für Sie finden.

Saudi-Arabien – november 2024

Panorama Travel ApS

Mail: [email protected] Tlf.: +45 7070 7316

c/o Ravnholt Gods Ravnholtvej 57 5853 Ørbæk, Danmark

Sydbank 6845-0002194605

IBAN-nr.:  DK5868450002194605

SWIFT-kode:  SYBKDK22

CVR-nr.: 37413399

Bliv kontaktet af en rejsekonsulent!

Jeg accepterer Panorama Travels cookie- og privatlivspolitik

Modtag vores spændende nyhedsbrev!