Document Checklist for Saudi Arabia

• Valid passport with a valid time of 6 months
• A recent passport photo
• Saudi Arabia Tourist e-Visa or Hajj or Umrah visa
• Mandatory health declaration
• Health insurance certificate

Essential Saudi Arabia Travel Information

Currency – The Saudi riyal (SAR). A dollar is equivalent to around 3.76 SAR.

Daily budget for one person – SAR 206.73 ($55)

Languages – Officially, Arabic is used. English is also frequently spoken, though.

Socket type – Type G. 230V supply voltage and 60Hz are used in Saudi Arabia.

Time zone – Arabia Standard Time (GMT+03:00)

Top 3 Saudi cities to visit – Madinah, Riyadh, and Jeddah. The Holy City of Mecca is only accessible to Muslims.

Top 3 landmarks/monuments – Kingdom Centre Tower, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Great Mosque of Mecca

Visa Information for Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established several rules for tourists to this beautiful nation. This includes acquiring a Hajj or Umrah visa or submitting an online application for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa.

Typical Costs and Budget for Saudi Arabia

Daily spending per person – $55

Meals – $30 – $35

Street food – $1.50

Transport – $10 – $12

Hotel – A 2- or 3-star hotel room costs between $62 and $84 per night for lone travelers or couples.

A single traveler or couple’s typical 7-day vacation to Saudi Arabia is $1,320.

Transport and How to Travel through Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a variety of transportation choices, making getting about the country quite simple. Tourists frequently use taxis to go short distances inside the city. In most large cities, there are also first-rate bus networks available.

You can also choose to drive if you obtain an international driving permit. However, remember that there is frequent heavy traffic and few people follow road regulations. Air transportation is a fantastic choice for commuting between cities. Domestic airports are located in almost all major cities.

Safety in Saudi Arabia

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have reported that the country has a low crime rate and tight local regulations. However, minor crimes can happen from moving cars and busy areas. Visitor guidance includes:

• Keep what is necessary with you and store any valuables safely.
• obey all Saudi government regulations
• Even when the vehicle is moving, keep the doors locked, the windows up, and the valuables hidden.
• Be cautious while among lots of people or in busy places like souks.
• Be ready for sandstorms, dust storms, and severe weather.

Weather in Saudi Arabia

The temperature in Saudi Arabia can vary from 8°C to 20°C in the winter and from 27°C to 43°C in the summer. Therefore, November through February is the perfect season to travel to this nation.

At this time, the weather is excellent, and the temperature is steady. However, consider visiting Saudi Arabia in the summer. In that situation, folks should avoid the period from April to October.

Popular Cities and Towns in Saudi Arabia

Mecca, the Holy City. Mecca is the holiest city on Earth to Muslims and is only accessible to them since it is the location of Prophet Muhammad’s birth and where he received his first revelation from God.

Four hundred forty-seven kilometers to the north of Mecca is Madinah. In 622 AD, the Prophet Muhammad and his companions left Mecca and relocated to Madinah. Because it was here that the Islamic era began, the city is often popularly known as the City of the Prophet.

Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, is a must-visit location for the country’s contemporary architecture and beauty. The city is also the most accessible in the nation for foreign tourists, with a population of over 5.8 million and a physical area of more than 600 square miles.

Must Do and See in Saudi Arabia

Tour the 120-year-old Al Gadhi Rose Factory to observe how rose petals are turned into fragrances, water, and other goods. Additionally, during your visit, you can buy these things directly from the maker.

Shop in the Taif Souq, one of the biggest markets in the nation, which is unquestionably worthwhile. There is plenty for everyone, from shops selling handicrafts, regional honey, and rose water to food sellers serving delicious mint tea.

Karting in Jeddah – Jeddah is home to one of the world’s most exhilarating karting and drifting courses. A must-try is The Track Jeddah at In10So and Kart Zone.

Typical Saudi Arabia Food to Try

You’ll be drooling over the country’s signature dish, kabsa, a one-pot miracle. Various spices, including cloves, cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, bay leaves, black pepper, nutmeg, and loomi, are combined with three essential ingredients: rice, veggies, and meat. It is bursting with flavor and ideal for lunch.

Matabaq: The elastic dough, which resembles a filled roti or pancake, is folded around into meat, garlic, eggs, curries, peppers, ghee, onions, mint, and coriander. You can get the meal at food stalls around Saudi Arabia, yet it needs to be clarified where it came from because both Yemen and Saudi Arabia claim it.

A must-try in Saudi Arabia, jareesh is one of the country’s oldest foods. The ingredients for jareesh, also called harees, are boiling broken wheat, onion, rice, meat, broth, and spices, including coriander, cumin, and parsley. During Ramadan, it is very well-liked.

Vaccine Information for Saudi Arabia

Saudi officials and the CDC encourage all travelers to check their vaccination status at least a month before their trip.

Fun Facts about Saudi Arabia

With over 17% of the global proven petroleum reserves, Saudi Arabia is the oil-richest nation in the world.

The King Khalid Airport in Dammam is the biggest in the world and has 192,000 acres of space.

When he boarded the American space shuttle Discovery in 1985, Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first citizen of Saudi Arabia, the first Arab, and the first Muslim to visit space.