Saudi Arabia: Ancient Kingdoms, Modern Wonders
Rock-carved cities, Red Sea reefs, futuristic skylines, and desert landscapes that genuinely stop you mid-step. This is the Middle East’s most surprising trip.
Saudi Arabia is one of those destinations that keeps catching people off guard. It’s enormous, varied, and genuinely different depending on where you are. The rock-carved tombs of AlUla feel like a different planet. Jeddah’s old town is all coral-stone alleys and lantern light. Riyadh is slick, fast, and packed with food and skyline views. And then there’s the Red Sea coast — clear water, quiet reefs, and beach days that most people don’t even know are here. Tourism only really opened up in 2019. Which means you’re still getting in relatively early. That’s rare.
11-12 6–7 hrs
From the UK
Nov–Mar
Best time
Arabic / English
Main language
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Saudi Arabia runs on desert weather, so timing really matters. In winter you get those crisp, sunny days that make sightseeing and desert trips feel effortless. In summer, the heat can be intense enough to turn a “quick walk” into a personal challenge.
Winter (November to March) is generally the best time to visit. Days are warm, nights can be cool, and it’s ideal for places like Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and the big outdoor sights without melting. This is peak season, so book hotels early around Christmas, New Year, and school holidays.
Shoulder season (October and April) is a solid sweet spot. It’s still warm, but more manageable than full summer, and you’ll often find slightly better prices and fewer crowds.
Summer (May to September) is hot, especially inland. If you visit then, plan around early mornings and evenings, lean into indoor attractions and air con, and consider the cooler highlands (like around Abha) for a more comfortable break.
What To Expect
Capital: Riyadh
Language: Arabic is the official language. In big cities and tourist hotspots, English is common in hotels, airports, museums, and many restaurants, so you’ll usually get by fine. Outside the main centres, English can drop off, so having a translation app helps. A couple of easy wins: “Marhaba” (hello), “Shukran” (thank you), “Na’am” (yes), “La” (no), “Kam?” (how much?). You’ll often see English on road signs and in major attractions.
Currency: The Saudi Riyal (SAR). Handy ballpark maths: 100 SAR ≈ £20–£22 / €23–€26 / $26–$28, and 1,000 SAR ≈ £200–£220 / €230–€260 / $260–$280 (rates wobble, so a quick currency app check before you go saves guesswork).
Cash Machines & ATMs: ATMs are easy to find in cities, malls, and airports. Cards and contactless are widely accepted in shops, cafés, and restaurants, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah. Cash is still useful for small purchases, tips, and more local spots, so keep a bit on you, ideally smaller notes.
Plugs: Types G are common (same as the UK). Standard voltage 230 V, frequency 50 Hz. If you’re coming from the UK, you’re sorted. If not, pack a UK-style adapter.
Safety: Saudi Arabia is generally safe for travellers, and major cities feel well-policed and organised. Standard city smarts still apply: keep an eye on your stuff in busy places and use reputable taxis or ride-hailing apps. The bigger “gotchas” are usually practical, heat, long distances, and making sure you follow local etiquette and site rules.
Never ever: Don’t underestimate the heat and sun, especially from late spring to early autumn. Plan outdoor stuff for mornings and evenings, drink water constantly, and do not assume a “short walk” will feel short 😅 Also, be respectful with dress and behaviour in more traditional areas and at religious sites.
Explore Saudi Arabia
From AlUla’s ancient tombs to the Red Sea coast — everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides (coming soon)
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do (coming soon)
Best Time to Visit (coming soon)
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Saudi Arabia Cost?
Saudi Arabia isn’t as expensive as people expect — but costs vary a lot depending on how you travel. Here’s the honest breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
£43–£78/day ≈ $55–$99 / €50–€90 / SAR 200–360
- Hostel dorms or budget hotels
- Casual local restaurants and cafés
- Metro and ride-hailing apps
- Free souqs, parks, and viewpoints
🍜
Mid-Range
£86–£155/day ≈ $110–$198 / €100–€180 / SAR 400–720
- Good hotels and apartments
- Restaurants, food courts, and cafés
- Domestic flights for longer hops
- Paid museums, tours, and experiences
🏨
Upscale
£215+/day
- Boutique hotels and luxury resorts
- Fine dining and premium experiences
- Private transfers and guided tours
- AlUla luxury camps and Red Sea retreats
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £16–£38 / $21–$48 / €19–€43
- Budget hotel: £46–£96 / $59–$120 / €52–€107
- Desert camp (basic): £75–£130
Mid–Luxury
- Apartment whole place: £64–£150 / $80–$187
- Boutique hotel: £100–£200+
- Luxury AlUla camp: £255+ / $320+
City Travel
- Metro (per ride): £1–£2 / $1–$3
- Ride-hailing short trip: £3–£9 / $4–$11
- Taxi: £3–£9
Long Distance
- Intercity bus: £8–£30 / $11–$37
- Domestic flight (one way): £43–£150 / $53–$187
- Car rental per day: £26–£54 / $32–$67
Eat Cheap
- Budget meal (local spot): £3–£6 / $4–$8
- Coffee: £3–£5 / $3–$7
- Soft drink / juice: £1–£2
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £10–£26 / $12–$32
- Seafood meal: £15–£40+
- Note: Alcohol not available in Saudi Arabia
Budget Fun
- Museum / heritage site: £0–£13 / $0–$16
- Souq wandering and waterfront: Free
- Self-guided city exploring: Free
Big Experiences
- Guided AlUla day experience: £54–£195 / $67–$240
- Desert tour: £54–£215 / $67–$270
- Snorkelling / dive trip (Red Sea): £40–£130
13 Ways to Save Money in Saudi Arabia
💧 Bring a reusable bottle and refill from hotel or café filtered water — tap isn’t reliable
🚇 Use Riyadh’s metro where possible — it’s cheap, air-conditioned, and beats traffic
📅 Travel midweek in November, early December, or late January for better prices
🏨 Book budget hotels or apartments slightly outside city centres and save significantly
🍽️ Eat at packed local grill spots and cafés — cheaper, tastier, and usually faster
🛒 Stock up at supermarkets for breakfast, snacks, and water before road trips
🗺️ Self-guided souq and city wandering costs nothing and delivers some of the best moments
🎟️ Check online for discounted tickets or off-peak time slots before booking attractions
🌅 Desert sunsets, coastal walks, and mountain viewpoints are free — plan around them
💸 Skip pricey package tours when a self-guided visit does the same job
📍 Book AlUla accommodation and experiences early — good-value options go fast in peak season
💳 Pay by card almost everywhere, but keep small cash for tips and local market stalls
🍂 Aim for October or April — shoulder season means fewer crowds and slightly better rates
Getting Around Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is enormous — roughly a quarter of the size of the USA. Getting the transport right makes the whole trip work better.
Domestic Flights
Best for longer distances. Riyadh to Jeddah is an hour in the air vs. a full day on the road.
✅ Frequent routes between major cities
✅ Budget airlines from £43 one way
❌ Book early — peak winter prices spike
Car Rental
Best for flexibility and reaching desert areas, AlUla, and highland routes. Highways are excellent.
✅ Freedom to go off the beaten track
✅ From £26/day
❌ Distances are deceptive — build in buffer time
Public Transport
Modern, clean, and genuinely useful for getting across Riyadh without traffic. Worth using.
✅ From around £1 per ride
✅ Air conditioned (this matters)
❌ Currently only covers Riyadh
Ride-Hailing
The default way most visitors get around cities. Easy, reliable, and you don’t need to negotiate.
✅ Works well in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam
✅ Short rides from £3–£4
❌ Less useful outside city limits
Intercity Bus
Budget-friendly for routes between major cities. SAPTCO is the main operator.
✅ Cheapest intercity option from £8
✅ Overnight buses save on accommodation
❌ Long journey times between distant cities
Airport Transfer
Main airports: Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), AlUla (ULH). Ride-hailing from arrival is usually the easiest move.
✅ All major airports have good road access
✅ Ride-hailing available from arrivals
❌ Private transfers for remote areas worth pre-booking
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring Riyadh or Jeddah
Ride-hailing + metro (Riyadh)
Getting between cities fast
Domestic flight, book early
AlUla and desert areas
Car rental or guided tour
Tight budget, flexible timing
Intercity bus + ride-hailing
Quick Tips
📅
Download Apps Before Landing
Get your ride-hailing app set up at the airport before you need it
🌡️
Plan Around the Heat
Outdoor travel from May–Sep means mornings and evenings only — the midday sun is not joking
🚗
AlUla Needs a Car
Ride-hailing doesn’t really reach AlUla properly. Car rental or a guided transfer is essential
📍
Save Addresses in Arabic
Especially outside city centres — it helps drivers and avoids confusion
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?
Most nationalities can get a Saudi eVisa online before travelling — it’s straightforward and covers tourism. UK, EU, US, and many other passport holders are eligible. Apply through the official Visit Saudi platform, it usually processes quickly and costs around SAR 300 (roughly £64 / $80 / €74). Always double-check current entry requirements before booking as these do change.
Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Saudi Arabia ranks well for tourist safety, major cities feel well-policed and organised, and violent crime against visitors is rare. The bigger things to watch are practical: heat (it can genuinely be dangerous if you’re not careful), long distances, and making sure you understand local customs and rules before you go. Read up on dress codes and behaviour expectations before arriving — it makes the whole trip smoother.
Can women travel to Saudi Arabia solo?
Yes. Saudi Arabia lifted the requirement for women to have a male guardian (mahram) for travel, and solo female travel is entirely possible. Women need to dress modestly (loose clothing covering arms and legs is standard, hair covering not required for non-Muslim visitors outside religious sites). The reality on the ground in Riyadh and Jeddah is that women travel independently without issue — though it’s worth reading up on etiquette before you go.
Is alcohol available in Saudi Arabia?
No. Alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia and this applies to everyone including tourists. There are no exceptions. If this is important to your trip, it’s worth knowing upfront. Most visitors find it’s not the barrier they expected once they’re there — the food, coffee culture, and experiences more than compensate.
What should I wear in Saudi Arabia?
Dress modestly. For women: loose clothing covering arms and legs, especially in more traditional areas and at religious or heritage sites. In Riyadh and Jeddah, you’ll see a wide range of dress styles among locals. An abaya is no longer required for tourist women, but modest dressing is expected and respected. For men: avoid shorts in more conservative settings and religious areas. In big hotels, malls, and modern areas, the standards are slightly more relaxed, but erring on modest is always the right call.
When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?
November to March is the sweet spot for most visitors. Days are warm and sunny, nights can be cool, and it’s ideal for outdoor sightseeing, desert trips, and places like AlUla and Riyadh without the brutal heat factor. Summer (May–September) is doable but requires planning around the climate — mornings, evenings, and AC-heavy days. Ramadan is worth researching before your trip — timing shifts each year and it changes the rhythm of daily life significantly.
Do I need travel insurance for Saudi Arabia?
Yes, and it genuinely matters here. Saudi Arabia has no healthcare reciprocal agreement with the UK or most other countries, which means any medical treatment comes at full cost. Hospital bills can be very high. Good travel insurance covering medical emergencies is non-negotiable. Compare policies and find recommended options in the Travel Resources section below.
What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Riyal (SAR). As a rough guide: 100 SAR ≈ £20–£22 / $26–$28 / €23–€26. Cards and contactless are widely accepted in cities, malls, and most restaurants. Keep some cash for smaller vendors, tips, and markets. ATMs are easy to find in cities and airports.
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