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Saudi Arabia travel guide
Ancient tombs, red deserts and the heart of Islam.
Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula and is home to Islam's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Travelers explore the rock-cut tombs of Hegra near AlUla, historic Jeddah, the mud-brick heritage of Diriyah and the green mountains of Asir.
Travel tools
Getting there
Major international airports are in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with AlUla receiving some international flights. Land borders connect to Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain (via the King Fahd Causeway) and other neighbours.
Best time to visit: Nov–Mar – mild, sunny weather across most of the country.
Tougher months: May-September – extreme heat in most areas, except the southwest mountains.
Weather by month in Riyadh
- 20°J●
- 23°F
- 28°M●
- 33°A●
- 39°M
- 42°J
- 43°J
- 43°A
- 40°S
- 34°O
- 27°N
- 22°D●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Riyadh. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 74 of 198 other passports can enter Saudi Arabia without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 106 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 18 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Saudi Arabia (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-10-10). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Saudi Arabia travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Saudi Arabia are based around AlUla, Riyadh or Jeddah. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$55–90 for a backpacker and US$160–280 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Saudi Arabia page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +966.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- AlUla (Northwest · heritage & desert): Hegra's tombs, ancient Dadan and spectacular rock formations.
- Riyadh (Centre · capital): Museums, Masmak Fortress, Diriyah and modern landmarks.
- Jeddah (West coast · Red Sea city): The historic Al-Balad district and a lively corniche.
- Abha (Southwest · mountains): Cool highlands, colourful villages and mountain trails.
- Edge of the World (Near Riyadh · cliffs): Sheer cliffs offering vast desert views.
- Farasan Islands (Red Sea · islands): Remote islands with beaches, birdlife and diving.
- Al-Ahsa Oasis (East · oasis): One of the world's largest oases, listed by UNESCO, with palm groves and caves.
- Taif (West · mountains): Known for rose farms, cooler air and mountain scenery.
Things to do
- Explore Hegra. Wander among 100-plus Nabataean tombs carved into golden sandstone near AlUla.
- Stroll Al-Balad in Jeddah. Admire coral-stone houses with wooden balconies in Jeddah's UNESCO-listed old town.
- Visit Diriyah. Explore the restored mud-brick district of At-Turaif, birthplace of the Saudi state.
- Snorkel the Red Sea. Discover vibrant coral reefs along the country's long coastline.
- See the Edge of the World. Stand on dramatic cliffs overlooking an endless plain near Riyadh.
- Hike in Abha. Explore green mountains and colourful villages in the cooler southwest.
- Watch sunset in AlUla. Take in sandstone formations like Elephant Rock as the sky turns gold.
- Browse a traditional souk. Shop for dates, perfume, spices and textiles.
Eat and drink
- Kabsa – spiced rice with chicken or lamb
- Mandi – meat and rice slow-cooked in an underground oven
- Jareesh – creamy cracked-wheat dish
- Saudi coffee – light cardamom coffee served with dates
Source: RoamSun Saudi Arabia guide
Talk
Twenty basic Arabic phrases with a simple sound guide. Say them slowly; a smile does the rest.
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | mar-ha-ban |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-saa al-khayr |
| Good night | تصبح على خير | tus-bih ala khayr |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | ma-a as-sa-laa-ma |
| Please | من فضلك | min fad-lik |
| Thank you | شكرا | shuk-ran |
| You're welcome | عفوا | af-wan |
| Yes | نعم | na-am |
| No | لا | laa |
| Excuse me | عذرا | uth-ran |
| I'm sorry | آسف | aa-sif (f: aa-si-fa) |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ | hal ta-ta-kal-lam al-in-jee-lee-zee-ya |
| I don't understand | لا أفهم | laa af-ham |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ | bi-kam haa-dha |
| Where is the toilet? | أين الحمام؟ | ay-na al-ham-maam |
| Where is the train station? | أين محطة القطار؟ | ay-na ma-hat-tat al-qi-taar |
| The bill, please | الحساب من فضلك | al-hi-saab min fad-lik |
| A glass of water, please | كوب ماء من فضلك | koob maa min fad-lik |
| Help! | النجدة! | an-naj-da |
| I need a doctor | أحتاج إلى طبيب | ah-taaj i-la ta-beeb |
Basic phrases: pronunciation is approximate and the list has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable where that applies. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Money and safety
Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not mandatory; 10–15% in restaurants without a service charge is appreciated..
Emergency numbers: 911 all emergencies (main cities) · 999 police · 997 ambulance · 998 fire.
- The currency is the Saudi riyal.
- Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, and ATMs are common.
- Saudi Arabia has low crime, but check your government's latest travel advice, especially for areas near the Yemen border.
- Respect local laws and customs; alcohol is illegal.
Source: RoamSun Saudi Arabia facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?
Nov–Mar – mild, sunny weather across most of the country. Desert climate with very hot summers, mild winters and cooler highlands in the southwest.
What time zone is Saudi Arabia in?
Saudi Arabia uses Asia/Riyadh.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 74 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 106 need an e-visa or eTA and 18 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Saudi Arabia use?
Saudi Arabia uses plug type G at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Saudi Arabia?
The international calling code for Saudi Arabia is +966.
Do you tip in Saudi Arabia?
Not mandatory; 10–15% in restaurants without a service charge is appreciated..
What is the emergency number in Saudi Arabia?
911 all emergencies (main cities) · 999 police · 997 ambulance · 998 fire.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Saudi Arabia?
Traffic drives on the right.