20 Essential Tips for Navigating Saudi Arabia

In this travel guide, I delve into 20 essential tips and insights designed to enhance your experience in Saudi Arabia, based on my recent experience in the country in 2023.

Understanding local customs and cultural nuances is key to an enjoyable visit, not only in Saudi Arabia but in every foreign country. Whether you are drawn to the spiritual ambiance of Medina and Mecca, the bustling urban life of Riyadh and Jeddah or the majestic natural landscapes that span from the Red Sea to the Arabian Desert, our guide aims to equip you with essential knowledge to navigate this fascinating country:

By 2030, Saudi Arabia hopes to welcome 150 million tourists.

Logistically, it is now easier to visit thanks to travel e-visas, an increasing number of international air links, and a new 96-hour layover program.

1. The first and most fundamental fact about Saudi Arabia is that it is open to the outside world. Even though the nation has only started issuing tourist visas since 2019, a lot has changed in that time.

2. Like big cities in Europe or North America, Jeddah and Riyadh are home to major sports teams full of foreign players, trendy cafés and cool locations for arts and culture.

3. Arabic and English are typically used on menus, maps, road signs and other materials. Credit cards from the West are also generally accepted.

4. The capital Riyadh and the port city of Jeddah are Saudi Arabia's two largest cities and the country's main aviation hubs. Regular connections can be made through major gateways such as Dubai, Doha and London. There are numerous choices once you're within the nation.

5. Saudi Arabia has made significant infrastructure investments as well, including in high-speed rail. Although there are plans to expand, the system currently only covers Jeddah and its surroundings, which include the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

6. Men and women can drive in Saudi Arabia and rent automobiles, as long as they have valid international driver's licenses and the necessary documentation.

7. Larger cities provide both Uber and Middle Eastern ridesharing applications (Careem and Kaiian), both of which have English versions. There are taxi stands in popular places like malls and stadiums for street hailing. Taxis might also be arranged for you by your hotel.

8. Although many women dress in loose, body-covering abayas or niqabs, they are not necessary for foreigners.

9. Heed the advice of the locals if you intend to climb or see the desert sites in AlUla: wear loose-fitting apparel, go for lightweight materials like linen and natural cotton and bring hiking boots.

10. Although it's acceptable for non-Muslims to visit mosques—which happens frequently since many of them are tourist destinations in and of themselves—appropriate attire is required. Tip: Bring socks if you intend to visit a mosque since you will need to take off your shoes in order to enter.

11. The holiest city in Islam, Mecca, is located in Saudi Arabia. Muslims must, at least once in their lives, perform the hajj (or religious journey), to the city's holy sites. The remainder of Saudi Arabia is still accessible to travelers during the haji. Due to the fact that many residents and foreign visitors have two weeks off and travel abroad for the holidays, the period is typically less busy in the other areas.

12. The hours of entry to many mosques are displayed outside, and the bigger, more well-known ones frequently have websites with additional information. You won't be able to visit some mosques, though, specifically those in Mecca and Medina if you are not a Muslim.

13. Keep in mind that if you visit during the Islamic calendar's ninth month, Ramadan, (Lunar months like Ramadan can vary a day each side; in 2024, it's anticipated to run from March 10 to April 8) there may not be much to do during the day. Because Ramadan is observed by fasting during the day and eating at night, stores and restaurants open later or are closed entirely during this time. After evening prayer, all the restaurants in the bazaar open up.

14. A lot of Saudis also suggest against visiting in the summer time, since it usually gets as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 50 degrees Celsius (like Dubai). Some establishments may close in the afternoon and reopen later in the day due to the intense heat. For instance, the majority of cafés and shops in Jeddah's old al-Balad area close for several hours at midday. The shoulder season, when costs are also cheaper, is the ideal time to visit the opulent waterfront resorts along the Red Sea. January typically has the lowest temperatures of the year, ranging from 64 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 20 degrees Celsius). Winter is the best time of year to take advantage of Saudi Arabia's abundance of outdoor activities, such as stargazing in the desert and hiking old historical sites.

15. Since 1986, the Saudi riyal has been locked at a fixed exchange rate of 3.7450 to the US dollar. Although there are 100 halalas in a riyal, which are intended to indicate certain prices, in reality, most payments are rounded to the nearest riyal, therefore it's likely that you will never come across any halala coins. There are two series of bills in circulation, with values ranging from one, five, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 riyals. Although most people in Saudi Arabia still only carry cash, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. There are ATMs everywhere, particularly at petrol stations and shopping centers. Foreign cards are accepted at all banks, with the National Commercial Bank being the biggest in the nation.

16. Tipping is not typically expected, however service personnel are pleased to accept it, and taxi fares are frequently rounded up (or, occasionally, down). The bill should clearly indicate that there is no service charge, and depending on the level of care, a tip of 10% of the total bill value is customarily offered.

17. Rugs are a popular buy, with the majority coming from Iran, which is close by.

18. All of the major cities have sizable gold and jewelry markets, although Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah have particularly large ones. In Saudi Arabia, gold is inexpensive, and most small- to medium-sized businesses encourage haggling. The real, bazaar-style Arabic souk atmosphere of Jeddah's old town, known as Al-Balad, is well-known around the world, as is the architecture of the Hijazi old buildings.

19. Huge, immaculate supermarkets and shopping centers with air conditioning (such as Al-Danub, Geant, and Carrefour) can be found all around the kingdom. AMC and Vox cinemas have opened across the kingdom. In Saudi Arabia, fast food is a big business. There are the typical suspects, such McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Subway, as well as a few unusual international franchises, like Hardee's/Carl's Jr. and Little Caesars. Meals that come with fries and Coke are between SAR 9 and SAR 20.

20. Turkish "black" coffee, made in the manner of the Middle East, is served in little cups called "finjan" and can have sugar added or left off. The other variety, known as Saudi coffee, is limited to Saudi Arabia and is called Arabic "white" coffee. Typically flavored with cardamom (or occasionally with saffron, cinnamon, or ginger), this coffee is brewed from extremely lightly roasted beans, unlike Turkish or Western coffees. "Red" tea, or chai, is regular tea that typically has a few mint leaves (na'ana) and a few dollops of sugar. Herbal teas like green tea are common too.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Saudi Arabia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Phelipe Cardoso Sekai’s guide, Paris Beyond the Louvre, Unveiling the Artistic Heart of Paris: A Guide to the City's Lesser-Known Museums.