Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom Opens Up
Nabataean tombs at AlUla, futuristic Riyadh, Jeddah's coral old town and untouched Red Sea reefs — one of travel's newest frontiers.
Why Visit Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia only opened to tourists in 2019, and that newness is precisely the draw — this is genuine frontier travel in a country still writing its tourism story. The headline is AlUla, where the Nabataeans (the builders of Petra) carved monumental tombs into desert sandstone at Hegra, Saudi's first UNESCO site, now near-empty of crowds. Riyadh races skyward with giga-projects and a fast-growing dining and arts scene, while Jeddah's coral-stone old town of Al-Balad opens onto the Red Sea and some of the planet's most pristine, uncrowded coral reefs. Vast, dramatic and rapidly modernising, the Kingdom rewards the curious and well-prepared.
Key Highlights
- Hegra (Madā'in Sālih) — Nabataean rock-cut tombs at AlUla
- AlUla's Elephant Rock and the mirrored Maraya concert hall
- Riyadh's Edge of the World cliff and the historic Diriyah district
- Jeddah's UNESCO coral-stone old town, Al-Balad
- Pristine Red Sea diving and the new Red Sea resorts
- The Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali) desert dunes
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Saudi Arabia — Quick Facts
Capital
Riyadh
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Population
36 million
Language(s)
Arabic
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
Power Plugs
Type G
Card Acceptance
Cards and contactless widely accepted in cities and malls; carry some riyal cash for souks and rural areas
Typical Daily Budget
SAR180–280 (~$48–75) / SAR500–900 (~$135–240) / SAR1,800+ (~$480+) (budget / mid / luxury)
Emergency Numbers
Police: 999 · Ambulance: 997 · Fire: 998
Destinations in Saudi Arabia
Explore cities, regions, and experiences across Saudi Arabia.
AlUla
The Kingdom's star — Hegra's Nabataean tombs, Elephant Rock, the mirrored Maraya hall and dramatic desert canyons.
Riyadh
The fast-rising capital — Kingdom Centre views, the Edge of the World cliffs, historic Diriyah and a booming dining scene.
Jeddah
The Red Sea gateway — the UNESCO coral-stone old town of Al-Balad, a vibrant corniche and access to world-class diving.
The Red Sea Coast
Pristine, uncrowded coral reefs and the new luxury Red Sea resorts along Saudi Arabia's untouched western shore.
Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert, so timing matters. The cool season (November–March) is by far the best time to visit, with comfortable days ideal for AlUla, Riyadh and the desert. Summer (June–September) is brutally hot inland, though the Red Sea coast and high-altitude Asir region stay more bearable.
Nov – Mar
Cool Season (Peak)
The prime window — warm, dry days and cool nights perfect for AlUla, Riyadh, desert camping and sightseeing. AlUla's festival season falls here.
Apr & Oct
Shoulder
Hot but manageable, with fewer visitors and lower prices. Early mornings and evenings remain comfortable for outdoor sites.
Jun – Sep
Summer (Very Hot)
Extreme heat inland (often 45°C+). Best limited to the Red Sea coast, diving and the cooler mountains of Asir around Abha.
Saudi Arabia — Travel Budget Guide
Saudi Arabia is a mid-to-high-cost destination. Hotels and the flagship AlUla experiences skew premium, and alcohol is unavailable countrywide. That said, fuel and domestic flights are cheap, street and local food is affordable, and ride-hailing keeps city transport reasonable. Budgets sit above Egypt or Jordan but below the UAE for comparable comfort.
Budget Traveller
SAR180–280/day (~$48–75)
Budget hotel or apartment, local restaurants and street food, ride-hailing and intercity buses, free heritage sites.
Mid-Range
SAR500–900/day (~$135–240)
Comfortable 4-star hotel, restaurant dining, domestic flights, AlUla tours and a desert excursion.
Luxury
SAR1,800+/day (~$480+)
AlUla luxury resort or Red Sea retreat, private guides, helicopter and dune experiences and fine dining.
Saudi Arabia Safety Overview
Moderate RiskSaudi Arabia has very low street crime and feels secure for visitors, with a strong police presence and welcoming hospitality. The bigger considerations are cultural and legal: this is a conservative country with strict laws. Note that non-Muslims cannot enter the holy cities of Mecca and Medina city centres. Government advice cautions against the southern border with Yemen.
- Respect local laws and customs: alcohol and drugs are strictly illegal with severe penalties; public behaviour should be modest.
- Dress modestly — women no longer need an abaya but should cover shoulders and knees; men should avoid shorts at religious or formal sites.
- Non-Muslims must not enter the central holy areas of Mecca and Medina — respect the marked boundaries.
- Avoid the southern region bordering Yemen, per government travel advice.
- Use Uber or Careem for reliable, metered transport; tap water quality varies, so bottled is safest.
Getting Around Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is huge, so flying is the norm — Saudia and flynas connect Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla cheaply. The high-speed Haramain railway links Jeddah, Mecca and Medina, and Riyadh's new metro is opening up the capital. Careem and Uber handle city rides, and a hire car suits desert road trips for confident drivers.
Domestic Flights
The practical way to cover the Kingdom's vast distances — Saudia and flynas link Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla (via Prince Abdul Majeed Airport).
Haramain High-Speed Rail
Modern 300km/h trains connect Jeddah, King Abdulaziz Airport, Mecca and Medina — fast and comfortable along the western corridor.
Riyadh Metro
The capital's newly opened multi-line driverless metro is transforming city travel, supplemented by buses.
Careem & Uber
Ride-hailing is cheap, reliable and the easiest way around all major cities — cashless and metered in-app.
Car Hire
Fuel is very cheap and roads are excellent — ideal for AlUla, Edge of the World and desert routes. Drive on the right; women may drive freely.
Saudi Arabia — Connectivity & eSIM
Saudi Arabia has excellent, fast 4G/5G coverage across cities and tourist regions and reliable hotel and mall WiFi. A travel eSIM is the simplest way to get connected on arrival; local STC, Mobily or Zain SIMs are widely available with passport registration. Note some VoIP calling apps can be restricted.
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Where to stay in Saudi Arabia
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Flights to Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia Travel Intelligence
Guides, watch alerts, and planning resources for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia — Frequently Asked Questions
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