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InternationalTravel.ai > Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Winter

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: August

Famous For: Islamic heritage sites, Red Sea diving, Desert landscapes, Arabian Peninsula archaeology

Train Access: Yes (saudi railways organization (sro), haramain high speed railway, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (SAPTCO, SABTCO, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders can obtain a Saudi tourist e-visa online or on arrival, valid for 90 days with multiple entries. The process requires a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and return flight details. Some nationalities receive visa-free entry for up to 14 days under the GCC reciprocal agreement.

Saudi Arabia spans the Arabian Peninsula with diverse landscapes: the Red Sea coastal regions featuring coral reefs and beach towns like Jeddah and Yanbu; the Asir Mountains in the southwest with terraced villages and cooler highland climate; Riyadh's modern urban center in the central Nejd plateau; the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali) desert in the south; and Al-Madinah and Makkah in the Hejaz region. Travelers visit UNESCO sites including Al-Hijr archaeological park, explore traditional souks in Riyadh and Jeddah, trek in the Asir highlands, dive Red Sea reefs, and experience Bedouin desert camps. Saudi cuisine features kabsa, shawarma, and fresh seafood along coastal areas. The country combines Islamic heritage sites, dramatic desert landscapes, and rapidly developing tourism infrastructure.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Saudi Arabia

Weather: Saudi Arabia experiences an extremely hot desert climate with scorching summers where temperatures regularly exceed 45°C (113°F), particularly from June to August. Winters are mild to warm, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F) between December and February. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, with most precipitation occurring in winter months, and some regions receive virtually no rain annually. Dust storms and sandstorms are common, particularly in spring and early summer.

Festivals: Janadriyah Festival, Saudi National Day (September 23)

Best Destinations for Kids: Riyadh's Masmak Fortress and nearby Diriyah archaeological site provide interactive history; the Red Sea beaches near Jeddah at Corniche and nearby islands offer swimming and snorkeling; Al-Shallal Theme Park in Riyadh features rides and family entertainment.

Hidden Gem: Al-Ula in the northwest contains pre-Islamic Nabatean ruins at Al-Hijr and dramatic sandstone formations; fewer international tourists visit compared to Riyadh or Jeddah, offering quieter exploration of ancient trade route heritage and desert landscapes.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from SR 80-150 per night in guesthouses outside major cities to SR 200-400 in mid-range hotels in Riyadh and Jeddah. Meals at local restaurants cost SR 20-40 for shawarma or rice dishes; SR 60-120 for sit-down dining. Inter-city travel via Saudi Arabian Airlines or budget carriers costs SR 200-500 per flight; long-distance buses via SAPTCO run SR 100-300. Domestic car rental starts around SR 80-120 daily.

Accessibility: Major hotels and shopping centers in Riyadh and Jeddah have wheelchair access and elevators; however, older medinas and archaeological sites like Al-Hijr have uneven terrain and limited accessibility infrastructure. Domestic flights and taxis are available, though sidewalk conditions in older districts vary significantly.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel is feasible for independent travelers; Riyadh and Jeddah have established tourist services and English-speaking staff in hotels and restaurants. Women traveling solo should dress conservatively and may experience social restrictions in certain areas, though major cities are increasingly cosmopolitan. Public transportation is reliable; hiring private drivers or joining organized tours reduces navigation complexity. Male solo travelers face fewer social constraints and can move freely

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Spend 2 days in Riyadh exploring Masmak Fortress, National Museum, and Diriyah; 2 days in Jeddah visiting the Corniche, Al-Balad historic district, and Red Sea diving; 2 days in Al-Ula for Al-Hijr ruins and desert landscapes; 1 day traveling between cities.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Allocate 10 days to the Riyadh-Diriyah-Jeddah triangle; 8 days exploring Al-Ula, Dadan, and surrounding desert regions; 6 days in the Asir Mountains visiting Abha and Khamis Mushait for highland culture; 4 days on Red Sea islands or coastal towns like Yanbu; remaining days for travel and flexibility in lesser-visited areas like Ha'il or the northern regions.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Theeb, Wadjda, A Hologram for the King

Popular Foods: Traditional Saudi cuisine includes dishes such as Kabsa, which is a flavorful rice dish usually made with chicken, lamb, or camel meat, seasoned with a blend of spices. Another popular dish is Shawarma, a Middle Eastern meat preparation where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, or mixed meats are placed on a spit and grilled. For dessert, dates are widely consumed, often stuffed with nuts or coated in chocolate, and Luqaimat, sweet dumplings that are deep-fried and then soaked in syrup or honey.

Unusual Eats: Camel hump is considered a delicacy in Saudi Arabia, often reserved for special occasions. It is fatty and rich in taste but might be off-putting for those unaccustomed to eating camel products.

Popular Sports: football, camel racing, falconry, horse racing

Popular Teams: Al-Hilal FC (football), Al-Nassr FC (football), Al-Ittihad FC (football)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Saudi Arabia and can be considered offensive. It is also important to dress conservatively, covering arms and legs, and women should wear an abaya in public. During the holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is considered disrespectful, as it is a time of fasting for Muslims.