Travelling in Saudi Arabia in 2026 – Travel Guide

Towers of the Clock (Abraj Al Bait), a beautiful complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

1.) People in Saudi Arabia are very friendly, kind, polite, and respectful.

2.) The Capital City of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.

3.) The total population of Saudi Arabia is somewhat more than 32 million out of which 7.7 million live in Riyadh.

4.) Immigrants make up nearly 40% of the population of Saudi Arabia.

Walking around in Al Balad also known as old Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

4.) Immigrants make up nearly 40% of the population of Saudi Arabia.

5.) The official currency is the Saudi Riyal.

6.) The official language is Arabic.

7.) Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to the religion’s holiest places, namely Mecca and Medina.

Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, at the center of Islam’s most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

8.) Oil in Saudi Arabia was discovered in 1938. Today, the kingdom has the second-largest oil reserve in the world and it’s the number one oil exporter in the world.

9.) 95 % of the country is desert or semi-desert.

10.) Saudi Arabia is home to the largest sand desert in the world called Rub Al-Khali.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE SAUDI VISA PLATFORM

https://www.visitsaudi.com/

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST E-VISA TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA

• North America: Canada, United States of America
• Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
• Asia: Brunei, China (incl. Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• GCC residents: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar & United Arab Emirates

Rijal Almaa heritage village located west of the city of Abha in the southern part of Saud Arabia

WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A SAUDI TOURIST E-VISA?

Click on the below link to proceed with your e-visa application.

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/Registration/

But if you are a GCC resident, click here: MOFA

Officially, you are supposed to receive your e-visa in about 5 to 30 minutes.

Mine was really quick. After paying for my e-visa online, I got my visa sent via e-mail within 5 minutes.

This is my Saudi e-visa – multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year

HOW MUCH DOES THE SAUDI VISA COST

The total amount includes more than just the tourist eVisa. Check out the breakdown of the visa costs below:

Visa fee: 1 × 300.00 = 300.00 SAR
Mandatory travel health insurance fee: 1 × 156.52 = 156.52 SAR
VAT 15%: 1 × 68.48 = 68.48 SAR
Associated transaction Fee: 1 × 9.98 = 9.98 SAR
Total amount 534.98 SAR (~142 USD )

As for GCC citizens, the visa costs only 300 SAR (~80 USD ).

HOW LONG IS THE SAUDI VISA VALID FOR

It’s a multiple-entry tourist visa that is valid for one year from the date of issuance. In other words, you can enter Saudi Arabia as many times as you want within the course of one year.

In total, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days.

GCC citizens can also apply for a single-entry eVisa valid for 30 days.

Magnificiant traditional Saudi architecture of the Al Tayebat International Museum in Jeddah

The Saudi Visa includes mandatory travel health insurance. I don’t know what it covers exactly and how to use it.

As I travel full-time, I have travel health insurance called nomad insurance from Safety Wings. I pay around 56 USD per month and this covers Saudi Arabia as well.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has censored certain websites and online activities in the country. Therefore, I always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when travelling in Saudi Arabia.

The use of VPN (Virtual Private Network) in Saudi Arabia is actually illegal but it’s still perfectly fine to use it. Quite a high percentage of people living in Saudi Arabia use VPN.

There are a lot of VPN providers that are recommended in Saudi. They all have their pros and cons. After comparing all of them, I got Express VPN.

Generally, I use my VPN either on the USA or German server 24/7.

When I’m not on the VPN for some reason,  I always hop on the VPN in Saudi when I do online banking for safety reasons. Moreover, I need the VPN if I want to make a call on WhatsApp and Messenger as calls on these two apps don’t work without a VPN at all.

I have signed up for Express VPN’s 12-month plan as I find it useful in pretty much every single country where I am in the world.

You can find a lot of awesome hotels in Saudi Arabia. I’ll show you the 3 most fabulous hotels in Saudi Arabia.

HABITAS ALULA IN AL ULA

Beautiful outdoor pool of one of the best hotels in Al Ula called, Habitas Alula. – Image from Booking.com

Habitas Alula is a luxurious and environmentally conscious hotel. It’s nestled in an ancient oasis surrounded by breathtaking canyons with sandstone cliffs and palm groves.

This fabulous resort has 69 amazing villas, an outdoor swimming pool,  a yoga deck, wellness and fitness center.  They also organize art, cultural activities and sports activities such as trekking in canyons.

WALDORF ASTORIA JEDDAH – QASR AL SHARQ

Stunning bathroom in one of the best hotels of Jeddah, Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Image from Booking.com

Waldorf Astoria in Jeddah is located in an awesome location close to the New Jeddah Jeddah Corniche.

Their suites all offer marble bathrooms and they all overlook the sea.   The suites also have incredibly marvelous scalloped archways, elegant arabesque details, dazzling silk curtains, and gold accents.

And to make sure you will feel in the most amazing Arabian fairy tale possible, they serve local specialties in their lavish Middle Eastern dining rooms.

NARCISSUS RIYADH HOTEL & SPA

Fabolous spa in one of the best hotels in Riyadh called, Narcissus Riyadh Hotel & Spa – Image from Booking.com

There are a few guides for traveling in Saudi Arabia but probably none of them are up-to-date.

Nevertheless, I’m sure they will offer a lot of value to your trip to Saudi Arabia coupled with my online travel guides that are continuously kept up-to-date.

A TRAVELLER’S GUIDE TO SAUDI ARABIA

This guide is the latest and best-rated travel guide for Saudi Arabia I found. It includes Jeddah, Riyadh, Al Ula, Mada’in Salih (Hegra), Ha’il, Jubbah, Al Jawf, Tabuk, Tayma, Khaybar, Taif, Abha, Najran, Layla.

LONELY PLANET OMAN, UAE & ARABIAN PENINSULA

Lonely Planet also has a travel guide just for Saudi Arabia but the last edition is very old. Therefore, I recommend this travel guide which includes not only Saudi Arabia but Oman and the UAE. The last edition of this book is not that old.

HAJJ & UMRAH: JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME – A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR HAJJ & UMRAH

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is an essential duty for all Muslims, who are physically and financially able to perform it.

Umrah is a pilgrimage performed before the Hajj. They are both a very important part of Muslims’ life.

If you are a Muslim, if you want to perform Umrah and Hajj in your lifetime, you can use this book to get prepared. If you are not a Muslim, this book will be a source of knowledge for you to learn more about Islam and Saudi Arabia.

How safe is Saudi Arabia? Is Saudi Arabia dangerous?

I was traveling for 3 weeks in Saudi Arabia. From my perspective, Saudi Arabia is very safe.

The only time I felt that I was in a dangerous situation was when I was driving back to Abha from Rijal Alma. The last section of the ride was at night.

A couple of times, I was in situations when an accident could have happened. There were too many cars on the road overtaking and changing lanes too fast and too abruptly without indicating.

I had to also keep up with the other cars. I could not just drive at a speed comfortable for me. Otherwise, the drivers were impatiently blowing their horns. But that is just a personal thing.

Last but not least, make sure you pay attention as a pedestrian when you cross the road or when you are walking on the road which is quite common in the Middle East.

So, is Saudi Arabia safe for women?

As a solo female traveler, I always felt safe in Saudi Arabia. Nobody ever disrespected me or said anything bad to me. Nobody was even staring at me because I look a foreigner or a tourist.

Traveling from Jeddah to Medina by the Haramain highspeed train in Saud Arabia

How is visiting Saudi Arabia in general as a woman?

I could do anything and everything that I wanted in Saudi Arabia. There was literally nothing challenging about traveling in Saudi Arabia as a woman traveling alone. People were super nice to me all the time and helped my journey in every way possible.

Sometimes, in certain situations, you get things done quicker as a woman. For example, in a few places,  there is a separate line for women and you don’t have to line up with a dozen of men. Or even if there is no other line for women, women will be served first.

In some places, such as McDonald’s, there are two sections: one for single men and the second one for families. I always entered the male section first, because I didn’t pay attention. Then, I was directed to the family section. But I’m sure this segregation will be over soon.

Once, I  have been to a restaurant in Abha where normally only men can eat. I got my Mazby also called Mandi takeaway which I didn’t understand. I told the guy that I planned to eat there. The guy in the kitchen said to me: “Women cannot eat here.”

I was quite disappointed because I was hungry and I was not planning to eat my chicken in the car.

The manager came up to me asking: “Can I help you?”

I said: “Yes, I’m hungry and I want to eat.”

He prepared a table for me right away and served my chicken with rice on a plate. I was the only woman in the restaurant and nobody seemed to be bothered about it.

Rules for female tourists in Saudi Arabia?

There is no rule specifically applying to women, to be honest. As for what to wear in Saudi Arabia as a woman visiting Saudi Arabia, I will talk about that in the section about What to Wear in Saudi Arabia.

NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA

When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia is one of the most important questions to consider when planning a vacation to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is an excellent winter destination just like Oman and Dubai.

The best time of the year to visit Saudi Arabia is winter time from November to February.

This time the weather is mild and the temperature remains average all around Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabia doesn’t have the same climate everywhere in the country at the same time.

I’ll give January as an example as January is the best month to travel to Saudi Arabia.

For example, in January, it’s really hot in Jeddah but it’s cooler in Medina. Then, Abha is perfect during the day but at night, it’s cold. At the same time, Riyadh is kind of mild during the day but really cold at night. Therefore, you need to bring both summer and winter clothes for your trip to Saudi.

• Jeddah in January: max 28 ℃ / 82 ℉, min 18 ℃ / 64 ℉
• Medina in January: max 24 ℃ / 75 ℉, min 12 ℃ / 54 ℉
• Riyadh in January: max 21 ℃ / 70 ℉, min 9 ℃ / 48 ℉
• Abha in January: max 22 ℃ / 72 ℉, min 12 ℃ / 55 ℉

OCTOBER, MARCH, TO APRIL – STILL OK TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA

As for October, March, and April, the climate is still manageable but it can be really hot.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA FOR UMRAH

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. But you might want to keep two things in mind when you choose your dates for Umrah: the Hajj season and the weather.

The best time to undertake Umrah is definitely before and after the Hajj season and when the temperature is mild.

11.1. RELIGIOUS TOURISM

Saudi Arabia has been a tourist spot for Muslims for a long time as Saudi Arabia is home to the holiest places in Islam: Mecca and Medina.

What are the most important events in Mecca?

Muslim men wearing Ihram required to perform Umrah and Hajj in the Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam. That’s where you can find the Masjid al-Haram which is the holiest mosque in Islam and the largest mosque in the world.  And Masjid al-Haram is the mosque where the Holy Kaaba (the Sacred House of God in Arabic) is located.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia is the most important religious event for the followers of Islam. It is an obligation, once in a lifetime, for those who are physically and financially able to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

It’s performed every year within the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

Another important event happening in Mecca is the Umrah. Umrah means ‘a visit’ to the Kaaba. As opposed to Hajj, it can be performed by anyone, any time of the year.

Muslim pilgrims around Kaaba performing Umrah in the Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Why is Medina important?

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, after Mecca. Medina is celebrated as the place from which Muhammad established the Muslim community after his flight from Mecca (622 CE) and it’s the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad.

In Medina, you can find the second holiest mosque in Islam which is also the second largest mosque in the world, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi also known as the Prophet’s Mosque. This magnificent holy mosque was built by Prophet Muhammad himself.

Muslim women in the second most sacred site in Islam, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi also known as the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

11.2. GENERAL TOURISM

Saudi Arabia opened its doors to the world through its new tourist visa. Through their visa online portal, international tourists from 49 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa.

Saudi Arabia invests heavily in its tourism industry that you can witness yourself while traveling in the country as a lot of sites are currently under construction.  Saudi Arabia is to spend 1 trillion dollars in the next decade to build up its tourism economy.

The kingdom’s goal is to attract 100 million international tourists by 2030.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is without question rich in history and heritage. The country is featuring to hundreds of historically significant sites, such as the magical old town of Jeddah, Al Balad, or one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula, the breathtaking beauty of Al Ula which is the first UNESCO Heritage Site of KSA.

While traveling in Saudi Arabia, I didn’t really see too many international tourists, at least not many non-religious tourists.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO SAUDI ARABIA BY AIR

There are a lot of international flights to Saudi Arabia. Wizzair has just started a lot of cheap flights from several European countries to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. That means that flying to Saudi Arabia is becoming very affordable.

You can compare the prices on Skyscanner.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO SAUDI ARABIA BY LAND

Saudi Arabia has 8 bordering countries: Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan.

1. Yemen – Saudi Arabia border crossing: Due to the eight-year-old conflict between the two countries, the borders between the two countries are closed.

2. Oman – Saudi Arabia border crossing: Oman and KSA have one border open at Ramlat Khaliya located in the Rub’ al Khali desert aka the “Empty Quarter”. A friend of mine recently crossed this border hitchhiking.

3. United Arab Emirates – Saudi Arabia border crossing: This is the Al Batha – Al Ghuwaifat border crossing. Easy to cross it by car or by public transport. There are loads of buses on daily basis from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. You can easily book your bus ticket, here.

4. Qatar – Saudi Arabia border crossing: There is one border open at Abu Sambra in Qatar. You can easily cross the border by car. There is no public transport between Qatar and KSA.

5. Bahrain – Saudi Arabia border crossing: The two countries are connected by the King Fahd Causeway. It’s also an easy border crossing either by car or by public transport. There are buses daily from the capital of Bahrain, Manama, to Dammam, Riyadh, and Jeddah. You can book your bus ticket, here. I tried this bus and I can totally recommend it. I took the bus from Dammam to Bahrain.

6. Kuwait – Saudi Arabia border crossing: The two countries have two main borders. The Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border is open to travelers at two major border crossing points: at Salmi and at Nuwaiseeb. Public transport is not available between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

7. Iraq – Saudi Arabi border crossing: There is a border open close to Arar in Saudi Arabia.  I haven’t heard about any traveler crossing this border between Iraq and KSA. According to reports, the border is only open for Saudi and Iraqi nationals.

8. Jordan – Saudi Arabia border crossing: KSA has three borders with Jordan open. There are loads of bus companies running from Amman and Aqaba to Saudi Arabia departing every day at 10 am, a 24-hour journey. From Amman, a bus ticket costs only 25 JD (35 USD). The bus companies are around King Al Hussein St 139 in Amman.

Most international flights go to Jeddah, Dammam, or Riyadh. I arrived at the Jeddah International Airport. Therefore, I’ll talk about that one. But I’m sure the procedure is the same for all the airports.

PASSPORT AND E-VISA CONTROL

The Jeddah International Airport, also known as the King Abdulaziz Airport has 4 terminals. I arrived at the North Terminal.

The passport and eVisa control was quick. Everything was checked in less than 2 minutes. I didn’t even have to queue up.

EXCHANGING MONEY & WITHDRAWING MONEY

In the arrival hall, there are, of course, exchange offices and ATMs. I withdrew money from the SNB Bank. It worked out perfectly fine.

BUYING A SIM CARD AT JEDDAH INTERNATIONAL AIPORT

There were three mobile phone companies in the arrival hall: STC, Mobily, and Zain. 

My local friends recommended STC, so I took a sim card with data from them without hesitation. The purchase of the sim card was really quick. I inserted the card myself and the sim card worked right away. No activation was necessary.

Sim card prices are the same both at the airport and everywhere else in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the smartest thing to do is to get your sim card right away upon arrival at the airport.

I collected the prices of all the above-mentioned 3 mobile internet providers. To learn about the prices, continue reading the next section.

HOW TO GET TO JEDDAH FROM JEDDAH AIRPORT

Private taxis run from all the terminals of Jeddah Airport 24/7.

When you arrive at the airport, the taxi drivers are already waiting in the arrival hall to catch customers. But you can also find the stalls of the taxi companies as well inside and outside the terminals.

Mecca (Makkah) which is about an hour from Jeddah Airport:  200 – 250 Saudi rials
Downtown Jeddah: 50 – 100 Saudi rials

These amounts include a surcharge for trips to and from Jeddah Airport.

In any case, the best option is to use one of the taxi apps, either Uber or Careem. Luckily, both of them are available at Jeddah Airport.

14.1. BUYING AN eSIM FOR SAUDI ARABIA

An eSIM makes it much easier to switch mobile networks. Instead of searching for the sim card shop, hunting for a SIM ‘ejector tool’ to remove the old SIM from your phone, then inserting it into your phone, you can switch to a different network with a phone call or online.

Check out the rates of the Saudi Arabia eSIM provided by Airalo.

5 USD: 1 GB, 7 days
8 USD: 2 GB, 15 days
11 USD: 3 GB, 30 days
15.50 USD: 5 GB, 30 days
26 USD: 10 GB, 30 days

14.2. PREPAID SIM CARD PACKAGES IN SAUDI ARABIA

So, let’s talk about sim cards and data packages provided by STC, Mobily, and Zain. 

STC is the best prepaid sim card in Saudi Arabia for tourists in 2023.

STC has the best coverage in Saudi Arabia and if just quickly skim through the prices for the data packages, it’s right away obvious that STC has the best and most reasonable packages.

STC SIM CARD & DATA PACKAGES

Packages with 21-day validity:

• 40.5 SAR (~11 USD): 2 GB data + 120 mins local call, 5 SAR credit for international calls
• 80.5 SAR (~21.50 USD): 18 GB data + 300 mins local call, 10 SAR credit for international calls
• 115 SAR (~30.70 USD): 45 GB data + 480 mins local call, 15 SAR credit for international calls

Packages with 28-day validity:

• 40.5 SAR (~11 USD): 1 GB browsing + 1 GB social media, 60 min local and international calls
• 75 SAR (~20 USD): 4 GB browsing + 4 GB social media, 120 min local and international calls
• 103.5 SAR (~27.60 USD): 10 GB browsing + 10 GB social media, 200 min local and international calls
• 115 SAR (~30.70 USD): 10 GB browsing + 20 GB social media, 300 min local and international calls
• 276 SAR (~73.60 USD): 80 GB browsing + unlimited social media, 600 min local and international calls

MOBILY SIM & DATA PACKAGES

Packages with 4-week validity:

• 69 SAR (~18.40 USD): 5 GB internet+ 5 GB social media, 600 min local calls
• 126.5 SAR (~33.70 USD): 10 GB internet+ 15 GB social media, 1500 min local calls
• 172.5 SAR (~46 USD): 50 GB internet+ unlimited social media, 3000 min local calls
• 207 SAR (~55.20 USD): 80 GB internet+ unlimited social media, unlimited local calls
• 253 SAR (~ 67.50 USD): 100 GB internet+ unlimited social media, unlimited local calls
• 395 SAR (~105.33 USD): unlimited internet+ unlimited social media, unlimited local calls

ZAIN SIM & DATA PACKAGES

Packages with 28-day validity:

• 80 SAR (~18.40 USD): 10 GB internet+ 5 GB social media, 150 min local calls, 150 min international calls
• 15 SAR (~18.40 USD): 20 GB internet+ unlimited social media, 250 min local calls, 250 min international calls
• 150 SAR (~18.40 USD): 25 GB internet+ unlimited social media, 350 min local calls, 350 min international calls
• 370 SAR (~18.40 USD): 100 GB internet+ unlimited social media, 800 min local calls, 800 min international calls

Islam’s most important mosque, Masjid al-Haram aka the Great Mosque of  Mecca in Saudi Arabia

As I have a lot of Muslim readers, in this list, I’m also going to include Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

When visiting Saudi Arabia, keep in mind that Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque are the only places where non-Muslims are not allowed to enter.

There are a bunch of different lists of the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia. In this list, I collected the most unique highlights in Saudi Arabia.

1. MASJID AL-HARAM aka THE GREAT MOSQUE OF MECCA

The most sacred site in Islam Kaaba in the center of the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Masjid Al Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca is the most important mosque in the Islamic World situated in the city of Mecca.

This is the mosque that surrounds the Kaaba which is the most sacred site in Islam. This is where Muslims come to perform the annual pilgrimage called Hajj.

Hajj is a religious duty that Muslims must undertake at least once in their life provided that they are physically and financially able to carry out the journey.

Muslims consider the Kaaba (also referred to as Kabah), the House of God. It’s also the qibla that indicates the direction in which Muslims must pray.

HOW TO GET TO MASJID AL-HARAM aka THE GREAT MOSQUE OF MECCA

Visiting Mecca, the most famous place in Saudi Arabia is very easy.

First, you have to travel to the city of Mecca. The cheapest way to get to Mecca is by the SAPTCO bus. The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Mecca is either by Haramain High-Speed Train or by car from Jeddah.

If you take the high-speed train, remember that the ticket includes a free shuttle bus service to and from Masjid Al-Haram.

More info on the SAPTCO bus and the Haramain High-Speed Train in the next section: How to Get Around Saudi Arabia

2. AL-MASJID AN-NABAWI aka PROPHET’S MOSQUE in MEDINA

Outside the Prophet Muhammad Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Your trip to Saudi Arabia cannot be complete without visiting the Prophet’s Mosque located in the heart of Medina.

It was built by Prophet Muhammad. Today, it’s the second holiest site in Islam and the second-largest mosque in the world.

In the past, Medina was off-limit to non-Muslims. Fortunately, today, non-Muslims are also welcome in the holy city of Medina.

However, non-Muslims officially are not allowed to enter the Prophet’s mosque and are not allowed to set foot in the courtyard either.

The interior design of Prophet Muhammad Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

HOW TO GET TO AL-MASJID AN-NABAWI aka PROPHET’S MOSQUE in MEDINA

First, you have to travel to the city of Medina. The cheapest way to get to Medina is by the SAPTCO bus. The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Mecca is either by Haramain High-Speed Train or by car from Jeddah.

More info on the SAPTCO bus and the Haramain High-Speed Train in the next section: How to Get Around Saudi Arabia

If you take the train or the bus, from the station just take a taxi using Uber.

3. RIJAL ALMA

One of the most beautiful villages in Saudi Arabia

Rijal Almaa is a drop-dead gorgeous village in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia about 50 km (~31 miles) from the city of Abha.

The main touristic attraction of this more than 900 years old village is the Rijal Almaa Museum which is a renovated building complex with stunning architecture.

This building complex features beautiful colorful buildings made of stone, clay, and wood. Walking around here feels like being part of a fairy tale.

The entrance fee is 40 riyals (~10 USD).

There are still a lot of old buildings around the museum that are not renovated, in case you want to explore.

HOW TO GET TO RIJAL ALMAA

First, you have to travel to Abha. The best way to get there is by plane. I flew to Abha from Jeddah with the Saudi low-cost airline called Flynas.

More about the Saudi national airlines in the next section: How to get around Saudi Arabia

Once, you are in Abha, rent a car. There is no public transport in Abha and there is no public transport to Rijal Almaa.

I rented a car in Abha. You can read more about it here: How I rented a car in Abha

There are two ways to get to Rijal Almaa from Abha.

One of them is about one hour from Abha. It’s the road that Google Maps directs you. It’s a very steep mountain road with sharp curves.

I didn’t take this one because I wasn’t comfortable with driving there completely alone.  I took a detour using Dhila Road. The journey in this case can take about 2 hours instead of 1 hour. But it’s much safer and more comfortable.

4.  AL-BALAD aka OLD JEDDAH

Let’s start exploring the beauty of Old Jeddah, Al Balad, in Saudi Arabia

Al-Balad, also known as Old Jeddah, is one of my favorite places in Saudi Arabia. As the name says, it’s the old part of Jeddah.

This old district which was founded in the 7th century is a fascinating World Heritage Site.

Back in the 7th century up until the oil boom in the 1970s, Al Balad was the commercial center of Jeddah. Today, it’s famous for its ancient architecture and old traditional buildings. The houses were built with coral stone and decorated with lattice windows.

HOW TO GET TO AL-BALAD

First, make your way to Jeddah by plane, car, bus, or high-speed train. Then, once you are in Jeddah, take a local bus or an Uber to get to Al-Balad.

If you want to take the bus, consult with your hotel or local friend about it. They can tell you where you can take the bus to get there.

5.  AL TAYEBAT INTERNATIONAL CITY MUSEUM IN JEDDAH

The Al Tayebat International City Museum was more beautiful and interesting than expected. It’s also really big. You can plan there for at least 4 hours.

It’s a unique private museum. The building of the museum was constructed in the traditional Hijazi style which is the architectural style of old Jeddah.

Inside the museum, you can find replicas of home interiors from every region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The museum also features exquisite Islamic manuscripts, old weaponry, beautiful furniture, and traditional Saudi dresses.

OPENING HOURS OF THE AL TAYEBAT INTERNATIONAL CITY MUSEUM

It’s open every day except Friday from 8 am to 12 (noon) and from 5 pm to 9 pm.

ENTRANCE FEE FOR THE AL TAYEBAT INTERNATIONAL CITY MUSEUM

The ticket costs 80 Saudi riyals (~21.30 USD).

6.  AL ULA

Hegra, also known as Al-Hijr, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites located in Al-‘Ula in the northern part of Saudi Arabia

Al Ula is an ancient oasis in a breathtaking desert valley full of archeological wonders. It’s situated in the Medina province in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia. It features spectacular mountain ranges, deserts, canyons, historic tombs, and fascinating ancient buildings.

Al-Ula being the capital of the ancient empires of Dadan and Liyah is one of the oldest settlements not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Middle East.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN AL ULA

One of the best things to see in Al Ula is to visit the Al Ula Heritage Village. It’s also called Ad-Deerah which was settled by people in ancient times. Today, it’s an abandoned village with mud houses offering a great insight into the cultural life of the old residents.

In Al-Ula, you can find Mada’in Saleh (aka Hegra), the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located. You can read about it in the next section.

Visiting Elephant Rock Al Ula is another one of the best things to do in Al-Ula. It’s an incredibly magnificent prodigy of nature.

HOW TO GET TO AL ULA

If you want to go to Al-Ula, you can drive there. Make sure your car is fully tanked before you start your journey.

Alternatively, you can fly to Al Ula’s international airport, Al Ula International Airport with Saudi Airlines, or Flynas.

7.  HEGRA aka MADA’ IN SALEH or AL-HIJR

Hegra, also known as Al-Hijr, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites located in Al-‘Ula in the northern part of Saudi Arabia

Hegra is one of the archeological sites in the area of Al-Ula and it’s Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By all means, Hegra is one of the best places to visit in Alula.

The vast majority of the ruins and remains there date back to the Nabataean Kingdom (1st century AD). Hegra was the capital city and the second largest city that the Nabataeans built. Just on a side note, the largest city that the Nabataeans built is the stunning Petra in Jordan.

Do you know who the Nabataeans are? Nabataeans were nomadic Bedouin tribes who became wealthy by controlling important trade routes in the Middle East.

The most intriguing things to see in Hegra are the tombs of Hegra. The tombs are decorated with incredibly beautiful facades.

HOW TO GET TO HEGRA

If you have your own car, drive to the Winter Park Visitor Center and from there you can get your ticket for Hegra. There, you can also park your car.

ENTRANCE FEE FOR HEGRA

The ticket to Hegra costs 95 Saudi riyals (~25.30 USD) which includes transport to the site by bus and a guided tour of 2-3 hours.

Buses taking visitors directly to Hegra leave from the ticket office of the Winter Park Visitor Center.

Once you are dropped off at Hegra, there will be buses roving around to various spots in Hegra.

You can book the tour with Experience Al Ula, here: Hegra day tour organized by Saudi Tourism

On this website, you will find a lot of other tours for Hegra and other locations in Al-Ula.

8.  EDGE OF THE WORLD, RIYADH

Edge of the World near Riyadh is one of the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia

Edge of the World is a mind-blowing place that will take your breath away. It’s actually the name of a cliff in the Tuwaik Mountain range about 100 km (62 mi) from Riyadh.

It’s a fantastic travel destination for admiring spectacular mountain views and hiking.

HOW TO GET TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

You can drive to this picturesque place from Riyadh or join a tour.

If you want to travel there independently, make sure you have a 4×4 and you know how to drive on unmade roads.

There are several routes leading to the Edge of the World. Make sure you have your GPS offline available as there is no internet on the way there.

In case you want to skip self-driving, join this cool Edge of the World Tour also offered by Viator

This Edge of the World tour includes comfortable transport, a guided hike on the clifftops for sunset views, and an optional bat cave visit.

16.1. CAR RENTAL IN SAUDI ARABIA

You can rent a car with your friends and travel everywhere by car. If you have a car, you can easily get to tourist places and off-the-beaten travel destinations to which there is no public transport.

However, mind the fact that Saudi Arabia is a huge country and you might not want to drive everywhere. In that case, you can fly from one place to another, rent a car in your new destination, and drive around there.

16.2. DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

As mentioned before, Saud Arabia is vast, and flying within the country is quite common. There are a lot of flights daily to many travel destinations in Saudi.

The following three airlines are operating in KSA:

Saudia –  flag carrier of Saudi Arabia

Flynas – Saudi low-cost airline

Flyadeal – also Saudi low-cost airline

MY EXPERIENCE WITH FLYADEAL

I flew twice in Saudi Arabia:

• From Jeddah to Abha: 255 SAR (~68 USD)
• From Abha to Riyadh: 332 SAR (~88 USD)

You can buy the tickets for less than the above amounts if you book your flight in advance. I booked the same day when I flew because I just decided about my next destination last minute. For example, I booked my flight from Abha to Riyadh 2 hours before departure.

Moreover, these prices included a checked-in baggage.

I managed to register myself on their app but I never managed to log in after that. Thus, whenever I wanted to book a flight, I just made a booking without logging in. But this way, each time I booked, I had to enter my data again and again.

As for flying with Flyadeal, it was a very pleasant experience. I can totally recommend it.

16.3. TRAVELING BY HIGHSPEED TRAIN

Highspeed trains in Medina, Saudi Arabia

The Haramain High-Speed Railway (Haramain referring to Mecca and Medina Islamic holy cities), also known as the Mecca–Medina high-speed railway is the best way to get to Medina and Mecca.

The Saudi hight speed rail operates between Medina and Mecca through Jeddah. That means you can also travel just between Jeddah & Medina and Jeddah & Mecca.

The high-speed train has first and second class. The first class is much more pricey. Generally, the price depends on how early you can buy the tickets. Last minute, they tend to be more expensive. If you plan your visit on Friday or Saturday (the weekend), make sure to plan in advance, because for the weekend ticket are more in demand and they can get really expensive.

Their app works pretty well. But I could never register properly. Thus, each time I purchased a ticket, I had to fill in the form with my details again and again.

There is one railway station in Medina, two stations in Jeddah, and two in Mecca. They are the most beautiful and fanciest train stations I’ve seen in my life.

The Haramain highspeed train station in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The Haramain highspeed train station in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

If you go to the Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, you need to get off at the first station in Mecca. Also, remember that there are free shuttle buses between this train station and Masjid Al-Haram.

Airport in Jeddah – Madinah: without stop 1 hour 50 mins, economy class starting from 138 SAR (~37 USD) & business class starting from 304.75 SAR(~75 USD)

The economy class can go up 218.50 SAR (~58 USD) or more last minute.

Al-Sulimaniyah in Jeddah – Madinah: without stop 1 hour 50 mins, economy class starting from 143.75 SAR (~38 USD) & business class starting from 316.25 SAR (~84 USD)

The economy class can go up 230 SAR (~61 USD) last minute.

Airport in Jeddah – Makkah: without stop 54 mins, economy class starting from 34.50 SAR (~9 USD) & business class starting from 109.25 SAR (~29 USD)

Al-Sulimaniyah in Jeddah – Makkah: without stop 35 mins, economy class starting from 32.20 SAR (~9 USD) & business class starting from 80.50 SAR (~21 USD)

The economy class can go up 46 SAR (~12 USD) last minute.

When you check the schedule, you will see the following message:

“Makkah station is a holy city, only Muslims can book tickets to travel to it. Are you Muslim?”

Madinah – Makkah: without stop 2 hours 20 mins, economy class starting from 172.50 SAR (~46 USD) & business class starting from 362.25 SAR (~97 USD)

The economy class can go up 276 SAR (~74 USD) last minute.

The business class can go up 598 SAR (~159 USD) last minute.

The second class is very nice but the first class is much nicer. If you travel business class, you will also get a lunch box.

16.4. REGULAR TRAINS IN SAUDI ARABIA

SAR (Saudi Arabia Railway) is the national railway company of Saudi Arabia.

The most important thing about booking a seat with them is that you need to book in advance, especially if you want to travel on the weekend.
When I wanted to use this train, already a couple of days in advance, the tickets were sold out.

16.5. BUSES IN SAUDI ARABIA

I know two bus companies in Saudi Arabia: SAPTCO and Northwest BUS.

SAPTCO

SAPTCO, the Saudi Public Transport Company, operates urban buses in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Mecca; intercity buses; and international buses to the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman), Egypt (Hurghada) via ferry connection, and Bahrain.

The SAPTCO app on my iPhone didn’t work at all. I could download it but I could never even check the schedule. But it works in the web browser.

I could not register on the website of SAPTCO because I never received the activation e-mail. But you can book the ticket without registration. You can download the ticket right away and you will also receive an SMS with a link for downloading your ticket.

I just tried a couple of destinations with the SAPTCO bus.

Riyadh – Dammam: 6 hours, 92 Saudi riyals (~24.50 USD)

Damman – Manama, Bahrain: 3 hours: 95 Saudi riyals (~25.30 USD)

Northwest BUS

Northwest Bus is quite new and offers a lot of routes in Saudi Arabia. Some of the routes that can be useful for tourists are and are not really available with other companies are:
From Madinah to Al Ula, from Jeddah to Taif or from Jeddah to Jazan.
Check the option for Madinah to Al Ula.
Al Madinah Jabal Ohud – Al Ula
It costs 109 Riyals and the journey takes about 5 and a half hours.
Departure and arrival time: 10:00 – 15:31

Al Ula – Al Madinah Jabal Ohud
Departure and arrival time: 16:15 – 21:33

Check for more destinations on their website, here.

SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Company) Intercity bus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

16.6. TAXI APPS IN SAUDI ARABIA

In big cities, you can use taxi apps to move around. There are many taxi apps:

Uber, Careem, Jeeny, Kaiian

Careem is more expensive, almost double, than the other apps. When I realized that, I only used Uber or Jeeny depending on which worked better in different cities.

TAXI APP FARES

Jeeny taxi Saudi Arabia

In Abha: ~9 km, 20 riyals (~5 USD)

Uber taxi Saudi Arabia

In Jeddah:  15 km for 27 riyals (~7 USD) , 10 km for 21 riyals (~5.60 USD)

In Medina: 9 km for 15 riyals (~4 USD)

Careem taxi Saudi Arabia

In Jeddah: 14 km for 40 riyals. (~11 USD)

Saudi Arabia Itinerary for 7 Days for Non-Muslims with the Most Beautiful Places in Saudi Arabia

This itinerary includes the highlights of Saudi Arabia. If you are a Muslim, you can add Mecca.

Day 0 – Arrival to Saudi Arabia
Day 1 – Sightseeing in Jeddah
Day 2 – Travel to Medina, sightseeing in Medina
Day 3 – Sightseeing in Medina, travel to Al Ula
Day 4 – Al Ula
Day 5 – Al Ula
Day 6 – Fly to Abha
Day 7 – Rijal Almaa

Saudi Arabia Itinerary for 10 Days for Non-Muslims with the Most Beautiful Places in Saudi Arabia

Day 0 – Arrival in Saudi Arabia
Day 1 – Sightseeing in Jeddah
Day 2 – Sightseeing in Jeddah
Day 3 – Travel to Medina, sightseeing in Medina
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Medina, travel to Al Ula
Day 5 – Al Ula
Day 6 – Al Ula
Day 7 – Fly to Abha
Day 8 – Rijal Almaa
Day 9 – Fly to Riyadh and sightseeing in Riyadh
Day 10 – Edge of the World and sightseeing in Riyadh

18.1. WOMEN DRIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA

In the past, women were not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Today, women can drive in Saudi, and driving as a woman in KSA is the same as anywhere else in the world.

18.2. MY PERCEPTIONS OF DRIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA & BASIC TRAFFIC RULES

I met a lot of foreign travelers who rented a car and drove in Saudi Arabia. They were completely comfortable with driving in the country.

In my personal opinion, driving is a bit crazy in Saudi Arabia but you can get used to it. Driving on some roads can be dangerous and terrifying but I haven’t tried those roads during my road trip in Abha.

The speed limit on the highways is 100 km/h. As for the roads in cities and villages, the speed limit is 80 km/h.

The roads are full of cameras and policemen. I don’t have a lot of experience with driving but I think the number of cameras and traffic policemen on the roads is quite high.

In Saudi Arabia, keep driving rules and traffic laws in mind. You can easily get fined and the driving fines are pretty high. On the road for the following reasons for example:

• drinking or eating something while driving
• Holding your phone or just doing something with your phone while driving
• Smoking while driving
• Overspeeding

So, the point is that when you drive, just drive and don’t do anything else with your hands.  Still, you will see drivers texting and smoking while driving but I believe that they know where the cameras are.

Main observations while driving:

• Everybody is over-speeding except trucks and some old jeeps but the locals probably know where the cameras are and I think that’s the only time when they probably keep the speed limit.
• When I was too slow, the drivers got annoyed and that was stressful for me.
• Drivers overtake other cars too fast and too randomly without indicating even if there is very little space for the maneuver.
• When there is one lane for one direction and two for the opposite direction, drivers use the second lane for the opposite direction quite
• When drivers overtook me, some drivers got so close to my car that it freaked me out. Once, a van even moved my side mirror but luckily no damage was made.
• Drivers switch lanes randomly without indicating. It feels like a video game sometimes.
• They drive quite often not inside the lanes but kind of on the line separating the lanes.

18.3. HOW I RENTED A CAR IN SAUDI ARABIA

I only rented a car once in the city of Abha for 3 days. As a was alone and I also wanted to drive to Rijal Alma, I rented a car.

At the Abha Airport, in one of the buildings next to the arrival hall, there are a lot of rental companies. Just leave the arrival hall, take a right and you will find it in less than a minute. The only company that accepts an international card for the payment and security deposit is Yelo Car Rental.

But in order to rent a car from them, you need to provide an international driver’s license. I didn’t bring mine. So, I got no car from them.

On a side note, if you have a driver’s license from a GCC country such as the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, or Bahrain, you don’t need an international driver’s license.

Then, I took a taxi using Jeeny, which is the best taxi app in Abha, to Budget Car Rental. Budget is only a 10-minute drive from the airport. The ride cost only 21 rials (~ 5.60 USD).

The customer service was perfect. A Hyundai Accent for three days with full insurance was 477 rials (~ 127 USD) and the security deposit was supposed to be 500 rials (~ 133 USD) but I didn’t have to pay it because they could not block it on my card.

Upon returning my rental car, everything was fine. In general, I was really happy with Budget and therefore I can 100% recommend it to you.

The strict laws of the past in Saudi Arabia are gone.

However, there are still a couple of rules, regulations, and behavior patterns to follow in Saudi Arabia.

In order to respect the country, the culture, and the locals as guests, let’s go through them. Saudis have actually very good manners and they are really respectful to foreign tourists. The least we can also do is respect their culture.

– Regarding what to wear as a tourist in Saudi Arabia, there is no written rule but based on my knowledge and experience in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, I’ll explain in the next section, What to Wear in Saudi Arabia, what is the best way to dress up in different cities of KSA.

– Alcohol in Saudi Arabia is prohibited. Not even tourists in expensive hotels are allowed to consume alcohol.

– A couple of public places such as Mcdonalds are still segregated by sex. Remember that there are “single” sections for only men and “family” sections for everyone else. If you accidentally find yourself in the wrong section, just move to the other one. There are places that only serve men. I found myself in one of them by chance as I explained earlier. As I was really hungry I stayed and it was totally fine.

I think this segregation will be probably soon gone pretty much everywhere.

– No public affection is tolerated in Saudi Arabia. But you can hold your partner’s hand.

– Eat with your right hand. It has actually two reasons. One of them is religious: Prophet Muhammed asked Muslims “No one among you should eat with his left hand or drink with it, for the satan eats with his left hand and drinks with it.”  The other reason is that people use their left hand for cleaning genitalia.

SAUDI ARABIA DRESS CODE FOR FEMALE TOURISTS

In the past, women were obliged to cover their hair and wear an abaya in Saudi Arabia.

Today, women don’t need to cover their hair or wear an abaya when traveling in Saudi Arabia.

However, I think it’s recommended to wear modest clothes as a woman. I was mostly wearing a pair of jeans with a long shirt.

When you are in Saudi Arabia, I recommend buying a couple of abayas from the market in Old Jeddah as they are super comfortable.

In Medina, it’s better to wear an abaya and headscarf because Medina is a holy Islamic place where you will be mostly visiting religious places. Believe me, you will be more comfortable wearing an abaya with a headscarf.

SAUDI ARABIA DRESS CODE FOR MALE TOURISTS

As a man, if you wear a pair of long pants and a shirt that covers your shoulders you are fine. When you visit religious places in Medina, it’s better if you wear a long-sleeved shirt as well.

When you travel to Saudi Arabia, make sure you try some of the most famous Saudi dishes.

Food in Saudi Arabia is pretty delicious. I’ll give you a list of the best national dishes of Saudi Arabia.

1. KABSA – THE STAPLE FOOD OF SAUDI ARABIA

Kabsa, the staple food of Saudi Arabia

Kabsa is the national dish of Saudi Arabia and the most famous dish in the country. However, it’s also regarded as a national dish in other Middle Eastern countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. And you can also find it in Iran and Palestine.

It’s rice with chicken flavored with black pepper powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cloves, ground cardamom, and red chili powder.

Kabsa is generally served with spicy tomato sauce and is crowned with fried onions, raisins, and pine nuts on a big round plate.

Traditionally, it’s eaten with the right hand and sitting on the floor. If you find yourself with locals, just watch how they sit and eat, and simply copy them.

You will quickly realize that Kabsa is the most popular dish in Saudi Arabia because you can find it literally everywhere.

2. MUTTABAQ

Muttabaq is one of the most famous Saudi Arabian street food. It’s a kind of pan-fried flatbread stuffed with different ingredients such as eggs, minced meat, leeks, scallions, or cheese.

You can also find it in other countries in the Arab world such as Yemen and South East Asia.

I could eat this anytime but Saudis generally eat it for breakfast or as a quick meal during the day.

3. AREEKA

Areeka is originally from Yemen but Saudis really love it. It was also one of my favorite things to it in Saudi Arabia. It’s perfect for breakfast because it’s very nutritious.

This wonderful sweet dish is made from bread, crushed dates, honey, banana, and cream. Don’t miss this one. The most perfect Areeka I had in Saudi was in Medina. In some places, Areeka can feel too sweet or too oily, but the one in Medina was mouth-watering.

4. MANDI

Mandi, one of the most popular dishes in Saudi Arabia

It’s also rice with meat (lamb, camel, goat, or chicken) served on a large round platter. The rice for Mandi is seasoned with a blend of spices including turmeric

and it’s topped with raisins and fried onions.

Traditionally, the meat itself is cooked in an underground oven pit and then smoked using coal.

Mandi is originally from Yemen but it’s a very popular food in Saudi Arabia, and also in many other countries on the Arabian peninsula such as Jordan and Oman.

5. HAREES

Harees is one of the most traditional dishes in Saudi Arabia. It’s made of ground wheat, meat, oil, or butter spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin and comes topped with garlic and fried onions.

Harees is commonly eaten also in Iraq, Oman, Bahrein, and Lebanon, especially during Ramadan.

21.1. OFFICIAL CURRENCY OF SAUDI ARABIA

The national currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi riyal. It’s abbreviated as SAR (Saudi Arabian Riyal).

Currently, 1 USD equals ~3.75 Saudi riyals.

21.2. EXCHANGING MONEY IN SAUDI ARABIA

United States dollars, Euros British pounds as the most common currencies in the world can be exchanged everywhere in KSA.

Due to the fact, that have good relations with other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, you can also easily exchange UAE dirham, Omani riyal, Kuwaiti dinar, or Bahraini dinar.

It’s also easy to exchange Asian currencies, such as Bangladeshi taka, Indian or Pakistani rupees,  as there are a lot of immigrants from Asian countries in KSA.

21.3. ATMs IN SAUDI ARABIA & CREDIT CARDS

ATMs are available everywhere and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

I only used my VISA credit card in Saudi Arabia and never had a single issue with withdrawing money or paying with my VISA card.

There were only a couple of places where they would only take cash or only a local Saudi Arabian bank card. They were super small eateries or supermarkets.

Saudi Arabia is not as expensive as I assumed. Below, you can see some of the costs you might have while traveling in Saudi Arabia. This will give you an idea of how much things cost there.

Some of the expenses I already mentioned earlier but it’s nice to have all of them in one section.

VISA

Saudi Arabian multi-entry tourist visa: 534.98 SAR (~142 USD)

SIM CARD

STC Sim Card incl. with 30 GB data: 115 SAR (~30.70 USD)

ENTRANCE FEES

Al Tayebat International City Museum: 80 SAR (~21.30 USD)
Rijal Almaa: 40 SAR (~10 USD)
Hegra: 95 SAR (~25.30 USD)

LOW-COST FLIGHTS

From Jeddah to Abha: 255 SAR (~68 USD)
From Abha to Riyadh: 332 SAR (~88 USD)

HIGH-SPEED TRAINS

Airport Jeddah – Madinah economy class: 138 SAR (~37 USD) – 218.50 SAR (~58 USD)
Al-Sulimaniyah in Jeddah – Makkah economy class: 32.20 SAR (~9 USD) – 46 SAR (~12 USD)

INTERCITY BUSES

Riyadh – Dammam: 6 hours, 92 SAR (~24.50 USD)- 105 SAR (~28 USD)
Damman – Manama, Bahrain: 3 hours: 95 SAR (~25.30 USD) – 105 SAR (~28 USD)

TAXI APPS

Jeeny in Abha: 9 km, 20 SAR (~5 USD)
Uber in Jeddah: 15 km for 27 SAR (~7 USD)
Uber in Medina: 9 km for 15 SAR (~4 USD)
Careem in Jeddah: 14 km for 40 riyals. (~11 USD)

CAR RENTAL

Hyundai Accent for 3 days with full insurance: 477 SAR (~ 127 USD)
Security deposit: 500 SAR (~ 133 USD)

FUEL

32 L Gasoline 91: 18 USD

FOOD

Mandi for 2 persons in Abha: 5.30 USD
Chicken kabsa for 1 person in Al-Khobar: 15 SAR (~4 USD)
Dinner at a random eatery in old Jeddah: 8 SAR for beans stew, 2 SAR for 2 pieces of bread, 3 SAR for a lemonade: 2.70 USD in total
Lunch at Al Baik (Saudi KFC): 7 chicken nuggets, regular fries, corn in cup, 200 ml orange juice: 24 SAR (~6.40 USD) in total
Roasted Beef Sandwich in Danube (supermarket): 19 SAR (~5 USD)

Food prices in the mall next to the Great Mosque of Mecca:
Grilled fish with rice: 40 SAR (~11 USD)
Shawarma: 12 SAR (~3.20 USD)
Lentil soup: 10 SAR (~2.70 USD)
Carrot juice: 20 SAR (~5.30 USD)

COFFEE

Capuccino in Rijal Alma Museum: 21 SAR (~5.60 USD)
Spanish Latte in Abha: 17 SAR (~4.50 USD)
Starbucks Ice Latte in Jeddah: 17 SAR (~4.50 USD)
Starbucks Frappuccino in Danube (supermarket): 8.50 SAR (~ 2.30 USD)
Spanish Latte in Madinah: 18 SAR (~4.80 USD)