Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Saudi Arabia depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Saudi ArabiaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Saudi Riyal
- Code
- SAR
- Symbol
- ر.س
Pegged to USD at 3.75:1. ATMs throughout. Cards widely accepted. Saudi Arabia introduced tourist visas in 2019 — a significant change for a country that was previously closed to tourists.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B, Type G
- Voltage
- 127V/220V (varies)
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
October–March is the comfortable visiting season. AlUla (Hegra — the first UNESCO site in Saudi Arabia — Nabataean tombs carved into rose-red sandstone, an extension of the Petra civilisation) is magnificent October–March. Riyadh's Edge of the World (Tuwaiq Escarpment), the historic district of Diriyah (UNESCO), and Jeddah's Al-Balad old city (UNESCO) are best in cooler months.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Service charge often included at upmarket restaurants |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout — Saudi Arabia is a conservative Muslim kingdom
- Women: dress code has relaxed significantly since 2018 (abaya not legally required for foreigners but respectful to wear in conservative areas); cover arms and legs
- Men: long trousers and shirts
Social Etiquette
- Saudi Arabia opened to tourists in 2019 for the first time in its history — the Vision 2030 reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have transformed what is allowed (cinemas, concerts, mixed-gender events, women driving)
- Hegra (Mada'in Saleh) is the jewel in Saudi Arabia's new tourism offer — 111 Nabataean rock-cut tombs in a desert landscape as dramatic as Petra, with far fewer visitors
- Coffee (gahwa — cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee) and dates are the quintessential Saudi welcome; both hands must be offered and used when giving and receiving
- AlUla valley is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the Middle East — ancient geological formations, Nabataean and Lihyanite ruins, and a modern arts festival (Desert X AlUla)
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal with severe penalties — exercise extreme caution
- Alcohol is completely prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia
- Public dress codes apply — dress respectfully at all times outside hotel grounds
- Photography of royal palaces, military, government buildings, and people without consent prohibited
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Saudi Arabic) | Salam alaikum / Marhaba | sah-LAHM ah-LAY-koom / MAR-hah-bah |
| Thank you (Saudi Arabic) | Shukran / Jazak Allah khayran | SHOO-krahn / jah-ZAK ah-LAH KHY-rahn |
| Welcome (Saudi Arabic) | Ahlan wa sahlan / Marhaban bikum | AH-lan wah SAH-lan |
| Coffee (Arabic/Saudi) | Gahwa | GAH-wah — the cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee served from a dallah (long-spouted pot) |
| No problem (Saudi) | Mafi mushkil / La moshkela | MAH-fee MOOSH-keel |
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