Itinerary
Seven days in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah in a week only works if you plan around AlUla’s flights, which do not run every day. This route fits the official schedule.
Kolaiel · CC0On this page
Travel warnings reviewed 23 October 2026. Australia and New Zealand say Do not travel; the UK advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia, alongside its Yemen-border no-travel zone. Check the official-advice comparison and airport restrictions before booking. A calculator, terminal guide or ticket for sale does not confirm a safe or operating route.
Travel advice changed in 2026. Australia and New Zealand say do not travel to Saudi Arabia; other governments have country-wide and airport-specific warnings. Check the current advice, not only your booking confirmation. Read is Saudi Arabia safe right now? before you book.
Why the weekday matters
AlUla (ULH) has only a handful of flights a week, so the day you start decides whether this route works. Under the summer schedule (29 March to 24 October 2026), Experience AlUla lists:
Scroll sideways to compare all columns
| Route | Airline | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh → AlUla | Saudia | Sun, Tue, Thu, Sat |
| Riyadh → AlUla | flynas | Sun, Mon, Fri |
| Jeddah ↔ AlUla | Saudia | Thu, Sat, Sun |
| Dammam → AlUla | flynas | Thu, Sat |
| Dubai → AlUla | flydubai | Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun |
| Doha → AlUla | Qatar Airways | Fri, Sun |
The winter schedule starts on 25 October 2026 and had not been published when we checked (2 October 2026). Check the official flight list and book AlUla flights before anything else. If no flight fits, AlUla is about three hours by car from Medina.
The route (start on a Saturday)
- Sat–Sun
- Riyadh: Diriyah, then Edge of the World
- Mon
- Fly Riyadh → AlUla (flynas runs Mondays)
- Tue–Wed
- AlUla: Hegra, Old Town, Elephant Rock
- Thu
- Fly AlUla → Jeddah (Saudia runs Thursdays), Al-Balad in the evening
- Fri
- Red Sea morning, Corniche, fly home
Day by day
Day 1 (Sat) - Arrive in Riyadh, evening in Diriyah
From the airport, the Metro Yellow Line costs SAR 4 (≈ $1.07) or an Uber about SAR 90 (≈ $24) (airport transfer guide). Late afternoon in At-Turaif, then dinner at Bujairi Terrace. The Metro doesn’t reach Diriyah, so take a car. Diriyah guide.
Day 2 (Sun) - Edge of the World
A sunset 4x4 tour, roughly SAR 180–350 (≈ $48–93) per person. Book ahead for weekends. Edge of the World guide.
Check tour dates via Klook
Day 3 (Mon) - Fly to AlUla
Pick up a hire car at the airport and walk AlUla Old Town at dusk. Getting to AlUla.
Day 4 (Tue) - Hegra
Book the Hegra Day Tour (from SAR 95 (≈ $25)) before your flights. It leaves from the Winter Park bus stop, not from Hegra. Which Hegra tour?. Sunset at Elephant Rock.
Day 5 (Wed) - Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and the oasis
The ancient Dadan and Jabal Ikmah inscriptions in the morning, then the oasis and Old Town. Use the AlUla trip planner to fit your interests.
Day 6 (Thu) - Fly to Jeddah, Al-Balad at night
Al-Balad is free to walk and best from late afternoon. Al-Balad guide.
Day 7 (Fri) - Red Sea and home
A morning boat trip, then the Corniche before an evening flight. Red Sea guide.
What the fixed costs add up to
Prices we could check (per person, 2 October 2026). Hotels, flights and car hire vary too much to quote honestly, so price them in the trip cost calculator.
Scroll sideways to compare all columns
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa (incl. insurance) | SAR 535 (≈ $143) | eVisa cost breakdown |
| RUH airport to city | SAR 4 (≈ $1.07) Metro / about SAR 90 (≈ $24) Uber | RUH transfer |
| Edge of the World tour | About SAR 180–350 (≈ $48–93) | Tour operators, Sep 2026 |
| Hegra Day Tour | From SAR 95 (≈ $25) | Experience AlUla |
| Al-Balad | Free to walk | Al-Balad guide |
| teamLab Borderless Jeddah (optional) | From SAR 50 (≈ $13) | teamlab-jeddah.com |
| Total | About SAR 900–1,100 (≈ $240–293) (≈ $240–295) | Before flights, hotels and food |
Mistakes that break this itinerary
- Booking international flights before checking AlUla flight days.
- Leaving Hegra to the last minute in winter: from December to February, tours can sell out weeks ahead. Check your date in the Hegra ticket planner.
- Planning Edge of the World in summer heat, when access can close.
- Forgetting that Friday Metro service in Riyadh starts at 8am (Visit Saudi).
- Driving at night outside towns: the FCDO advises crossing the desert in daylight.
Book in this order
Partner links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we earn
Flights
Compare fares into Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, including domestic hops.
Tours & tickets
Hegra, Diriyah and Edge of the World sell out on winter weekends.
Car hire
AlUla and the Riyadh escarpment are driving destinations. Book an SUV early in season.
Travel insurance
Check your entry-route cover and policy exclusions for current travel warnings, cancellation and activities. A quote does not guarantee cover.
Data eSIM
Install before you fly. Maps, ride apps and tickets all need data on arrival.
Riyadh airport pickup
Fixed-price driver waiting in arrivals at King Khalid International (RUH).
Questions travellers ask
Is 7 days enough for Saudi Arabia?
Yes for Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah, if you start on a day that matches AlUla flights. With fewer days, drop Jeddah rather than AlUla.
Are there daily flights to AlUla?
No. In the summer 2026 schedule, Riyadh had seven flights a week across Saudia and flynas, and Jeddah three (Saudia, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday). Check the winter schedule from 25 October 2026.
What is the best day to start a week in Saudi Arabia?
Saturday, on the summer 2026 schedule: two days in Riyadh, the Monday flynas flight to AlUla and the Thursday Saudia flight to Jeddah.
