Plan your trip
The Saudi Arabia trip checklist
Seven things to sort before you fly, in the order that matters. Get these right and the rest of the trip takes care of itself.
Updated · by Daniel
In this order
Apply for the tourist eVisa
Most Western passports, including the UK, US, EU, Canada and Australia, apply online in minutes. Approval is often same-day, but give it a week. Visa guide →
Book flights into the right city
Fly into Riyadh (RUH) for the capital and Edge of the World, Jeddah (JED) for the coast, or AlUla (ULH) direct if your trip is mostly heritage. Open-jaw tickets save a full day of backtracking.
Buy travel insurance
The visa includes basic medical cover only. You still want cancellation, delay, baggage and activity cover, especially for diving and desert driving. Insurance guide →
Book the tickets that sell out
Hegra, Maraya events and Edge of the World tours sell out on winter weekends (Thursday to Saturday). Book these as soon as your dates are fixed. Hegra guide →
Reserve a car if you are going to AlUla
AlUla’s sights are spread across roughly 60 km of valley. Taxis are scarce and expensive; a hired SUV is the easiest way to see it. Car hire guide →
Pre-book your airport pickup
A fixed-price driver in arrivals beats haggling at 2am. Especially useful at RUH and JED, where terminals are large.
Install an eSIM before you board
You need data the moment you land: ride-hailing apps, maps, tickets and hotel messages all depend on it. eSIM guide →
Book the essentials
Data eSIM
Install before you fly. Maps, ride apps and tickets all need data on arrival.
Travel insurance
The visa's built-in cover is medical only. Cover cancellations, delays and activities.
Car hire
AlUla and the Riyadh escarpment are driving destinations. Book an SUV early in season.
Riyadh airport pickup
Fixed-price driver waiting in arrivals at King Khalid International (RUH).
Jeddah airport pickup
Fixed-price driver waiting in arrivals at King Abdulaziz International (JED).
AlUla airport transfer
Pre-book a car from AlUla International (ULH). Resorts are 30–60 minutes away.
Know before you go
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR), pegged at 3.75 to the US dollar
- Payments
- Cards and Apple Pay work almost everywhere
- Weekend
- Friday and Saturday
- Best season
- October to March
- Plugs
- Type G (UK three-pin), 230 V
- Driving
- On the right; speed cameras are everywhere
- Alcohol
- Not served to visitors; plan around it
- Dress
- Modest: shoulders and knees covered. Details
Questions travellers ask
How many days do I need in Saudi Arabia?
Ten days covers Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah comfortably with internal flights. With seven, pick two of the three. See our 10-day itinerary.
Is Saudi Arabia expensive to visit?
Luxury hotels in AlUla and the Red Sea are priced like the Maldives, especially in peak season. Riyadh and Jeddah have a much wider range. Food, fuel and domestic flights are good value.
Can I use Uber in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Uber and Careem both operate in Riyadh and Jeddah. They are thin on the ground in AlUla, which is why most visitors hire a car there.
