Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?+
Yes. Most nationalities apply for a tourist e-visa online through the Visit Saudi portal and usually get it within minutes to a few days. It costs around 530 riyals including mandatory health insurance, is valid for a year, and allows repeat stays of up to ninety days. This visa does not cover the Hajj pilgrimage.
Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?+
Yes, street crime is very low and tourists are welcomed. The main risks are legal: the ban on alcohol and drugs, harsh penalties for insulting religion or the state, and caution needed around photography. Traffic is dangerous, and heatstroke is a real risk in summer.
How should women dress in Riyadh?+
Female tourists don't have to wear an abaya or headscarf, but clothing should cover the shoulders and knees and be loose-fitting. A headscarf is only needed inside a mosque. In Riyadh today you'll see unveiled women driving cars. Men shouldn't wear shorts in public.
How many days should I plan for Riyadh?+
Two to three days for Diriyah, the National Museum, Masmak Fort and the Edge of the World. Add Ushaiqir and the desert for four days. Riyadh is most often combined with Jeddah and AlUla; a full trip around Saudi Arabia needs ten to fourteen days.
When does Riyadh Season take place?+
It runs every year from October to March. It includes concerts by international stars, sporting events, food festivals, entertainment zones and theater. The program and tickets are in the Webook app. Hotels cost more during the season, and Riyadh is at its liveliest.
How do you get to the Edge of the World?+
With a 4x4 and a driver, or on an organized tour; the last twenty kilometers run along a desert track. The trip takes six to eight hours. The park can be closed outside winter season or in bad weather, so check ahead. Bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes.
Can non-Muslims visit Mecca?+
No, entry to Mecca and the center of Medina is forbidden to non-Muslims, and there are checkpoints on the roads. Non-Muslims may visit the outskirts of Medina outside the sacred precinct. The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are for Muslims only, with their own visa category.
How do you pay in Riyadh?+
In Saudi riyals, which are pegged to the US dollar. Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, including taxis and small shops. Cash is only really needed at traditional souks. ATMs are everywhere.
