Saudi Arabia travel guide
Saudi Arabia is opening up as a destination, and its contrasts are striking. In a single trip you can walk among rock-cut Nabataean tombs at Hegra in AlUla, wander the coral-stone lanes of old Jeddah beside the Red Sea, watch the sun set over the Edge of the World cliffs near Riyadh and ride a cable car above the misty mountains of Abha. Riyadh is the modern capital, with the Diriyah heritage district and the National Museum. Jeddah is the relaxed Red Sea port, good for its historic Al-Balad and for diving. AlUla suits history and desert landscapes, Taif and Abha offer cool highland air, rose farms and mountain villages, and the Eastern Province cities of Dammam and Al Khobar face the Arabian Gulf. The cooler months, roughly November to March, are the most comfortable for sightseeing, while summer is very hot outside the mountains. Saudi Arabia suits culture-minded and adventurous travellers, and Zippy Trips can help you plan the itinerary city by city.
Capital: Riyadh.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Saudi Arabia
- Currency
- SAR ﷼
- Emergency number
- 911 / 999
- Plug type
- Type G
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, mada
- ATM fees
- Low or none at major bank ATMs
Cities in Saudi Arabia
- Makkah The holiest city in Islam — birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and home to Masjid Al-Haram and the Kaaba, the direction of prayer…
- Riyadh The capital of Saudi Arabia and the country's political, financial and cultural heart — a rapidly modernising megacity of 7 million at the…
- Madinah The second holiest city in Islam — home to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque), one of the largest mosques in the world and burial…
- Jeddah Saudi Arabia's vibrant Red Sea port city and commercial capital — a 4,000-year-old trading hub where ancient Al-Balad (UNESCO heritage)…
- AlUla An ancient Nabataean and Lihyanite kingdom in northwestern Saudi Arabia — home to Hegra (Mada'in Salih), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World…
- Abha The highland capital of Saudi Arabia's Asir region — a green, mist-shrouded mountain city at 2,200 m in the Sarawat Mountains near the…
- Dammam Capital of the Eastern Province and the hub of Saudi Arabia's oil industry. Dammam offers a waterfront Corniche, proximity to Bahrain via…
- Taif A cool mountain city at 1,800 m in the Hejaz Mountains, 75 km southeast of Makkah — Saudi Arabia's most pleasant year-round climate…
- Al Khobar The most affluent and cosmopolitan city of the Eastern Province, facing the Arabian Gulf. Al Khobar is known for its vibrant Corniche…
Frequently asked questions about Saudi Arabia
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly. Stay: 1 year multiple entry, 90-day stay per visit. Fee: SAR ~535 (incl. mandatory insurance). Processing: Usually instant to a few hours. Apply: Before departure. Apply only on the official portal, visa.visitsaudi.com.
- What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
- The currency in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal. ﷼1 is about ₹25.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Saudi Arabia?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, mada. Typical ATM fees: Low or none at major bank ATMs. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Saudi Arabia?
- Tipping in Saudi Arabia: optional. Typically about 5% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Saudi Arabia?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Saudi Arabia use?
- Saudi Arabia uses Type G plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Saudi Arabia?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 999. Ambulance: 997. Tourist helpline: 920002814.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Saudi Arabia?
- SIM and eSIM available in Saudi Arabia.
- What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
- The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Time there: IST - 2 h 30 min.