Asia
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
I used the Qatar FIFA World Cup Football 2022 ticket, which Saudi Arabia made easy to use for entry during that period.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | Visa & Documents | — | — | — | — | 440.00 |
| 2 | — | ~200/night | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 400.00 |
| 3 | — | ~100/day | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 200.00 |
| 4 | — | Free | Activities | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 65.00 |
| 6 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 25.00 |
| 7 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 10.00 |
| 8 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 120.00 |
| 9 | — | — | Connectivity | — | — | — | — | 50.00 |
| 10 | — | — | Insurance | — | — | — | — | 35.00 |
| 11 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 80.00 |
| 12 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 40.00 |
| 13 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 60.00 |
| 14 | — | — | SAR 1,490 + USD 35 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 1,525.00 |
Last updated 5 days ago
Most tourists need a Saudi eVisa, available online and usually processed within 48 hours. The tourist visa allows multiple entries, is valid for one year, and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. Apply through the official Visit Saudi portal. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged to the US dollar at about SAR 3.75 per USD. Most places accept international cards, especially in malls and restaurants. Mada is the dominant local payment system. Keep cash for smaller shops, street vendors, and tips.
Men and women should dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees. There is no longer a mandatory abaya requirement for foreign women, but modest clothing is expected, especially at religious sites and in conservative areas. Avoid tight-fitting clothes or clothes with profane imagery.
Uber and Careem ride-hailing apps are widespread and reliable. The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Jeddah to Mecca and Medina. Domestic flights are affordable between major cities. Renting a car is practical for exploring Al-Ula and the Edge of the World, which require a 4x4.
SIM cards from stc, Mobily, and Zain are available at airport counters. Staff handle registration in minutes, including eSIM setup. Tourist plans bundle 5-50+ GB with local minutes for 7-30 days. 4G coverage is excellent and 5G is expanding in cities.
Tipping 10-15% is expected for good service in restaurants unless a service charge is already added. Taxi drivers receive about 10% of the fare. Small tips are appreciated for hotel porters and housekeeping staff.
Shops and restaurants close briefly during the five daily prayer times, typically for 15-30 minutes each. Plan your activities around prayer times, especially in more traditional areas. Malls and some restaurants in tourist areas may remain open. During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public during daylight hours is prohibited.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Riyadh
Explore the historic Masmak Fortress in the heart of old Riyadh, where the modern Saudi state was founded. Walk through the Diriyah UNESCO World Heritage Site at At-Turaif district with its restored mud-brick palaces of the first Saudi dynasty. Visit the National Museum for an overview of Arabian history and enjoy kabsa at a traditional Najdi restaurant.
📍 Edge of the World
Drive northwest of Riyadh to the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn), where dramatic cliffs drop hundreds of meters to an ancient seabed stretching to the horizon. Hike along the cliff edge for breathtaking views of the vast Tuwaiq Escarpment and eroded rock formations. Pack a picnic and enjoy the silence of the desert landscape before returning to Riyadh for sunset.
📍 Jeddah
Fly to Jeddah and explore Al Balad, the UNESCO-listed historic district with its coral-stone merchant houses featuring ornate wooden mashrabiya balconies. Walk along the Jeddah Corniche, a 30-kilometer waterfront promenade along the Red Sea, and see the King Fahd Fountain shooting water 312 meters into the air. Browse the Al Alawi Souq for spices and traditional goods, then enjoy fresh Red Sea seafood at a waterfront restaurant.
📍 Al-Ula
Fly to Al-Ula and visit Hegra (Mada'in Saleh), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 100 Nabataean tomb facades carved into sandstone outcrops, rivaling Petra in Jordan. Explore the stunning rock formations of Elephant Rock and the old town of Al-Ula with its abandoned mud-brick village. Watch the sunset from the Harrat Viewpoint as the desert landscape turns golden.
📍 Al-Ula
Spend the morning exploring Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library of ancient inscriptions carved into canyon walls dating back thousands of years. Take a heritage oasis trail walk through Al-Ula's palm-filled valley, passing ancient irrigation channels and citrus groves. Visit the Maraya concert hall, a mirrored cube reflecting the desert landscape, and enjoy a final Saudi Arabian mandi feast.
📍 Taif
Wrap up the trip in Taif's cooler highlands, known for mountain roads, seasonal rose farms, and viewpoints. Visit local markets for rose products and regional sweets before departure.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Spiced rice with meat, raisins, and almonds, the most well-known Saudi Arabian dish.
Crushed wheat porridge cooked with meat and spices into a creamy, savory consistency.
Stuffed and folded thin pastry with meat, egg, and vegetables, pan-fried until crispy.
Tender meat and rice cooked in an underground pit, flavored with smoky charcoal.
Premium dates served with Arabic coffee as a gesture of hospitality throughout Saudi Arabia.
Creamy rice and chicken dish from western Saudi cuisine, traditionally cooked slowly with milk and cardamom.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Hegra (Mada'in Salih) is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring over a hundred monumental Nabataean tomb facades carved into sandstone outcrops. Guided visits reveal trading-route history, desert geology, and pre-Islamic inscriptions in a dramatic open landscape.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Masmak Fortress is a restored mud-brick stronghold in old Riyadh tied to the founding narrative of the modern Saudi state. Its museum exhibits and surrounding souq district make it a key stop for understanding Najdi history and architecture.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Al Balad is Jeddah's UNESCO-listed historic quarter, known for coral-stone merchant houses, wooden roshan balconies, and old trade-era streets. It is best explored on foot in late afternoon for architecture, heritage markets, and traditional Hejazi food.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) is a dramatic escarpment northwest of Riyadh with sheer cliffs overlooking an ancient seabed plain. The viewpoint is popular for sunset hikes, desert panoramas, and weekend off-road excursions.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Abha is a cooler highland city in Asir Province known for mountain scenery, foggy viewpoints, and nearby villages with distinctive painted architecture. It offers a contrasting climate and landscape to Saudi Arabia's central and western desert routes.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
