Organize your stay Saudi Arabia
Money Saudi Arabia
Saudi currency. The Saudi currency is the Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR). The riyal is divided into 100 halalas. Coins are available in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 halalas and 1 and 2 riyals. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 riyals. 20 and 200 riyal bills are relatively rare. The exchange rate (August 2024) is :
1 € = 0.25 SAR
1 SAR = €0.25.
Payments. The Covid health crisis has made credit card payments the norm. Cabs, cafés, restaurants, hotels, entrance fees to sites, transport tickets, stores - you can pay everywhere by card, without contact. Saudis are astonished to learn that contactless payment is limited to 200 SAR. There is no such limit with a Saudi card. Only in certain small local grocery stores or at the market will you have to pay in cash.
Banking and currency exchange. You can change money before departure or on arrival. There are exchange offices at Riyadh and Jeddah airports. However, rates are rarely to your advantage. Some hotels also have exchange facilities. Ask at reception. But here again, rates are not very advantageous. In Riyadh and Jeddah, you'll find exchange agents in town, often with better rates.
Credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are accepted throughout the country. ATMs at local banks also widely accept these cards. You'll have no trouble getting riyals; there are banks and ATMs in every town. So there's no need to take large sums of cash with you, especially as living in the country is quite expensive. It is forbidden to enter the country with more than €10,000 in currency, without declaring it.
Money transfer. With a large foreign workforce, it's very easy to transfer money to or from Saudi Arabia. You can use the online services of Western Union. The major local money transfer company is Ejaz. You can find its services in the country's banks or in their dedicated offices.
Budget & Tips Saudi Arabia
Budget. Living standards in Saudi Arabia are relatively comparable to those in France, with a few notable exceptions. Petrol is, of course, much cheaper. Unleaded costs €0.70 a liter. The price is fixed and the same throughout the country and at all service stations. Food is considerably cheaper than in France. You should expect to pay between €2 and €2.50 for a sandwich (shawarma, hamburger), €10 for a meal in a decent restaurant, and €25 for a good meal. Hotel prices vary according to destination. In Riyadh and Jeddah, the two major economic centers, you can expect to pay between €60 and €150 per night on average for a comfortable room. In medium-sized cities, you should expect to pay €40 for a good, inexpensive room, €60 to €80 for a comfortable hotel and €100 or more for a luxury hotel. AlUla, the luxury destination par excellence, is an exception. There are few offers for many requests. You can expect to pay €100 for a bed and breakfast, €200 for a mid-range hotel and €800 for a luxury hotel. Trains, planes and buses make it easy to get around at reasonable prices. Car rental prices are the same as in Europe. On the other hand, the services of a chauffeur-driven car or a guide by the day are extremely expensive. They can charge as much as €350 to €400 a day! Prices can rise sharply in winter, which is festival season in cities like Riyadh and AlUla.
Small budget. For €50 to €90 per person per day, you can travel by bus from city to city, use Uber services in the cities, stay in hotel residences that are less expensive than hotels or with local people, eat cheaply in fast-food restaurants, allowing yourself the occasional restaurant, and visit the main tourist sites. You can take one or two domestic flights to save time.
Average budget. At €100 to €150 per person per day, you'll rent a vehicle that will give you greater freedom to visit tourist sites away from the city centers. You'll have two meals a day in decent restaurants and stay in small hotels. You can take one or two domestic flights to save time.
Big budget. Between €200 and €500 per day, you can choose between car rental and chauffeur-driven vehicles. You can use the services of a local travel agent for certain desert excursions, such as the Yellow Lake in Al-Ahsa, the Wadi Disah in Tabouk, or a trip to the Rub' al-Khali desert. You'll stay in the best establishments and be able to treat yourself to exceptional dining in the major cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. You can also use domestic airlines to save time and see more of the country.
Tipping. Tipping is common practice, but not obligatory. You'll never get a second thought if you don't leave one, but it's greatly appreciated. Especially as waiters, drivers and baggage handlers are often immigrant workers who come to Saudi Arabia to send money home to their families in the hope of improving their lot. Don't hesitate to leave 10 riyals or more when you're satisfied with the service. And the service is often impeccable!
Haggling. Bargaining is the order of the day in the souks. It's a social game, so there's no need to lose your cool. Shopkeepers are no strangers to the exercise, and you'll only earn a few riyals - a dozen at most - unless the item you're haggling over is very expensive. The more expensive the item, the more you can earn. Don't start the bidding too low, or you'll insult the person you're bidding against.
Taxes. Everyday consumer goods are subject to 15% VAT. Taxes are always included in the advertised price.
Passport and visas Saudi Arabia
Passports. All passports issued in France are now biometric. Your fingerprints are digitized in a chip inserted in the cover of the passport. To obtain a passport or its renewal, you need to make an appointment at the town hall and submit a pre-application on www.ants.gouv.fr. You must also pay a €86 tax stamp for an adult (€17 for children under 15 and €42 for teenagers aged between 15 and 17). The stamp can be obtained online at www.timbres.impots.gouv.fr. On the day of the appointment at the town hall, you'll need to bring your old passport, proof of address less than a year old, a passport photo taken less than 6 months ago and meeting specific requirements (light background, hair down, no glasses, etc.), the pre-application number and the tax stamp reference. Please note that it can take several months to obtain an appointment at the Mairie and to have the document issued. It's essential to plan your application in advance.
The passport is valid for 10 years (5 years for children). It can be renewed free of charge if all pages have been completed.
Remember to photocopy and scan your travel documents before you leave. Give a copy to someone you trust, who can intervene on your behalf if necessary. If your passport is lost or stolen, you can simplify the process if you can provide the consular authorities with full details. You can also keep a copy on the www.mon.service-public.fr website. All you have to do is create a free account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into your confidential space.
Visa. A visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia. If you hold a European passport, you can apply for a tourist e-visa online at https://visa.visitsaudi.com. You'll need to fill in an online form and upload a passport photo. You must also take out compulsory health insurance. Payment is made once the form has been correctly completed. You'll receive your e-visa details in your mailbox. You will need to present this to immigration on arrival. The visa + health insurance costs around €100. The visa is issued for a period of 1 year, with multiple entries. Each stay must not exceed 90 days.
With a European passport, you can also apply for a visa on arrival. Just follow the "Visa on Arrival" signs. A member of staff will welcome you and help you with your application, which must be completed at the computer terminals. The process is quick and easy.
For information on obtaining a Saudi visa, please visit https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/travel-regulations.
Please note that if you are traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, you will need to apply for a specific visa. The free visa is obtained from the consulate of your country of residence. Until 2022, it was compulsory to go through a travel agency approved by the Ministry of Hajj. Only the agency was authorized to apply for the visa. In 2022, the Saudi government changed the conditions of access to the Hajj. You must now register on the www.motawif.com.sa platform at least one month before the start of the pilgrimage. If you are accepted, you will receive an e-mail informing you of this. You will then have a few days to pay the pilgrimage fees on the Motawif platform and your specific eVisa will be sent to you. This system has enabled Saudi Arabia to bypass approved agencies in various countries around the world, much to their chagrin. No official information has yet been released on how to register for the Hajj 2025 or 2026.
Driver's license Saudi Arabia
It is recommended that you have an international driver's license in addition to your French driver's license, if you plan to rent and drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia. Road controls exist and it is not sure that the Saudi police will be satisfied with a French driving license.
The application for an international driver's license is free and can be made on https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr. You will have to upload a proof of identity, a copy of your driving license, a passport photo, a proof of residence of less than 6 months and a stamped 50g envelope for the return. The international driving license is valid for 5 years. It can take between 2 and 6 months to obtain the license.
Health Saudi Arabia
There are no specific recommendations regarding health risks in Saudi Arabia. The main diseases circulating in the country are the same as in Europe. A preventive treatment against malaria can nevertheless be considered if you go for several days or weeks to the border with Yemen. Cases have been reported. However, due to the war in Yemen, it is not recommended to go near the border.
The tap water is drinkable, but highly treated. Saudis themselves prefer to drink bottled water. It is not recommended to drink well water.
Mandatory vaccination Saudi Arabia
Make sure your vaccination record is up to date before you travel. As a reminder, the mandatory vaccinations are for chickenpox, DTP, measles and polio. It is recommended that you are up to date with your Covid-19 vaccination schedule, but this is not compulsory for entry into the country. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is also recommended. Meningococcal B vaccine is required for all Hajj and Umra participants. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory if you are arriving from a contaminated area.
Rabies has been eradicated in Saudi Arabia. The risk is very low, and only exists in the event of a bite by a wild animal.
Security Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is an extremely safe country and you will never feel unsafe. However, due to Saudi Arabia's intervention in the civil war in Yemen, the area near the border is not recommended. Saudi Arabia itself advises against travel to the area. The situation is stable most of the time, but drone attacks from Yemen have occurred in the past. You can obtain travel safety information at www.diplomatie.gouv.fr.
Drugs and alcohol. The use of drugs or the possession and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. If drugs are available on the black market, you are strongly advised against seeking them out. You risk a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years and whipping.
Women traveling alone. There is no risk or danger in traveling alone in Saudi Arabia. However, you will sometimes be stared at, as few women travel alone. Saudi women have only been allowed to drive since 2017 and the changes in Saudi society regarding the status of women are not yet universally accepted. Wearing a veil or abaya is not mandatory. You are required to wear modest attire, i.e. arms covered up to the elbows, no cleavage and legs covered below the knees. This means that bathing suits are not allowed on public beaches. Leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt will do. However, you can wear a one-piece bathing suit at luxury resorts or some hotels that have women-only pools or with women-only hours.
LGBTQ+ travelers. Homosexuality is forbidden in Saudi Arabia and considered a Western stigma. If you are traveling as a couple, you can book a shared room. However, do not ask for a double bed if you have twin beds, and never make public displays of your relationship. Do not show off in public. This also applies to heterosexual couples.
Time difference Saudi Arabia
There is a 2-hour time difference between France and Saudi Arabia in winter, during the high season. It is then 2 p.m. in Riyadh, when it is noon in Paris. The time difference is reduced by one hour during summer time, between the end of March and the end of October. Saudi Arabia is on a single time zone.
Spoken languages Saudi Arabia
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic. English is commonly used, especially with the foreign workforce, in the business community and in tourism. French-speaking guides are rare in the country.
Communication Saudi Arabia
Wifi is available in all hotels, most restaurants and cafés. The network is generally good, if not excellent. The same applies to the cell phone network. On the other hand, in the desert, in the middle of nowhere, network losses are frequent. Remember to download your maps if you're travelling by car and relying on your GPS.
We recommend that you buy a local sim card on arrival, as international operators charge higher rates.
Electricity and measurements Saudi Arabia
Electricity. The voltage is 230 V in Saudi Arabia and the plugs are English, with three rectangular pins. Bring an adapter to recharge your electronic equipment. You can also buy a charger on the spot, for about 10 euros.
Weights and measures. Saudi Arabia has adopted the metric system. Distances are given in kilometers and weights in kilograms. The abbreviation "kilo" is used for kilometers.
Luggage Saudi Arabia
The extremely hot and dry climate requires an appropriate wardrobe. Opt for loose-fitting, covering clothing that will protect you from the sun and allow air to circulate. Choose natural materials such as linen, cotton or silk. A hat and sunglasses are also essential. The high temperatures (46°C in Riyadh in September) can be enough to make you uncomfortable. A high protection sun cream is necessary for the face, especially if you plan to hike.
In winter, if it is still warm compared to France, the nights are cool. In the desert, it can be very cold as soon as the sun goes down. A down jacket is essential if you are going to the Asir or the Rub' Al Khali desert. Elsewhere, you will appreciate the warmth of a good fleece with a light down jacket.
A good pair of walking shoes is essential for the difficult terrain. Many deserts are rocky and sandals or small tennis shoes are not suitable.
A scarf is always useful to protect you from the wind in case of a sandstorm, hair in a holy city for women, neck under the air conditioning pushed to the limit in trains, cabs and stores.
