5 Travel Tips for Visiting Saudi Arabia

Money – The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal, with (at the time of writing) 1 Riyal being the equivalent of around 27 US cents, or 18 British pence. The last ten years has seen an increasing number of businesses in Saudi Arabia begin accepting credit cards, and most major stores now take them, but there are still many tour operators that do not. It’s worth checking in advance, to make sure your tour operator does! Dedicated currency exchanges can be found in most towns and cities, and many of them will offer a significantly better exchange rate than the exchange desks in hotels. You will also find most banks have ATMs that accept international cards.

Weather – Does it need pointing out that Saudi Arabia, a country that’s mostly desert, is a very hot place? “How hot?” We hear you ask. Well, between April and October daytime temperatures can exceed 40°C! If the timing of your visit is flexible, consider going there in the cooler months, between November and February. December and January in particular offer temperatures more comparable with spring or fall in North America and Europe.

When in Riyadh… – Saudi Arabia’s culture is very different to that of Europe and America, and even to many of its neighbouring countries in the Middle East. There are strict religious laws governing almost everything, from dress codes, to driving, via greetings in public places. Unlike in other strictly Muslim countries such as the United Arab Emirates, there is an across-the-board prohibition on alcohol, and it’s illegal to bring alcoholic drinks into the country. Swimwear is allowed only on private beaches, and women are expected to cover up, including a headscarf, when out in public. Segregation between the genders is common in most public places, and when greeting somebody remember… it should be with a handshake, never a kiss!

Health Advice – Western travellers are advised to get shots for Hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid before going to Saudi Arabia. If you’re visiting the country as part of the Hajj, you should also consider getting inoculated with the meningococcal vaccine, as meningitis thrives in the vast, international crowds generated by the annual pilgrimage.