Best Time to Visit

The incredibly hot summers of Saudi Arabia, with temperatures often going above the 40°C mark, make the country one of the driest in the world. The unbearable heat, from April to October, make it difficult to undertake continuous outdoor exploration. A trip to Saudi Arabia is best planned for the period between November and March. During those months, daytime temperatures tend to be cooler and significantly more comfortable.

Passport / Visa

Saudi Arabia introduced a new eVisa system in October 2019, dramatically simplifying visa applications for citizens of multiple world countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and much of Europe. The new multiple-entry visa will be processed within record time (as quickly as 30 minutes), issued for one year, and will allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days during its validity period. This marks a watershed moment in the country’s history, as Saudi Arabia has historically been off limits to non-Muslim tourists, with visas notoriously difficult to secure. Citizens of countries not covered by the eVisa program will still need to turn to their nearest embassy or consulate to obtain a visa.

• Web:

  www.evisa.express/en/saudi-arabia

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH)

Riyadh King Khaled International Airport is situated 35 kilometres from Riyadh city centre. Authorised taxis marked with the airport logo operate 24 hours a day. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 30 minutes. Discuss prices before entering a taxi.

• Web:

  www.riyadh-airport.com

• Address:

  Riyadh Airport Road, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh

• Phone:

  +966 92 002 0090

Public Transport

The cheapest way to get around is by minibus; however these are primarily for men. There is a limited and infrequent bus service for women. Some buses that belong to the Saudi Arabian Public Transport System, also known as SAPTCO, travel internationally and domestically. Check bus schedules before paying your fare.

• Web:

  www.saptco.com.sa/en

• E-mail:

  info@saptco.com.sa

• Phone:

  +966 92 000 0877

Taxi

If you're staying in a hotel, get the concierge to call one of the authorised white taxis. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi on the street and it is acceptable for women to do this.

Car Rental

There are both local and international car rental companies in Saudi Arabia. To rent a car, you need to be at least 25 years old and provide a valid driver's licence with your passport. Note that women are not allowed to drive on public roads, so a taxi would be more convenient.

• Web:

  www.sixt.com

• Phone:

  Sixt: +966 11 219 7171