saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia Travel Guide

Trek Zone
71°F
Saturday
60°F
Sunday

Season Note

Are December and January good months to visit Saudi Arabia?

12

December

High
season

1

January

High
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism.

Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Did you know?

The population of Saudi Arabia is around 34.81 mil., which puts the country in 41. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Riyadh (SA) and Washington D.C. (US) is 6735 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Riyadh click here

Riyadh
Riyadh
Dammam
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Taif
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
6735
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Saudi Arabia to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Saudi Arabia on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

22 February 2025• Founding Day

30 March 2025• Eid al-Fitr Holiday

Currency

Saudi Riyal (SAR) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 SAR
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.25352
3.94444
GBP
0.21078
4.74438
USD
0.26614
3.75746
Update: 13 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Saudi Arabia

Map
Distance matrix
MilesRiyadhMedinaJeddahMeccaHofufTaifAl BahahQatif
Riyadh-445525491187463465245
Medina445-203211627226330665
Jeddah525203-4371083183767
Mecca49121143-67640144735
Hofuf187627710676-64563686
Taif4632268340645-111707
Al Bahah465330183144636111-706
Qatif24566576773586707706-

Best Ways to Experience Saudi Arabia

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Currency

More

Saudi Riyal (SAR)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • SAR
  • USD
SAR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • SAR
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 13 December 2024
Saudi RiyalSaudi RiyalSaudi RiyalSaudi Riyal

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Saudi Arabia.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Saudi Arabia

Bardzo niskie

Areas with malaria

Rare cases in Asir and Jizan emirates by border with Yemen. None in the cities of Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and Ta’if

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.Infection occurs through droplets - through contact with the secretion of the patient or the host, e.g. when coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing cutlery or dishes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagSaudi Arabia for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • Allowed stay: 90 days

Electricity

127V / 220V (60 Hz)

In Saudi Arabia the standard voltage is 127V / 220V and the frequency is 60 Hz. Type A, B, C, G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket AType A
socket BType B
socket CType C
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

41 / 231
Ranking
34 813 871
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Area

14 / 230
Ranking
830 thous. mi²
It is approximately 23% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

91 / 196
Ranking
76.4
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 74.8women 78.1

Median age

76 / 157
Ranking
30.8
Average age of population expressed in years.men 33women 27.9

Population growth

56 / 172
Ranking
1.62%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

24 / 131
Ranking
97.6%
Ability to read, write and count.men 98.6%women 96%

GDP

25 / 194
Ranking
46 742 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon United Arab Emirates, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder