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Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

backpacking Asia Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦Nabataean tombs, coral-stone old towns and desert cliffs, spread across very long distances.

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Backpacking Saudi Arabia in 2027

A complete guide including when and where to go, costs, transport, itineraries, and practical travel advice.
Traveling in Saudi Arabia: what to expect

Backpacking Saudi Arabia
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

In Saudi Arabia, the price you pay most is distance. The country covers about 2.15 million square kilometers, and its best sites sit far apart: AlUla is roughly 1,100 kilometers by road from Riyadh, with few buses in between. Experienced travelers fly the long legs and rent a car at each hub instead of spending whole days on the road.

In return you get heritage sites with very few people around them. The Nabataean tombs of Hegra, the coral-stone houses of Jeddah’s Al-Balad and the stone villages of the Asir highlands all stand largely uncrowded. The challenges are plain. Summer in Riyadh regularly passes 45°C, public transport outside the main rail lines is thin, there is almost no hostel scene, and modest dress is still expected even though the rules have eased.

Jordan offers similar desert and Nabataean ruins on a smaller scale with easier logistics. Oman has comparable mountains and a more established camping culture. Saudi Arabia suits self-drivers and heritage travelers comfortable with quiet evenings. It suits those looking for nightlife, alcohol or a social backpacker circuit far less.

👉 Get the 📖 Travel Guide of Saudi Arabia

Riyadh and Najd (Riyadh, Diriyah, Edge of the World)

Backpacking Saudi Arabia usually starts in Riyadh, a city built for cars, where summer afternoons pass 45°C and public life shifts to late evening. Experienced travelers sightsee at dusk instead: Diriyah’s restored mud-brick At-Turaif district is lit after sunset, and the new metro covers much of the city. The Edge of the World escarpment lies 90 to 120 minutes northwest, and its final track needs a 4x4 or a local guide. It suits first-timers wanting a well-serviced start.

Hejaz (Jeddah, Al-Balad, Taif)

Jeddah is the most relaxed large city in the kingdom, shaped by centuries of pilgrims arriving by sea, which shows in its mixed population and food. Al-Balad’s coral-stone houses with carved wooden rawashin balconies are best walked after evening prayer, when shops reopen. Flights from Riyadh take about 1 hour 45 minutes. Mecca is closed to non-Muslims, so plan around it; cooler Taif, up the escarpment, is the better side trip. It suits urban, food-focused travelers.

AlUla and the Northwest (AlUla, Hegra, Tabuk)

AlUla is quiet, spread out and largely geared to visitors, with sandstone canyons surrounding an abandoned mud-brick old town. Hegra’s Nabataean tombs are open only on timed tours, because access is controlled to protect the site, so book before you fly. Flights from Riyadh take around 1 hour 40 minutes. Distances are long and taxis scarce, which is why experienced travelers rent a car. It suits photographers and history readers willing to plan ahead.

Asir (Abha, Rijal Almaa, Habala)

Asir sits above 2,000 meters, so summer days stay mild while the lowlands bake, and Saudi families fill it from June to August. Abha is the base; Rijal Almaa’s multi-story stone houses lie under an hour away down winding mountain roads. Flights from Riyadh take about 1 hour 45 minutes. Public transport barely exists, so travelers rent a car and come midweek to avoid crowds. It suits hikers and road-trippers.

Eastern Province (Dammam, Al Khobar, Al-Ahsa)

The Gulf coast is oil country, practical and commercial, with Al Khobar’s waterfront full of expat-heavy cafés. Al-Ahsa is the reason to come: one of the world’s largest date-palm oases, with the cool limestone caves of Jabal Al-Qarah and the old Qaisariya souq in Hofuf. The train from Riyadh reaches Hofuf in about 3 hours and Dammam in roughly 4. Ride the rail rather than drive the flat highway. It suits slow travelers curious about everyday life.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Saudi Arabia is high. Check the advice before going.
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Geography and where places are located
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Why go?What draws travelers here

Architecture

Saudi Arabia holds a range of building traditions that most visitors never expect to find in one country. Najd builds in mud brick with triangular vents, … read more 👉
Saudi Arabia holds a range of building traditions that most visitors never expect to find in one country. Najd builds in mud brick with triangular vents, as at At-Turaif in Diriyah. Jeddah’s old houses use Red Sea coral stone and carved wooden balconies. The Asir villages stack stone towers banded with quartz, and Hegra’s Nabataean tombs were cut directly into rock. Riyadh adds glass towers such as Kingdom Centre. Mud-brick and coral buildings read best in low light, so plan old-town visits for the hour before sunset.

Scenery

Saudi Arabia’s landscapes change more than its desert reputation suggests. Around AlUla, eroded sandstone forms arches and towers rising from flat valleys. … read more 👉
Saudi Arabia’s landscapes change more than its desert reputation suggests. Around AlUla, eroded sandstone forms arches and towers rising from flat valleys. The Tuwaiq escarpment near Riyadh drops in sheer cliffs, while the Empty Quarter holds some of the largest continuous sand dunes on Earth. In the southwest, the Asir mountains reach about 3,000 meters, with juniper forest and frequent fog. The Red Sea coast adds coral reefs off the Farasan Islands. Between October and March the heat eases enough to hike and camp in comfort; in summer, head to Asir.

Low cost

Backpacking Saudi Arabia costs less day to day than its wealth suggests, mainly because fuel is cheap and everyday food is inexpensive. Shawarma, foul … read more 👉
Backpacking Saudi Arabia costs less day to day than its wealth suggests, mainly because fuel is cheap and everyday food is inexpensive. Shawarma, foul and rice-and-chicken plates from local cafeterias cost far less than restaurant meals, and tea and water are cheap everywhere. A typical daily budget runs around SAR 170 to 300 (about US$45 to 80), with accommodation as the largest share. Splitting a rental car between two or three people brings the cost per person down sharply. Eating where taxi drivers and workers eat keeps meals cheap and reliably fresh.

⭐ HighlightsStandout locations across the country

  • Hegra: More than a hundred Nabataean tombs are carved into isolated sandstone outcrops near AlUla, their facades sharp enough to read the inscriptions above the doorways. Qasr al-Farid, a lone tomb cut from a single boulder, is the most photographed.
  • Al-Balad, Jeddah: Tall coral-stone houses lean over narrow lanes, fronted by wooden rawasheen balconies weathered to a soft gray. After evening prayer the alleys fill with families, the smell of grilled liver and sweet tea, and the clatter of shutters going up on spice and perfume stalls.
  • Edge of the World: West of Riyadh, the Tuwaiq escarpment drops away in a sheer wall to a flat plain that stretches to the horizon. Come for late afternoon, when the cliffs throw long shadows and the wind at the rim is strong enough to make you step back.
  • Rijal Almaa: A village of multi-story stone towers in the Asir mountains, the windows trimmed in white quartz and bright painted frames. Mist often rolls down the valley by midday, a sharp contrast to the desert
… read more 👉
  • Hegra: More than a hundred Nabataean tombs are carved into isolated sandstone outcrops near AlUla, their facades sharp enough to read the inscriptions above the doorways. Qasr al-Farid, a lone tomb cut from a single boulder, is the most photographed.
  • Al-Balad, Jeddah: Tall coral-stone houses lean over narrow lanes, fronted by wooden rawasheen balconies weathered to a soft gray. After evening prayer the alleys fill with families, the smell of grilled liver and sweet tea, and the clatter of shutters going up on spice and perfume stalls.
  • Edge of the World: West of Riyadh, the Tuwaiq escarpment drops away in a sheer wall to a flat plain that stretches to the horizon. Come for late afternoon, when the cliffs throw long shadows and the wind at the rim is strong enough to make you step back.
  • Rijal Almaa: A village of multi-story stone towers in the Asir mountains, the windows trimmed in white quartz and bright painted frames. Mist often rolls down the valley by midday, a sharp contrast to the desert below.
  • At-Turaif, Diriyah: The mud-brick ruins of the first Saudi state’s capital, restored with crisp crenellated walls above Wadi Hanifa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the restaurants of Bujairi Terrace across the wadi fill up after dusk.
  • Further out, the Farasan Islands, the rock art of Jubbah near Hail and the Al-Ahsa oasis see very few foreign visitors.
Spotted a mistake or missing a highlight? Contact us.
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🧭 RoutesPlanning a route that makes sense

The 5-Day AlUla Desert Route


Five unhurried days in one canyon valley in Saudi Arabia, built around carved tombs, mudbrick lanes and red sandstone at sunset. One base, short drives and plenty of time to let the desert sink in.
  • Nabataean tombs at Hegra
  • The maze of AlUla Old Town
  • Elephant Rock at dusk

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Kingdom Crossing


A coast-to-mountains journey through four very different sides of Saudi Arabia, from the Najd heartland to a palm oasis and cool highland villages. Expect trains, short flights and a steady, comfortable rhythm.
  • Sunset at the Edge of the World
  • Caves and souqs of Al-Ahsa Oasis
  • Coral-stone houses of old Jeddah
  • Rijal Alma’s painted tower houses

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Grand Saudi Loop


Two weeks stitching together the Red Sea, the desert northwest, the capital and the Gulf for the fullest picture of Saudi Arabia. Ancient sites share the trip with island boat days, mountain cable cars and contemporary architecture.
  • Hegra and Maraya in AlUla
  • Island
… read more 👉

The 5-Day AlUla Desert Route


Five unhurried days in one canyon valley in Saudi Arabia, built around carved tombs, mudbrick lanes and red sandstone at sunset. One base, short drives and plenty of time to let the desert sink in.
  • Nabataean tombs at Hegra
  • The maze of AlUla Old Town
  • Elephant Rock at dusk

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Kingdom Crossing


A coast-to-mountains journey through four very different sides of Saudi Arabia, from the Najd heartland to a palm oasis and cool highland villages. Expect trains, short flights and a steady, comfortable rhythm.
  • Sunset at the Edge of the World
  • Caves and souqs of Al-Ahsa Oasis
  • Coral-stone houses of old Jeddah
  • Rijal Alma’s painted tower houses

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Grand Saudi Loop


Two weeks stitching together the Red Sea, the desert northwest, the capital and the Gulf for the fullest picture of Saudi Arabia. Ancient sites share the trip with island boat days, mountain cable cars and contemporary architecture.
  • Hegra and Maraya in AlUla
  • Island snorkeling off Umluj
  • Mudbrick At-Turaif in Diriyah
  • Ithra and Half Moon Bay on the Gulf

👉 explore this 15-day route

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

November to February is the best time for backpacking Saudi Arabia, with daytime highs of roughly 20 to 28°C in Riyadh and the desert, clear skies and a full winter events calendar, though room rates in AlUla and Riyadh climb to match. The southwest runs the other way: the Asir highlands around Abha sit above 2,000 meters and fill with Saudi families fleeing summer heat, while the Red Sea coast stays warm enough to swim even in January.
  • Winter (November to February): Mild days, occasional showers and cold desert nights that can drop near freezing in AlUla, Tabuk and Hail. Peak season for Hegra, Diriyah and desert camping, with festival crowds and the year’s highest hotel prices.
  • Spring (March to April): Heat builds quickly, reaching the mid-30s°C in Riyadh by April, with dust storms on the interior plains. Crowds thin and prices ease, except around Eid.
  • Summer (May to September): Riyadh and the interior hit 43 to 47°C and Jeddah turns sticky. City hotels discount heavily while Abha and Taif sell out. Late September is the odd spike: National Day on September 23 floods resorts and highland towns despite 40°C heat.
  • Autumn (October): Still hot by day, softer evenings, and the winter season starts switching on.
For December and January, book AlUla rooms six to eight weeks ahead and pack a proper fleece for desert nights.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
!saudi - arabia - rabah-al-shammary-7vOpzRF33Zo-unsplash

💰 Costs (as of 2026)What things cost day to day

Backpacking Saudi Arabia costs about US$45 to 75 a day if you use dorms or shared rooms, eat shawarma and Yemeni rice joints, and ride buses and trains. Sleeping is the expensive part, because hostels are still rare here. Food and fuel-cheap transport bring the total back down.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$15 to 35 per nightDorm beds mostly turn up in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, at about US$15 to 30 in Jeddah’s Al Balad area and US$20 to 35 in Riyadh. Outside the big cities you’ll usually pay US$35 to 60 for a budget hotel or a furnished apartment, so sharing one with a travel partner is the easiest saving. That’s more than a dorm in Amman and about level with Dubai’s cheapest beds.
MealsUS$10 to 20 per dayA chicken shawarma costs US$1.30 to 3.20, an Al Baik fried chicken meal US$4.50 to 7, and a plate of Yemeni mandi US$7 to 11. At Panda, Lulu or Tamimi supermarkets, a bag of khubz flatbread is about US$0.50 and 1.5 liters of water about US$0.40. Street food here costs about the same as in Oman and less than in the UAE.
Local transportUS$3 to 25 per dayA Riyadh Metro ticket costs about US$1.10 and lasts two hours. A SAPTCO bus from Riyadh to Dammam runs US$16 to
… read more 👉
Backpacking Saudi Arabia costs about US$45 to 75 a day if you use dorms or shared rooms, eat shawarma and Yemeni rice joints, and ride buses and trains. Sleeping is the expensive part, because hostels are still rare here. Food and fuel-cheap transport bring the total back down.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$15 to 35 per nightDorm beds mostly turn up in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, at about US$15 to 30 in Jeddah’s Al Balad area and US$20 to 35 in Riyadh. Outside the big cities you’ll usually pay US$35 to 60 for a budget hotel or a furnished apartment, so sharing one with a travel partner is the easiest saving. That’s more than a dorm in Amman and about level with Dubai’s cheapest beds.
MealsUS$10 to 20 per dayA chicken shawarma costs US$1.30 to 3.20, an Al Baik fried chicken meal US$4.50 to 7, and a plate of Yemeni mandi US$7 to 11. At Panda, Lulu or Tamimi supermarkets, a bag of khubz flatbread is about US$0.50 and 1.5 liters of water about US$0.40. Street food here costs about the same as in Oman and less than in the UAE.
Local transportUS$3 to 25 per dayA Riyadh Metro ticket costs about US$1.10 and lasts two hours. A SAPTCO bus from Riyadh to Dammam runs US$16 to 21, and an economy SAR train seat on the same route starts around US$16 to 25. From Riyadh to Jeddah, a budget flight at US$50 to 80 often beats the 12-hour bus at US$35 to 50. Expect US$5 to 15 per ride on Careem or Uber, because many sights have no bus at all.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 45 per dayThe big costs are ticketed heritage sites and desert tours. Hegra in AlUla costs roughly US$25 to 45 with the shuttle tour, At-Turaif in Diriyah about US$27, and a shared trip to the Edge of the World US$50 to 100. You can walk Jeddah’s Al Balad and the Corniche for free. Overall, heritage tickets cost less than Petra’s entry fee in Jordan.
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 10 per dayA tourist SIM from STC, Mobily or Zain costs US$27 to 40 for a few weeks of data. Most prices include 15 percent VAT. The tourist eVisa is a one-off of about US$130 to 145 with insurance included, compared with Jordan’s visa, which costs less and can be bundled into the Jordan Pass. Water, coffee and SIM top-ups make up most of the daily spending in this row.
Total Daily BudgetUS$45 to 75 per dayA Jeddah dorm (US$20), three street meals (US$12), a metro or bus fare plus one ride-hail (US$10) and a free walk come to about US$45. Add a Hegra ticket or a night in a private room and you’re close to US$75. That costs more than Jordan or Egypt, less than the UAE, and about the same as Oman.
The cheapest stretches are in the cities, where shawarma and metro fares cost about the same as anywhere in the Gulf. The gaps between cities are where costs climb. AlUla, the Asir highlands and the Empty Quarter edge have few beds and fewer buses, so budget for car rental at about US$30 to 50 a day plus fuel at roughly US$0.60 a liter. Saudi fuel is among the cheapest in the region, so splitting a car among three or four people can work out cheaper than tours. Travelers pay in Saudi riyals, and cards work almost everywhere, including at shawarma stands.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutSaudi Arabia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (322 pages) contains:
✅ 86 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
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🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
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🛏️ Where to stay?Accommodation types and options

True dorm hostels are rare in Saudi Arabia, so budget travelers mostly book small hotels, furnished apartments or app-listed rooms, typically SAR 150 to 250 (about US$40 to 67) a night in big cities. In Riyadh, Al Batha has the cheapest beds and sits near Masmak Fort and the old souqs, though it is crowded, noisy and rough around the edges, while Al Olaya costs more but is clean, safe, on the Metro and closest to the city’s cafés and late-night dining. In Jeddah, Al Balad puts you inside the historic coral-stone quarter with few modern comforts, and Al Hamra near the Corniche is quieter and greener, … read more 👉
True dorm hostels are rare in Saudi Arabia, so budget travelers mostly book small hotels, furnished apartments or app-listed rooms, typically SAR 150 to 250 (about US$40 to 67) a night in big cities. In Riyadh, Al Batha has the cheapest beds and sits near Masmak Fort and the old souqs, though it is crowded, noisy and rough around the edges, while Al Olaya costs more but is clean, safe, on the Metro and closest to the city’s cafés and late-night dining. In Jeddah, Al Balad puts you inside the historic coral-stone quarter with few modern comforts, and Al Hamra near the Corniche is quieter and greener, with evening seafront walks but longer rides to the old town.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Saudi Arabia


Best quality hotels in Saudi Arabia

🚌 Getting aroundPublic transport and other ways to get around

Backpacking Saudi Arabia usually means a mix of domestic flights and short car rentals, because cities sit 800 to 1,000 km apart and buses outside the main corridors are infrequent. Trains are excellent but cover only a few routes, so most travelers fly the long legs and drive the last stretch.
  • Domestic flights: Saudia, flynas and flyadeal connect Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha, Tabuk and Dammam. Riyadh to Jeddah takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and costs roughly SAR 250 to 500 (US$67 to 133) one way if
… read more 👉
Backpacking Saudi Arabia usually means a mix of domestic flights and short car rentals, because cities sit 800 to 1,000 km apart and buses outside the main corridors are infrequent. Trains are excellent but cover only a few routes, so most travelers fly the long legs and drive the last stretch.
  • Domestic flights: Saudia, flynas and flyadeal connect Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha, Tabuk and Dammam. Riyadh to Jeddah takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and costs roughly SAR 250 to 500 (US$67 to 133) one way if booked a few weeks ahead. Budget fares often exclude checked bags, so a carry-on-only traveler pays the least. Book on the airline’s own website or app.
  • Trains: Saudi Arabia Railways runs Riyadh to Dammam in about 4 to 4.5 hours (economy roughly SAR 60 to 150, US$16 to 40) and a northern line through Qassim and Hail. The Haramain high-speed line links Jeddah and Medina in about 2 hours 15 minutes for roughly SAR 150 to 300 (US$40 to 80). Non-Muslims may ride to Medina but must not travel to Mecca. Seats are clean, cold and assigned. Book online, since Thursday and Eid trains sell out.
  • Intercity buses (SAPTCO): The cheapest way between cities, but slow. Riyadh to Jeddah takes 11 to 13 hours and costs roughly SAR 130 to 250 (US$35 to 67), barely cheaper than a sale flight. Buses make sense for shorter hops like Jeddah to Taif. Book through the SAPTCO app. Front rows are often informally kept for families and women.
  • Rental car: The only practical option for AlUla’s outlying sites, the Asir mountains or Edge of the World. Expect SAR 120 to 250 (US$32 to 67) a day, with fuel at about SAR 2.3 (US$0.60) per liter. Bring an International Driving Permit. Speed cameras are everywhere and fines arrive by text message, so local drivers simply stick to the limit.
  • Ride-hailing: Uber and Careem work well in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with most city rides at SAR 20 to 50 (US$5 to 13). In Riyadh, the metro at SAR 4 (US$1) for two hours of travel beats a car during rush hour.
Book open-jaw: fly into Riyadh and out of Jeddah (or the reverse), and you save one 950 km backtrack across the desert.
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Saudi Arabia lies about 35 km (22 miles) north of central Riyadh, and the cheapest reliable way in is the Riyadh Metro Yellow Line for around SAR 4 (about US$1).
  • Riyadh Metro Yellow Line (Line 4) (about 30 to 35 minutes to KAFD, then 10 to 15 minutes on the Blue Line to Olaya; SAR 4, about US$1, for a 2-hour ticket) Stations sit at the terminals, you pay by tapping a contactless bank card or a Darb card at the gates, and trains run roughly from 6 am to midnight.
  • Official airport taxi (30 to 45 minutes; SAR 100 to 150, about US$27 to 40) Use the marked taxi rank outside arrivals, insist on the meter, and expect cards to be accepted in most cars, around the clock.
  • Ride-hailing (Uber, Careem, Jeeny) (30 to 45 minutes; SAR 60 to 110, about US$16 to 30) Book in the app once you have data and walk to the signed ride-hailing pickup zone, with payment by card through the app and service 24 hours a day.
If you land after the Metro closes, skip the drivers touting rides in the arrivals hall and go straight to a metered airport taxi or the ride-hailing zone, since both run all night.
⚠️ Prices and routes can change, so take this as a rough guide and ask for local advice when you arrive.
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🔒 Safety (risk Level: high)Safety considerations for travelers

Safety for solo travelers, including women and LGBTQ+ individuals
Saudi Arabia is one of the safer countries in the Middle East for solo travelers, with very low rates of violent crime and petty theft and a heavy police presence in cities. Solo women travel more and more since the 2019 tourism opening, can stay alone in hotels and drive, and generally report respectful treatment, though staring and occasional unwanted attention happen and dressing modestly helps. Same-sex relations are illegal and can carry severe penalties, so LGBTQ+ travelers should stay discreet, avoid public displays of affection and be careful with dating apps. Most risks come from fast driving and summer heat rather than crime.


Full official government travel advisory (live updates)
View details 👉
safety image

source: www.gov.uk

✈️ VisaUnderstanding entry rules

Many travelers need a visa for Saudi Arabia, but citizens of around 60 countries, including the US, UK, EU states, Canada and Australia, can get a tourist eVisa online in minutes or a visa on arrival, valid for one year with stays of up to 90 days. The eVisa costs about SAR 535 (US$143), including mandatory medical insurance, and travelers holding valid US, UK or Schengen visas or GCC residence may also qualify. Apply through the official Saudi visa platform before departure; other nationalities apply through a Saudi embassy.
⚠️ Visa requirements can change over time, so always check the latest visa requirements with the official embassy or government website before you travel.

🎒 What to pack?Packing essentials for the trip

Packing for Saudi Arabia means planning for extremes: summer days regularly pass 45°C in Riyadh and the humidity in Jeddah is heavy, while winter nights in the desert, AlUla and the northern Hail region can drop close to freezing. Loose, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees works best for both the heat and local expectations, and foreign women no longer need an abaya, though modest, non-tight outfits are appreciated. Bring a light layer anyway, because malls, buses and trains are kept icy cold. Sun protection matters more than you think in the desert glare, and sturdy shoes handle the rocky trails around AlUla and the Asir mountains far better than sandals.

Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. authorOver the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

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🙋 FAQCommon questions before visiting

Trip Planning

Planning a backpacking route through Saudi Arabia can be tricky — you need to balance must-see places, travel times, budget, and how long to stay in each destination. Our free personalized Saudi Arabia itinerary planner creates a route based on your travel style, trip duration, and interests, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.



Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.


Travel Essentials

No vaccinations are required for most tourists visiting Saudi Arabia, but routine shots (MMR, tetanus, diphtheria) should be up to date, and hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for travelers eating street food. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, and proof of polio vaccination may be requested from travelers from certain countries. Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is mandatory for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and hepatitis B and rabies are worth considering for long stays or rural travel. Check with a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.


vaccination requirements
When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.

These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Saudi Arabia, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.

There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Holafly, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.


HolaFly eSim

Culture & Customs

Dress modestly in Saudi Arabia: cover shoulders and knees, avoid tight or see-through clothing, and women should carry a scarf for mosque visits. Eat, pass items and accept coffee with your right hand, and accepting a few cups of qahwa before shaking the cup gently to signal you are done is polite. Don’t photograph people, especially women, or government buildings without permission. Alcohol and drugs are illegal, with harsh penalties. During Ramadan, don’t eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Non-Muslims are not allowed into Mecca or the central holy area of Medina. Public displays of affection are frowned upon for all couples, and LGBTQ+ travelers should keep relationships private. Men should wait for a woman to offer her hand before shaking it, and some restaurants and queues still have family or women’s sections. Foreign unmarried couples can share a hotel room. Many shops close briefly at prayer times, so plan errands around them.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Saudi Arabia.
  1. Kabsa: Spiced long-grain rice cooked in the broth of chicken, lamb or camel, topped with the meat, fried onions, nuts and raisins. It is the dish Saudi families serve for gatherings, usually on one large shared platter.
  2. Mandi: Meat and rice slow-cooked in an underground pit or sealed oven, giving smoky, tender lamb or chicken. Originally Yemeni, it is now everywhere in Saudi Arabia, often eaten seated on floor cushions in private rooms.
  3. Jareesh: Cracked wheat simmered with milk or broth and topped with caramelized onions. A Najd region staple from central Saudi Arabia, often served during Ramadan.
  4. Saleeg: Creamy rice cooked slowly in milk and broth, served with roast chicken. It is the comfort food of the Hejaz, especially Taif and Jeddah.
  5. Mutabbaq: Thin dough folded around minced meat, egg and leek, then griddled until crisp. Sold at street stalls in Jeddah and Riyadh and one of the cheapest filling snacks around.
  6. Ma’soub: Mashed flatbread with banana, honey, cream and dates. A sweet, heavy breakfast found mostly in the western and southern regions.
  7. Qahwa and dates: Light, cardamom-heavy Saudi coffee poured in small cups and served with dates. Offering it is the standard gesture of hospitality, and UNESCO lists Arabic coffee as intangible heritage.
Tap water in Saudi Arabia is mostly desalinated and treated, but storage tanks on rooftops vary in quality and most locals drink bottled water instead. Travelers are advised to do the same, using tap water for brushing teeth at most. Bottled water is cheap everywhere, typically SAR 1 to 2 (US$0.30 to 0.50) for 1.5 liters, and many hotels provide it free.
The main language in Saudi Arabia is Arabic. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Arabic skills have become a bit rusty.

Want to understand locals better?
The complete Travel Guide for Saudi Arabia includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.

Get your local basic phrases 👉

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English is widely spoken in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, especially in hotels, malls, airports and among younger Saudis, many of whom studied abroad. Much of the service workforce comes from South Asia and the Philippines, so English is often the shared language at cafés, taxis and shops. In rural towns and the southern mountains, English thins out quickly and Arabic does the heavy lifting. Download Google Translate with offline Arabic and learn to read Arabic numerals, which show up on prices and road signs.

Money & Payments

The local currency of Saudi Arabia is SAR (ر.س).
Saudi Arabia is one of the most card-friendly countries you can visit, and contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere, from malls and supermarkets to small cafés and many souq stalls. ATMs are easy to find in cities, airports and fuel stations, and most local banks charge little or nothing on their end, so the main cost is your home bank’s foreign withdrawal fee; always choose to be charged in riyals instead of accepting the machine’s conversion. Keep some cash, around SAR 200 to 300 (US$53 to 80), for rural shops, small mountain villages, fuel stations off the main highways and street-food stands. The riyal is pegged at 3.75 to the US dollar, so US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange, though euros are accepted too. Change money at banks or licensed exchange offices in malls and airports rather than with individuals.
Tipping in Saudi Arabia is appreciated but not expected, and many workers in the service industry earn modest wages, so small tips make a real difference. In restaurants, leave around 10 percent if no service charge has been added, round up taxi fares, and give hotel porters SAR 5 to 10 (US$1.30 to 2.70). Note that the 15 percent VAT shown on bills is a tax, not a tip.

🧩 Nearby countriesOther countries to combine with Saudi Arabia

📸 PhotosWhat it looks like on the ground

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Photographed by: Johan Kruseman

We 💚 feedbackIs Saudi Arabia worth visiting?

The main reason to backpack Saudi Arabia now is access to world-class heritage, from Hegra to Rijal Almaa, without crowds, while the country is still new to tourism. The realistic drawback is that travel here runs on cars and planned bookings, not spontaneous wandering, and there is little social backpacker life. It is best for independent travelers who like driving, history and quiet desert nights. It is a poor fit for anyone seeking cheap hostels, nightlife, or a loose itinerary built around chance encounters.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Saudi Arabia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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