How Things Work in Saudi Arabia
Everything Tourists Need to Know
Tipping is welcomed but not mandatory — 10–15% at restaurants is appreciated, and 10–20 SAR for hotel staff is standard.
Updated 2025-06
Riyadh has a modern 6-line metro (opened 2024), Uber and Careem operate widely, and the Haramain High Speed Railway connects Jeddah and Mecca.
Updated 2025-06
Healthcare quality is excellent at private hospitals, but costs are very high — travel insurance is essential.
Updated 2025-06
Alcohol is completely banned, drugs carry the death penalty, LGBT relationships are illegal, and criticizing the royal family is a criminal offense.
Updated 2025-06
Police: 999. Ambulance and fire: 911. Tourist police hotline: 920004444.
Updated 2025-06
Foreign women are no longer required to wear an abaya, but modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected in public.
Updated 2025-06
Alcohol is completely and absolutely banned throughout Saudi Arabia — there are no exceptions, no licensed venues, and no tolerance whatsoever.
Updated 2025-06
Bargaining is expected in traditional souqs — gold souqs, spice markets, and Abha markets — but not in modern malls or chain stores.
Updated 2025-06
Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, and women without explicit consent — tourist sites like AlUla are freely photographable.
Updated 2025-06
The Saudi weekend is Thursday–Friday; shops and malls open 7 days but close briefly 5 times daily for prayer; Ramadan dramatically changes all hours.
Updated 2025-06
Uber and Careem are the best options for getting around Saudi cities — reliable, app-based, and available nationwide.
Updated 2025-06
Tap water is desalinated and technically safe but heavily chlorinated — bottled water is cheap, widely available, and what most residents drink.
Updated 2025-06
ATMs are widely available from major banks and accept foreign cards; contactless and Apple Pay are very widely accepted, making cash less essential.
Updated 2025-06
STC, Mobily, and Zain all offer tourist SIM packages at airports; 5G coverage is excellent in major cities.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi Arabia uses both Type G (UK 3-pin) and Type A/B (US 2/3-pin) plugs, and both 127V and 220V voltages — a universal adapter is essential.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi Arabia has a low scam culture overall, but watch for overcharging at tourist-area restaurants and by unofficial taxis.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi Arabia has one of the world's lowest violent crime rates and is extremely safe for tourists, including women traveling solo.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi Arabia is deeply hospitable — accept offered coffee and dates, respect prayer times, and avoid public displays of affection.
Updated 2025-06
Arabic is the official language; English is widely spoken in hotels, tourist areas, and business settings, though less prevalent in Riyadh than in Jeddah.
Updated 2025-06
The Red Sea coast offers world-class beaches, diving, and snorkeling — women can now wear swimsuits at designated tourist beaches and resorts.
Updated 2025-06
Drive on the right; women have been allowed to drive since 2018; speed cameras are everywhere; Riyadh traffic is very heavy.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi cuisine centers on kabsa, mandi, and shawarma — portions are large, pork is absent, and meal timing shifts dramatically during Ramadan.
Updated 2025-06
Non-Muslims are absolutely prohibited from entering Mecca or Medina; other mosques may sometimes admit respectfully dressed non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.
Updated 2025-06
Visit October to April to avoid extreme heat — summers regularly exceed 45°C in Riyadh, though the Asir highlands stay cooler year-round.
Updated 2025-06
Saudi Arabia is not a budget destination, but street food is cheap, many attractions are free, and avoiding tourist-trap restaurants saves significantly.
Updated 2025-06