How Things Work in Saudi Arabia

Tipping is a appreciated gesture in Saudi Arabia, though it is never obligatory. At restaurants, 10–15% is customary unless a service charge is already included in the bill — always check before adding more. Hotel staff such as bellboys and housekeeping welcome 10–20 SAR. For drivers and tour guides, a tip of 20–50 SAR reflects good service. The culture is hospitable and generous, so tipping fits naturally into interactions.

Riyadh's metro system opened in 2024 with 6 lines covering major districts and is clean, air-conditioned, and affordable. Uber and Careem are the most practical options for getting around cities and are widely used by both tourists and residents. SAPTCO operates intercity buses connecting major cities. The Haramain High Speed Railway links Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina — note that non-Muslims cannot travel to or from Mecca stations as checkpoints enforce this restriction. Traditional taxis exist but Uber and Careem are strongly preferred for transparency on price.

Saudi Arabia has world-class private hospitals including Saudi German Hospital and Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, with English-speaking staff in major cities. Without insurance, costs are extremely high — an emergency room visit can run thousands of SAR. Pharmacies are found everywhere and many common medications are available over the counter. Some medications require a local prescription, so bring a doctor's letter and sufficient supply of any prescription drugs from home. Travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation is strongly recommended.

Saudi Arabia enforces strict laws rooted in Islamic principles. Alcohol is entirely prohibited — possession or consumption anywhere in the country is a criminal offense with zero exceptions. Drug offenses can carry the death penalty. LGBT relationships are illegal. Criticism of the royal family, government, or Islam — including on social media — is prosecutable. Since 2019 Vision 2030 reforms, the abaya is no longer mandatory for foreign women, unmarried couples may share hotel rooms, and entertainment venues have opened widely. However, modesty in dress and behavior remains expected throughout.

Saudi Arabia has well-resourced emergency services with generally fast response times in major cities. The tourist police hotline (920004444) is specifically staffed to assist visitors and handles English-language calls. For medical emergencies, private hospitals often have faster specialist access than government facilities. Keep your travel insurance emergency contact number saved alongside local numbers. Your hotel concierge can also be an effective first point of contact for non-life-threatening incidents.

Since 2019, Saudi Arabia's dress code has relaxed significantly as part of Vision 2030 reforms. Foreign women are no longer required to wear an abaya in public, though many local women still do. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees in public areas, markets, and government buildings. Sleeveless shirts and very short shorts on men are inappropriate in conservative areas. Swimwear is permitted at designated tourist beaches and resorts such as the Red Sea Project, NEOM Sindalah Island, and resort pools. At mosques, women must cover hair, arms, and legs.

Unlike neighboring UAE, Saudi Arabia has a total prohibition on alcohol with zero exceptions. There are no licensed hotels, bars, or restaurants serving alcohol anywhere in the country. Importing alcohol is a criminal offense — customs officers actively inspect luggage. Possession, consumption, or being under the influence are all criminal offenses. Non-alcoholic beer and malt beverages are widely available and popular, as are fresh juices and specialty coffees. Do not attempt to bring alcohol in, brew it, or source it locally.

Saudi Arabia has a dual retail culture. In traditional souqs found across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Abha, bargaining is part of the experience and vendors expect negotiation. At the gold souq, the gold price itself is fixed by market rates but making charges (the labor fee) are negotiable. In modern shopping malls, chain restaurants, and branded stores, prices are firmly fixed. A friendly, patient approach to haggling is appreciated — aggressive tactics are considered rude in Saudi culture.

Photography laws in Saudi Arabia require care. Government buildings, royal palaces, military and police installations, and airport facilities must not be photographed. Photographing women without their explicit permission is illegal and highly offensive. Religious sites around Mecca and Medina are especially restricted, and non-Muslims cannot access those areas at all. Conversely, major tourist destinations such as AlUla, Hegra, the Edge of the World, and Diriyah are welcoming environments for photography. When in doubt, ask permission before pointing a camera at people or any official-looking structure.

Saudi Arabia's working week runs Sunday through Thursday, with Friday (the holy day) and Saturday as the weekend. Government offices are closed Thursday–Friday. Malls and most private businesses operate 7 days a week. Five daily prayer times cause shop closures of approximately 20–30 minutes each — doors are locked and staff pray before reopening. During Ramadan, businesses shift to late-night hours, many restaurants close during daylight, and iftar (sunset meal) triggers a major rush. Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours is illegal for everyone.

Uber and Careem are the dominant and most recommended transport options in Saudi cities, offering transparent pricing, English-language apps, and reliable service. Women have been legally permitted to travel alone in taxis since 2018 reforms. Traditional metered taxis are available at airports and in city centers but can involve fare disputes — apps are strongly preferred. Airport taxis operate on fixed zones at major airports. Between cities, intercity buses (SAPTCO) are inexpensive but slow compared to the Haramain High Speed Railway on the Jeddah-Mecca-Medina corridor.

Saudi Arabia's tap water comes from desalination plants and is technically safe to drink, but the heavy chlorination makes it taste unpleasant and most residents avoid drinking it directly. Bottled water is inexpensive, available at every supermarket and convenience store, and widely considered the practical choice. In extreme heat — especially May through September — staying very well hydrated is critical to avoiding heat exhaustion. Carry water at all times when outdoors. The water used for cooking in restaurants is generally fine.

Saudi Arabia has excellent banking infrastructure. ATMs from Saudi National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, and Riyad Bank are found throughout malls, airports, and city streets and accept international Visa and Mastercard. Contactless card payments and Apple Pay are very widely accepted — even small cafes and many street food vendors have modern payment terminals. Cash is still useful for traditional souqs, small shops, and tipping. There is generally no need to carry large amounts of cash. Foreign transaction fees vary by your home bank — a Wise card avoids these.

Saudi Arabia has excellent mobile connectivity with 5G available in Riyadh, Jeddah, and other major cities. The three main operators are STC (best coverage nationwide), Mobily, and Zain. Tourist SIM packages can be purchased at airport arrival halls and official operator stores — bring your passport as registration is mandatory. Airalo eSIMs for Saudi Arabia work well and are a convenient option to activate before arrival. Some VoIP services and certain websites may be restricted; a VPN is useful for accessing blocked content, though VPN use itself is in a legal grey area.

Saudi Arabia's electricity situation is uniquely complex: both Type G (British 3-pin, 220V) and Type A/B (American 2/3-pin, 127V) outlets are found in the country, and critically, different outlets in the same building can operate on different voltages. Check your device's power adapter for its rated voltage before plugging in. Most modern laptops, phones, and cameras support dual voltage (100–240V), but older or single-voltage devices can be damaged. A universal travel adapter is essential, and a voltage converter may be needed for some appliances.

Saudi Arabia is generally a low-scam environment compared to many tourist destinations, partly due to strict law enforcement. The most common issues tourists encounter are overpriced menus at restaurants near major tourist sites, unofficial taxi drivers quoting inflated fares, and counterfeit or poor-quality goods sold as authentic in souqs. Using Uber or Careem eliminates taxi fare disputes entirely. Checking online reviews before dining near major landmarks helps avoid tourist-trap pricing. Genuine counterfeit goods are mainly a concern in electronics and designer items in informal markets.

Saudi Arabia consistently ranks among the world's safest countries for violent crime and petty theft. Strict law enforcement and severe penalties act as strong deterrents. Women have significantly greater freedom to travel and move independently since the 2018 reforms, and solo female travelers generally report feeling very safe. Political protests are not permitted and foreign nationals should avoid any political gatherings. The main risks for tourists relate to legal missteps (alcohol, photography restrictions, dress code) rather than criminal threats from locals.

Saudi culture places enormous value on hospitality and generosity. When offered Arabic coffee (qahwa) or dates, accept graciously — refusing can cause mild offence. Business meetings begin with relationship-building conversation rather than getting straight to the point. During the five daily prayer times, pause and show respect if you are near a mosque. During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight is illegal and deeply disrespectful. Public displays of affection remain inappropriate even with the 2019 reforms. Greet people with 'Assalamu Alaikum' — the response is genuinely appreciated.

Arabic is the national language of Saudi Arabia, with the Gulf Arabic dialect spoken locally. English is widely used in the hospitality industry, at major tourist attractions, and in business, particularly in Jeddah and among younger generations. In Riyadh, especially outside major hotels and malls, English proficiency can be more limited. Learning a few basic Arabic phrases is greatly appreciated and warmly received. Signage at airports, metro stations, and major roads is bilingual (Arabic and English).

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline is genuinely spectacular, with warm clear waters, exceptional coral reefs, and some of the world's best diving and snorkeling. Key beach destinations include the Jeddah Corniche, the developing Red Sea Project resort islands, and NEOM's Sindalah Island. Since Vision 2030 reforms, women are permitted to wear swimsuits at designated tourist resort beaches and hotel pools. Water temperatures are warm year-round, peaking in summer. Respect that public non-resort beaches in more conservative areas maintain stricter dress expectations.

Saudi Arabia drives on the right side of the road. An international driving permit alongside your home country license is required for tourists. Women have legally been permitted to drive since June 2018. Speed cameras are extremely common on highways and city roads — fines are issued automatically. Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants. Traffic in Riyadh is notoriously heavy, especially during commuting hours and after prayer times. GPS navigation is essential as address systems can be complex. Driving in the desert requires a 4x4 and proper preparation.

Saudi Arabia's national dish is kabsa — fragrant rice cooked with meat, tomatoes, and spices — alongside mandi (slow-roasted meat over rice). Shawarma, falafel, and mutabbal are widely available and excellent. All food is halal and pork is absent from every restaurant and shop. Restaurants typically have separate family sections and singles sections, though the division is enforced less strictly than in previous decades. During Ramadan, restaurants close during daylight and then overflow at iftar (sunset) — book dinner in advance during this period.

The two holiest cities in Islam — Mecca and Medina — are completely closed to non-Muslims with checkpoints on all access roads. This is strictly enforced and attempting to enter carries serious legal consequences. Some other mosques in Riyadh and Jeddah allow non-Muslim visitors during non-prayer hours with appropriate dress, though this is at the discretion of mosque management. At all times near mosques, dress modestly and behave respectfully. AlUla's pre-Islamic historical sites (Hegra/Madain Saleh) are UNESCO-listed and fully open to all visitors.

Saudi Arabia is extremely hot from May through September, with temperatures in Riyadh and the interior regularly exceeding 45°C. The best time to visit is October through April when temperatures are comfortable (15–28°C). Jeddah on the Red Sea coast is slightly milder due to humidity. The Asir region in the southwest has a highland climate with cooler temperatures and monsoon rains in summer — a pleasant contrast to the rest of the country. Winter nights in Riyadh can drop surprisingly close to 0°C. Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage seasons bring enormous crowds to Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia is generally an expensive country for accommodation and organized tours. However, significant savings are available with the right approach. Street shawarma and falafel from local stalls cost as little as 5–10 SAR and are excellent. Entry to Diriyah (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is free, as are most corniche areas and public parks. National parks like Asir and Edge of the World viewpoint are free or very low cost. Accommodation is the biggest expense — booking well in advance and staying slightly outside city centers reduces costs substantially.