How Does ATMs & Cash Work in Saudi Arabia?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
ATMs are widely available from major banks and accept foreign cards; contactless and Apple Pay are very widely accepted, making cash less essential.
2What You Need to Know
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.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Use ATMs inside banks or malls rather than standalone street machines for better security
- 2Apple Pay and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere in cities — you may rarely need cash
- 3A Wise or Revolut card saves significantly on foreign transaction and currency conversion fees
How does this compare?
ATMs & Cash rules in nearby and similar countries:
ATMs are widely available and the UAE is largely cashless, but carry AED 200–500 for souqs and small traditional vendors.
Egypt is a largely cash economy — use CIB or Banque Misr ATMs for foreign cards and carry small EGP notes for everyday use.
Cash is king in Morocco — withdraw dirhams from bank ATMs in cities and note that taking dirhams out of Morocco is illegal in significant quantities.
Traveling to Saudi Arabia?
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More About Saudi Arabia
Tipping is welcomed but not mandatory — 10–15% at restaurants is appreciated, and 10–20 SAR for hotel staff is standard.
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Riyadh has a modern 6-line metro (opened 2024), Uber and Careem operate widely, and the Haramain High Speed Railway connects Jeddah and Mecca.
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Healthcare quality is excellent at private hospitals, but costs are very high — travel insurance is essential.
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Alcohol is completely banned, drugs carry the death penalty, LGBT relationships are illegal, and criticizing the royal family is a criminal offense.
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Police: 999. Ambulance and fire: 911. Tourist police hotline: 920004444.
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Foreign women are no longer required to wear an abaya, but modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected in public.
Updated 2025-06
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