Saudi Arabia Country

A vast desert kingdom that only opened to tourism in 2019 - summers are brutally hot, so Nov - Mar is the time to go. Main gateways are Riyadh and Jeddah. It’s a fast-changing, ambitious country still finding its tourist feet.

Costs: $60-180/day - costs vary; cities and tourist areas pricier

Safety: Generally Safe - low street crime; follow local laws and customs

Why go: the rock-cut Nabataean tombs of AlUla (Hegra), Red Sea diving, the historic old town of Jeddah, dramatic deserts - and, for Muslims, the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Known for: Islam’s holiest cities (Muslims only), oil wealth, AlUla’s ancient tombs, deserts, giant mega-projects, and a rapidly opening society.

Popular activities: AlUla and Hegra, historic Jeddah (Al-Balad) and Red Sea diving, Riyadh’s Diriyah and the Edge of the World cliffs, desert camping, and the vast Empty Quarter.

Visas: A tourist e-visa or visa on arrival is now available to many nationalities; Mecca and Medina remain restricted to Muslims.

Money: The riyal runs a card-friendly economy, and it isn’t cheap.

Accommodations & transportation: Hotels and desert resorts. Getting around: domestic flights, the Haramain high-speed train, and rental cars (women now drive).

Customs & etiquette: A conservative Islamic country - dress modestly (though tourists needn’t wear an abaya), no alcohol at all, and respect prayer times and Ramadan; gender norms are relaxing but still present.

Health & safety: Low crime; the heat is the main hazard, and avoid the Yemen border region (check advisories).

Riyadh & the centre - the capital, Diriyah and the Edge of the World.

Jeddah & the Red Sea - the historic port and the diving.

AlUla & the northwest - Hegra’s Nabataean tombs and desert scenery.

The south & Empty Quarter - the green Asir mountains and the great sand desert.

Saudi Arabia is predominantly arid and desertic: very hot summers and mild, relatively dry winters with most rainfall occurring in the cooler months. Coastal areas and the southwestern highlands receive somewhat different patterns, but the main travel window is the cooler season from late autumn to early spring.

Red Sea Coast (Jeddah, Yanbu, Al Lith, coastal Tabuk): Warm, humid, and strongly influenced by the sea breeze; the Red Sea coast runs from Tabuk in the northwest down past Jeddah to Al Lith and Jazan. Winters (November-March) are mild and the best time for beach activities and diving; summers (May-September) are hot and very humid, making daytime sightseeing tiring. Occasional short, heavy rainbands occur in winter and sporadic remnants of Indian Ocean storms can affect the far south.

Western Highlands / Hejaz & Sarawat Mountains (Taif, Abha, Al-Bahah, Jabal Sawda): Higher-elevation climate along the western escarpment (Taif, Al-Bahah, Abha, Jabal Sawda) with much cooler temperatures than the lowlands and a distinct summer cloud/rain season. Winters are cool to cold at night and pleasant by day; summer months (June-August) bring orographic clouds and afternoon rain in the south, offering the country’s most temperate summer weather. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, mist and slippery mountain tracks.

Central Plateau / Najd (Riyadh, Buraydah, Al Kharj): Saudi Arabia’s inland high desert: hot, dry summers with significant diurnal range and cool to cold winters with clear skies. Riyadh and Najd see extreme summer heat (often above 40°C) and occasional spring dust storms; winter days are pleasant for travel but nights can approach freezing. Best time to visit is October-March for comfortable daytime weather and reduced dust activity.

Eastern Province & Arabian Gulf Coast (Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsa, Jubail): The Gulf coast is hot and humid for much of the year, with blistering summers and mild, pleasant winters; fog and humidity are especially notable in winter and spring. Summer heat indexes are extreme, with shamal winds and dust reducing visibility at times. Best travel months are November-March when days are comfortable for exploring coastal corniches and the Al-Ahsa oasis.

Southern Highlands & Far Southwest (Jazan, Najran, parts of Asir lowlands): The far southwest is the country’s wettest and most varied region: coastal Jazan, Najran and the lower Asir foothills receive more moisture and experience cooler highland weather. Summer months (June-August) bring orographic clouds and regular rain in the highlands, producing lush, green valleys uncommon elsewhere in Saudi Arabia. Best months for visits are October-March along the coast and June-August for the highland ‘green’ season, with appropriate rain gear.

Rub’ al Khali / Southeastern Sands (Empty Quarter, Al-Ahsa periphery, Salalah-adjacent influences): One of the hottest, driest regions on earth: the Rub’ al Khali is extreme desert with blistering summers and very warm, clear winters. Travel is safest and most comfortable in the cooler months (November-March); in summer the sands become dangerously hot and sandstorms and remoteness make travel hazardous. If visiting, do so with a capable 4x4 operator and substantial water, fuel and communications backup.

International flights arrive primarily at King Khalid International (RUH) in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International (JED) in Jeddah and King Fahd International (DMM) in Dammam. Domestic air and rail links connect the major cities; overland travel is possible from neighbouring Gulf countries.

Long-term living in Saudi Arabia is dominated by a large expatriate workforce living under employer sponsorship. Cities offer modern amenities, strong healthcare and well‑paid job opportunities in energy, tech and construction. Social norms are conservative and legal restrictions require cultural adjustment.

Long-Term Visas: Long-term stays typically on employer-sponsored work visas (iqama); Premium Residency (paid permanent residency) also available.

Working There: Most foreigners work under employer sponsorship; recent reforms aim to diversify visas and open new private-sector roles.

Cost of Living: Housing in Riyadh/Jeddah is relatively expensive; subsidised fuel and utilities reduce some living costs.

Health & Wellness: Modern private healthcare widely available in major cities; employer-provided insurance is standard for expats.

Banking & Finance: Banks offer expat accounts but require iqama and local documents; strong international and local banking presence.

Taxes: No personal income tax on salaries for most residents; VAT at 15% and corporate taxes apply to foreign entities.

Popular Places to Live in Saudi Arabia

Where to live depends on career and lifestyle: Riyadh for government and corporate jobs, Jeddah for coastal life and more relaxed social options, and the Eastern Province for oil and industry work. International schools, compounds and employer support shape expat choices.

• Riyadh - Corporate and government hub, suits career-focused expats, tradeoff strict cultural environment
• Jeddah - Coastal, more socially open, suits creatives and sea‑lovers, tradeoff humidity and traffic
• Al Khobar - Eastern Province industry base, suits oil-sector professionals, tradeoff smaller cultural scene
• AlUla - Historic and tourism-focused, suits short creative stays, tradeoff limited permanent services

Saudi Arabia has a limited digital‑nomad scene because long stays normally require employer sponsorship or paid Premium Residency. However, Riyadh and Jeddah offer growing coworking networks, reliable connectivity and active professional communities for those based with proper visas.

Nomad Visa: None exists; usual workarounds are tourist/business visas or employer sponsorship, Premium Residency for long-term stays.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals common, leases typically 12 months; expats often prefer compounds for convenience and community.

Internet: Wide 4G/5G coverage with fast speeds in urban areas, reliable fixed broadband in business districts.

Monthly Cost: Monthly cost moderate to high, major expenses are rent, schooling and private healthcare for families.

Coworking: Multiple coworking spaces in Riyadh and Jeddah, international chains present near business centres.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms and wellness centres common, many in compounds and commercial malls; women-only options available.

Community: Strong expat professional communities around companies and industry sectors; limited informal nomad scene.

Time Zone: UTC+3 year‑round.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Saudi Arabia

Most long‑stay foreigners cluster in Riyadh and Jeddah for work and services; the Eastern Province suits industry professionals. Nomads weighing lifestyle choose Jeddah for coastal living or Riyadh for business infrastructure.

• Riyadh - Business and government centre, strong coworking scene, suits professionals, tradeoff conservative social environment
• Jeddah - Coastal city with livelier social scene, suits creatives and weekend divers, tradeoff humidity and seasonal traffic
• Al Khobar - Oil-industry hub, quieter expat community, suits families and engineers, tradeoff fewer lifestyle options
• AlUla - Heritage and tourism growth, good for short-term creative stays, tradeoff limited year-round services

Saudi Arabia has strong urban connectivity with widespread 4G/5G and improving fixed broadband. Mobile speeds in cities are generally robust, supporting streaming and remote work reliably across major population centres.

Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR). Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities, malls and hotels, though cash remains useful for small vendors; ATMs are common in urban areas. Note some venues add a service charge and mobile payment adoption (STC Pay and local debit network Mada) is growing.

• Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but customary for good service - around 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added; small tips for hotel staff and drivers are normal.
• Cards & Cash: Major cards work in most tourist and business establishments; Mada is the domestic debit network and widely used locally. Carry some cash for smaller shops, markets and more conservative areas.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are abundant in cities and airports; machines may charge a fee and your bank may add international withdrawal charges. Mobile wallets such as STC Pay are popular for local payments but generally require a local phone/account.
• Banknotes: ر.س1, ر.س5, ر.س10, ر.س50, ر.س100, ر.س500
• Coins: ر.س0, ر.س0, ر.س0, ر.س0, ر.س1, ر.س2

Saudi culture is rooted in Islamic traditions, Bedouin hospitality and tribal customs, with contemporary urban life shaped by rapid modernization. Religious practice, hospitality rituals (dates and Arabic coffee) and conservative social norms are prominent features visitors will notice.