That is a very good question. As we mentioned at the beginning, Saudi Arabia has only recently begun developing as a tourist destination. Some things may still not work as smoothly as you would expect\u2014such as tourist information, maps, and practical services\u2014and you may encounter a number of difficulties along the way.
Many people imagine Saudi Arabia as a second Dubai. They assume that Riyadh and Jeddah must be glittering showcases of this oil giant. While Riyadh is a modern city, it is not Dubai, and anyone looking for cutting-edge architecture may be disappointed. I would probably compare it to Brunei<\/a>. Everyone knows that Brunei is one of the world\u2019s very wealthy countries, yet travellers are often surprised by what its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, actually looks like. When should I go?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n I would divide the year into two seasons: \u201chot\u201d and \u201ctoo hot.\u201d The best time<\/strong> to travel is from November to early March, when daytime temperatures are generally around 20\u201325\u00b0C. During summer, temperatures can rise above 50\u00b0C. <\/p>\n\n Also remember that if you travel during Ramadan (April 1\u2013January 31, 2022), almost everything will be closed during the day\u2014it is the fasting month. Prices also go crazy during the pilgrimage to Mecca (July 7\u201312, 2022). <\/p>\n\n Visa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Most recently, they can be obtained through the online portal\u2014you just need to fill out the application at Saudi eVisa | The Official Website for Tourist Visas to Saudi<\/a> Arabia <\/a>(visitsaudi.com).<\/a><\/p>\n\n You need to have your photo, passport, flight ticket, and accommodation booking (which you can arrange through Booking.com) saved in advance on your computer desktop. Your passport must not contain an Israeli stamp!!!!! If it does, you will not be allowed to enter the country. <\/p>\n\n What should I know before traveling to Saudi Arabia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n This country was one of the most closed-off places in the world for many years, and various rumors circulated about it. When it comes to clothing, it is more relaxed than, for example, Iran. Women do not have to wear a headscarf, although it is still recommended, especially in villages and outside cities\u2014the requirement was lifted four years ago, but not everyone seems to understand that yet. However, both women and men should wear long pants, and women should wear longer sleeves. Tank tops are not acceptable for either men or women, and women should not wear low-cut tops. <\/p>\n\n What is prohibited to bring into Saudi Arabia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Customs checks here are very thorough. Importing any alcohol, drugs or narcotics, pork products, and erotic or pornographic publications or media is strictly prohibited. What else do I need to keep in mind?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n How can I get there?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n You can easily get to Saudi Arabia from Vienna with the following airlines:<\/p>\n\n What is the best way to get around here?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Renting a car is probably the best option!!!! Not only are rental prices great, but gasoline is so cheap that water costs more here. Of course, there are trains, buses, and domestic flights, but renting a car is clearly the best choice for getting around. <\/p>\n\n It is best to rent a car directly at the international airport (do not do it in the city, as rental services do not always work for foreigners) through reputable international companies such as Avis, Hertz, or Europcar. The price for a car starts at around \u20ac25 per day without insurance. So if there are two to four of you, the costs drop dramatically. Gas costs around 45 cents per liter. <\/p>\n\n What do you need when renting a car?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Things to keep in mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Driving here is easy; the roads are better than back home and, most importantly, they are well marked. Be sure to download maps for driving. I used the Maps.me app, which worked great. It is an offline map. <\/p>\n\n Trip itinerary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n I assume you want to see as much as possible, so you will rent a car. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering places such as Mecca, so do not even try. If you are caught (for example, during a random check and without the required pilgrimage visa issued by the embassy; the best-case scenario is immediate deportation. In the worst case, you could face trial and go to jail.) These areas are marked with signs indicating that non-Muslims are not allowed. <\/p>\n\n Day 1:<\/strong> Flight to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Rent a car directly at the airport\u2014preferably in advance, rather than relying on getting one upon arrival.<\/p>\n\n Day 2:<\/strong> Full-day tour of Riyadh<\/p>\n\n Day 3:<\/strong> A full-day journey to AlUla\u2014around 1,000 kilometres along a well-maintained desert road. Leave early in the morning so you do not have to rush unnecessarily. <\/p>\n\n Day 4: <\/strong>A full-day tour of Madain Saleh (Hegra), a desert Nabataean city similar to Petra in Jordan. <\/p>\n\n Day 5: <\/strong>Transfer to Yanbu on the Red Sea. The distance is approximately 370 kilometres via a well-maintained road. <\/p>\n\n Day 6:<\/strong> Diving \u2014 Arrange this through a local tour operator, even if they may initially seem reluctant to help. You can also swim at designated local beaches or resort areas, but women should not wear the same style of swimwear commonly used in Europe; modest, covering swimwear is expected, including in the sea. <\/p>\n\n Day 7:<\/strong> Transfer to Jeddah \u2014 approximately 350 kilometres. <\/p>\n\n Day 8: <\/strong>A full-day city tour. The most interesting part is likely the historic district, which is entirely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of several historic buildings; some have not been restored and look rather rundown. <\/p>\n\n Day 9: <\/strong>Fly home from Jeddah.<\/p>\n\n How much does a trip like this cost?<\/strong> If you were traveling with friends\u2014say, a group of three\u2014sharing one economical car and staying in three-star hotels, this itinerary would cost roughly \u20ac500\u2013700 per person, excluding food and the main international flight. Food prices are broadly similar to those at home. Return flights generally range from approximately \u20ac250\u2013500.<\/p>\n\n![\"Saudi](\"https:\/\/www.navratil.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Saudi-3-1024x862.jpg\")
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