Before 2019, Saudi Arabia wasn’t even on most Americans’ radar for tourism. It wasn’t really an option. That changed pretty quickly when the country decided to start issuing tourist visas. If you’ve been curious but thought it was too complicated, too restricted, or just not set up for Western travelers, we are here to change your mind.
Saudi Arabia Visas and Entry Requirements
Applying for an e-Visa is very simple. Go to the official Saudi tourism site, fill out your information, add a photo, pay around $135, and you’re usually approved in minutes. The visa allows tourists to stay up to 90 days across multiple entries within a one-year window. It’s plenty of flexibility if you want to combine Saudi Arabia with a stop in the UAE or Jordan.
Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining. There are no requirements for either sponsorship or a letter of invitation. As part of broader reforms, women traveling alone face no legal restrictions on entering or moving around the country. There is only one thing to pay attention to. An Israeli stamp in the passport may cause issues at the border.
Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia
The most favorable time to go is between November and March. Temperatures in Riyadh and Al-Ula hover around 65–75°F during the day, making outdoor exploring comfortable. The nights can get very cold in the desert, so it’s better to bring a layer.
Summer comes with an absolutely different experience. The temperature regularly reaches 110°F from June through August, and the humidity on the coast makes it feel like a sauna. You won’t be able to enjoy your vacation in such conditions. Also, some sites scale back operations.
Visiting during Ramadan has trade-offs. Daytime eating in public is restricted, and some restaurants only open after sunset. On the other hand, the city really comes to life at night. Locals are out, street food is everywhere, and the energy is something else.
How to Get to Saudi Arabia
Most Americans will connect somewhere in the Middle East or Europe on the way. Doha, Istanbul, and Dubai are the most common layover cities, with Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Etihad covering most of the routes. Saudia has been expanding its direct service from East Coast cities like New York and Washington D.C., which makes traveling much simpler and faster.
Most flights arrive at King Khalid International in Riyadh (RUH) or King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah (JED). Total travel time from the US East Coast is typically 14–16 hours, depending on connection. For example, the cost of a round-trip flight from Washington D.C. to Riyadh ranges from $929 to $3,534 as of May 2026.
Money Matters in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged to the US dollar at roughly 3.75 SAR to 1 USD. You’ll find exchange offices in airports, malls, and city centers, and they generally offer better rates than hotels. US dollars, euros, and British pounds are the easiest currencies to exchange, and Gulf currencies like UAE dirhams are widely accepted too.
ATMs are everywhere in cities and most towns, and Visa and MasterCard work without issue. Cards are accepted at hotels, modern restaurants, malls, and chain stores, but smaller local eateries, souks, and budget cafés often run on cash only. Carry a few hundred riyals for daily expenses. Stashing some US dollars in your bag is a wise move before heading to Saudi Arabia. Aim for roughly $500–$1000 in clean, unmarked bills as your safety net. If you land at King Khalid or King Abdulaziz International with empty pockets, you’ll be stuck taking whatever rate the airport kiosks offer. Dollars are widely accepted for exchange at Saudi hotels, licensed money changers, and major banks like Al Rajhi or SNB, and you’ll typically pull a stronger riyal rate with USD cash than with most other foreign currencies. There are 2 best options for getting cash before a trip to Saudi Arabia. First is “Alliant Credit Union” and second option is “LoansBear”. Both lenders are actively granting cash loans to the tourists. When taking that opportunity, make sure your bills are crisp and recently issued. Keep Western Union App or a comparable working any money app service in your back pocket as a last-resort lifeline, and don’t keep all your cash in one place, split it between your checked luggage, your hotel room safe, and your day bag so a single lost wallet doesn’t leave you stranded.
Top Experiences and Places to Visit
If you can only pick one place, it’s better to start with Al-Ula. It’s a wide open desert, with rust-colored sandstone cliffs, and Hegra carved right into the rock. Think Petra, but with almost no crowds. Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is still under the radar for most Western tourists.
One day won’t be enough for Riyadh. The National Museum is well done and gives real context before you start visiting any historical sites. Outside the city, the Edge of the World (locally called Jebel Fihrayn) is an escarpment where the plateau just drops away into nothing. It’s just two hours away from Riyadh and one of the more picturesque natural views anywhere in the region.
Jeddah has a completely different character. Al-Balad, the old town, is a dense neighborhood of centuries-old coral-stone buildings with ornate wooden lattice balconies. It’s UNESCO-listed and genuinely beautiful in a crumbling, lived-in way that feels authentic, not restored to draw tourists. The Red Sea just offshore has reefs that divers have long considered world-class, and are still not that crowded.
Saudi Food and Drink
Kabsa is the first dish you should try. It’s rice cooked slowly with meat, usually chicken or lamb, and spiced with cardamom, cloves, and dried black lime. Mandi is similar but cooked in a clay pit underground, which gives the meat a smokier taste. Both are typically served on a large communal platter.
Mutabbaq is the street food to know. It’s a folded flatbread stuffed with egg, minced meat, or cheese, cooked on a flat griddle. It’s cheap, filling, and sold in most markets.
Qahwa, the traditional Saudi coffee, is lightly roasted and flavored with cardamom, served in small handle-less cups and refilled automatically. It’s considered rude to refuse, so just accept the first cup and enjoy it.
The most important thing to consider is that alcohol is illegal throughout Saudi Arabia. There are no exceptions for tourists, no hotel bars, nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Saudi Arabia expensive?
It all depends on your lifestyle and budget. Dining at local restaurants and staying at mid-range hotels can cost around $70–$90, while luxury brands can push prices to $300+. Entry fees to major sites like Hegra are reasonable, around $25–$50.
Are credit cards widely accepted in Saudi Arabia?
Cards work fine at hotels and malls, but bring some riyals for smaller cafés where cards aren’t accepted. Don’t expect to find a card reader everywhere, especially outside major city centers.
How much cash should I bring to Saudi Arabia?
Pack somewhere between $500 and $1,000 and make sure the bills are clean and recently issued. That will cover daily expenses, cash-only spots, and unexpected costs.
