Saudi Arabia
VISA
To enter the KSA you need a tourist visa. Recently, this process has become much easier as you can now apply online for an eVisa (https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ or https://www.onlinevisa.com/saudi-arabia-visa/). The eVisa is a one-year, multiple entry visa, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country. It covers tourism-related activities and for muslim travelers Umrah (excluding Hajj season) but excludes other activities such as working or studying. Non-muslim visitors are forbidden from visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. If you plan to stay for less than a month you can apply for a single entry visa. Travelers from the US, UK or any of the Schengen countries or other eligible countries (https://www.saudia.com/before-flying/travel-information/hajj-and-umrah/tourist-visa#EligibleCountries) can also apply for a tourist visa upon arrival where you then have to pay with a credit card. Travelers applying for visas upon arrival can do this only at the following ports of entry:
- King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh)
- King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (Jeddah)
- King Fahad International Airport (Dammam)
- Prince Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz International Airport (Madinah)
- King Fahad Causeway (land connection between KSA with Bahrain)
- Al Bathaa Land Port (land connection between KSA with UAE)
Visitors from some countries need to apply for a visa through the Saudi embassy. Consult the webpage (https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ or https://www.saudia.com/before-flying/travel-information/hajj-and-umrah/tourist-visa or https://www.onlinevisa.com/saudi-arabia-visa/) to see the requirements to apply depending on your nationality. If you are under 18, you must apply with an adult or guardian.
PORTS OF ENTRY
You can enter the KSA by sea (excluding commercial ports), land or air. The most straightforward way is by air landing in one of the 13 international airports, with the first four being the most important ones:
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Riyadh
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) – Jeddah
- King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Dammam
- Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) – Madinah
- Taif International Airport (TIF) – Taif
- Abha International Airport (AHB) – Abha
- Hail International Airport (HAS) – Ha’il
- King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (GIZ) – Gazan
- Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) – Qassim
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (TUU) – Tabuk
- Prince Abdulmohsin Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (YNB) –Yanbu
- Al-Jouf International Airport (AJF) – Jouf
- Al-Ahsa International Airport (HOF) – Al Ahsa
Crossing by land border from Bahrain (via the King Fahad Causeway) or the UAE (via the Al Bathaa Land Prt) are the only official land borders. There are about 6 buses daily from Bahrain to Khobar and Dammam for 6 Bahraini dinar. However, people have managed to cross from several other Gulf States to KSA. Crossing from Jordan has been done without any hassle at the Durra border (between Haql and Aqaba) with an eVisa. Also exiting KSA via land border to Jordan is reported to be easy, However, at least from Haqi it seems that you are not allowed to cross on foot so you need to catch a ride or get a taxi. This may cost 200-250 SAR from Haqi to Aqaba.There is an afternoon bus from Tabuk to this border crossing.
Crossing by sea from Egypt is less straightforward. Reported is that the Egyptian authorities will not let foreigners exit Egypt by boat to KSA. However, there are multiple ferries: from Safaga, Suez, and Hurghadal. With more information on the entries with an evisa to KSA, it is likely that the Egyptian authorities will learn of this possibility and it will become possible without any hassle. Leaving the KSA for Egypt one can possibly buy ferry tickets in Jeddah and ferries leave from Yanbu, Dhiba and Jeddah If you take the route to Egypt through Duba in Saudi Arabia, the ferry arrives in Safaga, Upper Egypt. There are many buses doing these routes.
GETTING AROUND THE COUNTRY
Public infrastructure is still undeveloped. In Riyadh the first metro line is being developed. There is a bus and train system for which information is available on the visitor site: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en. However, the easiest way to travel is by car, either you rent one or you can use car services such as Uber, Careem and Bolt. A lot of information on potential sites to explore are also highlighted on the visitor site.
GETTING AROUND THE COUNTRY
Public infrastructure is still undeveloped. In Riyadh the first metro line is being developed. There is a bus and train system for which information is available on the visitor site: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en. However, the easiest way to travel is by car, either you rent one or you can use car services such as Uber, Careem and Bolt. A lot of information on potential sites to explore are also highlighted on the visitor site.
GENERAL RULES
Although rules are changing rapidly, the KSA tourism site (https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/understand) reminds visitors that during prayer time music is turned off in public places and many shops may close briefly. Islamic prayer time is six times a day. Once before sunrise between 4:30 and 5am, then at sunrise, the next is at noon (between noon and 1 pm), followed by the mid-afternoon prayer (3;30-4:30 pm), an early evening (6-6:30pm) and late evening (7:30-8pm) prayer. The exact time depends on the lunar cycle.
During Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, it is respectful to avoid eating or drinking in public during the day. The use of alcohol and drugs are illegal in the kingdom and it is illegal to bring them into the country. The site also notes that “public displays of affection are not consistent with local culture and visitors should also avoid using profane language or gestures.”
Men and women visiting Saudi Arabia are expected to dress conservatively. Women, in particular, are expected to cover shoulders and knees in public. Men are expected to wear long pants.