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Before you go to Saudi Arabia: what to know

Must know

  • As of 27 Oct 2026 the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia (all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border) after missile and drone attacks, incl. on Riyadh airport on 10 Oct 2026. Check your insurance.
  • Alcohol, pork and drugs are illegal; drug trafficking can carry the death penalty.
  • Foreign women do not have to wear an abaya or headscarf, but everyone must dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); public decency rules are enforced with fines.
  • Non-Muslims may not enter Mecca or the central area of Medina around the Prophet's Mosque.
  • The tourist eVisa (1 year, multiple entry, up to 90 days in total) includes medical insurance; apply only on the official portal.

Entry and visas

Eligible visitors can use a tourist eVisa: one-year validity, multiple entries and 90 days total, with insurance included. British citizens may instead apply for ETA via KSA Visa: 730-day validity and 180 days total, with no insurance included. GCC citizens have a separate visa-free route. Check nationality and purpose before choosing; Hajj requires a separate visa.

Online arrival forms and permits

  • Saudi tourist eVisa ↗ optional
    Before travel; usually issued within minutes to days · Eligible travellers choosing the tourist eVisa rather than another valid route
  • Saudi ETA for UK citizens ↗ optional
    Before travel; published processing is 1-3 working days · Fee: SAR 50, non-refundable · UK citizens choosing ETA; separate application for each traveller, including children

Passport validity: At least 6 months from arrival.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Fingerprints and photo at immigration.
  • Officers may ask for hotel bookings and a return ticket.
  • Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps from airports.

Customs

  • Prohibited: alcohol, pork, narcotics, pornography, distillery equipment, weapons, items with religious symbols of other faiths in large quantities.
  • Some medicines need special approval; carry the prescription and original packaging and check with a Saudi embassy.
  • Declare cash over SAR 60,000 (or equivalent).

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, ksaexpats.com ↗, visa.visitsaudi.com ↗, ksavisa.sa ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works in some places

Where to exchange money

  • Licensed exchange houses (e.g. Al Rajhi, Enjaz) in malls and city centres
  • Bank ATMs with a low-fee card

Where not to exchange

  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion at terminals

ATMs: ATMs are widespread and accept foreign Visa/Mastercard; fees vary by bank.

Tipping: Not obligatory; 10–15% in restaurants if service isn't included; small tips for porters and drivers.

  • Riyal is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 SAR per USD.
  • Saudi Arabia is highly cashless: contactless cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, including small shops.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad; bring USD/EUR cash to exchange or a foreign-issued card.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Alcohol: importing, possessing or drinking it is illegal.
  • Drugs, including traces in blood; trafficking can carry the death penalty.
  • Pork products.
  • Eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight in Ramadan.
  • Public decency violations (revealing clothing, loud music at prayer times, offensive gestures, littering): fines.
  • Photographing government, military or oil sites, or people (especially women) without consent.
  • Flying drones without a permit.
  • Public worship of non-Islamic religions and proselytising.
  • Criticising the government, royal family or Islam, including online - long prison sentences have been given.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Same-sex relations are illegal.
  • Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or the central area of Medina.
  • Unmarried couples may share hotel rooms (foreigners), but public displays of affection are not accepted.
  • Carry your passport or visa printout at all times.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Islam (predominantly Sunni) is the state religion; the country hosts Islam's two holiest sites.

Clothing: Men and women should cover shoulders and knees; avoid tight or transparent clothing and offensive slogans. Abaya and headscarf are optional for foreign women except in mosques. Swimwear only at hotel pools and private/resort beaches.

Etiquette

  • Greet with the right hand; let women initiate handshakes.
  • Shops may close briefly for prayer times; plan around them.
  • Accept Arabic coffee and dates as a sign of hospitality.
  • Avoid pointing the soles of your feet at people.
  • Ask before photographing anyone.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: aljazeera.com ↗, peoplegroup.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Climate

Desert climate. Riyadh: very hot dry summers, mild winters with cold nights. Jeddah/Red Sea: hot and humid year-round. AlUla and the north get cold nights in winter; Asir mountains (Abha) are cooler. Highs shown Riyadh / Jeddah.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: 20°C / 29°C, mild; cold desert nights
  • February: Feb: 23°C / 29°C, pleasant
  • March: Mar: 28°C / 31°C, warm; good
  • April: Apr: 33°C / 33°C, hot
  • May: May: 39°C / 35°C, very hot
  • June: Jun: 43°C / 37°C, extreme heat
  • July: Jul: 44°C / 38°C, extreme heat; humid coast
  • August: Aug: 44°C / 38°C, extreme heat; humid coast
  • September: Sep: 41°C / 36°C, very hot
  • October: Oct: 35°C / 35°C, hot, easing
  • November: Nov: 27°C / 33°C, warm; season starts
  • December: Dec: 22°C / 30°C, pleasant; cold nights inland

Best season: November–March for comfortable temperatures across most of the country.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

What to pack

  • Type G adapter (some Type A/B sockets)
  • Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees
  • Headscarf for women visiting mosques
  • Warm layer for desert nights in winter (AlUla, Riyadh)
  • Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
  • Printed eVisa and hotel bookings

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Alcohol, including duty-free
  • Pork products
  • CBD or any cannabis products
  • Clothing with offensive or religious slogans
  • Drones without a permit

Practical

Plugs: Type G (also A/B), 230V, 60Hz

Water: Drink bottled water; tap water is desalinated but not generally drunk.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Tourist SIMs/eSIMs from STC, Mobily and Zain at airports with a passport; fast 5G in cities.

Apps: Uber, Careem, Visit Saudi, Darb (Riyadh Metro), Haramain HSR, Google Maps

Internet: Some websites are blocked; some VoIP services may be restricted. Online speech is monitored and strictly policed.

Health: No vaccinations required for tourists (meningitis vaccine required for Umrah/Hajj pilgrims). Heatstroke risk in summer. Good private hospitals in big cities.

Insurance: Tourist eVisa includes medical cover up to SAR 100,000. The UK-citizen ETA does not include insurance; arrange appropriate cover separately.

Emergency: Unified emergency 911 (major regions); police 999, ambulance 997, fire 998

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.