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Саудівська Аравія: що знати перед поїздкою

Головне

  • 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.

В’їзд і візи

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.

Електронні анкети та дозволи

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

Термін дії паспорта: At least 6 months from arrival.

На кордоні можуть запитати

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

Митниця

  • 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).

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, ksaexpats.com ↗, visa.visitsaudi.com ↗, ksavisa.sa ↗

Гроші

Карткою можна платити майже всюди. Картки приймають майже всюди.

Платіжні системи: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — працює · Google Pay — працює не всюди

Де вигідно міняти

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

Де краще не міняти

  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion at terminals

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

Чайові: 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.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗

Правила та заборони

Заборонено

  • 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.

Закони, які туристи порушують через незнання

  • 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.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Культура та одяг

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

Одяг: 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.

Етикет

  • 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.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: aljazeera.com ↗, peoplegroup.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Клімат

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.

За місяцями
  • січень: Jan: 20°C / 29°C, mild; cold desert nights
  • лютий: Feb: 23°C / 29°C, pleasant
  • березень: Mar: 28°C / 31°C, warm; good
  • квітень: Apr: 33°C / 33°C, hot
  • травень: May: 39°C / 35°C, very hot
  • червень: Jun: 43°C / 37°C, extreme heat
  • липень: Jul: 44°C / 38°C, extreme heat; humid coast
  • серпень: Aug: 44°C / 38°C, extreme heat; humid coast
  • вересень: Sep: 41°C / 36°C, very hot
  • жовтень: Oct: 35°C / 35°C, hot, easing
  • листопад: Nov: 27°C / 33°C, warm; season starts
  • грудень: Dec: 22°C / 30°C, pleasant; cold nights inland

Найкращий сезон: November–March for comfortable temperatures across most of the country.

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗

Що взяти

  • 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

Що не брати й не можна ввозити

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

Практичне

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

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

Рух: правосторонній

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

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

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

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

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

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

Перевірено 29 жовтня 2026 р. · Джерела: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

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