Saudi Arabia — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The rock city of Madain Saleh, the desert, and cities of the future”
Saudi Arabia is a new destination that has only recently opened to tourists — Madain Saleh, a World Heritage rock city, the old town of AlUla, Riyadh and Jeddah in the middle of a transformation, the Red Sea for diving, and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina (Muslims only), paired with the desert and traditional Arab culture.
Saudi Arabia at a glance
Choose a city in Saudi Arabia
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Saudi Arabia right for you?
Why people love Saudi Arabia, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Madain Saleh
A carved Nabataean rock city, Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage site — much like Petra.
Marvelous AlUla
Sandstone valleys, an old town, and concerts out in the desert.
The Red Sea
Diving over pristine coral and luxury seaside resort projects.
Cities transforming
Riyadh and Jeddah developing under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia vs its neighbors
| Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $55–130 | $70–170 | $50–100 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | e-Visa online ~$40 (30 days) | Visa-free 30 days | On arrival ~$40 |
| Getting around cities | Uber · Careem · Riyadh Metro | Dubai Metro · RTA · Uber | Taxi · Careem |
| English | Good in hotels and big malls · limited in local markets | Excellent — a global business hub | Good at tourist sites |
| Known for | Diriyah · AlUla · Red Sea · Vision 2030 | Dubai Expo · luxury shopping · the desert | Petra · Dead Sea · cheaper |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Riyadh and Arab heritage
Explore Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage quarter, the National Museum, and the Al-Zal market, and try authentic Saudi food before Vision 2030 changes the city even more.
See this plan → 🌊Red Sea diving and NEOM
Visit Jeddah and dive the Red Sea's healthy coral, then stop at the World Heritage sandstone of AlUla's Hegra before the world sees this other side of Saudi Arabia.
See this plan → 🏙️Modern tourism and shopping
World-class shopping malls, celebrity-chef restaurants, and the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh — the new Saudi Arabia is opening up to visitors far more.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
2 ranked reviews
ReviewedTop 10 Hotels in Riyadh 2026 — Where to Stay Right Now
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Reviewed10 Best Jeddah Hotels — Corniche & Al-Balad Old Town (2026)
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- 1🍚
Kabsa
Spiced rice cooked with meat or chicken — the national dish of Saudi Arabia.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍖
Mandi
Meat or chicken baked in an earthen oven with fragrant spiced rice.
📍 Nationwide - 3🧆
Hummus & Falafel
Popular Arab dishes, scooped up with pita bread.
📍 Nationwide - 4☕
Gahwa & dates
Cardamom-scented Arabic coffee served with dates — a culture of hospitality.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🏛️
Hegra
Carved Nabataean rock tombs, a World Heritage site in the middle of the desert.
📍 AlUla - 2🪨
AlUla
Sandstone valleys, an old town, and Elephant Rock.
📍 AlUla - 3🏙️
Riyadh
The capital, with the Kingdom Centre tower, the Masmak fort and the Diriyah quarter.
📍 Riyadh - 4🕌
Al-Balad
A World Heritage old town on the Red Sea, with coral houses and an old market.
📍 Jeddah - 5🏜️
Rub al Khali
The largest continuous sand desert in the world, with colossal dunes.
📍 South
🚆 Getting around Saudi Arabia
Domestic flights
The country is vast — flying between Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla is both convenient and necessary.
Car hire
Roads are good and wide and fuel is cheap, so driving between cities is easy.
High-speed rail
The Haramain line links Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.
Careem/Uber
Ride apps are widely used in the big cities.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Saudi Arabia
A devout Muslim country
Dress modestly (women need not cover their face but should cover shoulders and knees) and respect prayer times.
Mecca and Medina
The holy cities are open to Muslims only; other travelers visit the other cities.
e-Visa
A tourist e-Visa is now available online — check the latest rules before you travel.
No alcohol
Alcohol is strictly banned throughout the country.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ 3★ hotel $25–45
Eat mandi and kabsa at local spots, use the cheap Riyadh Metro, and avoid airport taxis.
Comfortable
🛏️ 4★ hotel in the center $50–85
Eat at Arab-international fusion restaurants, use Uber, and hire a guide for a day in Diriyah.
Premium
🛏️ International 5★ hotel $130+
Stay in a luxury hotel by the Kingdom Tower, take a private trip to AlUla, and dine with celebrity chefs.
🗓️ When to visit Saudi Arabia
Winter
Nov – MarWarm and pleasant — the best time to travel, especially for AlUla.
Festival season
Dec – FebThe AlUla season, with cultural events and concerts out in the desert.
Summer
Jun – SepExtremely hot, over 45°C — outdoor sightseeing is tough.
Shoulder season
Oct / AprThe weather is shifting; you can still travel, but the days start to turn hot.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Saudi Arabia — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip★ 9.2👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.1🧘 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Saudi Arabia?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Saudi Arabia
Can general tourists visit Saudi Arabia?+
Yes — Saudi Arabia now offers a tourist e-Visa, and you can visit Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, except for Mecca and Medina, which are for Muslims only.
Is AlUla worth visiting?+
Very much — Madain Saleh (Hegra) is a World Heritage Nabataean rock city much like Petra, along with sandstone valleys and a winter festival season.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
You can apply for a tourist e-Visa online — check the latest rules, fees and dress and conduct requirements before you travel.
Tips before you go to Saudi Arabia
- Apply for the tourist e-Visa online in advance — check the latest rules.
- Travel in winter (Nov–Mar) to avoid the extreme heat.
- Dress modestly and respect prayer times (shops close briefly).
- Alcohol is strictly banned, and Mecca and Medina are for Muslims only.