Saudi Arabia offers a captivating blend of ancient history and modern luxury, from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hegra and Diriyah to futuristic cities like Riyadh and NEOM. Experience pristine Red Sea coastlines, dramatic desert landscapes, and authentic Arabian hospitality in the Kingdom's rapidly evolving tourism sector.
Local currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) - pegged to USD at approximately 3.75 SAR = $1.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Saudi Arabia.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- SAR 50-80 ($13-21) - limited hostel options; capsule hotels in Riyadh
- Budget
- SAR 80-150 ($21-40) - budget hotels and Ibis properties
- Midrange
- SAR 200-400 ($53-107) - 3-4 star hotels
- Luxury
- SAR 700-2000+ ($187-534+) - 5-star properties
Food
- Street
- SAR 8-20 ($2-5) - matabaq, shawarma, fresh juice
- Local
- SAR 25-50 ($7-13) - casual Saudi restaurant
- Midrange
- SAR 60-150 ($16-40) - mid-range restaurant
- Fine
- SAR 200-500+ ($53-134+) - fine dining
Transport
- Bus
- SAR 3 ($0.80) - Riyadh metro/bus single journey
- Taxi
- SAR 20-60 ($5-16) - short to medium Uber/Careem ride
- Airport
- SAR 75-120 ($20-32) - taxi/Uber to city center
- Daytrip
- SAR 100-300 ($27-80) - organized tour to Edge of the World or Diriyah
Activities
- Museum
- SAR 10-50 ($3-13) - most museums
- Sites
- SAR 20-120 ($5-32) - Hegra tickets, Diriyah
- Tour
- SAR 150-400 ($40-107) - guided tours
- Excursion
- SAR 300-800 ($80-214) - day trip to AlUla or Abha
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Saudi Arabia costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
SAR 1,400 ($380)/week - budget hotels, street food, free attractions, metro
Midrange traveller
SAR 3,200 ($850)/week - 3-star hotels, casual restaurants, paid attractions and tours
Luxury traveller
SAR 9,000+ ($2,400+)/week - 5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours, premium experiences
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use Uber or Careem instead of taxis - consistently cheaper with no haggling and surge pricing that's still reasonable
Eat where Saudis eat - casual local restaurants and street food spots like Al Baik, Herfy, and Mama Noura offer excellent food at fraction of hotel prices
Visit Riyadh's many free attractions: Al Masmak Fort, Edge of the World, and Diriyah exterior don't require paid tickets
Buy a Riyadh Metro/bus card - use public transport in Riyadh for SAR 3/journey instead of SAR 30-60 taxis
Travel during shoulder seasons (Oct, April) for lower hotel prices and comfortable temperatures
Book Hegra/AlUla tickets online well in advance to secure preferred times; last-minute tickets carry premium pricing
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)
Free access to Saudi Arabia's most dramatic natural landmark - 300-meter escarpment cliffs with panoramic desert views, just 90 minutes from Riyadh by 4WD
Al Masmak Fort, Riyadh
Free entry to the historic mud fort where Saudi Arabia was born; excellent museum documenting the 1902 recapture of Riyadh
Jeddah Corniche Promenade
Free 30 km waterfront walk along the Red Sea with the world's tallest fountain, outdoor art installations, and playgrounds
Al-Balad Heritage Walk, Jeddah
Free exploration of UNESCO-listed historic Jeddah with remarkable coral-stone buildings, ancient mosques, and traditional markets
Diriyah Heritage Area Exterior
Free to walk through the historic Bujairi area of Diriyah and view the mud-brick UNESCO palaces (entry fees for specific sites)
King Abdullah Park, Riyadh
Large free public park with the spectacular musical fountain illuminated nightly, walking paths, and open spaces