Saudi Arabia Beach Holidays
Red Sea coral reefs, NEOM's emerging coastline, and Arabian Gulf beaches opening to tourism. Get flights, travel tips, and info for Saudi Arabia.
€1 = SAR 4.27
Today
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Travel warning
Weather in Saudi Arabia
Fri
Sat
Sun
SPF level in Saudi Arabia
Autumn
SPF 50
Spring
SPF 50
Summer
SPF 50+
Winter
SPF 30
Entry requirements for Saudi Arabia
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Saudi Arabia.
You must get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia, with the type depending on your reason for travel and length of stay.
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourism is valid for multiple entries over 730 days, but total stays must not exceed 180 days.
An e-visa for tourists is valid for multiple entries over 365 days, but total stays must not exceed 90 days and it includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR.
An electronic visa waiver for tourism allows a single entry and a stay of up to 180 days but does not include health insurance.
You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.
It is illegal to import items such as alcohol, pork products, and pornographic material into Saudi Arabia.
Good to know:
If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia via the Bahrain causeway, check your visa as it may only allow entry by air.
For personal travel, certain items like books, personal videos, and electronic devices may be examined by customs.
Safety in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
You must always carry ID, such as a copy of your passport and visa, or face a fine or prison sentence.
It is illegal to drink alcohol, be drunk in public, or bring alcohol into the country, with severe penalties including prison.
Men and women must wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the elbows and knees, avoiding tight or profane clothing.
During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public during the daytime and avoid loud music or dancing.
Be vigilant as petty crime occurs, and there is a threat of terrorist attacks in places like hotels, beaches, and shopping centres.
Bonus tips:
Do not film or photograph government buildings, military sites, or local people without their consent.
Avoid public displays of affection and making critical comments about the government, religion, or culture to prevent serious penalties.
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Driving in Saudi Arabia
A UK driving license is accepted for short visits. An international driving permit is useful. For longer stays, a Saudi Arabian license is required.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.0%
Remember: Saudi Arabia drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Saudi Arabia
It is essential to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation. Make sure your insurance covers all activities you plan to undertake. Check the FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia for the latest health-related information.
No vaccinations required
Consult your doctor well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and health precautions. Ensure you have any personal medications you require, with copies of your prescription and a doctor's letter. Saudi Arabia has high-quality medical facilities in major cities, but it is essential to have adequate travel health insurance.
Cards & payments
Credit and debit cards are increasingly accepted in Saudi Arabia, especially in larger establishments and tourist areas. However, smaller shops and traditional markets may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +13039671096
Tipping in Saudi Arabia
Tipping is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia but is becoming increasingly common, especially in tourist areas, as recognition of good service. While service charges are sometimes included in bills (particularly at hotels), an additional tip is always appreciated.
Restaurant
5-10% of the bill, if service charge is not included. Rounding up is also common.
Bar/Café
Rounding up the bill is common. A small tip (5-10 SAR) for exceptional service is appreciated.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is a common practice.
Hotel Porter
5-10 SAR per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
10-20 SAR per night, left at the end of the stay.
Tour Guide
50-100 SAR per day depending on the quality and length of the tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU roaming regulations no longer apply to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Saudi Arabia, as they can be expensive. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for more affordable rates.
Local SIM
50 GB for 200 SAR (~£42)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Saudi Arabia
Voltage
220V / 60Hz
Plug types
Type A, Type B, Type G
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls, particularly in urban areas but is becoming more common in rural areas too. Some places may offer free WiFi, while others may require a purchase or have time limits.
Average speed
40 Mbps
Internet access is readily available in Saudi Arabia, with a growing 4G and 5G infrastructure in cities. Public WiFi is common, but security can be a concern. For more reliable and secure access, consider using mobile data from a local SIM.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
911
Police
999
Ambulance
997
Fire
998
Save 911 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Saudi Arabia
Country code
966
To call Saudi Arabia from the UK, dial 00 966 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
P.O. Box 94351, Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia
Phone
+966 11 488 0077
Website
King Abdulaziz International Airport
King Khaled International Airport
King Fahd International Airport
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport
Abha Regional Airport
Jazan Regional Airport
Recent updates
Safety
Since 8 July, there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran against US military and civilian infrastructure across the region.
Attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and ports in Riyadh and Jeddah, could occur at short notice.
Be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruption in the Middle East.
Monitor updates relating to airports and airspace, which could close at short notice.
The situation is now described as 'unpredictable' following the MOU, and Iran has carried out further attacks since it was agreed.
There is a new specific warning that the Houthis have made public threats to target Saudi infrastructure, including airports, and could attack again at short notice.
Advice against travel to Eastern Province and Riyadh Province has been removed.
Increased caution advice and specific warnings about photographing government sites, missiles, or shrapnel have been removed.
Guidance for leaving Saudi Arabia and the region, including emergency helplines, is no longer listed.
New guidance references a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran and an 8 April ceasefire, but warns the situation remains unpredictable.
Detailed safety instructions now focus on staying in secure structures to avoid falling debris from intercepts.
Entry Requirements
A new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now available for tourism, business, study, medical treatment, or Umrah (outside Hajj season).
The ETA is valid for 730 days (2 years) from issue and allows multiple entries totalling up to 180 days within that period.
You must apply for the ETA online before you travel; it does not include health insurance.
An Electronic Visa Waiver now allows a single entry and stay of up to 180 days, increased from up to 6 months.
The specific guidance for British nationals trying to leave the region via Saudi Arabia on emergency documents or short-validity passports has been removed.
E-visas now include health insurance for your visit up to 100,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR).
Medical treatment can be expensive, and you should now consider taking out additional travel insurance to cover costs beyond 100,000 SAR.
Getting Help
Instructions added for reporting an incident in Saudi Arabia from the UK or another country.
Contact the Saudi Embassy in London or the Saudi Embassy in your current country to report an incident.
Beaches in Saudi Arabia
No beaches listed for Saudi Arabia yet.
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.