Saudi Arabia Trip Cost 2026: Complete Budget Guide

Key Takeaways

• Realistic daily budgets: SAR 350-600 backpacker, SAR 800-1,500 mid-range, SAR 2,000+ luxury (excluding international flights)
• The tourist eVisa costs SAR 535 including medical insurance and is open to citizens of 66 countries - valid one year, multiple entry
• Riyadh Metro (all six lines running since January 2025) costs SAR 4 for a two-hour pass; a comparable Uber ride is SAR 25-45
• A 7-day mid-range trip covering Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah costs about SAR 9,000 (USD 2,400) plus international flights
• Alcohol is prohibited nationwide, and many top sights - Al-Balad, corniches, souqs, desert viewpoints - are free, which keeps budgets lower than Dubai

How much does a trip to Saudi Arabia actually cost? Short answer: less than most people expect for the basics, and as much as you want to spend at the top end. A realistic mid-range budget for 2026 is SAR 800-1,500 (USD 213-400) per person per day excluding international flights. Backpackers can manage on SAR 350-600, while luxury travellers in AlUla's desert resorts will spend SAR 2,000 and up.

This guide breaks down real prices in Saudi Riyals for every major cost category — visas, hotels, transport, food and activities — plus three sample trip budgets you can adapt. Prices reflect early 2026 and the fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 3.75 SAR.

Quick Facts: Saudi Arabia Travel Costs 2026

• Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged at 1 USD = 3.75 SAR.
• Tourist eVisa: SAR 535 (about USD 143) including mandatory medical insurance. Citizens of 66 countries are eligible; the visa is valid one year with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days. See the latest visa updates.
• Best value season: Summer (May-September) is cheapest but extremely hot. October-April is peak season with higher hotel rates — details in our best time to visit guide.
• Cards vs cash: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and small cafes. Carry some cash for souqs and street food. More in the money guide.
• SIM cards: Tourist packages from STC, Mobily or Zain cost around SAR 70-150 at airports. See the connectivity guide.
• Alcohol: Prohibited throughout the country — your bar budget is zero.

Daily Budgets: Three Travel Styles Compared

These per-person daily estimates cover accommodation, food, local transport and sightseeing. International flights are extra.

Budget: SAR 350-600 (USD 93-160) per day

• Accommodation: SAR 100-200 for a hostel dorm bed (available in Riyadh and Jeddah) or a basic hotel away from the centre.
• Food: SAR 80-150. Shawarma costs SAR 10-15, a plate of kabsa at a local cafeteria SAR 20-35, and Yemeni-style mandi restaurants feed you well for under SAR 40.
• Transport: SAR 50-100 for metro and bus rides plus the occasional Uber or Careem.
• Sightseeing: SAR 100-150. Many of the best experiences — Al-Balad's alleys in Jeddah, the corniches, souqs, desert viewpoints — are free.

Mid-range: SAR 800-1,500 (USD 213-400) per day

• Accommodation: SAR 300-600 for a solid 3-4 star hotel, usually with breakfast. A standard 4-star room in Riyadh runs around SAR 450.
• Food: SAR 200-400 for a mix of local restaurants and one nicer meal. Mains at casual restaurants cost SAR 50-120.
• Transport: SAR 150-300, mostly ride-hailing, or a rental car at SAR 150-350 per day — compare options in our car rental guide.
• Sightseeing: SAR 200-400 covers a Hegra tour in AlUla, Kingdom Centre Skybridge, or a half-day guided city tour.

Luxury: SAR 2,000+ (USD 533+) per day

• Accommodation: SAR 800-2,000+ for five-star hotels; AlUla's design resorts such as Habitas or Banyan Tree often exceed SAR 2,500 per night in season.
• Food: SAR 500-1,000 for fine dining, much of it in hotel restaurants and districts like Riyadh's Via or Bujairi Terrace at Diriyah.
• Transport: SAR 400-1,000 for private drivers and internal flights.
• Experiences: SAR 500-1,500 for private Hegra tours, hot-air balloon flights over AlUla (from around SAR 800) or exclusive desert dinners.

The Big Cost Items, One by One

International Flights

Usually your single largest expense. Round-trip economy fares to Riyadh or Jeddah typically cost EUR 300-600 from Europe, USD 700-1,500 from North America and USD 400-800 from most of Asia, depending on season and how early you book. Booking 3-6 months ahead gets the best fares. Flying into Riyadh and out of Jeddah (or vice versa) saves you backtracking across the country.

Accommodation

• Hostels: SAR 80-150 per dorm bed; still a small scene, concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah.
• Budget hotels: SAR 150-300 for clean, basic rooms.
• Mid-range (3-4 star): SAR 300-600 — the widest choice in every city.
• Five-star: from SAR 800 in cities; SAR 2,000-5,000 in AlUla and Red Sea resorts.
• Apartments (shaqqa mafrusha): furnished apartments from SAR 200-400 per night are a strong value option for families.

Book AlUla well ahead: hotel capacity there is limited and winter weekends sell out months in advance at premium rates.

Getting Around

• Domestic flights: Saudia and flynas connect Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Dammam and Abha. Expect SAR 300-800 one-way booked in advance.
• Riyadh Metro: all six lines have been running since January 2025 across 176 km and 85 stations. A two-hour pass costs SAR 4, a 7-day pass SAR 40 — by far the cheapest way around the capital.
• Uber/Careem: widely available; a typical 15-minute city ride costs SAR 25-45.
• Intercity buses (SAPTCO): Riyadh to Jeddah for roughly SAR 100-200 — slow but cheap.
• Haramain High-Speed Railway: connects Jeddah, Makkah and Medina; economy fares typically SAR 50-150 depending on route and class.
• Rental cars: SAR 150-350 per day plus fuel. Petrol is inexpensive — SAR 2.18 per litre for 91 octane, SAR 2.33 for 95 (2026 prices).

Food and Drink

• Street food and cafeterias: SAR 15-30 for a filling meal.
• Casual restaurants: SAR 50-120 per person with a drink.
• Fine dining: SAR 200-500+ per person, mostly in Riyadh and Jeddah.
• Coffee: SAR 15-25 at specialty cafes; bottled water SAR 2-5.

Since alcohol is prohibited, an entire category of travel spending simply disappears here — a real saving compared to Dubai or Doha.

Activities and Entry Fees

• Hegra (AlUla): around SAR 100-200 for the standard guided visit; balloon rides SAR 800-1,500.
• Riyadh: Kingdom Centre Skybridge SAR 60-80; National Museum SAR 10-20; Diriyah's At-Turaif district SAR 50-150 depending on experience.
• Jeddah: Al-Balad is free to wander; individual heritage houses charge SAR 10-30.
• Desert trips: half-day tours with dune driving and dinner cost SAR 250-800 per person.
• Abha: cable cars in the Asir mountains run SAR 50-80.

Visa and Insurance

The eVisa costs SAR 535 including basic medical insurance. Top-up travel insurance covering cancellation, baggage and adventure activities adds roughly SAR 150-400 for a two-week trip and is worth having, since private hospital bills for non-residents add up quickly.

Miscellaneous Expenses & Contingency Fund

Beyond flights, hotels and food, a few smaller costs add up — plan for them so they do not surprise you.

• SIM card / eSIM: around SAR 50-150 for a tourist data package (STC, Mobily, Zain), valid 2-4 weeks.
• Souvenirs: from traditional crafts to modern art — budget SAR 100-500+ depending on taste.
• Tips: not mandatory, but small tips for hotel staff, drivers and guides are appreciated.
• Contingency: add 10-15% to your total for the unexpected.

Nine Ways to Spend Less

• Travel in shoulder season (late April-May, September) for 20-30% lower hotel rates — if you can handle the heat.
• Eat where office workers eat: cafeterias and family-run Bukhari, Yemeni and Turkish restaurants beat hotel dining on both price and flavour.
• Use the Riyadh Metro instead of taxis — SAR 4 versus SAR 35 for a typical cross-town trip.
• Book domestic flights and AlUla hotels as soon as your dates are fixed.
• Prioritise free sights: souqs, corniches, Al-Balad, mosque exteriors and desert sunsets cost nothing.
• Buy your SIM at a city branch rather than the airport counter to save SAR 20-50.
• Haggle politely in souqs — starting around half the asking price is normal for souvenirs and textiles.
• Choose furnished apartments for stays of three nights or more.
• Check what to wear before you shop: lightweight modest clothing you already own works fine, no special wardrobe needed.

Three Sample Trip Budgets (Excluding International Flights)

7-Day Mid-Range: Riyadh, AlUla, Jeddah — about SAR 9,000 (USD 2,400)

• Hotels, 7 nights at ~SAR 450: SAR 3,150
• Food at ~SAR 300/day: SAR 2,100
• Two domestic flights: SAR 1,200
• City transport: SAR 500
• Activities (Hegra, Diriyah, museums, desert trip): SAR 1,000
• Visa and insurance: SAR 535
• Buffer: SAR 450

10-Day Budget: Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha — about SAR 4,500 (USD 1,200)

• Budget hotels/hostels, 10 nights at ~SAR 150: SAR 1,500
• Food at ~SAR 100/day: SAR 1,000
• Two intercity bus legs: SAR 300
• City transport: SAR 300
• Activities (mostly free sights, cable car, museums): SAR 300
• Visa and insurance: SAR 535
• Buffer: SAR 500

5-Day Luxury: AlUla and Riyadh — about SAR 17,000 (USD 4,530)

• Resort and five-star hotel, 5 nights: SAR 6,600
• Fine dining at ~SAR 600/day: SAR 3,000
• Two domestic flights: SAR 1,600
• Private transfers: SAR 1,500
• Private tours, balloon flight, desert dinner: SAR 3,000
• Visa and insurance: SAR 535
• Buffer: SAR 700

One Timing Note: Ramadan

During Ramadan (expected 17 February - 18 March 2026), daytime restaurant closures change how you eat and budget: lunch options shrink, but iftar buffets offer excellent value from around SAR 80-150. Hotel rates in Makkah and Medina spike, while leisure destinations often discount. Our Ramadan 2026 guide covers the practicalities.

All prices are estimates gathered in early 2026 and will vary by season and booking timing. Check official sites for current visa fees and attraction prices before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a trip to Saudi Arabia cost in 2026?

A budget trip costs SAR 3,000-5,000 (USD 800-1,300) per week, mid-range travel runs SAR 6,000-10,000 (USD 1,600-2,700), and luxury trips exceed SAR 15,000 weekly. International flights are extra; costs vary by season and how far ahead you book AlUla and domestic flights.

How much is the Saudi tourist visa?

The tourist eVisa costs SAR 535 (about USD 143) including mandatory medical insurance. Citizens of 66 countries can apply online; the visa is valid for one year with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days per visit.

What is the cheapest time to visit Saudi Arabia?

Summer (May-August) is cheapest, with hotel rates 20-30% below winter peak, but daytime temperatures regularly exceed 45C. The weeks just before and after Ramadan also see lower prices. October-April is the most comfortable and most expensive period.

How much should I budget for food in Saudi Arabia?

SAR 100-300 per day covers most travellers. Shawarma costs SAR 10-15, a cafeteria plate of kabsa SAR 20-35, casual restaurant mains SAR 50-120, and fine dining SAR 200-500 per person. Alcohol is prohibited, so there is no bar spending.

Are activities and tours expensive in Saudi Arabia?

Entry fees are moderate: the guided Hegra visit in AlUla costs around SAR 100-200, Riyadh's National Museum SAR 10-20 and the Kingdom Centre Skybridge SAR 60-80. Desert tours run SAR 250-800 per person, while premium experiences like AlUla balloon flights start near SAR 800.