A Guide to Saudi Arabia
After meeting many travelers who came to Saudi, many do not know how to go about and the locals they ask are not aware of the services available in the country.
Here’s a quick and to the point guide which I will continuously update.
Local Transport
InterCity: SAPTCO
Urban Buses: SAPTCO Download the app to know the routes & schedule
Car Services: Careem, Uber, Jeeny
Tip: Use Careem App and choose Sawa Car (Carpooling) it’s the cheapest fare among the other car services!
Delivery Services: Marsool, Hunger Station, HelloFood, Talabat. Luqmety
Train: Saudi Rail Way and Haramain RailWay
Shared Car: Located outside SAPTCO bus station (Jeddah)
Flight: Saudia, Flyadeal, Flynas, and Saudi Gulf.
Tip: Saudia has the most extensive flight network
Flyadeal has the cheapest flights if booked in advance.
Car Rental: Key, Theeb, Hanco, Budget
***There is a mileage limit of 250 – 300km per day.
The best way to go around Saudi is to mix between buses, car rental, and cheap flights.
Accommodation
We don’t have hostels and basic accommodation are pretty expensive
A basic room starts from 100 SAR/26USD.
Couchsurfing communities are available in Saudi or try finding a cheap Airbnb.
Clothing
Men: Basically anything.
Are shorts allowed? YES except at the malls, a few restaurants, Saudia flights (not sure about other airlines)
Women:
Are colored abayas allowed? YES! We love stylish, colorful and unique styles! It does not have to be ankle length either, it can be above ankle length and below knee length.
Should I wear a scarf? No, not needed.
Should I wear a burqa? No, not needed.
Here’s what I wear around Saudi.
Basic Words to Know
Assalamualaykum – Hello and reply with Waalaykumsalam
Thank You – Shukran
How Much – Bekam
Where is xxxx – Fen xxxx
Left – Yasar
Right – Yameen
Straight – Alatool
Cost
Water – 1 SAR
Petrol – 0.40 SAR/liter
InterCity Bus Fare – 2 SAR
Food from local eateries
Breakfast: 5 – 10 SAR
Lunch/Dinner: 10 – 20 SAR
Emergency Numbers Police – 999 Ambulance – 997 Traffic Police – 993 Accident – 920000560 Civil Defense – 998
Mila
Dear Miss Nadhi
I am s swiss lady who would like to travel with my husband next year to SA.We are looking for a rental company who rent Toyota Land Cruiser not the usual SUV.Do you know by chance someone?That would be very kind and helpful for us.
Kind regards Mila
Nada Al Nahdi
Hi, I think its best to check with rental companies such as Key, Yelo, AVIS etc.