Saudi Arabia Travel Guide

Full Name

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Former Name

NA

Capital City

Riyadh

Government Type

monarchy

Area Size

2,149,690 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +3 hours

Climate

Extreme heat and aridity are characteristic of most of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the few places in the world where summer temperatures above 50°C are common, while in winter frost or snow can occur in the interior and the higher mountains, although this does not occur annually. The average winter temperature range is 8° to 20°C in January in interior cities such as Riyadh and 19° to 29°C in Jeddah on the Red Sea coast. The average summer range in July is 27° to 43°C in Riyadh and 27° to 38°C in Jeddah. Nighttime temperatures in the mid desert can be famously chilly even in summer, as sand gives up daytime heat rapidly once the sun has set.

Geography

The kingdom occupies about 80 percent of the Arabian Peninsula. A significant length of the country's southern borders with the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen are not precisely defined or maked, so the exact size of the country remains unknown. The kingdom is commonly listed as the world's 14th largest nation. Saudi Arabia's geography is varied. From the western coastal region (Tihamah), the land rises from sea level to a peninsula-long mountain range (Jabal al-Hejaz) beyond which lies the plateau of Nejd in the center. The southwestern 'Asir region has mountains as high as 3,000 m and is known for having the greenest and freshest climate in all of the country, one that attracts many Saudis to resorts such as Abha in the summer months. The east is primarily rocky or sandy lowland continuing to the shores of the Persian Gulf. The geographically hostile Rub' al Khali desert along the country's imprecisely defined southern borders contains almost no life.

Languages

Arabic

Culture

Saudi Arabian culture revolves around the religion of Islam. Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located in the country. One of Saudi Arabia's most compelling folk rituals is the Al Ardha, the country's national dance. This sword dance is based on ancient Bedouin traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet chants verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. Al-sihba folk music, from the Hijaz, has its origins in al-Andalus. In Mecca, Medina and Jeddah, dance and song incorporate the sound of the mizmar, an oboe-like woodwind instrument. The drum is also an important instrument according to traditional and tribal customs.

History

In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. A son of ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the country's Basic Law stipulates that the throne shall remain in the hands of the aging sons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after Operation Desert Storm remained a source of tension between the royal family and the public until the US military's near-complete withdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first major terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which occurred in May and November 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudi government to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which also coincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and announcement of government plans to phase in partial political representation. As part of this effort, the government permitted elections - held nationwide from February through April 2005 - for half the members of 179 municipal councils. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.

Travel Information

The national airline is Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV). Riyadh (RUH) (King Khaled International) Airport, 35km north of the city. Airport facilities consists of Car hire, bureau de change, duty-free, restaurant and snack bar. Dhahran (DHA) (Al Khobar) Airport, 13km southeast of Dhahran (journey time – 15 minutes). Jeddah (JED) (King Abdul Aziz) Airport, 18km north of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxi and limousine services are available for Mecca, Medina and Taif. Airport facilities consists of Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shopping, car hire, restaurants and tourist information points. Dammam (DMM) (King Fahd International) Airport, 30km northwest of Dammam (journey time – 45 minutes). Taxis are available from outside the airport. Airport facilities consist of Duty-free shopping, gift shop, restaurant and cafe. Departure Tax SAR50. Infants, Haj or Umrah pilgrims and passengers accompanying human remains are exempt. Main ports: Dammam (Gulf), and Jeddah and Yanbu (Red Sea). The principal international routes from Jordan are Amman to Dammam, Medina and Jeddah. There are also roads to Yemen (from Jeddah), Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A causeway links Al Khobar with Bahrain. There are regular international buses between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

Accommodation

There is a good range of hotel accommodation throughout the country. Accommodation is generally easy to find, except during the pilgrimage season when advance reservations are recommended.

Visa Requirements

Visas required by all nationals of The EU, Australia, Canada and USA except the following: Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 18 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation, not leaving the airport and making no further landing in Saudi Arabia (except those travelling on Saudi Arabian Airlines who are permitted to make a second stop; holders of re-entry permits and ‘Landing Permits’ issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A passport valid for at least six months at time of entry is required by all nationals of countries referred to above, except Muslim pilgrims holding Pilgrim Passes, tickets and other documents for their onward or return journey and entering the country via Jeddah or Medina - although sufficient evidence of Muslim faith must be provided (eg religious authenticated certificate). Restricted entry: Holders of passports with Israeli stamps in them. Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, or who display inappropriate affection will be refused entry. There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the consulate or consular section at embassy for further information. Women and under-aged children should be accompanied by a Moharram (close male family member). Unaccompanied women must be met at the airport by their sponsor or husband and have confirmed onward reservations as far as their final destination in Saudi Arabia. If met by a sponsor, it is worth noting that there are restrictions on women travelling by car with men who are not related by blood or marriage. However, it is acceptable for women visiting for business purposes to be accompanied and met at the airport by male business partners: further enquiries can be made at the information centre or embassy. The Pilgrim (Ummra) visa can only be obtained through an authorised 'Ummra Agency', appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check with embassy for a full list of appointed agents. Transit passengers who stay in the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina for over 24 hours can perform Ummra or visit a Holy Mosque, provided they withhold a signed agreement with one of the appointed Ummra agencies. Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. An Exit Permit is required for most nationals, requiring a passport-size photo and must be issued by the Chief of Police. There are further requirements for Ummra applications, but these must be submitted by the endorsed travel agent or tour operator. The visa stay period starts from the first day of entry into Saudi Arabia within the visa’s valid dates. Ummra visas are valid for 30 days for stays of up to two weeks. Apply consulate or consular section at embassy. Travellers are advised to apply well in advance. Hajj or Umrah visas are only available from the consulate through an authorised travel agent.

Getting Around

There are many domestic airports and air travel is by far the most convenient way of travelling around the country. Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) connects all main centres. Arabian Express economy class connects Jeddah with Riyadh in just over one hour and Riyadh with Dhahran in just under one hour. A boarding pass should be obtained the evening before departure. There are special flights for pilgrims arriving at or departing from Jeddah during the Hajj. A fast car ferry runs between Duba and Hurghada twice daily on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dhows may be chartered for outings on both coasts. The railway is operated by the Saudi Railways Organisation. Children under four travel free. The main railway line is the 570km-long Riyadh–Dammam line, which links Dhahran, Abqaiq, Hofuf, Harad and Al Kharj. An additional line links Riyadh with Hofuf. The railway on the west coast made famous by Lawrence of Arabia's raid has long since been abandoned to the desert. Traffic drives on the right. The road network is constantly being upgraded and expanded and, on the main routes, much of it is of the highest standard. The corniche that winds down the escarpment between Taif and Mecca is as spectacular a feat of engineering as may be seen anywhere, as is the King Fahed Gateway that links Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. However, standards of driving are erratic, particularly in the Eastern Province. As foreigners are tolerated rather than welcomed in Saudi Arabia, it is best to drive with extreme caution at all times. Women are not allowed to drive vehicles or ride bicycles on public roads. Non-Muslims may not enter Mecca or the immediate area; police are stationed to ensure that they turn off onto a specially built ring road, known amongst expatriates as the 'Christian Bypass'. Bus services have recently been developed by SAPTCO to serve inter-urban and local needs. Modern vehicles have been acquired, including air-conditioned double-deckers. All buses must have a screened-off section for the exclusive use of female passengers. Taxi: Available in all cities, but often very expensive. Some have meters, and fares should be negotiated in advance. The major international car hire agencies have offices in Saudi Arabia. The minimum age is 25.

Health & Safety

Anyone arriving in Saudi Arabia from a country infected with yellow fever requires a vaccination certificate for entry. Not compulsory, but definitely advisable, is vaccination against meningococcus, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. There is a malaria risk in the south and parts of the western region of the country. Food poisoning is a risk outside the good hotels. Visitors should only drink bottled water. The standard of medical care and facilities in Saudi Arabia is high, but treatment is expensive, therefore health insurance is strongly advised for all travellers. The US and British authorities believe terrorists may be planning further attacks against Westerners and in places associated with Westerners in Saudi Arabia following recent incidents in which foreign nationals were killed. Visitors who choose to risk entering the country should ensure they have individual security arrangements, remain vigilant, keep a low profile and avoid public gatherings. Visitors should be particularly alert in public places frequented by foreigners such as shopping malls, restaurants and hotels and in the desert outside Riyadh. Pilgrims are increasingly being targeted by pickpockets in Mecca and Medina and are advised to take care of personal possessions. Religious police patrols rigorously enforce codes of behaviour and dress prescribed by Islamic law and visitors should respect these.

National Holidays

23 Sep - Saudi National Day. 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends). 20 Dec - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Currency

Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR)

Electricity

127/220V AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Sat-Wed 8.00am - 12.00noon and 3.00pm - 6.00pm (Ramadan 8.00pm -1.00am), Thurs 8.00am -12.00noon, with some regional variation.

Emergency Numbers

997(Ambulance) 998(Fire) 999(Police)