Saudi Arabia

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Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Riyadh

Population

24,294,000

Government

Monarchy

Religions

Islam

Languages

Arabic

Calling Code

+966

Nationality

Local name

Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

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Introduction

Dusk at Sea

© All Rights Reserved andyjberks

Saudi Arabia is the dusty, desert ridden heart of Islam, where Muhammad was born and where he pronounced Mecca and Medina to be holy cities. Predictably, it is a strict country where women are invisible behind veils, men wear ankle-length skirts, and alcohol and pigs are off-limits. Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, is entirely out of bounds for non-Muslims – do not try to pretend to be Muslim, either, because it won't be responded to warmly.

Interestingly, Saudi Arabia's wealth – courtesy of oil – has seen the emergence of a starkly modern aspect to some of the cities; most notably, perhaps, is Riyadh, where the glitzy modernity seems to rise up in an impressive shout of support for money and capitalism. But even here the heart of most Saudis remains Islam and the religion is still adhered to rigorously.

Brief History

Geography

Saudi Arabia shares international borders with Yemen, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. There is also ferry services to Bahrain.

Regions

Saudi Arabia is organised into 13 provinces/regions

• Al Bahah
• Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah
• Al Jawf
• Al Madinah
• Al Qasim
• Ar Riyad
• Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province)
• 'Asir
• Ha'il
• Jizan
• Makkah
• Najran
• Tabuk

Cities

• Riyadh
• Jeddah
• Mecca
• Medina
• Dammam
• Tabuk

Sights and Activities

Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter is the largest unbroken sand sea in the world and one of the most hostile environments one can think of. It is located in three countries, but Saudi Arabia has the largest part which contains large parts of the southeast of the country and over the borders into the United Arab Emirates and Oman. As most of it is unreachable and travelling around the country in general is already hard, not many people find themselves here as the modern Lawrence of Arabia. It is said that government forbids travelling here and theoretically only a small part, reachable from the UAE Liwa Oasis (sea the United Arab Emirates article) can be reached by 4wd.

Diving

As the largest coastal area of the Red Sea belongs to Saudi Arabia, diving and snorkelling are increasinly popular ways of visiting the country and there are several package tourists from Europe who make their way to find some of the most unspoilt areas here, with numerous species of fish and fine coral reefs. Most people fly directly to Jeddah which is the best getaway for a week of beaching, diving and snorkelling. Nearby are Mecca and Medina, but unfortunately off limits to others than muslims.

Madain Saleh

Madain Saleh is the Petra of Saudi Arabia, being a Nabataean city hewed out of rock in the same style as Jordan's top tourist destination. If it wasn't for the strict visitors regulations in the country, this would be a top tourist draw. The closest city from where you can get to Madain Saleh is Al Wajh, with Medina being a bit further away. Still, access to the site by others than tours is difficult if not impossible and in fact many Muslims themselves refuse to enter the area due to a section in the Koran often interpreted as a curse against it.

Other sights and activities

• Mecca and Medina - only if you are muslim (either doing Hajj or not)
• Rough mountain scenery - Abha is a major mountain resort area

Events and Festivals

Weather

Saudi Arabia has a hot and arid desert climate in most parts of the country. Although this applies to most of the country, temperatures in winter can be relatively low and the mountainous areas in the west (Asir for example) rarely get real hot. In summer (June to September) most of the country is like an oven with temperatures usually hitting 40 to 45 degrees Celcius on most days and over 50 degrees is not uncommon, even along the coast of the Persian Gulf. In winter, the capital Riyadh can have night temperatures just above zero, while along the coast of the Red Sea it might be 30 degrees Celcius during the day. Obviously, winter (November to March) is the best time for a visit to most of the country, except the higher mountain areas.

Getting There

By Plane

Saudi Arabian Airlines is the main national airlines of Saudi Arabia and is based at King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) near Jedda at the Red Sea. From there, it has numerous flights to countries within the region of the Middle East and further away to Dakar, Jakarta, New York, London and Frankfurt, among others. Other airlines are mainly from countries within the region although Air France has flights to and from Paris. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) near the capital Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport (DMM) near Dammam in the east are other main international airports with less flights but still enough within the region. A few other airlines like Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and BMI have flights to either or both of them.

By Car

Mostly, only citizens of the Middle Eastern countries travel by car to and from Saudi Arabia. Sometimes, however, 3 to 7 day transit visas are issued if you have your own car and want to travel for example between Jordan and Oman or UAE to Kuwait. You will only get one if you own the car and there is not other way of getting to reach your finale destination. You are more likely to get one when you travel to the north (Jordan for example) than travelling to the south (Oman for example). If you get one, border crossings are relatively hassle free and efficient and roads are good and tarred. Have your documentation, driving permit and insurance in order.

By Bus

The Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company offers the best connections, mainly in the eastern part of the peninsula. Neighbouring countries have good transport companies as well. The main cities served from other countries are Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Destinations from Riyadh include Amman, Kuwait, Aden, Sana'a, Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cairo, Khartoum and Damascus. From Jeddah the same destinations are served including services to Beirut. For Doha and Manama, you have to switch buses in Dammam. From Dammam, buses also go to Sjarjah in the UAE and Aqaba in Jordan. For Oman, you have to switch buses in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Turkey, Iraq and Iran are currently not served from Saudi Arabia.

By Boat

There are a number of connections between the Arabian Peninsula and countries in the northwest of Africa. For example, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is linked to Suez in Egypt, Port Sudan in Sudan and Musawwa in Eritrea. Check the Al Blagha company's website for more details.
Several ferries and fast catamarans travel between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Connections include and Bushehr to Dammam in the east of Saudi Arabia. Check the Iran Traveling Center for more details about schedules and prices.

Getting Around

Note: Travelling around independently in Saudi Arabia is only possible when you have a business visa, which you can get when a local person, organisation or company invites you to the country. Otherwise, you will be limited to travel around in a group with a local or foreign travel agency. Generally speaking, tourist numbers are extemely low.

By Plane

Saudi Arabian Airlines provides all domestic flights in the country. Prices are relatively low and services reliable and frequent. Destinations include Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran on the east coast.

By Train

Saudi Railways operates a limited number of train links in the country. Destinations along the Riyadh - Dammam line include Dhahran, Abqaiq, Hofuf, Harad and Al Kharj. There is a daily service in aircon trains which also have a dining car. An additional line links Riyadh with Hofuf.

By Car

The roads in Saudi Arabia are of the highest quality and so are rental cars. The local driving skills, unfortunately, are not and you will be surprised how fast some cars actually drive; 200 km/hour is not uncommon.
International rental companies have offices in most bigger cities. A national driver's licence, translated into Arabic, is required. You also need to be 25 years old at least and be a man!
Note that you can not enter Mekka and there are special road signs to make sure you won't.

By Bus

New bus links are introduced all the times to provide aircon services between most major cities and towns. SAPTCO is the main bus company. Minibuses ply the same routes and leave when full.

By Boat

Other than chartering a traditional dhow or luxury yacht there are no options of getting around by boat. International diving trips provide luxury boats as well.

Red Tape

Saudi Arabia is one of the most difficult countries in the world for visitors to get a visa. That is, if you want to travel independently. Workers, travellers on guided tours and travellers in transit (but rules apply as well) can get visas but other than that it is impossible. Unaccompanied women are denied visas as well. If you want a transit visa you have to state that there is no other way of getting from one country to another without transiting through Saudi Arabia. Usually this will mean you have your own vehicle and transit visas are for 3-5 days only, so visiting any places is almost impossible as well. If you have an Israeli pasport or prove in your pasport that you have been to Israel, you will be denied acces as well.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council nationals (GCC: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman) do not need visas to enter Saudi Arabia.

Money

See also Money Matters

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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