How to Find Cheap Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Currently, visits to Saudi Arabia are discouraged unless arranged for religious reasons or certified business purposes. Making arrangements to get into Saudi Arabia, as well as to find cheap accommodations there, is cumbersome and expensive.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Current passport
• Computer with Internet access for making reservations

Travel to Saudi Arabia

1. Prepare to pay $3,000 or more for European-based air travel into Saudi Arabia.

2. Expect airfare for travel from the United States to cost $6,000 or more.

3. Choose to travel by land only if you have abundant time and are not bothered by extreme temperatures and widely varying humidity.

Find a Place to Stay in Saudi Arabia

1. Choose safety over cheap lodgings. Small local hotels and personal residences are not acceptable choices in the current political climate.

2. Avoid accommodations that do not have detailed security procedures in place and available.

3. Look for established hotels with references and good communication systems inside secure areas.

Know the Country and Culture of Saudi Arabia

1. Respect local religious customs. Islam forbids the eating of pork and drinking of alcohol; it is generally OK for visitors to do these things, but never expect a Saudi citizen to join you.

2. Smoke only in private.

3. Drink in moderation and only after sunset and in designated safe areas.

4. Abstain from foul or suggestive language.

5. Learn a few words of Arabic but do not use religious phrases.

6. To book accommodations in Saudi Arabia, call Saudia Online at 00966-2-6693585 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Cheap accommodations and safe accommodations are rarely the same thing in Saudia Arabia. Decide which is more important to you, and proceed with caution.

• If you absolutely must travel to Saudi Arabia, contact the U.S. Embassy and ask for a recommendation on where to stay.

• Men should dress conservatively, with upper arms, shoulders, stomachs, thighs and calves covered.

• Although not required, women should wear a headscarf to avoid unwanted attention.

• Entering Saudi Arabia requires an invitation; leaving requires an exit permit.

• Tourist visas are not generally granted.

• Available visas include a transit visa (good for 72 hours), an employment visa (obtained by the host business), and a business visa.

• Organized tour groups are sometimes allowed visas.

• Extreme caution is advised in any trips outside of secure areas.

• Women cannot rent vehicles or drive them.

• Upon arrival women must wear an abaya, a dark-colored robe which covers the clothing.

• Read up on the long list of illegal items and actions, including pornography, adultery and intoxication.

• Saudi Arabia is under a United States travel advisory.

• All non-essential government personnel have been evacuated.

• Non-essential travel is strongly advised against.

• Register with your embassy upon entering the country and stay in contact with the embassy.

• Do not congregate in large groups.

• Foreign citizens are subject to all drug laws, which are strictly enfored. Do not, under any circumstances, bring, buy or sell drugs within Saudia Arabia's borders.