Explore Saudi Arabia on a budget with our tips for affordable travel and experiences in this beautiful country.
Is Saudi Arabia the first place that comes to mind when you think of budget travel? Probably not. But you know what? Things are changing fast! Saudi Arabia is now open for visitors, and they want people from everywhere to come see it. This is part of their big plan, Vision 2030. And guess what the best part is? You don’t have to be rich to see its cities, deserts, and old places. But this needs a careful plan. You can travel around Saudi Arabia without spending a lot of money. Here’s how you can do it.
Travel During the Off-Season
Want to save money? The best way is to go when not many tourists are there. And the busiest time in Saudi Arabia is between October and March because it is not as hot. And it is so obvious that hotels and flights cost more when it’s busy. The summer (June to August) is very hot, especially in places like Riyadh. But if you go then, you’ll find cheaper flights and places to stay. So if you don’t mind the heat and plan to do things inside, summer can be a smart time to travel for less money. Even if you are Muslim and looking for Umrah packages from Chicago, this is the best time to visit.
Also, don’t go during the Hajj time. This is when Makkah and Medina are only for special religious travelers, and prices everywhere in the country can get very high because of all the people.
Book Cheap Flights
You can travel to any part of the world on a budget only if you plan smartly. And it’s easy to fly to Saudi Arabia from many countries, even with cheaper airlines. If you think about what you have to do to get cheaper flights? You should always look at websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights. The best time to book your flight is usually about 6 to 8 weeks before you want to go.
And if you fly inside the country, look for cheaper airlines like Flynas, Flyadeal, or Saudia’s cheaper tickets (called “Saver” fares). For example, a flight from Riyadh to Jeddah can be as low as $30 for one way if you buy your ticket early.
Use Public and Shared Transport
Now, if you are curious about how you can get around the big cities on a budget, let me make it simple for you. Riyadh has a new train (the metro) opening, so you can zip. And cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam have cheap buses! Isn’t it amazing? But if you want easy and safe rides, you can use apps like Uber and Careem. You can find them almost everywhere. To pay less, just pick their carpooling or “Go Mini” options.
If you want to travel between big cities by bus, you can use companies like SAPTCO or Hafil. For example, a bus ticket from Riyadh to Jeddah costs about 150 Saudi Riyals (around $40). It takes longer than flying, but it’s usually the cheapest way to go from one part of the country to another.
Find Budget Accommodation
You don’t have to stay in expensive hotels. You can find lots of cheaper hotels and apartments with furniture (called “Shuqq”). And you can rent Airbnb rooms as well. For example:
- You can get a private room on Airbnb in Riyadh for as little as $25 a night. That’s a really good price!
- And you can also find 3-star hotel rooms in Jeddah or Dammam starting at just $40 to $50 for one night.
Guess what? Some new, cheaper places to stay (called hostels) are now in fun cities like AlUla and Abha. These are great if you’re travelling alone or with just a backpack.
Visit Free and Low-Cost Attractions
Saudi Arabia has many cool places you can see for free! You can visit beautiful nature, old places from history, and new, modern buildings without paying much money.
Here are some places that don’t cost much (or are free)
- Edge of the World (near Riyadh): It’s a rocky place with big, amazing cliffs. You just need to pay for your ride to get there.
- Al Balad, Jeddah’s old town: A UNESCO World Heritage site with historical buildings and art galleries.
- Al Wahbah Crater (near Taif): It’s a volcanic crater that is free to visit.
- King Abdulaziz Historical Centre in Riyadh: Entry is free or low-cost.
- Beaches along the Red Sea in Jeddah or Umluj: Many public beaches are free.
In Conclusion
Are you still doubting whether you could travel to Saudi Arabia on a budget? Trust me, you can travel in Saudi Arabia without spending a lot of money! You just need a little bit of planning and to be flexible. Saudi Arabia has many different things to see and do. You can find very old places, busy markets, and huge deserts, or even if you are looking for Umrah packages. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy all these cool things. Just use local transport (like their buses), eat where local people eat, see free places, and always be a smart traveler.
