Saudi Arabia

Field meanings are available in the data dictionary.

brand

ArabiaTour.com

scope_order

1

country

Saudi Arabia

country_iso2

SA

country_iso3

SAU

scope_note

The 10 countries specified for ArabiaTour.com.

tourism_visits

29300000

tourism_visits_year

2025

tourism_metric

Inbound tourists

tourism_value_qualifier

approximately

tourism_comparability_note

Excludes 93.3 million domestic tourists. Combined domestic and inbound total is not an international-arrivals count.

gdp_nominal_usd_billion

1280

gdp_year

2025

gdp_per_capita_current_usd

34536.7

gdp_per_capita_year

2025

summary_five_paragraphs

Saudi Arabia combines large modern cities, desert heritage, Red Sea culture, and religious travel, but those experiences serve different visitors and require different permissions. The tourism ministry reported approximately 29.3 million inbound tourists in 2025, a figure that excludes domestic tourism and should not be confused with combined national trips. The World Bank country page displayed nominal GDP of roughly USD 1.28 trillion for 2025. For ArabiaTour.com, the most useful presentation is therefore a set of distinct cultural, leisure, and eligible pilgrimage routes rather than one interchangeable holiday product.

The five selected destinations are Riyadh and Diriyah, Jeddah, AlUla, Makkah, and Madinah. Riyadh introduces the capital and the heritage of At-Turaif, while Jeddah adds Al-Balad and the Red Sea waterfront. AlUla brings Hegra, sandstone landscapes, and controlled-access archaeological experiences that deserve advance planning. Makkah and Madinah add major religious sites, but inclusion in this dataset does not mean unrestricted admission: Makkah is restricted to Muslims, and sacred-site and pilgrimage rules must be checked separately.

Eligible travelers can apply through the official Saudi tourist eVisa portal by completing the application, providing the requested documents, paying the displayed charges, and retaining approval. The standard tourist eVisa has a one-year multiple-entry framework with a 90-day total-stay allowance; a separately introduced UK-passport authorization has different conditions and must not be generalized to other travelers. Those outside the eligible online categories need the appropriate authorized or consular route. Tourism or eligible Umrah permission does not replace a Hajj permit, employment permission, or residence authorization.

An editorial midrange allowance is USD 130-240 per person per day when two adults share a room, excluding international flights, visas, intercity flights, and premium excursions. The hotel shortlist ranges from Four Seasons Riyadh and Raffles Jeddah to Banyan Tree AlUla, with separate pilgrimage-oriented properties in Makkah and Madinah. These flagship hotels can exceed the planning band and are not represented by live room quotes. Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and Madinah have their own relevant air gateways; Makkah is normally approached from Jeddah rather than a commercial airport in Makkah itself.

November through March is an editorial preference for a mixed urban and desert itinerary, while religious calendars and major events can materially change crowding, access, and prices. The country’s scale makes a selective route more practical than attempting every highlighted destination in a short stay. Current FCDO advice includes severe restrictions near the Yemen border, and regional disruption can affect flights elsewhere. Confirm airline operation, permits, hotel terms, and the exact travel-advice geography before treating this cultural shortlist as a bookable itinerary.

capital

Riyadh

official_language

Arabic

currency_code

SAR

currency_name

Saudi riyal

gdp_basis

Nominal GDP, current US dollars; World Bank latest displayed annual value

gdp_precision_note

Rounded from World Bank display of 1.28 trillion USD; not exact to the billion.

gdp_source_ids

SA_GDP

gdp_source_urls

https://data.worldbank.org/country/saudi-arabia ↗

tourism_source_ids

SA_TOUR

tourism_source_urls

https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2615138 ↗

visa_route

Nationality-based eVisa, consular route, or a separately eligible authorization; GCC nationals generally do not require a visit visa.

how_to_get_visa

Check passport eligibility on the official Saudi portal, create an application, upload the requested passport/photo information, pay the displayed charges, and retain the approval. Ineligible applicants must use the designated consular or authorized-provider route.

official_visa_application_url

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ ↗

visa_stay_and_validity

Standard tourist eVisa: one-year multiple entry, with up to 90 days total stay. A separate UK-passport ETA introduced from 1 July 2026 permits up to 180 cumulative days within its year; do not apply that allowance to other passports or the standard eVisa.

visa_fee_note

Use the current portal quotation, including any required insurance, tax, and service charges. No single fee was verified as applicable to every route.

passport_and_documents

Normally at least six months of passport validity; exact supporting documents depend on the passport and route.

visa_key_restrictions

Tourism or eligible Umrah permission is not Hajj permission. Makkah is restricted to Muslims; confirm seasonal entry controls. Tourist permission is not work or residence authorization.

visa_source_ids

SA_VISSA_ETASA_ENT

visa_source_urls

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ ↗
https://www.spa.gov.sa/fa/N2620727 ↗
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements ↗

best_time_to_visit_editorial

November to March for most urban, desert, and heritage itineraries.

suggested_trip_length_editorial

7-10 days for a selective city-and-heritage route, not all regions.

tourism_themes

Heritage | Desert landscapes | Cities | Eligible religious visits

getting_around

Use domestic flights for widely separated cities and arranged local road transfers; selected western cities also have rail links.

culture_and_access_note

Dress respectfully and check mosque, pilgrimage, photography, and seasonal entry rules.

cost_drivers_and_practical_note

Avoid treating religious peak dates or major events as ordinary low-cost travel periods.

travel_advisory_summary

Area-specific high risk: FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border and all but essential travel within 10-80 km; regional disruption can affect other areas.

airport_operating_note

Regional airspace and flight disruptions remain possible; check the actual operating flight.

travel_advisory_authority

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

advisory_source_ids

SA_ADV

advisory_source_urls

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia ↗

destination_source_ids

SA_DESTSA_UNESCO

destination_source_urls

https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/about-saudi ↗
https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sa ↗

cost_estimate_method

Independent editorial planning assumptions.

cost_basis

USD per person per day, two adults sharing a double room; modest accommodation, meals, local ground transport, and routine sightseeing within the selected tier.

cost_exclusions

International flights | visas | insurance | intercity flights and long transfers | premium guided tours | diving/balloon flights | private security | shopping | major-event premiums

cost_special_note

Luxury flagship properties can exceed the high band. Seven-day figures are simple daily-band multiples.

budget_usd_pp_day_low

60

budget_usd_pp_day_high

100

midrange_usd_pp_day_low

130

midrange_usd_pp_day_high

240

luxury_usd_pp_day_low

350

luxury_usd_pp_day_high

1000

midrange_7_day_usd_pp_low

910

midrange_7_day_usd_pp_high

1680

cost_context_source_ids

SA_COST

cost_context_source_urls

https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/saudi-arabia/trip-cost-SA ↗

summary_paragraph_1

Saudi Arabia combines large modern cities, desert heritage, Red Sea culture, and religious travel, but those experiences serve different visitors and require different permissions. The tourism ministry reported approximately 29.3 million inbound tourists in 2025, a figure that excludes domestic tourism and should not be confused with combined national trips. The World Bank country page displayed nominal GDP of roughly USD 1.28 trillion for 2025. For ArabiaTour.com, the most useful presentation is therefore a set of distinct cultural, leisure, and eligible pilgrimage routes rather than one interchangeable holiday product.

summary_paragraph_1_source_ids

SA_TOURSA_GDP

summary_paragraph_2

The five selected destinations are Riyadh and Diriyah, Jeddah, AlUla, Makkah, and Madinah. Riyadh introduces the capital and the heritage of At-Turaif, while Jeddah adds Al-Balad and the Red Sea waterfront. AlUla brings Hegra, sandstone landscapes, and controlled-access archaeological experiences that deserve advance planning. Makkah and Madinah add major religious sites, but inclusion in this dataset does not mean unrestricted admission: Makkah is restricted to Muslims, and sacred-site and pilgrimage rules must be checked separately.

summary_paragraph_2_source_ids

SA_DESTSA_UNESCO

summary_paragraph_3

Eligible travelers can apply through the official Saudi tourist eVisa portal by completing the application, providing the requested documents, paying the displayed charges, and retaining approval. The standard tourist eVisa has a one-year multiple-entry framework with a 90-day total-stay allowance; a separately introduced UK-passport authorization has different conditions and must not be generalized to other travelers. Those outside the eligible online categories need the appropriate authorized or consular route. Tourism or eligible Umrah permission does not replace a Hajj permit, employment permission, or residence authorization.

summary_paragraph_3_source_ids

SA_VISSA_ETASA_ENT

summary_paragraph_4

An editorial midrange allowance is USD 130-240 per person per day when two adults share a room, excluding international flights, visas, intercity flights, and premium excursions. The hotel shortlist ranges from Four Seasons Riyadh and Raffles Jeddah to Banyan Tree AlUla, with separate pilgrimage-oriented properties in Makkah and Madinah. These flagship hotels can exceed the planning band and are not represented by live room quotes. Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and Madinah have their own relevant air gateways; Makkah is normally approached from Jeddah rather than a commercial airport in Makkah itself.

summary_paragraph_4_source_ids

SA_H1SA_H2SA_H3SA_H4SA_H5SA_AIRSA_COST

summary_paragraph_5

November through March is an editorial preference for a mixed urban and desert itinerary, while religious calendars and major events can materially change crowding, access, and prices. The country’s scale makes a selective route more practical than attempting every highlighted destination in a short stay. Current FCDO advice includes severe restrictions near the Yemen border, and regional disruption can affect flights elsewhere. Confirm airline operation, permits, hotel terms, and the exact travel-advice geography before treating this cultural shortlist as a bookable itinerary.

summary_paragraph_5_source_ids

SA_ADVSA_DESTSA_UNESCO

destination_1_name

Riyadh and Diriyah

destination_1_top_sites

At-Turaif in Diriyah | Al Masmak | Saudi National Museum | Kingdom Centre

destination_1_airports

King Khalid International Airport (RUH)

destination_1_access_note

Airport transfer by road; use arranged transport between Riyadh and Diriyah.

destination_1_warning

Not verified, not supplied or not applicable — not zero.

destination_2_name

Jeddah

destination_2_top_sites

Historic Jeddah / Al-Balad | Jeddah Corniche | King Fahd Fountain

destination_2_airports

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)

destination_2_access_note

Road transfer to the city; old-town sightseeing and the waterfront are separate areas.

destination_2_warning

Not verified, not supplied or not applicable — not zero.

destination_3_name

AlUla

destination_3_top_sites

Hegra | AlUla Old Town | Elephant Rock | Dadan

destination_3_airports

AlUla International Airport (ULH)

destination_3_access_note

Limited-route regional gateway; reserve heritage-site sessions and local transfers.

destination_3_warning

Some heritage sites require advance tickets and guided or controlled access.

destination_4_name

Makkah

destination_4_top_sites

Masjid al-Haram | Kaaba | Hira Cultural District | Jabal al-Nur

destination_4_airports

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (JED)

destination_4_access_note

Makkah has no main scheduled commercial airport; continue from Jeddah by authorized road transfer or available rail service.

destination_4_warning

Makkah is restricted to Muslims. A tourist visa is not a Hajj permit; seasonal entry restrictions apply.

destination_5_name

Madinah

destination_5_top_sites

Prophet’s Mosque | Quba Mosque | Mount Uhud

destination_5_airports

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)

destination_5_access_note

Airport road transfer; verify religious-site entry rules and seasonal transport restrictions.

destination_5_warning

Sacred-site access restrictions apply; do not infer unrestricted access from permission to enter the city.

hotel_1_name_and_area

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre — Riyadh

hotel_1_official_url

https://www.fourseasons.com/riyadh/ ↗

hotel_1_status_note

Official property page found.

hotel_2_name_and_area

Raffles Jeddah — Jeddah waterfront

hotel_2_official_url

https://www.raffles.com/jeddah/ ↗

hotel_2_status_note

Official property page found.

hotel_3_name_and_area

Banyan Tree AlUla — Ashar Valley, AlUla

hotel_3_official_url

https://www.banyantree.com/saudi-arabia/alula ↗

hotel_3_status_note

Official property page found.

hotel_4_name_and_area

Raffles Makkah Palace — Makkah, near the Grand Mosque

hotel_4_official_url

https://www.raffles.com/makkah/ ↗

hotel_4_status_note

Makkah is restricted to Muslims; religious-entry and Hajj permit rules apply.

hotel_5_name_and_area

Pullman Zamzam Madina — Madinah, near the Prophet’s Mosque

hotel_5_official_url

https://www.pullman-zamzam-madina.com/ ↗

hotel_5_status_note

Religious-site access rules apply; confirm guest and access requirements.

all_country_source_ids

SA_GDPSA_AIRSA_ADVSA_TOURSA_VISSA_ETASA_ENTSA_DESTSA_UNESCOSA_COSTSA_H1SA_H2SA_H3SA_H4SA_H5

all_country_source_urls

https://data.worldbank.org/country/saudi-arabia ↗
https://ourairports.com/countries/SA/airports.html ↗
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia ↗
https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2615138 ↗
https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ ↗
https://www.spa.gov.sa/fa/N2620727 ↗
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements ↗
https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/about-saudi ↗
https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sa ↗
https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/saudi-arabia/trip-cost-SA ↗
https://www.fourseasons.com/riyadh/ ↗
https://www.raffles.com/jeddah/ ↗
https://www.banyantree.com/saudi-arabia/alula ↗
https://www.raffles.com/makkah/ ↗
https://www.pullman-zamzam-madina.com/ ↗