Essential Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Saudi Arabia

More and more people from the UK are visiting Saudi Arabia. Some go for Umrah. Some go to see places like AlUla and the desert. Many of them book cheap umrah packages because the package covers the visa, the flights and the hotel in one booking. That takes away most of the stress before you even pack a bag. But even with a package, it helps to know a few things before you fly. This guide covers the basics: visas, what to wear, money and how to get around.

Quick answer: what do first-time visitors to Saudi Arabia need?

You need a passport with at least six months left on it, the right visa (an Umrah visa or a tourist e-Visa), modest clothes and a bank card. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. The money is the Saudi Riyal. One pound gets you around 4.7 to 5 riyals. To travel between cities you can use local flights, the fast train or taxi apps.

Simple tips for first-time pilgrims

Check the weather before you pack. Makkah and Madinah are hot for most of the year. Pack light cotton clothes for summer. For winter, add a jacket, socks and a shawl. The nights get cold.
Keep your papers in one place. Put your passport, visa, tickets and hotel booking in one travel wallet. Take a photo of each one on your phone as a backup.
Learn the Umrah steps before you fly. Learn how to wear Ihram, and how to do Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq the way the Prophet ﷺ taught. It makes the whole trip calmer.
Look after your health. Bring your own medicines and some basic painkillers. Wash your hands often. People come to the Haram from all over the world, and colds spread fast.
Show respect at the holy places. Keep your voice low. Wait your turn. Be gentle in the crowds at the Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi.

Visas and entry rules

Getting a Saudi visa is much easier than it used to be. Most people from the UK can apply online. There are two main types:

Tourist e-Visa. You can stay up to 90 days and enter more than once. You can use it for tourism and for Umrah. Most British passport holders can apply online in minutes.

Umrah visa. This one lasts 30 days from the day it is issued. You can enter once, and you must leave within those 30 days.

For both types, you will need:

A passport with at least six months left.
Two or three passport photos.
Your flight tickets as proof of travel.
Your hotel booking.
Health insurance. This is a must, and it is usually sorted as part of the visa application.

If all this paperwork sounds like a headache, that is what a travel agency is for. Most packages include the visa work. For first-time pilgrims, that alone is worth it.

What to wear in Saudi Arabia

Dress in Saudi Arabia follows Islamic values. Knowing the rules before you land makes life easier.

For women. The law no longer forces women to wear a full abaya in public. But modest clothes are expected everywhere. Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear loose clothes in light fabric. Inside the mosques, women wear an abaya and a headscarf.

For men. Men should dress modestly too. Trousers are fine everywhere. Shorts are okay in some tourist spots, but not in mosques, government buildings or old neighbourhoods. At the holy sites, wear long trousers and a top with long sleeves.

At the holy sites. Pilgrims wear Ihram while doing the Umrah itself, and normal modest clothes when visiting other holy places. If you are not sure about any of this, book a package with a group leader. Many families in the Midlands book Umrah Packages from Birmingham for this exact reason. You fly from Birmingham Airport, and a guide shows you what to wear, what to do and how things work, from the first day to the last.

Money and payments

The money in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). One pound is worth about 4.7 to 5 riyals. Paying by card is normal everywhere, from hotels to small coffee shops. Visa and Mastercard both work, and so does contactless. Still, keep a little cash on you for market stalls, tips and Zamzam bottles. And tell your bank you are travelling, so they do not block your card.

Getting around

Local flights. Flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah run often and cost little. They are the fastest way to cover long distances.

The Haramain fast train. This train links Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. It reaches 300 km/h, and the trip from Makkah to Madinah takes about two and a half hours. If you are visiting both cities, take the train.

Taxi apps. Uber and Careem work well in all the big cities. They are the easiest way to make short trips.

Hire cars. A hire car only makes sense if you want to drive far, to places like AlUla or the Asir Mountains. If you are staying in Makkah and Madinah, you do not need one.

Common questions

Do UK citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Most British passport holders can apply online for a tourist e-Visa, or get an Umrah visa through their travel agency.

Can women travel to Saudi Arabia alone?

Yes. Under the current rules, women can visit and do Umrah without a mahram. Even so, many first-timers feel happier going with a group.

Do people speak English there?

Yes, in hotels, airports and around the holy sites. A few Arabic greetings go a long way, but you can manage without.

What plug sockets does Saudi Arabia use?

Type G. That is the same three-pin plug as the UK, so you do not need an adapter.

Final thoughts

Saudi Arabia is easy for people who prepare. Sort your visa early. Pack for the weather. Dress with respect. Let the train and the taxi apps do the hard work. Do that, and your first trip will go well, whether you are going for Umrah, for the sights, or both. May your journey be safe, and if you are going for Umrah, may Allah accept it. Ameen.