This guide is designed to help you plan every step of your trip, from choosing the best season to travel and understanding local customs, to navigating mobile networks, using drones responsibly, and knowing what to wear. Here’s everything you need to make your adventure in Saudi Arabia smooth, safe, and unforgettable.
Have you ever dreamed of visiting a land where desert sand dunes meet towering rock formations? Where you can take a safari in a remote village where the desert seems to be engulfing all life around it and suddenly find yourself in an oasis of palm trees and streams. Saudi Arabia offers a huge variety of landscapes and is truly a unique place, especially for how many special locations its has within short travel distances. Whether you're a photographer chasing golden-hour light across timeless terrain or a curious traveler eager to understand a place long hidden from view, Saudi Arabia offers more than just a destination—it offers a sense of discovery. And with so many incredible locations just a short journey apart, it’s easier than ever to experience its diversity.
Photography Paradise
Saudi's landscapes are unlike anywhere else. It is not just about the towering mountains, but rather their unusual shapes, intricate rock textures, and natural leading lines. One of the biggest advantages of the landscapes in Saudi Arabia is how a single mountain can offer multiple perspectives. Moving just a few meters in any direction can completely transform the shape of the mountain and your composition. This means every sunrise and sunset shoot offers multiple high-quality portfolio shots. If you’re not convinced check out our portfolios of work from our recent trip and see for yourself the diverse range of incredible rocks and beautiful desert oasis compositions.
Best Season
Winter is the ideal season for photography in Saudi Arabia. From mid-December to mid-March, the climate is at its best. Daytime temperatures range from 15–25°C, while nights can drop to around 8–10°C. There's a higher chance of clouds during this time, along with more flowers, greenery, and even flowing streams in some areas.
For photography, I recommend visiting in January or February for the most favorable conditions.
If you do decide to visit in spring, be prepared for warmer weather! Spring in Saudi Arabia typically spans March to May, but due to the desert climate, the transition from winter to summer happens quickly — so spring often feels more like early summer in other parts of the world. In March, temperatures can range from 10–25°C. In April, expect 15–30°C. By May, it can reach 20–35°C.
What to Wear
There are many articles online suggesting that, as a woman tourist, you should cover yourself as much as possible to blend in and respect cultural norms. Since 2018, women are no longer legally required to cover their hair or wear the abaya, though it's still very common to see women wearing it.
From my personal experience traveling through many regions of Saudi Arabia, you won’t be treated differently for not wearing a head covering. That said, I believe it does show respect for the country’s predominant religious beliefs, and in some areas, I chose to wear one. A major benefit of wearing a head covering is that it protects your head from the harsh sun and helps keep dust and sand out of your hair.
I recommend wearing long trousers or loose pants along with loose-fitting shirts — they're practical and comfortable in the heat. On one occasion, I wore shorts that came above my knees after tearing my pants while climbing, and I didn’t experience any issues from locals. That said, I wouldn’t generally recommend wearing shorts or revealing clothing; in my case, I was simply limited in options and happened not to encounter any problems.
Be sure to opt for lighter colors to avoid attracting too much heat — especially if you’re not used to high temperatures.
Safety
Despite its reputation, Saudi Arabia is one of the safest places to visit as a tourist, regardless of gender or nationality. The country is undergoing a major transformation to become a tourist destination, and you’ll see this reflected in its modern highways, improved infrastructure, and the warm reception from locals who are eager to welcome visitors.
In fact, many people will want to greet you and may take an interest in your presence — especially the younger generation, who might approach you and ask, “Where are you from?” or “Why are you in Saudi? What do you think of it here?”
We also had many occasions where people would randomly call out, “Welcome to Saudi Arabia!” as they walked past us. This happened in Tabuk, where foreigners are seen more often.
In some of the smaller, more local towns we passed through or visited, people might stare a bit — either because they haven’t seen a tourist before or are still getting used to it. On one occasion, several people filmed me, but I found it was mostly out of curiosity rather than ill intent.
Language & Culture
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic. The three main regional variants are Najdi Arabic, Hejazi Arabic and West Arabian Arabic.
Some of the younger generation speak English quite well and may want to talk with you and ask you where you are from and why you are in Saudi Arabia.
Some helpful phrases in Arabic are:
Greeting and Response
Hello: As-salamu alaikum السلام عليكم
Response: Wa-alaikum as-salam وعليكم السلام
Thank you: Arabic: شكراً (Shukran) Phonetic: Shook-ran
That being said, you do not need to speak Arabic to travel in Saudi, using a translator especially to discuss important details like your accommodation fee is common practice.
More useful phrases can be found here.
Currency
The local currency is Saudi Riyals.
I would recommend getting Saudi Riyals cash prior to your arrival for convenience, especially if you plan to visit smaller towns. Cards are sometimes accepted and sometimes not. For example, some petrol stations accept card and others will only take cash.
In the main cities you can get cash out from the bank or from ATM’s. The easiest way to find an ATM near you is here you can search your region and the Saudi National Bank will show if there is an ATM near you. Be aware if you are with a group of people who are all getting cash out at the same time, the bank may not have enough cash on hand and you may need to visit a separate ATM or money exchange.
Some accommodation and grocery stores will only accept cash.
To be safe always carry cash.
Adapters
A Type G plug is required for Saudi which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. I recommend buying one before you arrive as the airport does not always stock them and better to be prepared than be driving around the different supermarkets with a low phone battery desperately trying to find an adapter so you can charge it!
Internet Access / WiFi
Not all areas have Wi-Fi coverage. If you are using a local sim you will find that it provides good coverage in most areas but still some more remote spots are without WiFi and not all accommodations will provide you internet access.
You can easily purchase a sim on arrival at Tabuk Airport. I have used Virgin Mobile before, they have clear data plans and will take care of the set-up for you.
Driving
Renting a car from Tabuk Airport is very simple. I booked in advance using rentalcars.com and through there booked with both Hanco Rent a Car and Key Car Rental. Both agencies were great — reasonably priced and professional. We had no issues when returning the car — no surprise cleaning fees or hidden charges.
That said, be aware of mileage limits. If you exceed the included mileage in your booking, you’ll likely be charged extra. Make sure to check the distance to your planned destinations so you can map your route and avoid going over. We made that mistake and ended up paying around €1,000 for the excess mileage.
You can book your car in advance or rent one upon arrival — the rental desks are clearly labeled right outside the main terminal.
Driving in Saudi is safe and quite enjoyable. The highways are modern, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. However, one thing to watch out for is unexpected speed bumps, even on main highways. They’re often unmarked and seem to appear without much reason — not near towns, crossings, or any obvious hazards. If you see one, expect more to follow.
Top tip: Watch the cars ahead of you closely — if they start slowing down for no clear reason, there's probably a speed bump coming up.
Highways in Saudi often have wide lanes, and the shoulder usually offers enough space to pull over safely. Overtaking can be a bit unconventional: while some drivers pull into the oncoming lane, it’s actually common for cars to move to the right so others can pass on the left without needing to cross into oncoming traffic. As a result, you’ll sometimes see cars driving side by side on the same side of the road.
Most people obey speed limits and drive safely. Speed cameras are rare, and when they do exist, they're clearly marked with multiple warning signs — no surprises there.
Food
It’s easy to find delicious local food in the bigger cities like Tabuk, Duba, and AlUla. If you’re in a more remote area, you may need to rely on food provided by your accommodation and whatever you can find at the local supermarket.
You can expect to find incredibly fresh dates at supermarkets, along with plenty of ready-to-eat items like crackers, biscuits, chocolate, and more. It honestly feels a bit like the country of plastic — there doesn’t seem to be much regulation around plastic usage, so expect to see a lot of single-use plastics. The supermarkets can sometimes feel more like plastic bag shops because of how much is used.
If you want to cook your own meals on the go, it’s easy to buy a gas burner and stove from petrol stations — super handy for road trips or remote stays.
If you're lactose intolerant or vegan, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of vegetarian options that happen to be vegan — a bit of a "if you know, you know" situation. As a vegan myself, I found eating out to be surprisingly easy. There are so many delicious options like hummus, spicy eggplant dishes, breads, falafel, fresh tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and even curried vegetables.
That said, I did struggle a bit in grocery stores in more local areas to find ready-to-eat vegan food. I mostly relied on crackers and hummus, along with fresh fruit and dates. One great thing, though: most packaging includes English ingredient lists, so it’s easy to check for dietary restrictions.
Accommodation
As Saudi Arabia has only recently opened to tourism the accommodation options are still growing. Do not expect western standards of accommodation even though the price might suggest quality. You will often find, especially in the bathrooms and details that the accommodation standard will come with time.
What do I really mean by this? Well, in bigger cities, you’ll likely find very decent accommodation at reasonable prices, often with a good standard of bathroom. But in smaller towns, you might pay a similar price for accommodation, yet the quality can be noticeably lower.
For example in one remote area, we paid around €120 per night — and this price did not include a private bathroom. Sometimes, the bathroom is a shared facility, and they can leave a bit to be desired. From the infamous “dead camel smell” (which seems to come from the pipes), to toilets that don’t flush properly, or shower pressure so low it’s basically a dribble — it’s all part of the experience.
Adjust your expectations and embrace the adventure!
Drones Yes or No?
While there are some great spots for drone photography, bringing a drone to Saudi Arabia can be a complication due to unclear regulations. If you enter Saudi through Riyadh, your drone may be confiscated and returned upon departure. If you arrive through other cities, customs officials may ask how high you intend to fly the drone and the purpose of your drone usage. Given the risk of confiscation and the abundance of stunning camera photography opportunities, I do not recommend bringing a drone.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Saudi Arabia can be both a challenge and a deeply rewarding experience. With its vast deserts, dramatic mountains, Red Sea coastline, and rich cultural heritage, the Kingdom offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and rapid modern development that few destinations can match. While planning ahead and understanding local customs will help you navigate your journey more smoothly, staying open-minded and respectful will go a long way toward enriching your experience.
Whether you're wandering through the souqs, marveling at the rock formations in AlUla, or sipping coffee with locals in a remote village, every corner of Saudi Arabia holds the potential for unforgettable memories.
Now that you have all our tips for planning your trip, be sure to check out our photo tours and visual guides to help you make the most of your time in this fascinating and beautiful country. Safe travels — and enjoy every moment of the adventure!
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
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