Jeddah on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Jeddah can be done on a modest budget if you eat locally and use ride-hailing wisely. Allow about SAR 250 a day per person for a simple hotel room, local food, one paid sight and transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | SAR120 | SAR280 | SAR700 |
| Food & drink | SAR60 | SAR150 | SAR350 |
| Sights & tickets | SAR30 | SAR150 | SAR400 |
| Local transport | SAR40 | SAR80 | SAR200 |
| Per person, per day | SAR250 | SAR660 | SAR1,650 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Jeddah day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking through Al-Balad, the UNESCO-listed historic district, with its coral-stone houses
- The Jeddah Corniche and its open-air sculpture parks
- King Fahd's Fountain, best seen at night from the Corniche
- Al-Rahma (Floating) Mosque exterior on the Corniche
- Browsing the souks of Al-Balad
- Cultural events in the restored houses during the Jeddah Historic District season
Cheap eats
- Mutabbaq from a street stall: SAR 10–15
- Ful and tamees bread breakfast: about SAR 5–15
- Shawarma sandwich: about SAR 8–15
- Mandi or kabsa rice plate at a Yemeni restaurant: about SAR 25–40
- Grilled fish at the Al-Bander fish market area: about SAR 60–100
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in simple hotels and apartments in Al-Balad, Al-Hamra or near the main roads, with doubles roughly SAR 150–300 before tax; there are few hostels.
Getting around cheaply
Use Uber or Careem for most trips. The Haramain high-speed train links Jeddah's station and the airport with Medina (and Mecca for Muslims only). From King Abdulaziz Airport, a ride-hail trip to the centre is roughly SAR 50–90 depending on the terminal and traffic.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Al-Balad walk and Beit Nassif (check opening hours)
- Lunch: Yemeni mandi, about SAR 30
- Afternoon: rest out of the heat, then the Tayebat City Museum, about SAR 50
- Evening: Corniche sculptures and fountain (free), and mutabbaq, about SAR 15
- Total: about SAR 250 including a shared hotel room and rides
More ways to save
- Share hotel rooms and ride-hailing with companions to halve costs.
- Visit in shoulder months (October or April) for decent weather and lower rates.
- Pick one beach club day rather than several.
- Drink karak tea and coffee at local cafés, not hotel lounges.
- Book the tourist e-visa directly on the official government site.
- Combine sightseeing in Al-Balad with dinner there to save on transport.
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Common questions
Can I visit Jeddah on a budget?
Yes, by eating at local restaurants, staying in simple hotels and sharing rides. Allow about SAR 250 a day.
What is free in Jeddah?
Al-Balad, the Corniche and its sculptures, King Fahd's Fountain and the souks.
Is there public transport?
Limited within the city. Ride-hailing apps are the main option; the Haramain train links Jeddah with Medina.