Riyadh on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Riyadh can be done on a moderate budget with the metro, free heritage sites and cheap local food, but hotels and tickets keep it from being cheap. Plan on about 280 SAR per person per day (bed 150, food 80, sights 30, transport 20).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | SAR150 | SAR300 | SAR800 |
| Food & drink | SAR80 | SAR180 | SAR400 |
| Sights & tickets | SAR30 | SAR120 | SAR300 |
| Local transport | SAR20 | SAR60 | SAR150 |
| Per person, per day | SAR280 | SAR660 | SAR1,650 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Riyadh day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Visit Masmak Fort, the clay fortress in the old centre
- See the Murabba Palace, King Abdulaziz's 1930s residence
- Walk Deera Square and the Souq Al Zal market
- Walk the parks and paths of Wadi Hanifa
- Browse the date shops and coffee sellers of the old centre
- Walk Tahlia Street in the evening for cafés and people-watching
Cheap eats
- Shawarma wrap: roughly 8–20 SAR
- Mutabbaq: roughly 8–20 SAR
- Foul and bread for breakfast: under 20 SAR at a cafeteria
- Jareesh: roughly 20–45 SAR a portion
- Chicken mandi or kabsa: roughly 30–70 SAR
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in simpler hotels in Al Malaz and Al Murabba, near the old centre and the metro, for about 250–400 SAR a room; prices exclude or include VAT depending on the hotel, so check.
Getting around cheaply
The Riyadh Metro is the cheapest option (about 4 SAR for 2 hours) and links King Khalid International Airport with Olaya and the centre. Ride-hailing covers the rest for about 20–50 SAR a trip.
A sample budget day
- Morning: National Museum (about 10–25 SAR) and Murabba Palace (free)
- Lunch: chicken mandi (about 35 SAR)
- Afternoon: rest indoors, then Masmak Fort and Souq Al Zal (free)
- Evening: shawarma and luqaimat (about 30 SAR); metro and rides about 20 SAR
- Total: about 120–130 SAR plus your bed (about 150 SAR), so roughly 270–280 SAR
More ways to save
- Visit between November and February, when you can walk between sights.
- Book At-Turaif tickets online and check opening times, often from late afternoon.
- Plan shopping around the five daily prayers, when shops close briefly.
- Use the metro to and from the airport rather than a taxi.
- Share an Edge of the World tour with others to lower the per-person cost.
- Check the Visit Saudi website for current e-visa rules and fees.
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Common questions
Can I visit Riyadh on a budget?
Yes, at about 280 SAR a day with a simple hotel, the metro and local cafeterias.
What is free in Riyadh?
Masmak Fort, Murabba Palace, Deera Square, Souq Al Zal and Wadi Hanifa.
Is alcohol available?
No; mocktails, fresh juices and Saudi coffee take its place.