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Saudi Arabia on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
A budget trip is possible but not cheap: the realistic minimum is about 360 SAR per person a day (bed 180, food 80, sights 60, transport 40), plus domestic flights. Riyadh and Jeddah are easier on a budget than AlUla.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | SAR180 | SAR400 | SAR1,200 |
| Food & drink | SAR80 | SAR180 | SAR400 |
| Sights & tickets | SAR60 | SAR200 | SAR400 |
| Local transport | SAR40 | SAR120 | SAR250 |
| Per person, per day | SAR360 | SAR900 | SAR2,250 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Saudi Arabia day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Masmak Fort in Riyadh
- Souq Al Zal and the old souks around Masmak
- Walk Al-Balad, Jeddah's UNESCO-listed old town (some houses charge a small fee)
- The Jeddah Corniche, its sculptures and the Al Rahma mosque by the water
- King Fahd's Fountain from the corniche after dark
- Sunset around Jabal AlFil, Elephant Rock, in AlUla
Cheap eats
- Kabsa in a local restaurant, about 30–60 SAR
- Mutabbaq from a stall in Al-Balad, a few riyals
- Balila (spiced chickpeas) from a street stall, a few riyals
- Saleeg in a Hejazi restaurant, about 30–60 SAR
- Gahwa coffee with dates, often offered free in hotels and shops
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Olaya in Riyadh and near Al-Balad in Jeddah, where simple hotels cost about 250–400 SAR a room. AlUla has few budget options; book early.
Getting around cheaply
Use the Riyadh Metro (about 4 SAR for 2 hours) and ride-hailing apps. Book domestic flights early. In AlUla, the hop-on hop-off bus is cheaper than a hire car for one or two people.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Masmak Fort (free) and Souq Al Zal
- Lunch: Kabsa in a local restaurant, about 40 SAR
- Afternoon: National Museum of Saudi Arabia (about 10–25 SAR)
- Evening: Metro to Olaya and dinner, about 40 SAR
- Total: about 360 SAR including a budget hotel room share
More ways to save
- Travel from November to February, when sightseeing is comfortable.
- Combine Riyadh and Jeddah with one AlUla stay rather than several flights.
- Share hire cars and tours in AlUla with other travellers.
- Eat your main meal in local restaurants rather than hotels.
- Check whether the hotel price includes 15% VAT before booking.
- Carry a refillable bottle; water is cheap in supermarkets.
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Common questions
Can I visit Saudi Arabia on a budget?
With effort: about 360 SAR a day per person in Riyadh and Jeddah, more in AlUla.
What is the cheapest way to travel between cities?
Domestic flights booked early; within Riyadh, the metro and ride-hailing apps.
What is free in Saudi Arabia?
Masmak Fort, the old souks, Al-Balad's lanes, the Jeddah Corniche and King Fahd's Fountain.