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Is Saudi Arabia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Saudi Arabia is mid-priced to expensive: a budget day is about 360 SAR per person (roughly €90) and a mid-range day about 900 SAR, before domestic flights. Local food and the Riyadh Metro are cheap; hotels in AlUla, timed-entry tickets, tours and the distances between regions are what make a trip costly.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Meal in a local restaurant | about 30–60 SAR |
| Fine-dining meal | about 150–300 SAR |
| Riyadh Metro, 2-hour ticket | about 4 SAR |
| Domestic flight, one way, booked ahead | about 250–600 SAR |
| At-Turaif in Diriyah | about 100 SAR |
| Hegra guided tour | about 100–300 SAR |
| Hire car in AlUla, per day | about 200–350 SAR |
| Tourist e-visa with insurance | about 535 SAR |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, particularly in AlUla, where mid-range hotels run about 600–1,200 SAR and canyon resorts 2,500–6,000 SAR; budget hotels in Riyadh and Jeddah start around 250–400 SAR. Sights and tours are the second cost, as AlUla's sites are on timed tickets and many experiences are guided. Domestic flights between Riyadh, AlUla and Jeddah add several hundred riyals each, and hotels add 15% VAT. Local food is good value.
When it is cheaper
Hotel prices are usually lower outside the cooler season and major festivals, but from May to September inland temperatures exceed 40–45°C. AlUla is most expensive during the winter festival period, roughly December to February.
How to spend less
- Book domestic flights on Saudia, flynas or flyadeal well ahead for the lowest fares.
- Use the Riyadh Metro and ride-hailing apps instead of taxis from hotels.
- Eat in local restaurants serving kabsa, saleeg and mutabbaq rather than hotel restaurants.
- Book AlUla tickets directly on the Experience AlUla website to avoid reseller mark-ups.
- Visit AlUla in November or March for good weather outside the busiest festival weeks.
- Apply for the e-visa only on the official Visit Saudi portal.
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Common questions
Is Saudi Arabia expensive?
Mid-priced to expensive: about 360 SAR a day on a budget and about 900 SAR mid-range, plus domestic flights.
How much is the Saudi tourist visa?
The e-visa costs about 535 SAR including medical insurance, valid for one year with stays of up to 90 days.
Is AlUla expensive?
Yes, it is the priciest part of most trips: mid-range hotels run about 600–1,200 SAR, and sites are on timed tickets.