Saudi Arabia in 7 Days: Itinerary with Travel Time, Costs, and Highlights
Saudi Arabia is quickly growing as an in-demand travel destination for people worldwide. It has a mix of everything, from a journey to the past in AlUla to the modern luxuries of Riyadh. This compelling mix of natural beauty with man-made marvels makes Saudi Arabia a dream destination for many travelers.
Saudi Arabia has no shortage of places to visit. So, if you are planning a 7-day trip to this country, you have to be tactical. A proper strategy can help you make a practical plan to visit all the key locations in the country. This guide aims to take you one step closer to that ideal strategy.
Why is Now the Correct Time to Visit Saudi Arabia?
2019 was a historic year for Saudi Arabia. It opened its doors to international tourists, launching the Saudi eVisa. The latest in tourism initiatives is Vision 2030. This has driven significant investment into the tourism infrastructure of the country, with an ideal combination of traditional roots and modern ambition
You’ve got to see it to believe it. And what better moment to plan a trip from Britain to Saudi Arabia than now?
What Can Be an Ideal 7-Day Saudi Itinerary?
What could be an ideal Saudi Arabia itinerary for 7 days? Well, what better way to start than with a systematically drawn chart posting all key points? Here it is:
|
Day |
Destination |
Highlights |
Travel Time and Transport |
Estimated Expense (in GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Riyadh |
National Museum, Kingdom Centre, Diriyah |
Arrival via King Khalid International Airport
6h 45m from London 8h+ from Manchester 14h+ from Liverpool |
150-300 |
|
2 |
Riyadh to AlUla |
Maraya, Desert stargazing |
Flight (1h 45m) |
185 (approx.) |
|
3 |
AlUla |
Hegra, Elephant Rock |
Local transportation and tours |
110-150 |
|
4 |
AlUla to Medina |
Exploring Medina |
By road (3h 39m) By flight (4 to 5h) |
75-110 |
|
5 |
Medina to Jeddah |
Corniche, Al-Balad, Red Sea |
By flight (1h 10m) By train (2h) |
55-75 |
|
6 |
Jeddah |
Seafood dinner, Souks, Floating mosques |
Local exploration and tours |
60-90 |
|
7 |
Jeddah to Return |
Souvenir shopping |
Transit to Airport |
20-40 |
Moreover, based on the itinerary depicted in the chart, an approximate total expenses for 7 days can amount to somewhere between £700-£1000 (or US$900-1200). This expenditure has been planned for a mid-range trip, including travel expenses and excluding international travel.
The above table depicts an ideal travel itinerary for 7 days in Saudi Arabia, especially if you are traveling from the United Kingdom. However, you can consider making your ideal itinerary, and cut out some of these steps, based on your preferences. But, make sure to plan it out properly before applying to get a Saudi Torist Visa .
What Top Experiences in Saudi Arabia You Can’t Miss?
Now that an ideal itinerary has been planned for 7 days, how are you planning to spend 7 days in Saudi Arabia? What places are must-visits in the country?
Keep track of them here:
| Experiences in Saudi Arabia | Visited (Y/N) |
|---|---|
| Hegra, the sister city of the famous Petra in Jordan, a significant archaeological site (UNESCO World Heritage Site) | (Y/N) |
| Visiting the ruins of Ancient Nabataean architecture such as tombs, rock-cut temples and residential areas carved into faces of hills and rock formations | (Y/N) |
| Taking in a panoramic view of the world from the Sky Bridge in Riyadh’s Kingdom Tower | (Y/N) |
| Stargazing in AlUla. And exploring the city to discover ancient civilizations and gorgeous landscapes, such as the Elephant Rock | (Y/N) |
| Exploring the coral architecture of Al-Balad, the old city district of Jeddah | (Y/N) |
| Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina | (Y/N) |
| Exploring modern malls and fine dining in Riyadh | (Y/N) |
| Shopping in traditional souks in different cities across the country | (Y/N) |
| Trying out the famous Kabsa and Saudi Coffee (Qahwa) | (Y/N) |
While this list barely scratches the surface of all the things you can do in Saudi Arabia, it can act as a good checklist for a 7-day trip. Even if you cannot do all of these things in 7 days, trying to do some of them (hopefully, a majority) will make your Saudi Tourist Visa worth it.
Travel Logistics and Entry Requirements
When visiting Saudi Arabia, there are certain things that tourists must keep track of. These include:
Visa
The Saudi eVisa (one year validity, multiple-entry, 90 days stay period) is available to citizens of 66 countries. Among the 66 countries, the United Kingdom is a country with the eligibility to the Saudi eVisa.
So, looking to visit the KSA? You can get your Saudi Tourist Visa approved as an eVisa.
Traveling within Saudi Arabia
If you are traveling in between cities in Saudi Arabia, the domestic flight route is a suitable option. The most notable airlines that fly domestically in Saudi Arabia are:
- Saudia
- Flynas
- Nesma Airlines
- Riyadh Air
There are also train options to travel within Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) link the eastern, central, and northern regions of the country. Meanwhile, you can also take the high-speed Haramain Railway, which connects the entire western region of Saudi Arabia.
These trains offer comfort, while the integrated rail system also enhances your travel experience by connecting the entire country, taking you to every spot you want to visit.
Saudi Arabia is also well-connected by highways, allowing for road travel. There are public bus networks, taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Careem, as well as car rentals with GPS-tracking.
Network and Connectivity
Connectivity is very simple in Saudi Arabia. Firstly, you can get extremely affordable prepaid SIM cards from providers such as STC, Zain or Mobily. Zain offers a connection package for tourists for only £8. On the other hand, STC offers 70 GB data and six hours of calls for £30. Mobily offers fairly reasonable packages as well, starting from £6.77 for 5 GB data with 14 days validity.
Also, Wi-Fi connections are widely available throughout the country, especially in the cosmopolitan areas such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
Budgeting Tips
Everything considered, one of the most important aspects to keep in mind when planning for a packed Saudi Arabia itinerary for 7 days, is the budget allocation. Depending on the overall expenditure that you have planned, your budget division can be based on budget, mid-range and luxury options.
Here is a table exploring all the possible budgeting choices you can make for a 7-day trip to Saudi Arabia:
| Planning Factors | Budget Choice | Mid-range Choice | Luxury Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Hostels, AirBnB (£30-60) | Hotels, Boutique Hotels (£80-140) | Luxury Resorts (£180-270) |
| Food | Local diners and eateries (£3-5) | Mid-range restaurants (£20-40) | Fine dining (£60-100) |
| Transport | Public buses, ride-sharing services | Private cars, trains | Limos with chauffeurs |
| Tours & Guides | Group tours (£10-20) | Private guides (£25-40) | Custom tours (£150-400) |
Following this budget breakdown can be suitable for your tour to Saudi Arabia from the UK. Therefore, when applying for a Saudi visa for British tourists, this should be in your plan. It is crucial as the visa application process can ask for an itinerary and evidence of financial backing.
Plan Your Saudi Tour Today!
Considering a cross-continental journey to Saudi? No need to worry about major contingencies or tour issues. Apply for a Saudi eVisa today, and plan a well-defined 7-day trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!
Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 4 days before your scheduled trip. Austrian citizens, Belgian citizens, Australian citizens, Swiss citizens and Turkish citizens can apply online for Online Saudi Visa.