Traveling to Saudi Arabia on a budget is possible
Saudi Arabia was virtually closed to travel except for religious pilgrims and business purposes for years, but now, Saudi Arabia is now completely opened for international tourism. With unique landforms, historical sites, modern cities and sacred sites, Saudi Arabia is seeing more visitors every year. It is very easy to see how costs can add up really fast, if you are not being meticulous about costs. Nevertheless, it is possible to experience Saudi Arabia on a budget without having to sacrifice having great travel experiences, if you put in your time to plan, have a little flexibility, and consider some friendly tips!
Time of Travel
One of the most important steps to travel and upkeep to eating well within a budget is choosing the right time to go. Airfare and hotel prices vary a great deal by season; the general rule is that high travel times, such as Ramadan, Hajj, Umrah, school holidays or national holidays usually have slightly lower rates than off season times. The months of January through March and September through November have favorable weather and reasonable rates; also traveling off season allows you to see tourist sites more thoroughly without the crowd. You should be able to enjoy the experience much more!
Opt for budget accommodation
Saudi Arabia has a variety of lodging services to offer , from high end hotels to low budget hostels . In order to save on your budget, stay in a country 2- or 3- star hotel, furnished residential apartments or local hostels that accept 2- or 3- star hotel ratings or the list of hotels by Booking, Agoda or Airbnb with price filters and user reviews – although it is generally true that smaller cities such as Taif, Abha or Hail offer better rates and deal making options – prices can often be negotiated in person on site off season.
Use Public and Shared Transport
Moving around Saudi Arabia can be expensive when using taxis or rental cars alone. Luckily, the country is rapidly expanding its public transportation networks – in Riyadh and Jeddah there are modern yet cost-efficient city buses available while for intercity travel, bus companies like SAPTCO offer comfortable connections at competitive prices; train travel between Riyadh and Dammam is another good option while ridesharing apps such as Uber or Careem can allow users to share costs more affordably when travelling between cities.
Eat local and avoid tourist restaurants
Saudi Arabian cuisine offers much variety which means that you can be well fed without spending a fortune. Local restaurants, small eateries and street stalls have traditional food available at reasonable prices – Kabsa, Shawarma, Falafel and Samosas as just several examples to enjoy and not too pricey either! You should also aim to avoid international chain restaurants in tourist areas; many of the accommodations also have shared kitchens, making it easier to self-category your time there!
Visit free or low – cost sites
Saudi Arabia boasts an abundance of natural, historical and cultural attractions that can be free or minimal cost to experience. Most mosques, souks, beaches, mountains, national parks are generally free to the public – you can visit the historic Al-Balad district in Jeddah, for free; you could visit Riyadh’s National Museum, which may offer reduced admission days or free admission days; festivals, exhibitions and public events are all great ways to learn about Saudi Arabia with a minimal expense – just check opening hours and if anything is required for access beforehand so that your trip goes smoothly!
Use local apps to save money.
Many mobile apps make the lives of travelers easier and enable them to cut expenses. Uber, Careem and Jenny are essential in providing travel services, while HungerStation or Jahez offer discounts at restaurants; local apps like Almosafer or WeGo may offer competitive accommodation rates; currency converters can convert your currency for you or provide weather information, among many other useful applications; using them wisely can reduce unnecessary expenditure and gain efficiency in use.
Travel in a Group or with Family
Sharing costs with others allows you to share costs and take advantage of group rates, with accommodations being shared, routes optimized and meals prepared collectively. Some local agencies even offer economical tours for small groups that include lodging, transportation and tours! Traveling as a family allows you to take advantage of discounts for children at museums, parks and public transit – plus the friendly environment adds human connection while encouraging interaction with locals!
Follow local rules to avoid fines
Obey the local laws, rules, and regulations in all their diverse forms; otherwise, you might find yourself paying a lot more than you planned on. Always keep in mind that budget travel is about managing costs, but it is also about preventing and avoiding outlaid money wherever you can.Paying fines must always be avoided. In Saudi Arabia, any number of various rules or local customs around things like parking, dilapidating the dress code, use of a mobile phone while in public, and inattentive or disrespectful behavior may attract fines that you never expected. If in any way you use the incorrect rule, you may find yourself paying much more for that fine. Learning about the rules early, with a respectful outlook and avoiding risky situations will be vital to having a great experience and not having to spend it on fine or undesirable expenses later on. Complying with health standards during pandemic outbreaks is also key.
Plan an Appropriate Budget
To travel on a tight budget, a realistic and well-distributed budget must be established and followed. When setting this amount aside for travel costs, it should cover fixed expenses (flights, accommodation and transport), variable costs such as meals, sightseeing, souvenirs, as well as unexpected expenses such as bank fees. Spending tracker apps, such as TripIt, to help within your budget may help. Also, avoid bank fees by paying with local currency when possible and compare exchange rates on currency comparison websites – simple ways of staying within your spending limit!
Take advantage of free and enriching experiences
Take Advantage of Free and Enriching Experiences. A successful trip should not only be measured by expenses but by memories and emotions as well. Saudi Arabia has tons of experiences that cost you nothing: attending prayer in a magnificent mosque, watching the sun set over the desert, meeting local artisans or tasting coffee from souks are just a few of what can happen here. These experiences of sharing, reflection, and discovery will often have more importance than any travel expense when they remember them. Traveling with some curiosity and openness allows one to live fully, even if traveling is limited by cash!
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