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Travelling Without a Passport

The speck of a woman standing near an ancient site in Saudi Arabia

A Female Traveler’s Guide to Saudi Arabia

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

In November 2021, I accepted an invitation by the Saudi Tourism Authority to visit the widely unknown Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Although the reactions from my colleagues and friends varied (some were skeptical whereas others were simply excited for me), we all shared one thing: none of us knew exactly what to expect. On top of this, the coronavirus pandemic was far from over. But after my third dose, and additional testing precautions, I was ready to board the plane and start this adventure. 

Although the times are changing, there are still many misunderstandings and questions about Saudi Arabia. I hope my personal travel experience will shed some light on this lesser-known Middle Eastern country and serve as a guide for female travelers wanting to visit Saudi Arabia.

A woman looking down from the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Here’s everything you need to know: 

  • Solo travel vs group tours

Arriving in Saudi Arabia

Etiquette and customs, hotel facilities, beyond hummus: food & dining, beautiful landscapes, solo travel vs group tours .

Some people have strong opinions on whether group or solo travel is better, but there is no winner. In fact, this decision strongly depends on preference as well as the travel destination itself. 

A man in a white robe at Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Personally, I enjoy exploring destinations by myself and feel that solo travel is a wonderful experience full of surprises. However, I also believe that traveling to an unknown destination like Saudi Arabia can be an adventure in itself. So this time around, I was happy to get to travel as part of a group. 

For me, one of the biggest advantages was the added safety and peace of mind that came from having wonderful tour guides. Not only were they around at all times to answer questions, but they were very familiar with the places we visited and could offer expert knowledge and tips. This made me feel completely safe and relaxed. 

The second (but no less important) reason why I wanted to travel in a group was that you get to connect with new people from different backgrounds. You learn about their lives and get to experience a foreign culture and country with them. Without even talking about it, you all know that you’re on this incredible adventure, together. It’s a wonderful feeling. And in a blink of an eye, strong friendships are born. Though it may feel like you’ve known each other for years, in reality, it’s only been a few days!

Different landscapes and people in Saudi Arabia

See Also: Group Tours Vs Solo Travel: Which Travel Style is For You?

Saudi Arabia was formerly closed as a travel destination for foreigners and only recently launched an international tourist visa in September 2019. Although it had to stop issuing visas due to the pandemic, the KSA finally reopened again in August 2021. Tourists from 49 countries are now eligible to apply online for a tourist visa. In fact, the country is focused on growing the tourism sector and has been making major changes and investments to help reach this goal. 

One of the questions I heard a lot was whether a woman could apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia. The answer is yes. Women can even travel solo to Saudi Arabia. However, it is important to bear in mind that there is still a broad gender separation throughout the Saudi Arabian society that will influence and determine your travel. For example, there are separate lines for women and children at the airport security checkpoints, and only female security guards are allowed to check the women.

See Also: Saudi Arabia Travel Guide

Just as you would do before any international trip, check the validity of your passport and ensure you’ve obtained all the necessary tourist visas. Nowadays, it’s also important to stay informed on the current health advisories and travel warnings. However, what you may not know is that reading about cultural etiquette can be relevant as well. So, before your flight to Saudi Arabia, I recommend doing some research. This is equally important for men and women.

Because the Middle East has many rules and traditions, being aware of the cultural norms will not only protect you from awkward situations but will save you from serious trouble. For example, any violation of public decency in the KSA can result in penalties. This includes taking pictures or videos of people without their permission. Another thing to keep in mind is the traditional dress code.

I did not have to wear an abaya.

Although I read it’s no longer compulsory for women to wear an abaya (the traditional dress), I planned to buy one upon arrival. However, once in Saudi Arabia, I realized this wasn’t necessary. So instead, I wore modest clothing: long, loose skirts and tops that covered my arms and chest.

While locals stared at us (some more discreetly than others), everyone was exceptionally friendly. They were just curious about tourists since they rarely see one. So, don’t get scared by the attention. Instead, prepare yourself for people wanting to take a photo with you. With this said, if you’d prefer to be less noticed, then stick with your group or wear an abaya .

My personal advice: dress conservatively. Make sure you show as little skin as possible and don’t wear anything too tight or form-fitting. If you’d like an example, see what I’m wearing in the picture below.

Woman smiling at Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Depending on the size of the hotel and its particular standards, there may be different regulations when it comes to using the gym, spa, or swimming pool. For example, some hotels have separate gyms (one for women and one for men). At other smaller hotels, there may be certain hours set aside for when women can enjoy the gym. The same goes for the pools and spas. However, some hotels may only allow men to use the swimming pools. So, if you are planning to use any of these facilities, make sure you look into all of these points before booking your accommodation.

Because gender segregation in restaurants and cafes is no longer required by law, everywhere I ate during my trip had one entrance and one dining area for both men and women. Terrific, right? Now let’s focus on the incredible cuisine! 

A food image showing a traditional Saudi Arabian meal with lamb and side dishes

From your very first meal in Saudi Arabia, you’ll quickly see that food plays an important role in the culture. Traditional dishes are wholesome and hearty – often served on massive platters for the whole table to share. And the best part is that the cuisine varies from one city to another. Along the coast, you’ll get fresh seafood like shellfish and shrimp. In other parts of the country, you’ll eat piles of steaming rice crowned with roasted chicken, lamb, or even camel.

Another central part of the Saudi Arabian culture is Arabic coffee. In fact, it’s used as a sign of hospitality to welcome guests. The coffee is mixed with spices like cloves and cardamom and is often served alongside fresh dates or other sweets. No matter what time it is or where you go in the country, you’ll always find coffee.

See Also: Around The World: The Ultimate Food Bucket List

Mountain scenery in Al Taif, Saudi Arabia

When you think of Saudi Arabia, you may picture an arid sand desert – and you would be right. However, with a size of over 2.15 million square kilometers, this vast country offers a broad variety of landscapes from deserts and mountain ranges to beautiful beaches and untouched islands. In fact, the KSA has a coastline along both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf which offers beach adventures year-round. From water activities and white sand beaches to national parks and coastal historic towns, Saudi Arabia has it all. 

Visiting Saudi Arabia in late November turned out to be the perfect time of year to experience this fascinating country. During the day, the temperatures reached up to around 85°F and the evenings were mild. If you also plan to take advantage of the KSA’s particularly pleasant weather from mid-September to mid-December, just remember to bring a sweater for the evenings (and also for all the air-conditioned buildings).

All in all, Saudi Arabia was nothing like I expected. From the most hospitable people to delicious traditional food and breathtaking landscapes, I quickly realized that this country is incredibly diverse and has plenty to offer. Just keep in mind that a trip to the KSA requires a bit more preparation and, once there, you must follow certain rules – but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. Yalla!

People taking pictures at the famous Elephant Rock in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Ready to explore the land of a thousand and one adventures? Head over to TourRadar and start planning your Saudi Arabia trip today!

This article was written by Marie Weindlmayr (based on her experiences in Saudi Arabia) and edited by Stephanie Fuchs.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Marie Weindlmayr

Based in Vienna (Austria), Marie is Digital Marketing Manager at TourRadar. When she is not travelling, you can find her cooking, gardening or exploring Vienna and its surrounding areas by bike.

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'Do you have to cover your face (in Saudi Arabia)?': What to know about solo female travel in the kingdom

Muslims pray during the first dawn prayers of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on April 13, 2021.

  • Saudi Arabia is extending electronic visas for visitors coming from 49 countries – including the U.S.
  • While wearing the abaya or headscarf is not mandatory anymore, modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders is recommended.
  • The kingdom is just opening up to tourists and for locals in smaller towns and villages, it is still somewhat of a novelty.

As a female and second-generation expatriate who has lived in Saudi Arabia for nearly three decades, one question that I get asked often is: "Is Saudi Arabia safe for women?"

Or even: "Do you have to cover your face?"

Up until 2019, the kingdom only issued business or visitor visas for a religious pilgrimage to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. As a plan to diversify its economy through tourism and entertainment (like neighboring Dubai), the country announced an electronic visa for visitors coming from 49 countries – including the United States. 

As tourism to Saudi Arabia for either business or pleasure gains traction, we answer a few of your burning questions for solo female travel.

How can I travel through the country?

Saudi Arabia does not have a public transportation system. The easiest and safest way to get around the metropolitan cities of Riyadh and Jeddah is by using ride-hailing apps like Uber, Careem, Wsslini, and Bolt. Some apps have the option of choosing a female driver.

An affordable and efficient train line links Riyadh to the eastern province of the country, where smaller cities – like the UNESCO world heritage site of Al Qarah caves or the historical Qaisariah Souq of Al-Hofuf – may be of interest. On the west, a train line links Jeddah to religious sites. Separate seating areas for women in trains and transport lounges are the norm.

Sheila Russell, the British travel blogger behind Saudi Travel Notes advises on hiring a driver or opting for the " Vintage Land Rover " experience at AlUla, which will allow enough time to visit all the archeological sites.

Where can I stay?

The major metropolitan cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam have a slew of accommodation options – ranging from fully furnished rentals to high-end hotels. CouchSurfing is not a popular option and is highly discouraged. If traveling on a budget, Airbnb and OYO rooms are affordable and safer options.

In developing tourist locations like AlUla during December and the mountainous Rijal Almaa from July through September, accommodation options (particularly, budget) are limited, and prices hike up during tourist seasons.

What should I wear?

Alina Calianu, a Polish digital nomad who has visited Saudi Arabia several times over the past four years, does not wear an abaya (a full-body cloak that was until recently, mandated by the government).

"The abaya is still traditional attire, particularly, among Saudi women. But even they are starting to adopt modest clothing," she says.

As with any country, it is important to be respectful of the culture. While wearing the abaya or headscarf is not mandatory anymore, wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. It's a good idea to keep a long, lightweight sweater or coverall handy as temperatures – contrary to popular belief that Saudi Arabia is a hot country – tend to drop drastically during the months of December through mid-February.

Story continues below. 

What is etiquette?

In general, solo female travel through Saudi Arabia is safe and you will find locals welcoming. Calianu has always found locals keen to help.

"They go out of their way to help, even if they don't know English. There is willingness from everybody to assist," she says.

Arab hospitality is famed, and it is the norm for locals to offer gifts and address women in endearing terms like "dear" or "lovely." 

The kingdom is just opening up to tourists and for locals in smaller towns and villages, it is still somewhat of a novelty. On the other hand, cultural reforms take time, so best to mirror the etiquette of your guide, host or locals.

Do not offer a handshake with the opposite gender, until they do so first. A common way of greeting men is placing a right hand on your chest and nodding with an "Ahlan" (hello).

Shaistha Khan is a travel and culture writer who has lived in Saudi Arabia for nearly three decades and traveled extensively through the Arabian Gulf. You can follow her on Twitter: @khan_shaistha .

9 Misconceptions about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman

By Joan Torres 28 Comments Last updated on October 10, 2023

can a woman travel to Saudi Arabia alone

In the last few years, I have been traveling extensively across the Middle East and other Muslim countries, so it is not surprising at all that, every week, I receive tons of requests and questions from kick-ass women who wish to travel to the same places.

Since I am a man, all my articles tend to be kind of male-oriented, not on purpose though, but it is just that, sometimes, I forget that the experience for women may be totally different.

When I was posting all the photos and videos from my visit to Saudi Arabia on my Instagram Stories , people were actually amazed at all the places I visited and the people I met, as they were so many miles away from all the stereotypes the media has been showing us during the last decade.

Those images really triggered the interest of many travelers who would have never thought of going there, and that included many women as well.

However, since Saudi is known for being an extremely patriarchal country, I received more questions than I had ever received before, some of them asking about safety, while others if it was even possible to go travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman alone.

As always, I can’t give an accurate response about solo female traveling but, luckily, during my journey, I met Nada from Nadal Al Nahdi , a 20-something-year-old backpacker who has traveled solo to some very cool destinations such as Pakistan , Afghanistan, Oman and  Sudan , and the coolest thing about her is that she is half-Yemeni, half-Indonesian.

Nada actually grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, so she knows the people and culture very well and has traveled around the country extensively, so who could be better than her to explain about solo female travel in Saudi Arabia?

In this article, Nada takes us through the 9 misconceptions about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman. 

traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman

Here are some common misconceptions about solo female travel in Saudi Arabia. 

1 – As a female, I need a guardian to travel to Saudi and around Saudi.

Remember to get travel insurance for Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s health care is extremely expensive, so insurance is a must. IATI Insurance offers different plans, for all budgets. Get your 5% exclusive discount if purchasing via this link

No. No. No.

This common misconception needs to be eradicated as soon as possible. 

Women can travel to Saudi Arabia alone. I travel around independently all the time and, definitely, without a guardian.

The ‘guardian thing’ is more of a cultural thing, not the law. What I mean is that, in general, Arabs treat females as queens, something I am not complaining about, but the concept of females being independent is not something they can comprehend.

I am not saying they are close minded but it is a scene they are not used to. However, as things are opening up and changing, this is starting to slowly wear out.

I’m going to share an incident that happened to me on 4 th January 2019.

I needed to travel from Jeddah to Riyadh . The flights were ridiculously expensive, and I missed the bus, so I went outside the bus station to hop in any of the carpooling services which are called “Kadad”. I got in one, slept comfortably throughout the journey until we reached the checkpoint to enter Riyadh .

The police asked us to pull over, took our IDs and asked standard procedure questions.

Keep in mind that I was the ONLY female in a car of 7 men; the driver and 6 male passengers.

Three policemen came to me one by one, asking where my guardian was and how could I travel without one. 

I simply answered: I do not need a guardian and I can travel around without a guardian . 

The police insisted that was an issue, so they wanted to hand me in and report me.

I said: What are you going to report me for? I did not do anything .

He was stunned and said that they would explain the procedure at the station.

I was NOT ONE BIT scared because I knew my rights and that that was not the law. This is just the culture he has in his house.

Long story short, the higher rank guy came out and instructed the policemen who were questioning us to let us go as long as our documents were legal.

There you have it, a proven and real-life situation with the man of the law that females do not need a guardian.

You may also be interested in: Is it ethical to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist?

Travelling to Saudi Arabia as a single woman

2 – I need to get a burqa aka ninja cover and a headscarf

I’m going to let photos speak for me.

Here’s a photo of me in Jeddah:

Solo female travel Saudi Arabia

This is me in Al Ula:

can a woman travel to Saudi Arabia

And when traveling to remote areas and going for activities such as hiking, climbing, and camping, abayas are not needed at all.

Here’s a photo of me hiking at Wabah Crater :

can you travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman

And don’t forget to pack your bikinis! Yes, females can wear bikinis in Saudi when you are on a boat trip or at any of the private beaches. Private beaches can be accessed at a certain fee.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

While in the city, all you need is decent and long outerwear. It can be of any color and pattern. We love colors, patterns and unique styles!

Don’t be surprised when strangers come up to you and ask “Where did you get the abaya from?!” I get that a lot too.

As for scarves and burqa, they are absolutely not required.

During the questioning I mentioned in point 1, the policemen asked me to cover my hair and, of course, I did not cover my hair because, one, it’s not the law, and two, I didn’t have a scarf anyway.

Sometimes, this happens on the streets when random religious men yell out at you and ask you to cover. The best thing to do is to just ignore them and continue doing your thing.

Again, this is a culture, not the law. Please don’t take it that if we don’t wear a scarf is disrespecting the culture. It’s a personal choice.

Read more stories from kick ass solo female women in offbeat destinations!

3 – I need to be covered to avoid harassment

Harassment is an unfortunate worldwide issue that is specific to the person, not the country or culture.

6 years ago, I faced harassments here and there. In recent years, I have not experienced any harassment.

The worst one I get these days is someone coming up to me and slowly whispering “Mumken Snapchat?” which means “Can I have your Snapchat?”

Simply say no and walk away and that’s the end of it.

Read: Places to visit in Saudi Arabia, a 15-day itinerary

4 – As a female, I cannot hang out or be seen with unrelated men.

This is again not true.

Whether it’s in the city or remote areas, unrelated men and women, basically, a group of mixed gender, can mingle and hang out whenever, and wherever.

Here’s a photo of my friends and me in Jeddah, along with a tourist/travel blogger @ morinasworld

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

and here in Jizan, mingling with locals while exploring the area.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

5 – The Religious Police are everywhere and monitoring women

The religious police do not have any authority, hence they cannot act on anything without being accompanied by the officials. Moreover, I have not seen religious police in the last 2 years.

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6 – Women cannot rent a car

Yes, we can. I’ve rented cars in different cities in Saudi with absolutely no issues, as long as you have a valid driving license for those issued in Saudi/GCC and international driving license for others.

7 – It’s not safe to travel to Saudi Arabia as a solo female

In the first point, I mentioned that females are seen as queens and, therefore, must be protected and looked after.

The only thing you need to worry about is being fed way too much food and being introduced to all the family members, relatives, and neighbors, who will keep you for a never-ending conversation because they want to make sure you get the best hospitality. 

Another potential danger might be being offered some camel milk. 

How to travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman

8 – Saudi is not for everyone.

Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Saudi IS for EVERYONE.

Have you seen Saudi on the map?

It’s HUGE! It’s actually the fifth largest country in Asia.

From those who love to lounge by the sea to those looking for adventures, Saudi is for any kind of female traveler, really. Moreover, the culture in Saudi is so diverse that only 1:10 of my friends are purebred.

The traditions and cultures within the region itself are also very diverse. The northernmost part of the country has similarities to the Levant Arab countries, like Palestine and Jordan , while the southernmost part of the country resembles Yemen so much that it makes me feel like home!

Saudi Arabia has amazing historical sites such as Madinah Saleh, Rijal Almaa and many others.

is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman

Saudi Arabia is surrounded by the Red Sea, hence a perfect diving spot for divers, snorkelers or simply lounge by the beach or on a boat!

And, of course, the great desert landscape! Saudi Arabia got you covered with black, brown and red sand dunes! And there are much more than just the desert and the sea. There are many unexplored caves, unclimbed mountains, and stunning valleys!

Traveling in Saudi Arabia as a woman

9 – This is an exaggerated post and it’s not what it’s like in reality

Please have a look into these Instagram accounts based in Saudi that will also show you the reality of Saudi Arabia as a Saudi woman and a non-Saudi woman. 

@ nadaalnahdi – Yemeni/Indonesian living in Saudi @ blueabaya – Finnish married to a Saudi and living in Saudi @ esraarayes – Saudi @ mearch_ – Saudi @ nirvana.abdul – Yemeni married to a Saudi @ saraomar_travels – Saudi @ mykindoffridays – Saudi @ redseacitizen – Saudi

If you have any more questions about traveling to Saudi as a woman, don’t hesitate to contact Nada  through her blog .

You can also follow and contact her on Instagram and Facebook .

I also recommend reading these 2 articles from her:

What you didn’t know about Pakistan

An impulsive visit to Afghanistan

More information for solo female travel in Saudi Arabia

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

More solo female travel guides

  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Jordan
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Lebanon
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Oman
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Pakistan
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
  • Solo Female Travel Guide to Sudan

After receiving so many emails from really kick-ass female travelers who want to wander around some of the most off the beaten track countries in the world, I decided to open a  Solo Female Traveling  section on my blog, to help women get to know the reality of traveling solo in these countries. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you think you have a nice experience to tell! 

More guides to Saudi Arabia

  • Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
  • Travel Guide to Riyadh
  • Where to Stay in Riyadh
  • Is it Ethical to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Tourist
  • Hitchhiking and Backpacking in Saudi Arabia
  • VPN for Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia Itinerary

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

28 comments

Good to know that it’s normal to travel alone in Saudi Arabia. The place looks so fascinating! I have been to Jordan, and I found it quite normal, too.

Hi, I’m an expat here in riyadh and I have an aunt working in jeddah, she’s inviting me to visit her in jeddah. I’ll be alone for sure, do I need anything to present at the airport? , aside the ticket and iqama. Your answer will be highly appreciated.

Hi, I don’t think you need to present anything

That’s good news indeed! Thanks! I’ll be going there for sure

“Saudi Arabia is EVERYONE”… Well, except if you are a gay person since any minimal display of affection in public to another person of your same sex (even just holding hands) can be punished with the DEATH penalty.

Displays of affection are not allowed, regardless of your gender.

If the police see a man and a woman kissing, they would also get arrested and yes, you are right that homosexuality can be punished with death penalty but controversially, you can’t imagine the massive gay scene you can find in Riyadh. You wouldn’t believe it.

In any case, if you wanna go to Saudi, you will have to subject to their rules. If subjecting to their rules is an issue for you, then don’t go. It’s that simple.

It’s fair enough to say that if you don’t like the rules, then you shouldn’t go. But you can’t say in good faith that Saudi Arabia is for EVERYONE when you can literally get the death penalty for being gay.

actually. holding hands with a person of the same sex would not be considered “gay” in most Asian countries. thats a very western perception of homosexuality. im not saying that saudi does not persecute gays its just that ‘holding hands’ is an indicator of homosexuality amongst Saudi men (or even South Asian men).

Now, if they see two White men holding hands in the city where a few Saudis know and are fully aware of western culture and how western culture views holding hands as ‘gay’, then it could raise some eyebrows. but amongst arabs itself its very common and its not viewed as sexual.

holding hands between a female and a male is also fine in all the negbouring gulf countries at least – it would be assumed that you are related or married and its not like theres any religious police there to appoarch you. kissing on the lips is a no-no – both between gays and straights.

I am considering a visit to see an old friend and his wife who currently lives in Saudi. Would it be appropriate to exchange hugs at the airport, or would this be considered a display of affection in public?

Hey Karen, I guess it depends on which kind of hug 🙂 But I don’t really know what would be the limits here. Maybe your friends know?

Hello,I am from India I ‘m planning to go to the bts concert in Riyadh this October.Anything I need to know?

I am not sure about specific-visa requirements for Indians, but just follow the tips from the visa section

Hii I m Hindu female I need to go to Riyadh Dammam for business purpose and I m unmarried will I get the visa…like I have heard u need to be married to get a visa

Hi No you don’t have to be married to get a visa don’t worry

Without sounding too disrespectful to the author of this article travelling solo to any country is not 100 percent safe for any woman. The author was obviously brave to have got into a vehicle with 7 Male men but for your own protection this is not something to be advised. Women must take caution so please don’t feel that just because this author has said this that’s it’s okay. I say this from having lived in Saudi myself not as someone from outside the country.

I traveled to Medina about 10 years ago with two men (one husband) and a little boy. We were never questioned about anything untoward and were treated beautifully (Egyptian men and my American self). The only stupid thing that I experienced was that after buying a coffee in a local cafe, we were not allowed to sit because they didn’t have a family section there and I was a female. I thought that the whole thing was ridiculous for if it was too risque for me to drink a coffee in an empty restaurant, then how risque was it for me to drink it walking down the street during Ramadan? However, we were treated to so many kindnesses as guests (when goodness knows they were overrun with guests!) Our cab driver wouldn’t less us pay-after he took us on an extended mosque tour in Medina. A stationer in Mecca wouldn’t let me pay for my purchases. I was a middle aged american woman but traveling with Arab speaking men, so I didn’t expect poor treatment or special treatment. Not being allowed in the cafe was the only thing that happened to me that was negative in a week in Saudi. Well, that and the bathrooms on the road between Riyaad and Mecca. They really need a Buccees over there!

This summer, I am planning to take my 17 year old daughter on a trip to Saudi Arabia. I have been to Egypt in 1989 and traveled with my son and daughter to Morocco in the summer of 2018. (I have traveled extensively around the world, but for the purposes of this e-mail, only my trips to Moslem countries is important.) Because we have been to Israel, it was impossible for us to travel to Saudi Arabia until now. I want to take my daughter now in case G forbid things change and we are unable to go. I plan to fly into Jetta, rent a car, and drive to Riydah, sightsee around there and then drive back to Jetta and do the same before flying back to the US. I plan to stay with my daughter at an apartment hotel in Ridyah and Jetta so we can do our own cooking and ask for the hotel to arrange for day guides for us. I have a teacher colleague that has lived in Saudi Arabia so she is going to help to let us know what to do around Jetta and Riydah. I also plan to see what Lonely Planet recommends to see in Saudi Arabia as it has helped us to plan trips to Brazil, Belieze, China, Peru, Equador, Mexico, Guatamala, Morocco, and Europe. With all of the conflicting information, I need to know if I am able to rent a car and drive between the two cities? Do I need a special driver’s license to drive in Saudi Arabia? As it is a Moslem country how easy can credit cards be used? We found in Morocco that credit cards were difficult and we needed cash. Do we need to wear an abya? I have heard in Ridayh yes and no. Jetta is supposed to be more open. Can I travel with my daughter alone in Saudi Arabia? Are we allowed to go to the Riyadh zoo by ourselves? Are banking hours restricted for women?

Hi there, all your questions and more are answered in this guide: https://againstthecompass.com/en/travel-to-saudi-arabia/

The only thing I don’t know is very specific questions such as the zoo and the banking hours.

You will be fine,

Been living in Saudi many years. While things are changing in the big cities in provincial areas it’s another matter. Currently based in Buraydah, and as a woman you would be crazy to walk around showing your hair. To avoid unwanted attention it’s best to go with the flow and do the same as everyone else. My wife was actually physically attacked in a supermarket in Buraydah for not wearing a niqab. What works in Riyadh or Jeddah won’t work everywhere. I do agree that Saudis are great hosts though. But even then my wife had just had enough after 6 years. It’s just too restrictive at the end of the day. I’m sure they’ll get there in the end, but they’ve got a long way to go.

In the end you’re living in Buraydah. It’s a common stereotype between Saudis that Qassim region is the most conservative with the most religious fanatics . You’re speaking of the Alabama of Saudi Arabia.

Everything in article true. Im a California all American women and doctorbeen working in Saudi for 20 years. Years ago things were VERY different but life here over past 2-3 years has changed 500%! Its truly westernized now. I drive by myself and move freely in city, airports and stayed in hotels in Jeddah, Taif and Dammam alone with no issues. I used to need escort, had to cover hair and wear abaya before with threat of arrest. Today i go to resturants and stores without headcover and many times with pants and my clinic jacket. No issues at all. Life is easy here now and Saudis are very friendly and as article no religious police harrassing you as seen in okd days. Women are working everywhere from store sales to managers, they are active in Saudi workforce and im so happy see all the changes. They do however hold on to their culture and foreigners should always respect local county culture. Theres so much for them to share here for tourism so I highly recommend visit here… its safe, comfirtable and fun. Winter usually amazing weather and a vast array of entertainment from Circus de soleil to concerts to resturants from around the world. When visiting I only recommend show them respect and dress “modestly” which means its not South Beach Florida haha but casual attire of pants, skirts, dresses doesnt insult or embarrass anyone . Dont miss Saudi if you visit the region !

Hi, I found your blog interesting & fun, but I have a little comment, hope you take it in more constructive way, The misconception of the idea of being Tourist & a Local is different. Don’t engaged both, otherwise your are putting others in compromise, yet 100% is true that everything is changed, but I don’t think the culture & rules adjust too, particularly in local woman travelling, as you trying to point in you blog. Maybe I’m wrong but take it a consideration to allow yourself to explore more deep in your content. I came out with this reply because your subject, Nada is not a local, she’s a half Yemeni half Indonesian, even though she was born here she’s still consider an expat. In short she was raised by Parents with different view, maybe similar but not totally. I suggest you better interview a pure local but you need a permission to there Guardian if they will allowed you. Hope so.

Thanks for sharing this information. As a women or a solo traveller i also had these misconceptions, usually people think a lot before travelling to Muslim countries but now i am ready to explore Saudi Arabia very soon.

Thanks for your tips would be great for my upcoming trip. do you have any suggestion for accomdation in Jeddah .I am a solo female traveller

With our groups, we used to stay at Shada Hotel Shatea. It’s a bit pricey but next to it there’s Lotaz Hotel, which is a pretty good deal

Hi there, Many thanks for publishing a blog about your travel experience in Saudi Arabia – it looks wonderful!

I’m considering traveling to the area for a few days to perform pilgrimage.

Could you please provide any insights on the current atmosphere and security situation for a solo female traveler and is the conflict in the neighboring countries having any impact on the travelers/visitors?

Any tips on how to get from Jeddah to Mecca and Mecca to Madinah would be great or any other words of wisdom you can offer. Thank you so much!

Hello! I was wondering where your photo in Jeddah was taken? Looking to visit 🙂 thank you!

“Three policemen came to me one by one, asking where my guardian was and how could I travel without one. The police insisted that was an issue, so they wanted to hand me in and report me.”

Well that wouldn’t be terrifying at all, it’s absolutely fine for female visitors!

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What it's really like to visit Saudi Arabia as a solo female traveller

"Why would you go to Saudi Arabia, as a woman on your own? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?"

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Curious about Saudi Arabia? It's possible to visit as a tourist. Picture: Getty Images

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I went to Saudi Arabia, this stunned me

I went to Saudi Arabia, this stunned me

World famous chefs flocking to the Middle East

World famous chefs flocking to the Middle East

“Why would you go to Saudi Arabia, as a woman on your own? Don’t you know it’s dangerous? Are you naïve or crazy?” warn friends.

Surely there’s a difference between crazy and curious. I ventured there simply because I’d never been. I’d wanted to see for myself a country much maligned in the media and only recently open to tourists. And I’d always wondered how much might actually be viewed through those narrow eye slits in a burka.

Any anxiety soon morphed into amazement after landing in a modern airport with free Wi-Fi, no queues and courteous customs officials who only glanced at my visa, easily obtained online.

Speaking of customs, I arrived dressed in black with a headscarf. Although no longer required, I usually wore one, even if somewhat inelegantly. More stylishly dressed women spontaneously greeted: “Welcome to our country. Thank you for respecting our culture.”

Saudi Arabia is reinventing itself as a modern destination. Picture: Getty Images

Behind the veils, I peered into smiling, dark chocolate eyes that pierced right through any ethnic bias. An obvious curiosity, I saw only one other Westerner, apart from when golfing in an expat compound. Yet, there was little problem communicating. According to statistics, more than 97 per cent of Saudis speak English — but with varying degrees of fluency, I might add.

Riyadh, with its 7.5 million residents, offers free healthcare but little public transport, although a new metro is under construction. Few locals walk outside, which made it easy to whiz around footpaths on electric scooters in the newer neighbourhoods. Watch your step elsewhere — best to avoid eligibility for disability parking signs that display: “Handicapped Access — People of Determination.”

Meanwhile, billboards around the Jeddah Grand Prix circuit read: “Overtake the future.”

Motorists seemed determined to do so because white lines on 14-lane freeways appeared only decorative. It made me wonder if women, who became fighter pilots before they could drive legally, might question what they’d wished for. I opted for readily available and inexpensive Ubers and convinced one driver to let me do a lap around a parking lot — just because I now could.

Riyadh is a fascinating blend of old and new. Picture: Getty Images

“To make you welcome, dear lady,” he’d earlier fumbled on his phone for Spotify to play the Australian national anthem while changing lanes at 100 kilometres per hour.

That was the most dangerous incident during my entire visit.

I feasted on falafels and flat bread fresh from a street-side oven, a breakfast buffet at a five-star hotel or tacos at a mid-range Mexican eatery. Some restaurants, banks and other services still have segregated areas for men and women, but shopping centre food courts offer everyone an array of cuisine and global brand names.

It's no longer mandatory for foreign women to wear head scarves, but most do. Picture: Getty Images

These shopping precincts are an oasis to gather in 55-degree Celsius summer heat. December’s mid-twenties winter temperatures were as welcoming as the people. From modern malls to ancient souks; from Red Sea swims to desert hikes, I felt comfortable and was never harassed.

I met men practicing polygamy but most readily offered: “I only have one wife.”

Some quipped: “More is too expensive.”

Looking south from the 99th floor Kingdom Centre skybridge between Riyadh’s own Twin Towers, stands the old town of Diriyah with its Deera Square, also known as Judgement Square, where horrific public executions once took place. I fortunately only witnessed the kindness of strangers during a music festival that evening. In the adjacent Al Zal Souk, crowded shops sold gold, perfume, carpets, clothing, and knives.

Souks (markets) offer welcome respite from the summer heat. Picture: Getty Images

It is wise to abstain from condoning or judging another country. Speaking of abstinence, not a drop of alcohol was consumed, but my thirst and curiosity quenched with Arab coffees and mint lime juices — as refreshing as the brief glimpse of Saudi itself.

A litre of drinkable water is no longer more expensive than a litre of oil. But without a single river in the nation and home to one of the largest oil reserves on the planet, the Kingdom indeed appears to be re-inventing itself to be modern — but not Western.

When the Saudis upset Argentina in the first round of the World Cup Football, a public holiday was declared. I predict that with a bit more focus on reliable information and customer service standards to match their impressive infrastructure, this country will kick more goals internationally as tourists discover an ancient land rich in both oil and culture.

So, was it crazy and naive, as friends suggested, to visit as a solo woman?

Let’s just say that I felt safer in Saudi than in Sydney on a Saturday night.

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can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Solo female travel in Saudi Arabia: Seven myths busted

Last year I was lucky enough to travel with one of our first Explore groups to Saudi Arabia. We walked barefoot on sandy deserts and stood on a precipice at the edge of the world; we came up close and personal to ancient cave-paintings that have only recently become public knowledge; we immersed ourselves in the smells and sounds of the world’s largest camel market, and we were welcomed with Arabic hospitality in every corner.  

Since my return, I’ve fielded many a question about my journey as a solo female traveller. How was I treated? What did I wear? Did I need to cover myself up in public? Times are changing quickly in Saudi Arabia, and figuring out how to travel as a solo woman seems like a minefield. To help with this, I’ve put together a myth-busting guide to the most common misconceptions about travelling in Saudi Arabia as a female. While laws for locals and tourists differ, all of these apply to travellers and many of them are now applicable to local Saudi women.

A male guardian is necessary

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Women have to cover themselves

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Unmarried couples cannot share a room

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Mingling with single men is forbidden

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

It’s not safe to walk around solo

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

You’ll be subjected to unwanted attention

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Swimming is only for men

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What it’s like to travel as a woman in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East — and one of the most mysterious. After all, most travelers were not allowed to visit for decades until 2019, the year the Kingdom opened its doors to tourists from 49 countries, including the United States.

This richly diverse country has also endured its share of controversies, as well as a reputation for treating women as second-class citizens who must cover their bodies (including their faces) from head to toe.

I have to say, I had plenty of preconceived notions about visiting Saudi Arabia before I hopped on my initial flight from Paris to Riyadh, the country’s thriving capital. But what it was really like for me to travel to Saudi Arabia is a lot different than what you might surmise based on the news.

I visited Saudi Arabia in late 2019 and would have gone back by now if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m hoping to go again, and there are plenty of reasons why anyone should go if they have the chance.

People are friendly

I didn’t know how it would feel being a very white, very blond woman surrounded by strangers that share a culture unlike my own. I even worried I would be treated harshly when I arrived, or that I would feel threatened or uneasy walking or dining out without a hijab.

However, my arrival served as an excellent reminder of something I already knew. People are people wherever you go, and Saudis are very much like everyone else around the world — happy, friendly and too busy with their own lives to worry about what you’re doing.

As I visited Riyadh’s striking hotels and landmarks, the winding streets of historic Jeddah, shopping malls and elsewhere, people smiled widely at me or didn’t look at me at all. Random women showed me their Instagram accounts on their phones, and people in shops were eager to draw me in for a sale.

A stranger in an antique store insisted I take a ring with me as a gift for visiting his country, all while beaming with pride. Someone in Jeddah handed me a cold bottle of water in the sweltering heat for no reason at all.

At one point during the trip, I noticed my private messages on Twitter were absolutely blowing up. This shocked me at first until I took the time to read them.

While a few Saudis politely invited me to convert to Islam, dozens of others asked me to meet them for dinner or tea. I didn’t feel comfortable doing so considering the circumstances, but it felt very real and genuine.

Abayas are optional for tourists

Speaking of the long flowing robes Saudi women wear, which are referred to as abayas, they are no longer required for foreign women visiting the country. Considering I visited Saudi Arabia on the day this news was shared in 2019, I brought an abaya with me but quickly packed it away in my luggage.

Women who visit today only need to meet the same dress code as men, which requires conservative attire and covered knees and shoulders. During my visit, I dressed as I normally do, wearing long dresses with light sweaters along with pants and tops. I never covered my head, and I never felt out of place.

Gender segregation is real, evolving

Gender segregation is probably the most noticeable cultural difference in Saudi Arabia, and it can be absolutely jarring. While the country has ended the use of separate restaurant entrances for men and women, the separation of sexes is still the norm even when not required.

As an example, men and women go through separate security lines in Saudi airports, and women are moved through last. I had a business-class flight home from Jeddah to New York City, which normally includes early boarding, but I was one of the last people on the plane.

One of the hotels I stayed in also had a men-only pool and a men’s spa, but no facilities like these for female guests.

This should change — and it is changing — in real time in Saudi Arabia. However, change takes time, and visitors should know they will encounter some gender segregation before they go.

Top ‘undiscovered’ landmarks

If you love traveling off the beaten path, Saudi Arabia is definitely the place to be. The old city center of Jeddah is captivating with its uniquely designed antique balconies, ancient sidewalks and curated shops selling everything from spices to intricately detailed clothing. The Islamic call to prayer rings loudly in the streets here five times per day, and it takes your breath away to hear it in such a historic and extraordinary place.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is a sight to behold, and the views of the city from its skybridge are unbelievable.

Saudi Arabia is also brimming with UNESCO World Heritage sites, from the Al-Ahsa Oasis to the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site and the At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah. These are all places you can see and experience before nearly anyone else you know gets there.

Luxury is everywhere

While Saudi Arabia offers travel options to fit any budget, luxury travel is an absolute must here. The fact is, there are so many exquisite hotels and resorts in the Kingdom already and plenty more currently in the works.

As an example, the capital city is home to name-brand luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, the Fairmont Riyadh, the Al Faisaliah Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

Other notable and must-visit resorts dotted throughout the Kingdom include the InterContinental Taif, the Dar Al Tawhid InterContinental Makkah and the Rosewood Jeddah.

Malls featuring luxury brands are also all over the place. In fact, you can find all of the top stores here, including Victoria’s Secret, H&M, American Eagle, Zara, Gucci, Fendi and more.

The dining is amazing (even sans booze)

While alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia, that has the potential to change. Either way, the alcohol ban didn’t affect my trip at all, and you shouldn’t let it ruin yours, either.

Some restaurants I dined in featured extensive drink menus with mocktails that were both delicious and fun. In one case, a waiter brought a drink cart to our table before crafting the most delicious virgin smoked mojito I have ever tasted. It was much more than a drink; it was an entire show, and every drink he made required at least six or seven steps.

Food was fresh, delicious and varied throughout the country as well, and many of the cuisines offered fit in nicely with my pescatarian diet. I enjoyed Chinese and Lebanese food in Riyadh, plus plenty of freshly prepared seafood along the country’s coast. No matter what you like to eat, you will find it here.

The bottom line

Saudi Arabia is on a path toward rapid change, but it’s also a conservative kingdom with deeply rooted beliefs and cultural traditions. Some of the events I experienced there were slightly off-putting (like boarding my plane dead last), yet I didn’t let it bother me or ruin my trip. I also learned a lot and gained a greater understanding of this part of the world, which is something you can’t do unless you see it for yourself.

The fact is, visiting Saudi Arabia feels a lot like flying back in time to an entirely different universe with modern conveniences but Old World beliefs. I’ve never experienced anything else like it, and I cannot wait to visit again.

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What It’s Like to be a Female Tour Guide in Saudi Arabia

Fatimah Al Zimam has introduced visitors from around the world to her country, which opened to nonreligious tourism in 2019. She discusses her favorite sites, driving a pickup truck and how her country is changing.

A smiling woman with curly black hair and wearing sunglasses and casual clothing, sits behind the wheel of a pickup truck in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the background is a wall of signs with Arabic writing, and beyond them, palms and other greenery. The sky is cloudless.

By Paige McClanahan

Paige McClanahan , a regular contributor to the Travel section, is writing a book about the tourism industry.

Fatimah Al Zimam likes to walk around in black leggings and casual tops, and she wears her curly hair loose and uncovered. She owns a silver GMC pickup truck, which she loves to take on solo drives across the Saudi desert. And she is passionate about her work: As a tour guide, she has introduced her country to visitors from the United States, France, Britain, Italy, China and beyond.

Ms. Al Zimam, 34, is a Saudi woman and she works for herself. She represents a profound transformation that’s underway in her home country, which has long been known as a deeply conservative place. Saudi Arabia’s opening to nonreligious tourists in 2019 is a major part of the ongoing shift, as are several important gains that women have been granted over the past half decade, though some restrictions remain.

But even with the recent changes, the country has continued to come under fire for its record on human rights , which may raise concerns among potential visitors. One travel index has ranked Saudi Arabia second-to-last in the world in terms of safety for L.G.B.T.Q. travelers.

But Saudi Arabia is betting big that tourists will come: The government is investing $1 trillion in the industry over 10 years, with the aim of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030. It’s all part of an effort to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“If there is no oil, we don’t have anything. So now there are a lot of projects to promote agriculture, solar energy production — and tourism, too,” Ms. Al Zimam said.

I first met Ms. Al Zimam on a recent solo trip to Saudi Arabia, when I hired her as my tour guide in Riyadh, the capital, and spent a day riding shotgun in her pickup truck. A few weeks later, I reached her on a video call at her apartment in Jeddah, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. She was eager to tell me about her favorite places to take first-time visitors, and how Saudi men react when they see her without a long robe, or abaya.

Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What kind of reactions have you seen among Saudis since the country started issuing standard tourist visas?

The vast majority of people in Saudi Arabia are very generous with tourists. I’ve seen this even in remote villages, where people tend to be very religious — they’re really helping tourists, especially hitchhikers and cyclists who sometimes just appear out of nowhere.

And look at a place like Al Ula , in the northwest, where you see so many tourists now. At first, some local people might have been skeptical about the crowds, the noise, the visitors. But then they started to see the jobs, the money, the extra work that they could find through tourism — they became aware of the opportunities. Now, they are very happy with tourism.

The government has been spending a lot of money to turn the ancient city of Al Ula into a tourist destination . Is that a place that you would recommend to visitors?

Al Ula is the best destination in the world for me. The Royal Commission has done a great job of developing the sites around there, and they’re still doing excavations, finding new things. Visitors love the ancient tombs in Mada’in Saleh, which is nearby. There’s so much else. Al Ula is full of rock inscriptions. Wherever you walk, you can find them.

And I love to bring people to Hail, also in the north. Hail is a historic area — Lawrence of Arabia spent a lot of time there — and the landscape is stunning. The sand dunes, the red mountains, and just the beautiful shapes of the rocks and rock inscriptions. You can be driving and driving, then suddenly you come across a small oasis, a cluster of palms between the mountains.

Are there many other women tour guides in Saudi Arabia?

There are many, many female tour guides, and even more in training. In the class that I took to become a licensed guide, there were twice as many women as men, and I think that’s pretty common.

A lot of potential female visitors might have questions about how to dress in Saudi Arabia. I know you don’t wear a head scarf or an abaya . Did you stop doing that as soon as the rule changed a few years ago?

It was gradual for me. At first, I would still wear an abaya and hijab in the city, but not if I was out in the desert or in the mountains. But then I moved to Riyadh for work and I found myself more comfortable and happier without an abaya, as long as I was still dressed modestly. Now, I don’t wear an abaya or hijab. The only exceptions are if I’m going somewhere official — the courthouse or a police station — or if I’m going to a mosque. If I’m going to pray, I need a scarf.

Some people might stare because it’s still kind of a new thing to see, but they respect my choice. I once had an Uber driver in Al Jouf who told me: “Look at me, with my beard and my mustache. I’m a man, but I married the woman my mother chose for me. But look at you, without an abaya: You’re a woman, and you made your choice. You’re braver than me.”

What do you advise women visitors in terms of how to dress?

Some Saudis will recommend that women visitors wear a scarf. But why? It’s OK not to. In rural areas, they might stare at you, but I find that, even there, most people are welcoming. And the people who aren’t welcoming won’t say anything because there is no longer a rule about it. I always feel safe, even though I travel alone and without an abaya. Come and I’ll take you to the Red Sea, and you’ll see — there, you can wear a bikini. The only exception is if you visit a mosque. There, it’s mandatory to cover your legs, and for women to wear long sleeves and a scarf.

What do you like to do when you’re not guiding tours?

I love traveling around Saudi Arabia, and I did it even before I started working as a tour guide. I’ve also been a rock climber since 2019, and I love going to Tanomah , which is where I first learned to climb.

I know it wasn’t that long ago that Saudi women were granted the right to drive . What do people think when they see you behind the wheel of your truck?

I must admit that I do love the reactions of people seeing me driving. Sometimes in rural places, people follow me, just because they’re curious. “Is this really a woman? Is it not just a man with curly hair?” But then they see I’m a woman and they call me, “My daughter! My daughter!” And they ask if I’m a tourist.

Have you ever traveled outside your home country?

I’ve traveled around the Gulf and to Jordan, but my first time outside the Middle East was last year, when I went to the U.K. and then to Switzerland with the Ministry of Tourism. On that trip, we spent one week at a tourism school in Montreux. The ministry sent thousands of people to the best tourism schools in Europe. I was in the last group.

What’s your next gig?

Summer is the low season for tourists here. So I’m working on my book, which is both a memoir and a travel guide to Saudi Arabia. I’m planning to publish travel secrets about places around the country. I have it all in my head, and now I will write it down.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

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52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

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Can a girl go to Saudi Arabia alone?

geographic-faq

As a Travel Photographer, I often get asked about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman. There seems to be a common misconception that women cannot travel to Saudi Arabia alone, but I want to clarify that this is not true. Women can absolutely travel to Saudi Arabia alone, and I have done so myself on numerous occasions.

It is important to understand the local customs and rules when traveling to Saudi Arabia. While street harassment can happen, it is not tolerated by authorities. To ensure your safety, always make sure to arrange trustworthy or public transportation, as navigating alone can be challenging. It is also worth noting that Saudi Arabia is currently ranked as the 77th safest country for solo female travelers.

Many people wonder if it is possible to go out with a girl in Saudi Arabia. It is considered both immoral and illegal for two people who are unrelated and unmarried to spend time together. So if you are looking for someone to be more than just friends with, you will need to be careful and creative.

When it comes to clothing, Saudi women and visitors have the option to wear the hijab and niqab, but it is not mandatory. However, it is always important to dress modestly, covering your knees and shoulders. While the abaya (a loose-fitting cloak) may be optional, it is required when visiting mosques in order to respect Muslim culture.

Unmarried couples are not allowed to live together in Saudi Arabia, and they are also not allowed to share hotel rooms. According to the law, hotels are required to obtain the Saudi national IDs of the couple and ensure that they have a Mahram relation (married) to stay together.

I often get questions about whether it is possible to stay in a hotel with a girlfriend in Saudi Arabia. Legally, unmarried foreign couples are now allowed to stay in hotel rooms together. However, some hotels may still refuse to give you a room. In case this happens, you can contact the Ministry of Tourism to lodge a complaint. Do keep in mind that this permission is usually only for a short time.

Qatar also has similar restrictions for unmarried couples. Hotels in Qatar do not allow unmarried couples to sleep in the same room. It is important to provide documentary proof of marriage when checking in, as some hotels will not allow you to stay if you cannot present it.

For those wondering about what to wear in Saudi Arabia, it is important to be mindful and respectful of local customs. While there is no law requiring you to wear an abaya or hijab, it is advisable to dress modestly to avoid any unwanted attention. This means covering your shoulders and knees.

Public displays of affection, such as holding hands or hugging, are considered disrespectful in Saudi Arabia. It is important to refrain from any PDAs, as it is not accepted in the local culture.

While walking alone in Saudi Arabia, it is advisable to exercise the same level of caution you would in any foreign country. Although Saudi Arabia is not more dangerous than any other country, it is always important to stay alert in crowded areas, keep an eye on your belongings, and familiarize yourself with local customs before your visit.

As a Travel Photographer, I often receive queries about the legality of certain acts in Saudi Arabia. Sexting, for example, is considered illegal in Saudi Arabia. The country’s sexual harassment law covers all sexually explicit content sent through private chat rooms, including sending red emojis.

Sports activities for girls in Saudi Arabia are prohibited in public schools. However, in 2017, the Saudi Ministry of Education allowed physical education in public schools as part of efforts to promote healthy practices among different segments of society.

In terms of sunbathing, certain months are considered the best for swimming and sunbathing in Saudi Arabia. November is particularly favorable for these activities in the Arabian Gulf, while along the Red Sea coast, you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing year-round due to the warm sea and air temperatures.

Traveling to Dubai as a woman is generally safe, even if you are traveling alone. However, it is important to dress conservatively and avoid walking alone, especially after dark.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that alcohol consumption is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. There is a ban on the manufacture, sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol in the country, with punishments ranging from public flogging to fines and imprisonment, accompanied by deportation in certain cases.

In conclusion, traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman is possible, but it is crucial to understand and respect the local customs and rules. By dressing modestly, being cautious in public, and familiarizing yourself with the local culture, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to this beautiful country.

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I'm an American woman who lived and traveled alone in Saudi Arabia for 4 months. It was clearly a man's world, but I never felt unsafe.

  • Kylee Nelson is a travel nurse who lived in Saudi Arabia for four months. 
  • Nelson said she felt safe living and traveling solo around the Middle East. 
  • But there were times she experienced discrimination as a woman.

Insider Today

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Kylee Nelson, a 34-year-old travel nurse who's been to over 40 countries and runs the blog Passports and Preemies . She shares what she experienced while living in the Middle East. It's been edited for length and clarity. 

I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I grew up surrounded by nature — catching fireflies, spending days at the lake with friends, and driving on dirt roads.

I left the Midwest when I was 18 and took on a nursing job in Kansas City a few years later. Everything changed when I broke up with my boyfriend — I realized I wanted to break out of my shell and started looking for volunteer nursing opportunities abroad. In 2022, I accepted a nursing job in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and headed to the Middle East.

The Middle East was nothing like the Midwest

I lived in Saudi Arabia for four months. Everything about the new environment felt so different from the Midwest. Here, the brightly colored jackets and baseball caps from home were exchanged for abayas, which are black robes that cover women from head to toe, and thawbs, the long-sleeved ankle-length white robes worn by men.

The weather, too, was vastly different. Days were usually cool in the Midwest; even on the hottest days of summer, temperatures rarely exceeded 85 degrees Fahrenheit. But in Saudi Arabia, I always found a thick smog in the air. It was sweltering hot, and the temperature could rise to 110.

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As the daytime heat could be overwhelming, I found that Saudi Arabia came alive at night — locals often spent this time at night markets, hookah lounges, or having big dinners with family and friends. 

I never felt like I was in danger

One misconception people have is that traveling to Saudi Arabia is dangerous. It's often portrayed as being unsafe for women, but I had the opportunity to meet many kind and beautiful people during my time there. It's a shame that more people don't get to experience its beauty.

While living in Saudi Arabia, I never once felt like my life was in danger, even when traveling solo around the Middle East. My travels included a weekend trip to Bahrain, where I enjoyed the local food and vibrant souks, and a visit to Jordan, where everyone had welcoming smiles. As a woman from the West, I was treated with so much respect. I almost felt coddled at times, especially as locals always tried to make sure that I was enjoying my time in their country. 

I remember that whenever I was waiting for an Uber to pick me up, a man would wait to ensure I got in the car safely.  And whenever I went out to eat, I would receive the warmest smiles and greetings. Men would also sometimes kindly pay for my meals. If there was anything I needed, locals would drop everything to help me.

But it was clearly a man's world

I had encounters that reminded me that women don't have the same rights as men. I once had a man report me for working out at the gym. Another time, a man cut the line in front of me at a hotel's front desk and started arguing when I told him this wasn't OK.

At the end of the day, I found that Saudi Arabia is a man's world, more so than anywhere else I've traveled to. While things have improved significantly over the years, there's still a disparity between the opportunities for men and women. 

I'm grateful to have experienced Saudi Arabia's culture. It's truly unique, rich in history, and unlike any other country I had visited before or since. While I wouldn't choose to go back and work in Saudi as a woman, traveling around solo never felt unsafe. I had many more positive experiences than negative ones, and I recommend that all travelers — even women who travel solo — visit the country at least once. 

Watch: How a busy cafe in Afghanistan that was a safe space for women shut down overnight after the Taliban takeover

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New Saudi Arabian laws allow women to travel without male consent

Kingdom's legal system criticized for treating women as minors throughout adult lives.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

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Saudi Arabia published new laws early Friday that loosen restrictions on women by allowing any citizen to apply for a passport and travel freely, ending a long-standing guardianship policy that gave men control over women.

The changes are to go into effect by the end of the month, and represent a potential game-changer for Saudi women's rights in the kingdom. The legal system has long been criticized because it treated women as minors throughout their adult lives, requiring they have a man's consent to obtain a passport or travel abroad. Often a woman's male guardian is her father or husband, and in some cases a woman's own son.

The changes were widely celebrated by Saudis on Twitter with memes showing people dashing to the airport with luggage and others hailing the 33-year-old crown prince believed to be the force behind these moves. But the changes also drew backlash from conservatives, who posted clips of senior Saudi clerics in past years arguing in favour of guardianship laws.

Other changes issued in the decrees allow women to register a marriage, divorce or child's birth and to be issued official family documents. It also stipulates that a father or mother can be legal guardians of children.

  • Saudi Arabia women hit the road as world's last female driving ban lifted
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Being able to obtain family documents could ease hurdles women faced in obtaining a national identity card and enrolling their children in school.

Still in place, however, are rules that require male consent for a woman to leave prison, exit a domestic abuse shelter or marry. Women, unlike men, still cannot pass on citizenship to their children and cannot provide consent for their children to marry.

Women fleeing guardianship system, abuse draw attention

Under the kingdom's guardianship system, women essentially relied on the "good will" and whims of male relatives to determine the course of their lives. There were cases, for example, of young Saudi women whose parents are divorced, but whose father is the legal guardian, being unable to accept scholarships to study abroad because they did not have permission to travel.

Amnesty International said Friday a lot remains to be done for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, but that the new laws could ease the guardianship system. Guardianship laws have "been a stifling system in the daily lives of women in Saudi Arabia," said Lynn Malouf, Mideast research director at Amnesty.

"These reforms really are a testament to the work of the brave activism, and the suffering and the ordeals" of Saudi women and men who fought for change, she said.

Saudi women fleeing domestic abuse and the guardianship system occasionally drew international attention to their plight, as 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun did before Canada granted her asylum earlier this year. The stories of runaway women have created a flurry of negative headlines for the kingdom.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

To leave the country, some Saudi women say they had to hack into their father's phone and change the settings on a government app to allow themselves permission to leave the country. There were calls in Washington for Google and Apple to block access to the app entirely.

In a lengthy study of Saudi male guardianship laws in 2016, Human Rights Watch criticized it as "system that was ripe for abuse."

  • Saudi teen granted asylum in Canada gets 24-hour security amid online threats
  • With spotlight back on Saudi women's rights, Loujain al-Hathloul's fate remains unknown

The new rules, approved by King Salman and his cabinet, allow any person 21 and older to travel abroad without prior consent and any citizen to apply for a Saudi passport on their own.

The decrees, issued Wednesday, were made public before dawn Friday in the kingdom's official weekly Um al-Qura gazette.

Mohammed bin Salman's complicated track record

A number of sweeping changes have been promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he drives an ambitious economic reform plan that encourages more women to enter the workforce. He was behind lifting the ban on women driving last year, loosening rules on gender segregation and bringing concerts and movie theatres to the country.

He has also led a simultaneous crackdown on activists, including detaining the country's leading women's rights activists who had demanded an end to the very male guardianship rules now being curtailed. The women, among them Loujain al-Hathloul, are facing trial and allege they were tortured in prison.

The crown prince continues to face widespread international criticism over the killing of Washington Post columnist and critic Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. Saudi Arabia has denied any involvement by the prince, while the kingdom's own investigation acknowledged the operation was planned by two of the prince's top aides.

can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

As noted by the Saudi newspaper Arab News, the decrees outlining changes to travel are written in gender-neutral language removing prior restrictions specific to women, rather than outright stating that women no longer need male consent.

News of the changes had been teased in state-linked Saudi media for weeks, possibly to ready the public and to gauge reaction.

  • Khashoggi fiancée presses for UN probe into his killing after damning report
  • Report alleges torture of imprisoned Saudi women's rights activists escalating

The ways in which the decrees were announced and the language used to announce the changes signal how sensitive these moves are among conservatives in the country. For years, state-backed preachers told the Saudi public that women should not travel longer than a night alone and that this was rooted in Islamic practice.

Other Muslim countries, however, do not have similar restrictions on women's travel.

Still, clerics in Saudi Arabia have supported the imposition of male guardianship based on a verse in the Qur'an that states men are the protectors and maintainers of women.

Other Islamic scholars argue this misinterprets fundamental Qur'anic concepts like equality and respect between the sexes.

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Now, Saudi Arabia's women can travel alone without male guardian's consent

On the other hand, some of the women's rights activists still remain detained

Sumitra Nair

In 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving. On Friday, the kingdom allowed women to travel without a male guardian's approval. The regulation allows women over the age of 21 to obtain passports and leave the country without their guardian's permission, according to reports. 

The need for a male guardian to travel drew international censure and prompted many women to flee from the country. Saudi's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, seems to be slowly working towards trying to rid the country of its image if being an 'oppressor of women'. Or so, it seems. In the last few years it granted couple of more personal freedoms to women including making it legal for them to drive, allowing them to attend soccer matches in a public stadium and being named to prominent positions in government.

Most women who speak out for women's rights in Saudi Arabia like Loujain al-Hathloul (women's rights activist and a social media figure), Aziza al-Yousef (women's rights activist and academic), Eman al-Nafjan (blogger and women's rights activist) have been arrested. Saudi Arabia has been practising wali—the mandate for a woman to have a male guardian. This means all women in Saudi Arabia will have a male guardian—it can be a husband, brother, son, uncle or father. And women needed consent of the male guardian for nearly anything— right from travelling and obtaining a passport to signing legal papers.

The Saudi crown prince took to power in 2015, and modernising the image of Saudi Arabia seems like an important part of his agenda. And yet, those who criticise the Saudi regime seem to be in trouble, like journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was vocal about his thoughts on the royal family. Some of the most famous examples of people being punished for dissent are arrests of activists Mohammad al-Qahtani and Waleed Abu al-Khair who crusaded for human rights. They both are currently in Saudi jail.

So, it might just be better to take the latest move to allow women to travel without approval of a male guardian, with a pinch of salt. Guardianship allowed men to exercise arbitrary authority over women. For a long time, mutawwa or the religious police were feared by women. If caught stepping out without a guardian, women would often be harassed by mutawwa. But over the years, Prince Salman has reduced their power. The powerful moral or religious police who could call out women for wearing bright nail polish or call out men for trying to interact with a non-related woman in a public place have gradually diminished with the different changes MBS has passed in the last couple of years. This is definitely being viewed as a relief by youngsters. Liberalisation seems like the logical way to go in a nation where at least half the population is under 25 and this is what MBS is aiming at.

"A passport will be granted to any Saudi national who submits an application," said a government ruling published in the official gazette Umm Al Qura. However, the woman would need to be of 21 years of age or above to obtain a passport without a guardian. In a one-off case last year, a Saudi court ruled in favour of a 24-year-old woman who challenged her father's decision to not let her have a passport. But until Thursday's ruling, she would have still required his permission to travel.

Guardianship is still needed for women to marry. Whether or not the wali system will be completely done away with, remains to be seen. But for now, this ruling is a big step towards liberalisation of women.

Women in the past have undertaken perilous attempts to escape overseas despite the reforms. They include 18-year-old Rahaf al-Qunun, whose live-tweeted asylum plea from a Bangkok hotel in January after she fled her Saudi family drew global attention. Later, two Saudi sisters who sought sanctuary in Hong Kong from what they called family abuse were allowed passage to a third country that was not named for their safety.

Saudi officials have expressed commitment to fighting guardianship abuse, but, this would require a fine balancing act as abolishing it in one stroke could mean severe backlash from arch-conservatives. On July 2019, singer Nicki Minaj pulled out of performing at a music festival in Saudi Arabia. "After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest," Minaj said "While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression,” she added.

So while the kingdom may have planned vision 2030, when it comes to certain human rights and recognition of the LGBTQ community, it still has a long way to go. Those engaging in same sex activity could be stoned to death in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the countries with the lowest acceptance for LGBTQ individuals.

Gay Saudi asylum seeker, Abdullah Bentalab was beaten up by his father when he saw a picture of Abdullah taking part in a pride march in London, where he went for the summer to learn English. On coming to the US with a student visa, he attempted suicide as he felt that he would have greater freedom that way.

Even now, dress code has to be followed by women in Saudi Arabia. They need to wear abayas with no embellishment, no slits and they should avoid wearing 'too much' make up. Even interacting with the opposite sex is restricted. Universities and other public places in Saudi have different entrances for men and women. Amusement parks, public transport and even park benches are segregated. Women still are not allowed to swim in a public pool.

So, more than being more about making life better for women, it seems like a move to rebrand the kingdom's image. This probably was viewed as an important move by the Prince since the country came under much flak over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi also seems more keen to increase women's participation in the workforce. In August 2018, Saudi froze all new trade with Canada after the latter called for release of women activists who were detained by the regime for being dissidents. “I didn't call myself a reformer of Saudi Arabia. "I am the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and I am trying to do the best that I can do through my position,"he said in an interview once.

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Travelling to Saudi Arabia as a woman

With Saudi Arabia opening up to tourism after decades closed, it is no wonder that it has become a hot topic among communities of travellers. Saudi Arabia offers something completely new a different to people from all around the world as it is the birthplace of Islam but also a vast country filled with varied sceneries and sights which can be visited without much preparation, apart from getting an e-visa . Its reputation as a closed-off country, however, leads to many myths or misunderstood facts, especially when it comes to the specificities of travelling to Saudi Arabia as a woman.

Let’s lay it out there right here and now, female travellers in the Kingdom will find it much easier to travel in the country than they would have expected.

Getting to Saudi Arabia as a woman

A female traveller in Saudi Arabia picks up a conversation with a local women in a park, in Riyadh

First and foremost, women will find that they can apply for their visa to Saudi Arabia without any problem. Contrary to popular belief based on the old way things were working, foreign women can travel to Saudi Arabia independently without the need for a male chaperone, such as their husband or their brother. They can travel on their own, with female friends, male friends or as part of a group (such as our group tour to Saudi Arabia ) to their own will.

Laws of Saudi Arabia regarding foreign women

As for the laws as a female tourist in Saudi Arabia, they are quite different from what is expected of the local women there. Indeed, a foreign woman can book her own hotel and hire a car on their own. This is quite impressive considering that women have only recently gained the right to drive a car in the country . As far as tourists are concerned, there are no differences between women and men when it comes to abiding the law and provided you follow common-sense rules and are respectful of local customs, we are sure that you’ll have a great time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The country is currently, under the impetus of its crown prince, reviewing many of its laws and has been asked by the crown prince to adopt a moderate and open version of Islam, which has led to many recent changes in its laws and, most probably many more changes to come.

Dressing up in Saudi Arabia as a woman

Women wearing niqabs in Saudi Arabia

When it comes to clothes that women must wear in Saudi Arabia, lots of people have an apprehension that is quickly surprised. It is true that any local woman that you’ll meet in Saudi Arabia will be wearing the full niqab and that they wouldn’t be caught doing otherwise by their family or friends. However, the tourist gets a total pass on this and wearing any kind of specific attire is not a requirement for tourists in Saudi Arabia. The rule for tourists basically says that they must refrain from wearing clothes that would be judged distasteful or morally harmful to the locals. As such, Saudi Arabia allows tourists more freedom in the choice of what they wear than say, Iran. From our experience, as long as women refrain from wearing clothes that show cleavage or short skirts, they will not encounter any trouble. A headscarf, contrary to Iran, is not compulsory. Female travellers might, however, want to wear a headscarf when visiting mosques which is a common courtesy all around the Muslim world. It is not like Iraq where for example, it is necessary to rent a chador before entering the shrines of Najaf or Karbala. In that aspect, you’ll find that there are fewer restraints on female foreign tourists visiting religious sites in Saudi Arabia than in Malaysia. There are, however, some mosques, such as the mosques of Mecca and Medina which are off-limit to non-muslims. This ban applies uniformly for non-muslim men and women.

As a rule of thumb, any foreign woman wearing long trousers, long sleeves and showing no cleavage should be welcome in Saudi Arabia. At the moment, however, women should refrain from swimming in either one-piece or two-piece swimsuits, with the locals swimming either in their clothes or in a burkini. Clothes displaying what could be judged as provocative messages should also be avoided by men and women alike. This doesn’t mean that locals won’t be curious! The following clothing, for example, would be totally fine.

An example of clothing which can be worn in Saudi Arabia without getting into trouble. Travelling in Saudi Arabia as a woman.

On a side note, you’ll find that local women take very good care of their appearances. While the abaya conceals a lot, many women we’ve encountered wear elaborate makeup, have their nails done and carry sophisticated accessories.

Mingling between men and women in Saudi Arabia

A YPT female tourist in Saudi Arabia interacts with a local guide

While local women in Saudi Arabia are unlikely to interact with men who they are unrelated to, you’ll find that foreign tourists of both genders are welcome to interact with everyone they might encounter, without regard to their gender. That means that a female tourist in Saudi Arabia can freely interact with hotel staff, guides, salespersons and clerks anywhere. Of course, people of opposite genders should avoid subjects which could be seen as improper as well as physical contact. This is more to avoid offending people than actually running into trouble with the law (although, in some extreme cases, the law would be able to intervene.

Travelling in the country, foreigners will find that there are actually quite a lot of women employed and working around the country. As such, it is likely that you’ll encounter saleswomen and female representatives. Men and women alike are welcome to interact with these women, without any issue.

While there are still men sections and family sections (open to females and married couples) in restaurants female travellers are generally welcome to sit wherever they see fit. During our first tour of Saudi Arabia after the opening of the country, we spectated a crazy parade in Riyadh. There, men and women were watching the show without enforced distinctions of gender.

Saudi Arabia however, is not Ibiza and while it is very permissive for foreigners in contrast to the local traditions, certain behaviors are still not welcome here. Men and women should not, for example, hold hands, hug or kiss in public.

So that’s the skinny on the current state of the affair from females travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Of course, that is all written by me, a man. If you’d like to hear more about the situation from the perspective of one of our female guests on our Saudi tour, please have a look at Madison’s blog about the subject !

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Paris is a full-time guide for YPT, mostly working in the Middle East, Central Asia and West Africa. She aims to encourage more people, especially women, to travel and defy boundaries.

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Saudi Arabia allows women to travel without male guardian's approval

Women will also be able to apply for passports and register a marriage, divorce or birth

Women in Saudi Arabia will no longer need the permission of a male guardian to travel, according to laws published on Friday, in a key step towards dismantling controls that have made women second-class citizens in their own country.

Other changes issued in the decrees allow women to apply for passports, register a marriage, divorce or child’s birth and be issued official family documents. It also stipulates that a father or mother can be legal guardians of children.

Being able to obtain family documents could ease hurdles women faced in obtaining a national identity card and enrolling their children in school.

Still in place, however, are rules that require male consent for a woman to leave prison, exit a domestic abuse shelter or marry. Women , unlike men, still cannot pass on citizenship to their children and cannot provide consent for their children to marry.

Under the kingdom’s guardianship system, women essentially rely on the “goodwill” and whims of male relatives to determine the course of their lives.

Friday’s move comes at a time of increased international scrutiny of women’s status in Saudi Arabia. In recent months, several young women have fled the country and made public pleas for help in seeking asylum from their family and the government.

Last year, authorities arrested many of the country’s most prominent female campaigners in a sweeping crackdown on activists.

The country’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman , has sought to present himself as a modernist reformer since being appointed heir to the throne in 2017. Critics say the jailing of female activists under his watch and the treatment of dissidents, including Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, suggests the regime only wants change on its terms.

Prince Mohammed has brought in sweeping social and economic changes, aimed partly at weaning the country off its dependence on oil revenue. He has also dismantled some of the strictest controls over women. Last year, a driving ban was lifted, and rules were altered freeing women from needing permission from a male guardian to study at university, undergo surgery or get a job.

The crown prince has also curbed the powers of the religious police , who once pursued women they considered immodestly dressed to check they had a guardian’s permission for their activities. They also broke up mixed-sex gatherings.

Those changes were welcomed by activists who say Saudi Arabia’s guardianship system has kept its women in a legal limbo as “perpetual minors” and should be dismantled entirely.

Prince Mohammed has also been criticised for Saudi Arabia’s role in Yemen’s brutal civil war, and his relentless pursuit of opponents at home and abroad, most prominently of Khashoggi. A forensic and damning UN report said the crown prince should be investigated over the murder because there was “credible evidence” that he and other senior officials were liable for the killing. He has denied any involvement.

The rules, approved by King Salman and his cabinet, allow any person 21 and older to travel abroad without prior consent and any citizen to apply for a Saudi passport on their own.

The decrees, issued on Wednesday, were made public before dawn on Friday in the kingdom’s official weekly Um al-Qura gazette. It was not immediately clear if the new rules go into effect immediately.

Associated Press contributed to this report

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What’s It Like to Travel Saudi Arabia

What It’s Like to Travel Saudi Arabia as A Woman

Last Updated on June 1, 2022

This article has been updated to reflect the new changes in visa rules. Traveling to Saudi Arabia has never been easier. Here is what it’s like to travel Saudi Arabia as a woman.

Beneath my feet, the craggy sandstone cliff drops off to reveal a dizzying height. And below that, the vast plain sprawls endlessly into the horizon. From this vantage point, I can see a few camels resembling tiny lego pieces in the far distance.

It’s no wonder this is called the Edge of the World . Standing at the cliff edge, you really do get the sensation that you’re at the last frontier. Originally known as Jebel Fihrayn, the escarpment is a spectacular natural wonder with dramatic views that would impress even the most hardened travelers. Yet, there is not a single tourist in sight. 

This is Saudi Arabia, a mysterious country that has closed its doors to the outside world for years. Few people in the world can get access to what’s known as one of the world’s most difficult countries to travel to — but things are about to change.

Sitting at the cliff edge, I can’t help but feel that I’m at the last frontier, both literally and metaphorically.

travel saudi arabia as a woman - edge of the world

Table of Contents

Is it Possible to Travel Saudi Arabia?

Changes in saudi arabia, new visa program for travelers to saudi arabia , why travel saudi arabia, my impressions of saudi arabia, traveling saudi arabia as a woman, the reality in saudi arabia, my observations from traveling in saudi arabia, masmak fort, kingdom tower, at-turaif historical site, najd village, things to do beyond riyadh, how to dress in saudi arabia, how to apply for the saudi arabia e-visa, how to get to saudi arabia, where to stay in riyadh, saudi arabia, where in saudi arabia is safe to travel, rules of conduct in saudi arabia, alcohol & sexual acts in saudi arabia, inspired pin it, solo female travel in saudi arabia .

I have come to Saudi Arabia on the new e-visa system, which the kingdom rolled out in the second half of 2018. It’s part of a bold plan to open up tourism in Saudi Arabia — beyond the millions of Muslims who make the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. As a taster, the kingdom offered e-visas to tourists interested in attending the Formula-E car racing event, the first of its kind to be held in Saudi Arabia.

I wasn’t the least bit interested in the car racing — but the opportunity to get access into what is one of the world’s most closed-off countries was too tempting to pass. It was ridiculously easy to get the e-visa. I booked a Formula-E ticket on the Sharek website , paid US$270 (price included the visa) and received my e-visa within minutes.

The e-visa allows travelers (including women 25 and older) a single entry into Saudi Arabia and stay for 30 days. Even female travelers aged 25 and older will be able to travel independently on the e-visa, without the need for male companions.

travel saudi arabia - formula-e

Changes are coming to Saudi Arabia. In fact, it’s on the brink of one of the biggest transformations in the country’s history. And I’m extremely lucky to be here to witness it.

Since Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman came in power, he has announced that the kingdom will be adopting a form of “moderate, open Islam” .

For the first time in years, women are now permitted to drive and vote. The Saudi Council of Ministers has stripped the religious police of their power, who used to arrest people for not abiding by the rules. They have created a new Islamic center to review the fatwas, Hadith. The government has also just ended a 35-year ban on cinemas. In February 2017, the conservative country allowed female-only gyms and for women to attend sporting events.

According to TIME , Saudi Arabia says it expects to attract 100 million foreign and domestic visitors by 2030 and create 1 million new jobs in the tourism sector. Tourism is the government’s solution to diversify the country’s economy, which is currently completely dependent on oil.

The new visa program offers e-visas to citizens of 49 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Check if you’re eligible here .

Travelers can apply for the e-visas on this website , which will deliver your visa by email in just a few minutes.

Saudi Arabia has also lifted some restrictions on women traveling in the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom, The new guidelines allow women to rent hotel rooms without a male guardian’s presence, and foreign men and women to share a room without proof of marriage.

Female tourists are also exempted from wearing the all-covering abaya robe, but will be required to dress “modestly”. (I dressed in an abaya throughout my stay in Saudi Arabia.) These are all great news for those traveling Saudi Arabia as a woman.

travel saudi arabia - bustling capital city of riyadh

I’d wanted to visit Saudi Arabia after watching Wadjda (one of the best travel movies I’ve seen), the first movie produced by a female Saudi Arabian filmmaker. In a country where cinemas are banned and women cannot drive or vote, writer- director Haifaa Al Mansour has broke many barriers with her film. 

Part of Saudi Arabia’s appeal for me lies in how difficult it has always been to enter the kingdom. The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia has been closed off to visitors for decades in a bid to protect the kingdom’s religious rules.  For years, only a business visa that cost an arm and a leg can get you into this kingdom. Even then, it was mandatory to join a tour and female travelers were not allowed to travel on their own.

Now that Saudi Arabia is opening up to tourism , there has never been a better time to travel there. My trip there was such an eye-opening experience — it gave me a rare glimpse into a world that few foreigners have seen, one that momentarily felt entirely untainted by outside influence. 

Yet, before my trip to Saudi Arabia, I was criticized by many friends for supporting a regime that has strict Islamic laws enforced, brutally murders law-offenders (case in point: Jamal Khashoggi ) and waged a brutal war against Yemen. 

To be clear, I believe that a country’s government and its people are two separate things. Traveling to a country doesn’t mean I’m supporting their government or   agree with the politics of the country. If that is the case, I probably shouldn’t ever travel to the US, UK and many other places.

travel saudi arabia - edge of the world

As with the case for many countries I’ve been, Saudi Arabia turned out to be quite different from how it is often portrayed on the news media.

For one, I was overwhelmed by how vibrant the capital city of Riyadh was (weekends are an exception, when everything opens only at 4pm). Tall skyscrapers, sparkly new malls and neon-signed restaurants line Olaya Street, the main artery of the city. I spotted international brands everywhere — from Victoria’s Secret to Zara, McDonalds to Starbucks.

Every women in Saudi Arabia wore an abaya (a long-sleeved black robe), but I also noticed many had on Kim Kardashian-style makeup, immaculately polished nails, branded handbags and the trendiest sunglasses.

At a traditional mud-walled restaurant called Najd Village, our group of mixed unrelated men and women sat and ate together — which would have been outlawed a few years ago. At the iconic Kingdom Tower’s Skybridge (observation deck), men and women were also allowed to mingle freely, no questions asked.

travel saudi arabia as a woman

I was surprised by how much freedom I enjoyed as a female traveler. I moved freely around the city in Ubers by myself and had no problems hanging out with my male travel mates.

I also chatted freely with both male and female Saudi Arabians and they were more than happy to socialize with us. I didn’t have any problems entering places because of my gender, though females have to use the family areas in public spaces.

I found myself adapting easily to wearing an abaya since everyone else was. A friend of mine also wore a head scarf over her hair since most women did. We covered up out of respect — neither the abaya nor the hijab are required by Saudi law.

Considering that tourism is very new to them, I was expecting quite a bit of curious stares from locals. But I was wrong! Saudi Arabians are used to seeing foreigners as over 30% of the population are foreign workers and expats. Saudis are also a global and well-traveled bunch, many of them having studied and lived abroad.

travel saudi arabia as a woman

Mind you, there ARE still plenty of strict rules that govern the kingdom. For instance, gender segregation is still obvious in many places. Restaurants have designated entrances and sitting areas for men, and family areas for women.

Food courts and fast food restaurants too have separate lines for women and men. And Saudi women still aren’t allowed to travel independently without a male guardian (usually father or brother).

Do Saudi women feel like second-class citizens? Probably. But that doesn’t mean they’re weak and submissive. I met several Saudi women who were strong, confident, outspoken and intelligent. Many of them received good education and have their own thinking.

travel saudi arabia - women

What I learned is that Saudi Arabia is a culture of conservatism and modesty. The society here is modern and wealthy, but  traditional and deeply rooted in their culture at the same time. Many women in Saudi Arabia cover up to protect their modesty — which has more to do with their culture/tradition than religion. This is a custom that predates Islam!

I also noticed that Saudi men are very respectful and civilized to women — not just to foreign women, but to women in general. In certain Muslim countries, men can be aggressive especially towards foreign women. I’ve had unpleasant encounters in Iran , Iraqi Kurdistan and Afghanistan where men were openly soliciting and I even got groped in crowded public places.

But Saudi Arabia was quite the opposite — men here are polite, respectful and civilized. They speak to women politely and treat them with respect.  Again, I’m not saying that Saudi Arabians are not being oppressed by the strict rules of the royal decree. 

travel saudi arabia - local actor dressed in traditional style

What to See in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Because many Saudis speak English and are a friendly bunch, I met quite a few people and felt that I had a good sense of the country and their culture.

I came with the assumption that Riyadh wouldn’t have many interesting sights  – but I was wrong. There were definitely enough to keep my four days busy and exciting. Most shops and restaurants close at prayer times (that’s five times a day) and many only open at 4pm, so I had to plan my day around it. It was surprisingly easy to get around Riyadh on Uber (even on my own, as a girl).

The first place I recommend checking out is  the Masmak Fort (free entry), a clay and mud-brick fort located in the old quarters of Riyadh. It is immaculately restored, with lots of photos and info on display. This building played a major part in the kingdom’s history, as it was here that the recapture of Riyadh by the Saud family (who continues to rule Saudi Arabia today) took place. Right next to the fort is Deera Square, colloquially known as the Chop-Chop Square, where public beheadings used to take place.

travel saudi arabia - masmak fort riyadh

For sunset, head to the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Tower , an iconic building owned by the royal family. Extending 65 meters in length, the Sky Bridge is a steel structure weighing about 300 tons, overlooking the whole of Riyadh. The trip to the SkyBridge passes through two elevators, first elevator will take about 50 seconds to reach the height of 180 meter to the Transfer level, and second elevator will take less than 40 seconds to reach its final destination the Sky Bridge. Entry fee is 60 SAR per person.

travel saudi arabia - kingdom tower

During my visit, the At-Turaif historical site had just opened for an exclusive peek after years of restoration work (it will be opened to public shortly). The UNESCO World Heritage Site  was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, founded in the 15th century. In the 18th and the early 19th century, its regional political and religious role increased, and the citadel of At-Turaif became the centre of the House of Saud. It was absolutely impressive and could easily rival other famous sites like the Alhambra in Spain.

travel saudi arabia - at turaif

For a traditional Saudi meal, head to the mud-walled restaurant, Najd Village . The traditional chicken kabsa (a rice dish) was delicious and I devoured it with beer (non-alcoholic of course!), sitting cross-legged on the cushioned floor. It’s the only traditional place in Riyadh but definitely worth a visit for a culinary experience. 

travel saudi arabia - najd village

My short time in Riyadh got me really intrigued and I definitely hope to return to explore more. The country is massive, in fact it’s the biggest in the Middle East. Some parts of Saudi Arabia are off limits to foreign visitors (i.e. non-Muslims) — especially Mecca, the holy land of Muslims.

The most attractive tourism sight in Saudi Arabia is Mada’in Saleh – the Saudi version of Petra in Jordan. Like Petra, the city was hewn from solid rock by the Nabateans. Unlike Petra, it has very few visitors. Sadly, it was closed for restoration work during my visit, although I later found out that it is opened exclusively for the Winter at Tantora festival (which takes place on certain dates in 2019). Check here for details.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline is also superb, with stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Kingdom plans to build an entire city there known as NEOM, an “independent economic zone with its own laws, taxes and regulations” . It’s said to include an international resort zone that will have a degree of greater tolerance of behavior.

The second biggest city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah , is also worth a visit. In the winding, labyrinthine backstreets of the old quarter, known as the ‘Balad’, little has changed since the 1980s. The colorful street stalls and market as well as historical architecture remain. The city’s highlights include Souq al-Alawi, Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation, the Corniche, and Jeddah Tower – planned to be the world’s tallest building – still currently under construction.

Wikimedia CC by Richard Hargas

Women should wear conservative, loose-fitting clothes. Even though it’s not necessary to wear an abaya (full length cloak) for foreign visitors anymore, I would recommend bringing one just in case.

I bought a simple black abaya with gold trimmings on Amazon before my trip. It would be a good way to fit in. Also bring a headscarf if you want to enter the mosques.

Men should not wear shorts in public. I would advise wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

travel saudi arabia - dress like the locals

Travel to Saudi Arabia: Things to Know

Travelers can apply for the e-visas on this website , which will deliver your visa by email in just a few minutes. You just need to print it out and present it at the airport on arrival.

The e-visa allows for single entry within a 30-day period. This applies to women of 25 and older, who are allowed to visit Saudi Arabia independently.

travel saudi arabia - arabian calligraphy

It is surprisingly easy to travel to Saudi Arabia once you’ve got your visa. F lights to Saudi Arabia are really affordable from other parts of Middle East and Europe. You can easily fly into Riyadh or Jeddah , the two biggest cities of Saudi Arabia. Most flights into Saudi Arabia will connect via Istanbul and Dubai. 

Flights from Istanbul to Riyadh cost around US$500 return, while you can get flights from Dubai to Riyadh for as cheap as $275 return.

For those flying from Europe, flights from London to Riyadh cost around US$550 return. If you’re flying from the US, flights from New York to Riyadh are usually around US$1200 return with one stopover. Flights from Los Angeles to Riyadh cost around the same.

Search for Flights to Riyadh here!

travel saudi arabia as a woman

Hotels in Riyadh are surprisingly affordable. You can get a pretty nice hotel room for less than $50/night. The best area to stay in Riyadh is along the main thoroughfare, Olaya Street. You’ll be able to flag down taxis easily and get to main sights. 

Luxury: MENA Riyadh Hotel

This 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Riyadh’s Olaya area, and it’s an excellent business hotel with some traditional Arabian flair. My friend who stayed there raved about the excellent restaurant and breakfast spread. Check the room rates here.

Midrange: Hyatt Buyutat

I stayed at this simple, budget hotel just a block behind Olaya Street. It’s got a great location and comfortable rooms, though don’t expect this to be an original Hyatt. Check the room rates here . The original Hyatt is Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya . 

Budget: OYO 150 Al Hamra Palace Al Aswaq

For those on a tight budget, you can book a simple room at this motel for just $20+/night. You’ll still get WiFi and air-conditioning in the room, plus restaurants right below you. Check the room rates.

travel saudi arabia as a woman - cafe at hotel

Travel warnings remain in place from several governments following terror-related incidents in Saudi Arabia. The US State Department urges citizens to “ carefully consider the risks of travel to Saudi Arabia ” due to threats from terrorist groups or missile attacks by rebel forces in neighboring Yemen.

Avoid travel to these areas:

  • Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the cities of Jizan and Najran
  • Qatif in the Eastern province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah
  • Hofuf and its suburbs in the al Hasa governorate

travel saudi arabia - how locals dress

Saudi Arabia has very strict Islamic rules and I’d advise you to follow them no matter what. The Islamic laws are strictly enforced, although these days the religious police no longer have the power to arrest people who are not following the rules.

The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal; as is an intention to convert others. However, the Saudi authorities accept the private practice of religions other than Islam, and you can bring a Bible into the country as long as it is for your personal use.

The new guidelines allow women to rent hotel rooms without a male guardian’s presence, and foreign men and women to share a room without proof of marriage. That said, avoid holding hands with your partner if you’re traveling with one and never show public displays of affection.

travel saudi arabia as woman - dress code for men

Penalties for the possession of, or trade in alcohol are severe. Both result in prison sentences. Do not arrive in Saudi Arabia under the influence of alcohol. Importing pork products is forbidden.

During Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. The possession of pornographic material, or of illustrations of scantily dressed people, especially women, is prohibited.

Homosexual acts and extra-marital sexual relations, including adultery, are illegal and can be subject to severe penalties. It’s also illegal to be transgender. Transgender people traveling to Saudi Arabia are likely to face significant difficulties and risks if this is discovered by the authorities.

travel saudi arabia as a woman

There are few places left that can be said to represent the last frontier of tourism  – Saudi Arabia is one of them.

I hope this guide will prepare you for your trip to Saudi Arabia. Keep an open mind and bring your sense of adventure, and I’m sure Saudi Arabia will enthrall you.

travel saudi arabia

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Read more about her here and get more life updates from her on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

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Shalet Jimmy

Completely different picture on Saudi Arabia. Never knew it was such a beautiful place and also the people.

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Yes I heard so much about Saudi Arabia on the news, but never saw pictures of the streets and landscapes before going there. It was definitely interesting to get on the ground and talk to its people to see what the real Saudi Arabia is like.

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Amazing place…had no idea about it’s beauty. Loved it.

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What a beautiful and informative piece! Clearly opened my eyes about a lot of things.

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How long was your whole trip? What was the basic itinerary? And was there anything you would have liked to have seen that you didn’t see?

hi Scott, I did mention in my article that my trip was only a short 4-day trip in Riyadh. There was enough in Riyadh to keep me busy for the four days (read my article more carefully and you’ll see the places I recommend visiting) as well as a day trip to the Edge of the World.I definitely wished I had more time to explore more of the country including Mada’in Saleh which is closed for restoration and Jeddah.

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Natasha Amar

Hi Nellie, This post was such an intriguing read! I am based in neighboring Dubai and even for us Dubai residents, Saudi Arabia feels like a whole other world. Until now, I’ve had no desire to visit, but you’re right. As one of the last countries to open to tourism, it feels incredibly exciting to watch how this new change comes into effect in Saudi.

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Great explore. Loved it!

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Matt Thomas

Great read – very interesting. Thanks!

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Saudi is one of the places I am most intrigued by and looking forward to visiting someday soon. I came close for now via the King Fahd Causeway between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. I stood as close to the fence that was the border, in the middle of the causeway. :) So exciting! I cannot wait to have the opportunity to visit, as I continue my own quest to see every country in the world. Your stories inspire me Nellie! Keep traveling.

Thanks for the comment Carol! You were so close! I’m sure you will get there soon enough. Saudi Arabia really impressed me in many ways. Happy travels!

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Basil. M. Otybie

Thanks for visiting us.

Sorry about the rules in saudi arabia. But you must not forget that it’s a religious country. I recommend first for people that want to visit to travel to bahrain, UAE, kuwait ETC.,to get adjusted to KSA’s rules.

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Jeffrey Sipe

Nice story but it includes a number of errors. Executions no longer take place in public. Also, in Balad, MUCH has changed since the 1980s. The passageways are paved or cobblestone whereas they used to be sand, there were only light bulbs here and there and there was nowhere near the organization there that there is today. Also, Mada’in Saleh is not a city but, essentially, a graveyard. The tombs have been dug into the rock. There are currently excavations of living areas taking place. That said, you’ve done better than most in describing the place. To really have a sense of the place, one needs more than a few days. There is a lot going on that you don’t see.

Thanks for pointing out my errors. Admittedly, I spent less than a week in Saudi Arabia and wrote my observations above. Good to know executions no longer take place in public! I will correct that in my article. I know that Mada’in Saleh is not a city, it seems to be an archaeological site besides being a graveyard. I definitely want to go there the next time I’m in Saudi Arabia.

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I can’t find any information about travelling there alone as a female from the UK, I’m 29 but all I’ve read is that females over 25 can only go as part of a registered tour group. I don’t want to travel like that. Any more and info on how to go completely alone? Thanks

No that’s not essential anymore. But these days, Saudi Arabia only issue e-visas during certain events. Check out ‘Winter at Tantora’, they organise events that allow you to book e-visas.

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Hi loved reading your story. Thanks for sharing. I’ve spent a lot of time in Bahrain but would love to visit KSA. You might not know but maybe you do? I’m interested in visiting my Lebanese friend who will be working in Riyadh, but my friend is male and I’m female. Is it possible for us to go look at tourist things together and go to dinner or malls? Of course id stay in a hotel or something by myself. Is that possible? Also how do we find out about events happening to get a visa? I’m American by the way. Thanks so much for the info it’s been difficult to find any ?

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This was a total eye opener! There are so many misconceptions about Saudi Arabia. Thanks for clearing some of those up.

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thelazygeographer

It’s defitintely an interesting place to go, I’m curious and your post is really interesting. But. The people and the governement are 2 different things, right, but women in Saudi Arabia can be stoned to death or beheaded if found guilty of whitchcraft. That’s not the place where you want to spend my money or take my gf.

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I still find Saudi Arabia boring to visit if they still have restrictions.

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Maryam Aldossary

Thanks Nellie for all this information to clarify what Saudi Arabia is. I hope that you could spend more time to visit other cities such as Khobar and Jubail in the east. There are many interesting things to do. I don’t think there are more generous people than Saudis in the world ! So we treat every tourist as one of our family regardless of religion or gender. It’s so frustrating to see all the bad impressions about my country on the media. It’s completely wrong to create this feeling to a country or its people without a real meeting. I’m a Saudi girl and I’m so proud to be Saudi.

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Thanks for the article. I am traveling to KSA in early December and info is hard to find. I fly into Riyadh and will spend a couple of days there. I will probably fly out of Jeddah. I’m just trying to figure out how much time I need in between. Maybe a trip to Dammam and Al-Hasa in the east?

Hi Dave, thanks for the comment! Yes I’ve heard that Dammam is pretty cool too. Madain-Saleh probably won’t be open by then, but it’s definitely something I want to return to Saudi Arabia to see.

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Hi, I read recently People in Saudi Arabia speak the Arabic language. According to data on inbound tourists in Saudi Arabia, 13,380,000 tourists arrive in the country each year. The first McDonalds in Saudi Arabia was opened on 8 December 1993, and it was located in Riyadh. One of the most popular national dishes of Saudi Arabia is kabsa. Is it different when you’re a woman?

hi Maxonium, yes they speak Arabic and there are McDonalds in Saudi Arabia. Every year, millions of people come to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca. As for traveling Saudi Arabia, it is different for women as their society has different standards for women. Saudi women are expected (and legally binded) to cover up and we, female travelers, should cover up too as a sign of respect and to blend in.

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Thank you for the article! It’s so useful =)

I am traveling to KSA for work (flying Etihad via Abu Dhabi) and I am finding mixed information about bringing in personal use medications (like acetaminophen for headaches and birth control). Did you have any issues with something like this?

hi Alex, thanks for dropping by. I brought a first-aid kit (with usual stuff like paracetamol and dramamine) and they didn’t check it at all. I had it in my checked-in luggage of course. If you’re carrying it in your carry on, that might be a different story. From my experience, there wasn’t any strict checking at security or customs (the strictest I’ve seen is still in the US and UK).

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Victoria@TheBritishBerliner

‘Nice one Nellie.

I’m not sure if I’m ready to visit Saudi Arabia myself, but I absolutely loved the way you wrote your description of it!

Thank you for the kind words!

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i haven’t visited saudi arabia but your words telling a lot about saudi. it seems like we are in saudi. thanks for wonderfull post.

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The landmark ruling states that "an adult woman has the right to choose where to live. a woman’s guardian can report her only if he has evidence proving she committed a crime.".

A Saudi woman wearing a facemask walks with her luggage as she arrives at the King Khalid International Airport, after Saudi authorities lift the travel ban on its citizens after fourteen months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. (photo credit: REUTERS/AHMED YOSRI)

Women in #SaudiArabia have officially been granted the right to live on their own. They are no longer forced to live with their male guardians against their will https://t.co/c0GgKo2FoI — Yasmine Mohammed #FreeLatifa ياسمين محمد (@YasMohammedxx) June 8, 2021
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Women above 25 can now travel to Saudi Arabia alone

Riyadh - However, women under 25 must be accompanied by a family member.

By web report.

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can a woman travel alone to saudi arabia

Published: Thu 11 Jan 2018, 8:22 AM

Last updated: Thu 11 Jan 2018, 3:22 PM

Now, women aged 25 and above, wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia alone, can be granted a tourist visa, stated a spokesman for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH). This move signifies that it will not be necessary for women over 25 to travel with any family member or companion. However, women under 25 must be accompanied by a family member. Commenting on the initiative, Director General of the commission's licensing department, Omar Al-Mubarak, said, "The tourist visa will be a single-entry visa valid for a maximum of 30 days. This visa is added to those currently available in the Kingdom. It is independent of work, visit, Hajj and Umrah visas." The SCTH added that the issuance of the tourist visas will be announced during the first quarter of 2018. "Regulations for tourist visas have been finalized and an electronic system is being built in coordination with the National Information Center and the Foreign Ministry," Al-Mubarak was quoted in Arab News. Moreover, while the tourist visa system was being implemented between 2008 and 2010, over 32,000 tourists visited the Kingdom during this period. The visa procedures for these tourists were facilitated several tour operators licensed by the SCTH. The move is aimed to revive the previous tourist visa system and attract more visitors to the Kingdom, besides, creating more job opportunities.   

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    Here's What It's Like to Travel to Saudi Arabia: A Woman's Perspective. Image: Camels at the Al Ahsa Oasis (Saudi Tourism Authority) Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East, and it's also one of the most mysterious. After all, most travelers were not allowed to visit for decades until 2019, the year the Kingdom opened its doors ...

  9. What to know about visiting Saudi Arabia

    "It is actually safe for women to travel in Saudi Arabia," Nikolova says. "You will find that many women go out alone or with friends without issue, especially in large cities like Jeddah ...

  10. Here's What It's Like to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Woman

    With that announcement, adventure-seekers and culture lovers had the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days at a time. I was one of the first Americans to visit under the Electronic Visa program, and as a woman traveling alone, I was curious but also cautious about visiting this country.

  11. What it's like to travel as a woman in Saudi Arabia

    Being a foreign woman traveling in Saudi Arabia can be daunting if you don't know what to expect.The country has a reputation for treating women as second-class citizens who must cover their ...

  12. What It's Like to be a Female Tour Guide in Saudi Arabia

    July 7, 2023. Fatimah Al Zimam likes to walk around in black leggings and casual tops, and she wears her curly hair loose and uncovered. She owns a silver GMC pickup truck, which she loves to take ...

  13. Can a girl go to Saudi Arabia alone?

    Traveling to Dubai as a woman is generally safe, even if you are traveling alone. However, it is important to dress conservatively and avoid walking alone, especially after dark. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that alcohol consumption is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. There is a ban on the manufacture, sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol ...

  14. American Nurse Says It's Safe for Women to Live in Saudi Arabia

    Oct 24, 2023, 6:15 PM PDT. Kylee Nelson in Al Yanfa, Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of Kylee Nelson. Kylee Nelson is a travel nurse who lived in Saudi Arabia for four months. Nelson said ...

  15. New Saudi Arabian laws allow women to travel without male consent

    With spotlight back on Saudi women's rights, Loujain al-Hathloul's fate remains unknown. The new rules, approved by King Salman and his cabinet, allow any person 21 and older to travel abroad ...

  16. Now, Saudi Arabia's women can travel alone without male guardian's

    In 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving. On Friday, the kingdom allowed women to travel without a male guardian's approval. The regulation allows women over the age of 21 to obtain passports and leave the country without their guardian's permission, according to reports. The need for a male guardian to travel drew international ...

  17. Travelling to Saudi Arabia as a woman

    Getting to Saudi Arabia as a woman. First and foremost, women will find that they can apply for their visa to Saudi Arabia without any problem. Contrary to popular belief based on the old way things were working, foreign women can travel to Saudi Arabia independently without the need for a male chaperone, such as their husband or their brother.

  18. Saudi Arabia allows women to travel without male guardian's approval

    Emma Graham-Harrison and agencies. Women in Saudi Arabia will no longer need the permission of a male guardian to travel, according to laws published on Friday, in a key step towards dismantling ...

  19. What It's Like to Travel Saudi Arabia as A Woman

    Traveling to Saudi Arabia has never been easier. Here is what it's like to travel Saudi Arabia as a woman. Beneath my. Saudi Arabia has always been one of the most difficult countries to travel to. Here's what it's like to travel Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has always been one of the most difficult countries to travel to. ...

  20. Saudi Arabia: Travel Restrictions on Saudi Women Lifted

    Topic. (Beirut) - Saudi authorities announced further changes to regulations that now allow women over 21 to travel abroad freely and obtain passports without permission from their male guardian ...

  21. Women in Saudi Arabia to be allowed to live, travel without male

    Women in Saudi Arabia are to be allowed to live alone without a male guardian, after a landmark ruling for the country known for its harsh gender inequality. Saudi Arabia has lagged behind many of ...

  22. Women above 25 can now travel to Saudi Arabia alone

    By Web Report. Now, women aged 25 and above, wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia alone, can be granted a tourist visa, stated a spokesman for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage ...