Travel tips · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Riyadh travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: B.alotaby, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Riyadh is a conservative city that has opened up quickly to entertainment, tourism and the arts. Islam shapes the daily rhythm: the call to prayer sounds five times a day and Friday is the main day of prayer. The weekend is Friday and Saturday. Hospitality is a point of pride, and visitors are commonly offered coffee and dates.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Currency
- SAR
- Plugs
- Type G sockets (some Type C), 230 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most residents and visitors drink…
- Emergency
- 911 (unified emergency number); 997 ambulance
Things to know
- Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum'; between men and women, wait for the other person to offer a hand before shaking.
- Use your right hand to eat, pass items and accept coffee; shake the cup gently from side to side to signal you have had enough.
- Some shops and services may pause briefly around prayer times; plan errands with this in mind.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women, and avoid photographing government and security buildings.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.
- Public displays of affection and loud behaviour in public are considered inappropriate.
- Book At-Turaif District, Diriyah ahead: Entry is by timed ticket; book online, especially on weekend evenings.
- Book Bujairi Terrace ahead: Popular restaurants fill up on weekend evenings; book ahead.
- Book Boulevard City and Boulevard World ahead: Tickets are sold online for each season; some shows and concerts sell out.
- Visit between May and September, if you can cope with the heat, for the lowest hotel rates.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is appreciated where no service charge is added, and small tips for hotel porters and drivers are common.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| As-salamu alaykum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| Min fadlak / min fadlik | Please (to a man / to a woman) |
| Kam? | How much? |
| Yalla | Let's go / come on |
| Inshallah | God willing |
What to wear
Men and women should wear loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees in public. Foreign women are not required to wear an abaya or cover their hair in the city, but a headscarf and full-length clothing are needed at mosques.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G sockets (some Type C), 230 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most residents and visitors drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 911 (unified emergency number); 997 ambulance
- Phone and internet
- Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from STC, Mobily and Zain are sold at the airport and malls; Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels.
- Time zone
- Asia/Riyadh
The main risks for visitors are heat exhaustion and fast, aggressive traffic. Carry water, avoid midday walks in summer and use pedestrian crossings and bridges.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Saudi Arabia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Riyadh?
Tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is appreciated where no service charge is added, and small tips for hotel porters and drivers are common.
+Can you drink the tap water in Riyadh?
Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most residents and visitors drink bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Riyadh?
Type G sockets (some Type C), 230 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Riyadh?
Arabic and English.