Europe to Saudi Arabia 40–80% OFF
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Yes, the “GCC Grand Tours” visa rolled out in phases throughout 2025, allowing European tourists to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait on a single permit. It functions similarly to the Schengen visa, simplifying multi-country itineraries across the Arabian Peninsula. If you plan to combine a stop in Dubai or Doha with your Saudi trip, this saves you from paying separate visa fees for each country (previously about €120 total, now significantly less for the bundle). Apply online at least 30 days in advance, as coordination between six nations can make processing slower than the instant single-country e-Visas.

Yes, Sindalah officially welcomed its first wave of international tourists in early 2025 as Neom’s first operational showcase. It is positioned as an ultra-luxury yachting and wellness destination, so expect premium pricing for hotels and dining—entry is typically tied to accommodation bookings or yacht permits. While the futuristic “The Line” is still under heavy construction, Sindalah offers a tangible glimpse of the project with three operational luxury resorts and a marina. You can reach it via boat transfer from the mainland or the new Neom Bay Airport (NUM), which has increasing connections from Riyadh and Jeddah.

Saudia’s business class is generally excellent value, often priced 30-40% lower than European legacy carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways. On their Boeing 787 and 777 fleets, you get fully lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning direct aisle access for everyone. The “on-demand” dining service is high quality, though remember it is a dry airline, so no champagne or wine is served onboard—instead, they offer a vast selection of fresh juices and teas. If you can live without alcohol for 6 hours, the hard product (seat and bed) often beats European competitors for a fraction of the price.

Don’t let the “desert” label fool you—Saudi winters are surprisingly chilly, especially in the evenings. In Riyadh and AlUla, December night temperatures frequently drop to 5-10°C (41-50°F), and desert camping trips can see near-freezing conditions. While daytime highs are a pleasant 20-25°C, you absolutely need a warm jacket, sweaters, and closed shoes for the evenings. Jeddah, being on the humid Red Sea coast, stays warmer (around 20°C at night), but the dry interior regions require a proper winter packing list. It’s not uncommon to see locals wearing heavy coats and using outdoor heaters at cafes during this season.

Yes, foreign tourists are allowed to share hotel rooms without providing proof of marriage. The government explicitly relaxed this rule in 2019 to boost tourism, and hotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla are well-accustomed to checking in unmarried European couples. You will simply present your passports at reception; staff will not ask about your relationship status or request a marriage certificate. Note that this exemption applies to foreigners—Saudi nationals are still subject to different rules, but as a tourist, you will face no issues booking a double room together.

While the desalinated municipal water supply is technically treated to safe standards, the quality of water tanks and pipes in individual buildings varies wildly. Almost no locals or expats drink straight from the tap; they rely on bottled water or home filtration systems. For a short trip, stick to bottled water for drinking to avoid any stomach issues. Tap water is perfectly fine for showering and brushing your teeth. In restaurants, always ask for “local water” (bottled) rather than “imported water” if you want to save money—local brands like Nova or Berain cost €1, while imported Evian might cost €8.

Saudi Arabia uses the British-style Type G plug (three rectangular pins) with a standard voltage of 230V, which is compatible with European electronics. If you’re coming from mainland Europe (using Type C or F plugs), you will explicitly need a Type G adapter. Unlike some countries where you can force a Euro plug into the socket, the Type G has a safety shutter that requires the top pin to open, so your round-pin plugs won’t work without an adapter. Most 4-star and 5-star hotels have universal sockets or USB ports, but don’t rely on this for Airbnb stays or desert camps.

We use AI-powered monitoring tools to scan thousands of route combinations from Europe to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam 24/7. When airlines like Saudia, Lufthansa, or Turkish Airlines file fares with pricing anomalies—often due to new route launches or temporary capacity gluts—our system flags them instantly. Human experts then verify these deals to ensure they have reasonable layovers and are with quality carriers. For example, we recently found direct flights from Frankfurt to Riyadh for €350 return (normally €750). Our free newsletter alerts you to these drops the moment they happen so you can book directly with the airline before the price corrects.