2026 budget guide — daily costs for budget, mid-range and luxury travellers, with a full breakdown of accommodation, food, transport and activities
Saudi Arabia is more affordable than most travellers expect. Food and local transport are cheap by international standards, activities and heritage sites are well-priced, and budget accommodation exists in most cities. The main costs are international flights and hotel accommodation in peak season.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | $20–40 Hostel dorm, budget hotel | $80–160 3–4 star | $300–600+ 5-star, resort |
| Food (per day) | $10–18 Street food, shawarma, local cafes | $30–55 Mix of local & restaurant dining | $80–150+ Fine dining, hotel restaurants |
| Local transport (per day) | $4–10 Metro, Uber, Careem | $15–30 Taxis, occasional car hire | $80–200 Private driver, chauffeured car |
| Domestic flights (one-way) | $30–60 flynas, flyadeal budget fares | $60–130 Flexible fares, Saudia | $200–500 Business class, same-day |
| Heritage sites & attractions | $5–20 Most sites are very affordable | $25–60 Guided tours, Hegra entry | $100–400+ Private guided experiences |
| eVisa fee (one-off) | ~$130 (includes mandatory travel insurance) — all tiers | ||
The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is the national currency. It has been pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 3.75 SAR = 1 USD since 1986, making budgeting straightforward for US travellers. For reference: £1 ≈ 4.75 SAR, €1 ≈ 4.05 SAR (March 2026 rates — check current rates before travel).
Cards are accepted almost everywhere in urban Saudi Arabia. Visa, Mastercard and American Express work in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, tourist sites, and petrol stations. Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted widely in Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. Saudi Arabia is one of the most cashless societies in the Arab world — the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) reported that over 70% of all transactions were digital in 2024.
When you need cash: Traditional souks, small food stalls, rural areas, tipping, and some local taxis. ATMs are abundant in all cities and accept international cards. Inform your bank before travel to avoid cards being blocked.
Tipping is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia but is appreciated. A 10–15% tip at restaurants is well-received if service is not already included in the bill (check — many hotel restaurants add a service charge). Taxi drivers: rounding up to the nearest SAR 5 is common. Hotel staff: SAR 10–20 for porters and housekeeping. Tour guides: SAR 50–100 for a half-day tour. Do not tip at fast food counters or government-operated sites.