What to Expect & FAQs

Saudi Arabia will reopen its borders to international tourists from 1 August 2021.

Citizens from 49 countries are eligible for a tourism visa, which can be secured on the Visit Saudi website. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, especially from countries with new variant coronavirus, travellers should check with their carrier before booking.
 

Saudi Arabia will reopen its borders to international tourists from 1 August 2021.

Tourism visa holders who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to enter the country from 1 August, 2021 without the need to quarantine. Travelers will need to provide evidence of a full course of one the four vaccines currently recognized: two doses of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or a single dose of the vaccine produced by Johnson and Johnson.

Travelers who have completed two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines will be accepted if they have received an additional dose of one of the four vaccines approved in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has opened a web portal at https://muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home for visitors to register their vaccination status. The site is available in Arabic and English.

Travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia are also required to provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure and an approved paper vaccination certificate, certified by the official health authorities in the issuing country.
 

All visitors will be asked to observe the precautionary measures approved by the Ministry of Health which include wearing a mask in public and maintaining social distancing.
 

Currently, Saudia Airlines and flynas are offering direct flights to AlUla.

Please visit Flying to AlUla page for the most up-to-date information.

Check out the Getting to and Around AlUla page to learn about travel options. 

Saudia Air flies between AlUla and Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman. flynas files between AlUla and Riyadh. The nearest airport is Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ULH), which is located around 35 kilometers southeast of AlUla. Improvements to the AlUla airport including VIP lounges and other upgrades have recently been completed, as has a new visitor centre on the site.

AlUla is a 10-hour drive from Riyadh, 7 hour drive from Jeddah, 3 hours 20 minute drive from Medina and just over 3 hour drive from Tabuk Airport. It’s also only a 2.5 hour drive to the Red Sea which visitors can add on to their trip.

We recommend you book your trip through one of our recommended travel partners. They will help create a custom package for your trip and complete the booking process for you. There are several options for booking your trip to AlUla available on the How to Book page.
 

To get around visitors can use AlUla’s new taxi service, rent a car with or without a driver/guide, or hail a ride from Careem:

• Careem, download the app from Google Play or IOs Store
• Safwa Green Taxi - 920004507
• AlUla Guide Tours - 966540522257
• Arnawa - 966592100072
• Rent a car from the airport with Alwefaq from the airport
• Lumi Rental - 920000572

Other transport includes bus transportation from Winter Park to Hegra and Dadan, which can be included in your ticket.

Information desks are located at Winter Park, Dadan /Jabal Ikmah, and Hegra.Information Desks are also located at Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in AlUla as well as Shaden Resort and Sahary AlUla Resort.

There are several locations in AlUla to dine. Visit the Where to Eat page to see the variety of restaurants and cafes available. 
 

The heritage sites are currently open to visitors. To book tours and experiences visit the What To Do page. 

Several experiences are now available in AlUla. Visit the What to do Page for list tours and activities that are currently available.

Yes, currently there is a discount for AlUla residents, please go to the visitor centre in Winter Park, show your ID and the discount will be provided to you.

You can see the list of available experiences and attractions coming soon, on the What To Do  page.

We would love to hear about your experience in AlUla. Please take the survey and provide us with your feedback.

Please reach out to a representative at +966 92 002 5003 9AM - 5PM 7 days a week and they will help answer any questions you may have about AlUla.

You can call 8008803023 and a representative will assist you with changing or cancelling your booking.

You can call 8008803023 and a representative will assist you with changing or cancelling your booking.

You can call 800 880 3023 and a representative will assist you with changing or cancelling your booking.

You can find the current and upcoming accommodation options on our Where to Stay page.

Shaden Resort offers comfortable accommodation in an incredible location, Sahary AlUla Resort has tradition Bedouin style rooms.

Ashar Resort offers one, two and three bedroom luxury tented style accommodation and is re-opening after renovations towards the end of 2021.

Habitas is a new eco-friendly luxury accommodation in the Ashar Valley and will be opening in 2021.

More accommodation including new and updated hotel rooms will be coming online throughout 2021.

Please reach out to a representative at +966 92 002 5003 9AM - 5PM 7 days a week and they will help answer any questions you may have about AlUla.

Please check back on our events page for what will be an exciting events calendar that will strictly adhere to COVID-19 safe capacities.

To be respectful of local customs we suggest both men and women dress modestly (with knees and elbows covered and avoiding tight-fitting clothing or those with profane languages or images). Women do not need to wear a head cover or abaya. Flat comfortable shoes are recommended when visiting various sites and experiences, since walking over varied terrain is often involved.

Proof of marriage is not required for couples to share a hotel room. However, public displays of affection are not consistent with local culture. Visitors should also avoid using profane language or gestures.

Female travellers aged 18 and older can travel independently (including driving and booking hotel rooms) on an eVisa without the need for male companions.

At prayer time, five times a day, music is turned off in public places and many shops close briefly.  Visitors should observe decorum during these times.

The sale, purchase and consumption of alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia. It is illegal to bring alcohol or drugs into the country.

Learn more about laws and etiquette in Saudi Arabia.

The local currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Some shops in town only accept cash, so it’s good to have some with you. There are ATMs in AlUla, but there is no currency exchange — plan to exchange money at Riyadh or Jeddah airports before your arrival.

Winter, typically October through April, is the best time to visit AlUla, with temperatures ranging from a pleasant 10–25 degrees Celsius (45–70 degrees Fahrenheit). It does get colder at night, so it is important to pack some warm clothing.

May through September is much hotter in this desert climate, with temperatures ranging from 20–35 degrees Celsius (60–95 degrees Fahrenheit).

The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, but English is widely spoken in AlUla and around the country. When greeting locals a friendly greeting is “Marhaba” (“hello”) and “Salaam aleikum” (“peace be upon you”).

AlUla will be fully compliant with the Ministry of Health and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) guidelines. Visit the Covid-19 information page for more information on the measures applied to ensure the safety of visitors at all times.

For minor illnesses, there’s Pure Clinic, Bateel Clinic, and Al-Busraji Clinic, all located in Al-Aziziya.

There are also many well-equipped pharmacies in AlUla city.

For emergencies, please go to Prince Abdulmohsen Hospital in AlUla or call the Saudi Red Crescent to request an ambulance 997.

The price of the tickets will be invested back into the development of AlUla as a visitor destination and will help fund key conservation, infrastructure, and hospitality and staffing programs to ensure the visitor experience is of international quality and standards.

Saudi Arabia has a handful of special occasions and holidays, so if you would like to visit during these periods, it is good to be prepared as most of them vary year to year due to the lunar calendar.

RAMADAN: During the holy month, Muslims are fasting from sunrise to sunset. You will find that most restaurants are closed during the day, however, hotels will be able to deliver room service. Takeaway and delivery services are also available at some restaurants. Most restaurants will open for iftar, the evening meal during which Muslims break their fast after Maghrib, or sunset prayer. Shops will be open only a few hours in the day and reopen late in the evenings. The start of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the new moon. In 2021, the month of Ramadan is likely to be over the period 13 April to 12 May 2021, however, dates may vary slightly.

EID AL FITR HOLIDAYS: To celebrate the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the Eid Al Fitr. Eid Al Fitr in AlUla is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy meals, celebrations, and many local activities. During the first three of five days, most businesses remain closed and restaurants may have shorter operating hours, but it is a wonderful time to be in AlUla and celebrate with the locals with many activities to do. In 2021, Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall on 12, 13, or 14 May, depending on the sighting of the moon.

EID AL ADHA HOLIDAYS: This is the second of the Eid celebrations in the Muslim calendar and is known as the greater Eid. A celebration a day after the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, it falls on the tenth day in the final month, Dhu-al-Hijjah, of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. As the dates of Hajj also vary slightly from year to year, so does the actual day of Eid Al Adha. Normally, five days before and after Eid, most businesses remain closed and restaurants may have shorter operating hours. In 2021, Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on 20, 21, or 22 July, depending on the sighting of the moon.

SAUDI NATIONAL DAY HOLIDAY: This special day is to celebrate the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is held annually on 23 September. All businesses are closed for this national holiday, however, each year this day is celebrated with many special events and activities around the country and is a special time to visit Saudi Arabia.

Bin Eid Market in AlUla city is available for a good variety of food, health and personal care products, and other necessities.

For electronics, AlUla uses the same power plugs and sockets as in the United Kingdom (Type G).

Wi-Fi hotspots are located at specific locations and all hotels. However, for visitors coming from outside Saudi Arabia, we recommend purchasing a local mobile SIM card from a telecom provider at Riyadh or Jeddah airports.

You can access the RCU site and look for job openings.