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, flydubai, and flynas are offering direct flights to AlUla.

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

PCR testing is readily available in AlUla at our mobile laboratory. Book online using the easy online portal, available in multiple languages, including English and Arabic. Open 8 am – 11 pm, with at-home testing options.

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

Saudia Air flies between AlUla and Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman. flydubai flies between AlUla and Dubai. flynas files between AlUla and Riyadh, Kuwait and Duabi. The nearest airport is AlUla 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.

Operational Hours at Winter Park VC:
Daily from 7:00 AM till 6:00 PM

Operational Hours at the Old Town VC:
Daily from:
8:00 AM till 10:00 AM
3:00 PM till 05:00 PM

8:00 PM till 12:00 AM

Operational Hours at Dadan VC:
Daily from:
8:00 AM till 10:00 AM
3:00 PM till 05:00 PM

Operational Hours at the Airport VC:
Covering all flights except one on Saturdays SV1630 as the flight arrives and leaves during Iftar time

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 8AM - 4PM 7 days a week and they will help answer any questions you may have about AlUla.

You can call +966 92 002 5003 and a representative will assist you with changing or cancelling your booking. THe call center is open from 8 AM to 4 PM daily.

You can call +966 92 002 5003 and a representative will assist you with changing or cancelling your booking.

You can call +966 92 002 5003 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.
• Banyan Tree AlUla (previously know as Ashar Resort) will offer luxurious one, two and three-bedroom Pool Villas overlooking iconic AlUla landscapes. Opening Q4 2021.
• Habitas AlUla, This eco-friendly resort blends in seamlessly with AlUla's landscape, bringing guests closer to the culture, heritage and environment around them. opening in Q4 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.

New resorts within nature, four cultural festivals, new adventure & wellness experiences, international concerts, live historical re-enactment, arts in the landscape, fine dining and more! Ready to celebrate starting October 2021? #AlUla #TheWorldsMasterpiece. To learn more visit Celebrate AlUla

Did you know that AlUla summers offer visitors some of the mildest, temperate weather in the region? From balmy mornings, lovely sunsets to cooler evenings and a gentle breeze throughout the day, don't miss your chance to enjoy summer in AlUla.
 
We suggest that both men and women dress in comfortable, loose clothing with walking or hiking shoes to travel around AlUlas varied terrains and landscapes.
 
In the winter months starting December to February, AlUla nights can get chilly. We recommend wearing full sleeve shirts with comfortable trousers,  and if needed, a sweatshirt or jacket, especially if you are planning to be late into the night in the desert.
 
Women can easily travel independently around AlUla and do not need to wear a headcover or an abaya.

For couples travelling together, proof of marriage won't be required.
 
Please note the sale, purchase and consumption of alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and it is illegal to bring alcohol or drugs into the country. Visitors should avoid using profane language or gestures, respecting local customs and traditions.

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”).

SAED is now available in AlUla for roadside assistance. 
Contact them and they will help with a flat tire, lock-out, battery, collision, and towing. They’ll even bring you fuel, oil, fluid, and water when you need it.

Call +966 55 060 6811 to request assistance
To make the process as fast as possible, it is helpful if you can have the following information ready for customer service team when calling:

• The name and contact phone number

• Specific location of the vehicle and nearest landmark

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.

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.

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.

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.