2 Weeks in Saudi Arabia Itinerary

This itinerary begins in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia that is spearheading the country into the modern era, with its hyper-modern skyscrapers, oil-driven economy, and plenty of hidden gems for you to explore.

As soon as you arrive at the airport, make sure to purchase an STC local SIM card at the arrival hall, preferably the 30-day one, so that you can use it for navigation throughout your trip. Then, withdraw some cash for emergencies.

Having around 1,200 SAR should suffice in case some places do not accept credit cards. Out of all the gas stations we visited across the country, only one didn’t accept credit cards, so it’s always handy to have some cash on hand.

Once everything is ready, go and collect your rental car from the car rental area at the airport. Don’t forget to document everything for evidence in case they try to charge you for damages you didn’t cause when you return the car. Also, remind the clerk of all the policies you selected (such as open-mile, full insurance, and a different drop-off point) in case they overlooked them.

After all is done, it’s time to drive on the infamous Saudi roads. Get yourself acquainted with the rules of the jungle, I mean road here, and don’t go faster than 80 km/hr when not on a highway. Retreat to your hotel, rest up, and prepare for an adventure the next day.

On your second day, you can start your day by visiting Masmak Fortress, a unique-looking fortress with a rich history to tell. You can park at the paid parking lot in front of the fortress. It should cost around 5 SAR per hour and it should take you no more than that to see the fortress.

Next up, we are going to visit the National Museum, a massive museum with several sections dedicated to each period of Saudi Arabia from prehistoric times to the age of oil and modernization. A perfect place to learn more about the history of Saudi Arabia.

The museum is massive, so be sure to allocate at least an hour or 2 here. There is no entrance fee to enter, which I think was pretty awesome of them. There are plenty of free parking spots in front of the museum, so you should have no trouble getting here.

Don’t forget to drop by Murabba Historical Palace, a beautifully renovated former palace, home to a museum with a great collection of artifacts, traditional attire, and decorative art. It’s connected to the national museum, so you should be able to walk there.

In the evening, you can hang out at Boulevard City and see what the future holds for the capital city of Saudi Arabia, with its stunning light shows, bright billboards reminiscent of Times Square, and plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy. You can park for free at this parking lot.

On the second day, you can start a little later and visit Kingdom Center Sky Bridge for an incredible view of the city. The viewpoint is located on the 77th floor, so you will be able to see all the hyper-modern skyscrapers in Riyadh, including the iconic Al Faisaliah Tower. The ticket is 69 SAR per person, and you can buy it once you are there.

You can then explore the shopping mall there or at Al Faisaliah Tower, another iconic tower in Riyadh, with its iconic golden globe at the top. There’s a mall inside as well as an alternative observation deck you can check out.

In the evening, you can go and explore Al Bujairi Heritage Park, a massive park situated in the historic district of Diriyah, the oldest part of the city, as well as the place where the founding father of Saudi Arabia, the House of Saud, resided.

The park is filled with restaurants, cafes, and recreational facilities for you to enjoy. It’s important to note that the park is only open from 5 PM to 4 AM, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly and arrive after 5 PM.

The entrance fee is about 50 SAR, and you have to buy the ticket online here before you can enter. There is a paid parking lot available near Heritage Park. Alternatively, you could also park along this road for free, as I did. It is not much further than the paid parking lot.

Within Al Bujairi Heritage Park, you will find At-Turaif World Heritage Site, which is the actual birthplace of the first Saudi state and the ancestral home of the Saudi royal family, the Al Sauds.

The place is huge, and you can expect to spend at least an hour or two just exploring At-Turaif alone. It is a maze of winding and crisscrossing streets and alleyways, so be sure to spend some time and explore thoroughly.

Be sure to stay here until sunset, so you can witness its incredible light and sound show, which tells the history of Saudi Arabia from its founding days to its struggles with powers to the modern Saudi Arabia state we see today.

After you’re done exploring Al Bujairi Heritage Park, make sure to visit Almesainad District, an upcoming trendy spot where you’ll find many locals hanging out at night. We stumbled upon it by accident while looking for a more affordable place to have dinner near Al Bujairi.

On your third day in Riyadh, you can spend the rest of the morning relaxing at your hotel as we will be going on a tour to the Edge of the World, definitely the highlight of visiting Riyadh.

It is located approximately 98 km north of Riyadh and it requires 4WD and a guide to navigate the desert to get there, so you will have to go on an organized tour instead. The tour will pick you up from this meeting point in Riyadh around 2 PM and it should take about 6 hours in total.

You should arrive around 4 PM, and you will have about 2-3 hours to freely roam the canyon. You can hike all the way down to the massive rock outcrop and hang your feet off the Edge of the World, just be very mindful of your step as the cliff is very high above the ground.

Just before the tour ends, the guide will direct you to a small plateau where you can get a clear view of the iconic rock outcrop during sunset as it is surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Edge of the World. It is quite a sight to behold and makes the bumpy journey worthwhile.

Be sure to book the tour beforehand, preferably a few days earlier, as it can get booked out quite fast during the peak season. The tour also provides a basic dinner in the desert experience before they drop you off in Riyadh around 8 PM. Rest up for the night as we have a long drive ahead of us.

Looking for more things to do in Riyadh? Check out:10 BEST Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Day 4: Hail

Today, we are going to be driving about 600 km, and it will take you about 6 hours to get to Hail, so be sure to wake up early and hit the road before 7 AM. Your first stop is Hlewa Heritage Market, a beautiful heritage site with stunning mud houses you can explore. It’s about 2 hours away, so you should arrive there by 9 AM, just in time for it to be opened.

While the Heritage Market might not be as active during the day, it’s still worth visiting for its beautiful architecture. You can also explore the local museum here for free, as well as a nearby mosque, which features a towering minaret.

Right behind the mosque, you will find a narrow trail, leading you into the ruins of the old mud houses here. You can explore the old ruins, climb up to one of the mud houses, and enjoy the view from above. The walkways are well-maintained and go in and out of these mud houses, which is extremely fun to explore.

After you are done, you can also check out the new old market they are renovating right by the old mud houses and take some photos. Although it is artificial, it is still quite nice to see and imagine what it must have been like in its heyday.

Next up, we visit another mud village called Ushaiqer Heritage Village, located about 15 minutes’ drive from Hlewa Heritage Market. This village is definitely more well-lived-in, with a small community still living inside the mud houses.

There are many more crisscrossing streets here with many hidden gems like Ushaiqer Heritage Mosque, Al Salem Museum, and more, so be sure to spend an hour exploring the area thoroughly.

I quite like the contrast of the striking shadows and the mud houses’ brownish exterior. It can result in some really stunning photos, so get your camera ready. Both of the heritage villages (Hlewa and Ushaiqer) are free of charge, which I think is pretty awesome.

Once you are done here, you can continue for about 2 hours until you arrive in Unayzah, stop for a late lunch, before heading over to Albassam Heritage House to learn more about the history of this part of Saudi Arabia.

Albassam Heritage House is an old heritage house owned by a local family that dates all the way back to the 14th Century. Now, it is converted into a cultural center where you will be guided through each room, with small exhibitions about traditional attire, traditional tools to make food, and how to store their dates for months without them going bad.

You will learn about each room and its functions, and at the end of the tour, you will enjoy a lovely welcome Arabic coffee and dates, with a cool presentation of how they entertain people while making coffee. The coffee maker would create rhythmic sounds from his coffee grinder as he sings along to its tune. It was pretty awesome!

And all that is for free! How awesome is this? We went to 3 places and all of them are free. I’m sure this won’t last as tourists pick up in the country, so enjoy it while it lasts!

After you are done, be sure to check out Al Musawkaf Market behind it. Although they are not open until 4 PM, you should be able to enter, walk around, and take some photos.

It is pretty cool with palm trees in the middle of a large courtyard surrounded by all kinds of local shops. Spend some time here and walk around before we continue driving to Hail.

You can also stop by Aloqilat Museum and check out its local collection. Although most exhibitions are in Arabic, it is still a cool place to see. It should take about 2 hours to get to Hail, and you should arrive in the city just before sunset.

Before you go to your hotel, make sure you drive up Al Samra Mountain and enjoy the sunset from up there. The entrance fee is 25 SAR, and you can drive all the way to its designated parking spot at the top.

Once you park the car, you will then have to take a free transfer to the observation deck. The car comes every 2 – 3 minutes and you just have to wait by the parking lot. There was not much of a line when I was there, so be careful of people cutting in line.

Once you arrive at the observation deck, you will have a panoramic view of the city of Hail from above. The observation deck faces directly west, so you can witness an incredible sunset here. It gets pretty cold after sundown, so be sure to wear a jacket.

Once done, you can take the shuttle back to the parking lot, drive down, check in to your hotel, grab dinner, and retreat for the day.

Day 5 – 7: AlUla

After spending the night in Hail, we are going to head over to AlUla, but before that, be sure to stop by A’arif Fort and check out the view from up there.

Once you are done, it’s time to drive to one of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia, AlUla, home to the ancient city of Hegra that was built by the Nabateans, who also built the stunning ancient city Petra in Jordan.

The drive should take no more than 5 hours along a desert road. Gas stations are few and far between, so be sure to fill your car up before you leave the city.

Once you arrive in AlUla, you can check into your hotel first and visit Elephant Rock or vice versa. It is a beautiful rock formation that is shaped like an elephant, located in the middle of the desert, and it is beautiful both during the day and at night when it is illuminated by lights. Most prefer it at night, so you can come back here after sunset.

Around 4 PM, be sure to drive up to Harrat Viewpoint, an incredible vantage point located on top of a gigantic sandstone cliff, overlooking the city of AlUla and its surrounding area.

The vantage point from Harrat is incredible. With its 180° view, there is no place where you can take in the stunning natural beauty and incredible geological features of AlUla like this. Despite the sun setting behind the viewpoint, it is still one of the best places to watch the sunset in AlUla.

There is also a cafe at the top with live music and plenty of seats, where you can relax as you wait for the sunset. If you are looking for a place to watch the sunset, be sure to check out Harrat Viewpoint.

After you are done, you can come back to Elephant Rock and see the place at night. It sure gave a different vibe when I visited again after sundown. There are restaurants and cafes with plenty of seats in the middle of the desert where you can enjoy.

Before you go back to your accommodation and retreat for the night, don’t forget to wander off behind the Elephant Rock, look up at the sky, and gaze at the stars. A desert is always a great place to go stargazing.

For the next day, you can start exploring the beautiful old town of AlUla starting with Al Jadidah Arts District, a newly developed district adjacent to AlUla’s Old Town, and it is a place where the creativity of the locals here shines the most.

Located right next to the Old Town’s North Parking Lot, you will likely have to walk through Al Jadidah Arts District as you make your way to AlUla’s Old Town. The place is full of hidden gems like Madrasat Addeera Cultural Center, Design Space, and my favorite of all, AlUla Public Library.

Once you are done, you can then proceed to AlUla’s Old Town, which is just next to Al Jadidah Arts District. With several mud houses and shops lining both sides of the street, the old town of AlUla really gives off a vibe of being in a Western cowboy movie.

Along both sides of the Old Town’s main street, you’ll find plenty of shops and stores offering all kinds of goods, from souvenirs to perfumes, and more. You’ll also find a selection of really lovely restaurants and cafes that blend seamlessly with the desert surroundings.

You can also go on a guided tour around the Old Town, which will give you access to AlUla Castle as well. The tour should take about 90 minutes, and you can book one online here.

After the old town, you can go on a little adventure and hike the Oasis Heritage Trail, a 10-km long walking trail that will take you through the oasis of AlUla along lush palm-shaded paths and a picture-perfect setting.

Don’t worry, you do not have to walk the entire 10-km length. You can do as I did and walk parts of it that begin from this trail head across the road from AlUla’s Old Town to Pink Camel Cafe, and do a few detours and see a date farm and the abandoned mud houses nearby.

Spend about an hour or 2 exploring the mud houses along Oasis Heritage Trail, and then head over to Pink Camel Cafe to enjoy lunch before visiting one of the highlights of AlUla, the ancient city of Hegra.

Built by the Nabateans, the same people who gave us Petra in Jordan, Hegra is probably the highlight of my trip to Saudi Arabia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 100 tombs carved into sandstone cliffs located in the middle of the AlUla desert.

The entire area is fenced off, and the only way to visit Hegra is to go on an organized tour run by the government. You can book it online here. Make sure to book in advance, as they have limited spots for each time slot.

The best time to visit Hegra is in the evening, so be sure to book a time slot that is as close to sunset as possible. When I booked the tour in early March, the last time slot of the day was at 2:30 PM, which turned out to be perfect. It took us about 30 minutes to get from the meeting point to Hegra, and we spent about 3 hours exploring the heritage site until 5 PM.

The tour will pick you up from Winter Park, just north of AlUla. You can drive there and park for free at its parking lot.

After you have completed the Hegra Tour, you can head back to AlUla’s Old Town and witness how the quiet Old Town comes to life as both local and foreign tourists flock to hang out at cafes and restaurants here. It is such a contrast to the morning and definitely worth checking out again.

For our third day in AlUla, I highly recommend you switch your accommodation and stay at either Caravan by Habitas, Banyan Tree AlUla, or Our Habitas for a night so that you get access to its incredible facilities and tourist attractions that you won’t be able to visit without being a guest at these hotels.

With such a high price tag, you are going to get your money’s worth by spending the entire of your third day enjoying all the facilities and activities offered for free by Our Habitas.

You can spend the afternoon visiting Maraya, a massive mirrored structure, the largest of its kind in the world, located inside the private land operated by Our Habitas. It is one of the most beautiful buildings you will see in AlUla.

Since it is an art center, at the moment, you will only have access inside the building if there is an event going on and you have a reservation for that event. Even then, just staring at Maraya from the outside is already worth the trip. There’s just nothing quite like it.

After that, you can spend the evening enjoying the sunset or joining one of the many daily activities provided by the hotel. When I was there, there were free Yoga classes, an art tour, and an open-air movie theatre you can join.

I stayed at Caravan by Habitas, the cheapest option of all three, which is still pretty pricey at almost 311 USD per night, but think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and an entire day worth of activity, and you should feel a bit better. That’s how I tricked myself into paying it anyway 😂.

The next morning, you can enjoy the unlimited breakfast at your hotel and visit the stunning pool of Our Habitas hotel to relax there.

You can also grab an e-bike and ride around the property for free, which is pretty fun to do. Once you are done, you can retreat back to your hotel, maybe have another free early lunch around 10:30 AM thanks to its unlimited breakfast, before completing your trip in AlUla and heading over to Medina.

Looking for more things to do in AlUla? Check out:10 BEST Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Day 8: Medina

After AlUla, we continue our journey to Medina, the second most sacred city in Islam. The city is more than 1,500 years old and is considered the place from which Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, established the Muslim community after his flight from Mecca (622 CE) and is where his body is entombed.

The city used to prohibit non-Muslims from visiting, but in 2021, they relaxed this rule and now anyone is welcome to the city, which is why I have included this in the itinerary. It would be a shame to come all the way to Saudi Arabia and not visit one of the most sacred cities in the world.

As of 2024, you can even go and see the Prophet’s Mosque, which was built at the site where Prophet Mohammed passed away. It is the second largest mosque in the world, second only to the grand mosque in Mecca, with a capacity of over a million.

Technically, you are only allowed to see the mosque from the outside, but sometimes the security guard might allow you to enter the fenced area, but not inside the mosque itself.

The rules aren’t as clear-cut; however, I was let in at one gate and scolded by a security guard at a different gate, so your mileage may vary. It is important to respect the religion here, so I wouldn’t attempt to enter the mosque without permission.

If you want to see the fenced-off area of the mosque without going in, you can also book Dar Al Iman InterContinental Hotel and get a room with a view of the mosque. It’s expensive, but it’s better than getting scolded by the security there.

Ladies, be sure to wear a headscarf the moment you enter Medina and try to blend in as much as possible the entire time you are in this city. Many people will stare at you in discontent if you don’t, as this is the most sacred place here. In other cities, you will be fine without, but Medina is a different story.

Since the Grand Mosque is the only thing to do here, I highly recommend you stay somewhere around the center so you can easily see the mosque. The entire city center gets extremely packed during the evening, which is quite a sight to behold. Once you are done, retreat for the night and prepare for another long drive to Jeddah.

Day 9 – 11: Jeddah

Usually, the drive to Jeddah should take about 5 hours, but we are going to go on a little detour and visit Al-Wa’bah Crater, one of the most beautiful craters in Saudi Arabia, known for its incredible scenery and vista.

In about 3 hours, you should arrive at Al-Wa’bah Crater. The road is a single lane, but quite empty, and you should be able to drive straight to the crater using the route suggested on Google Maps. Be sure to buy some snacks and lunch for the trip as you won’t find much out here.

Once you arrive, you can spend a few hours exploring the crater along the rim walkway. They have built several pavilions along the bridge, so you should be able to enjoy the place and stretch your legs for a bit.

It is now prohibited to descend into the crater due to past incidents where individuals were unable to climb back up due to its slippery and steep nature. A local guy told me that there are still sediments at the center of the crater that could be harmful to your respiratory system, so please refrain from attempting it.

After you are done, you will have to drive another 3-4 hours until you arrive at Jeddah, the crowned jewel of the Red Sea, often referred to as the Dubai of Saudi Arabia. You will appreciate the transition from the sacred city of Medina to the bustling free port of Jeddah. Settle in at your accommodation and rest for the night.

After you are well-rested, it is time to explore the beautiful city of Jeddah, starting with Al Tayabat City Museum, probably the best museum in the city and one that must not be missed. The museum is housed in this impressive multi-complex structure that is unlike anything you have seen before.

Within the museum premises, you will find a handful of narrow alleyways where you can walk around and admire the stunning exterior to your heart’s content. From the traditional wooden windows to the old wooden sky bridge, the place really reminded me of my time in Zanzibar, Tanzania, another coastal town that had been heavily influenced by Indian culture.

Once you are ready, you can enter the museum where you will find an impressive amount of in-depth exhibits spread across 3 floors. The museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arabian Peninsula.

After you are done at the museum, you can then head over to Old Jeddah, the oldest part of the city with a history dating all the way back to the 7th century.

While you are here, you will be surrounded by some of the most photogenic buildings in Jeddah. Some are undergoing renovation, while others remain relatively untouched with overgrown tree branches, chipped paint, and all. Not everything needs to be completely renovated, in my opinion.

I happened to stumble upon Herbalists Lane by accident as I was exploring Old Jeddah, and I completely fell in love with it instantly. It is a small, narrow alleyway among the maze of Old Town Jeddah, but what makes this different is the whole vibe of it.

If you’re looking for a nice and quiet place to enjoy a cup of coffee in Old Jeddah, I highly recommend checking out Roshan Cafe inside Baeshen House. Baeshen House is an old heritage building with a small museum that you can visit for free, but what’s really cool is Roshan Café that’s inside.

Another tourist attraction in Old Jeddah you shouldn’t miss is Nassif House Museum, a massive multi-floor historical house that has been converted into a museum and a cultural center where you can learn about the history of the place.

There are several parking lots around the old town, but almost all of them are now paid. I found this parking lot to be the most convenient, with easy access to the old town. It was also reasonably priced. I believe we paid about 5 SAR for 3 hours via credit card on its website.

There is so much to see and do in Old Jeddah, so I highly recommend you stay until the night when the place is most active if you can. To save on parking, you might consider taking a taxi here and back. It is my favorite area of Jeddah, so you won’t regret it.

For the second day, you can start a little later and go for a walk along Jeddah Corniche, a 30 km long coastal recreational area that runs along the coast of the Red Sea.

While you are hanging out at Jeddah Corniche, be sure to drop by and check out Al Rahmah Mosque, best known as the floating mosque. It is a beautiful mosque built on stilts and marked by its bright white color and its turquoise dome.

In the evening, head over to Middle Corniche Park or Al-Hamra Corniche and see King Fahad’s Fountain, a massive fountain that jets water as high as 260 meters (853 ft), making it one of the highest in the world.

For the third day here, you can spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. I know how taxing it is to drive around Saudi Arabia, and trust me, you are going to appreciate a day where you do not have to drive very far. Maybe check out the Red Sea Mall.

Try the famous Al-Baik Fast Food chain and taste some of their delicious fried chicken and chicken nuggets. You should be able to find one at the food court inside Red Sea Mall. Enjoy a night out in Jeddah before retreating for the night and preparing for the next day.

Looking for more things to do in Jeddah? Check out:9 BEST Things to Do in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Day 12: Al Bahah

For today, we are going to be driving around 4.5 hours to Al Bahah where we will be visiting the beautiful Thee Ain Ancient Village, a village built in the 8th Century on top of a marble mountain with more than 40 houses, a mosque, and a fortified wall surrounding it.

The village was named after the water that flows from the nearby mountains. There is a local legend that tells of a man who lost his stick in one of the valleys. In his attempt to retrieve it, he followed the river until he arrived at the village. There, he gathered its people and excavated until he extracted the stick from the spring.

You can read the history of the place and all its legends at the Visitor Center at the bottom of the village. The village is free to enter and although there is nothing inside the houses here, it is still worth the climb for the view over the area.

It is quite a bit of a hike and can take about 10 – 15 minutes to reach the top, so be sure to pack some water with you. Since we will be staying in Al Bahah tonight, you have plenty of time to visit Thee Ain village.

You can come back and check the place out in the evening as I heard it is beautifully illuminated at night, if you don’t mind driving the mountain road between Al Bahah and Thee Ain at night.

Day 13-14: Abha

The drive from Al Bahah to Abha is arguably the most scenic among the roads you’ve driven, with its breathtaking scenery, tunnels, and a road that zigzags up a mountain ridge, resembling a serpent snaking its way up the mountain.

Along the mountain road, you will find Rijal Almaa Museum, an incredible piece of architecture that has stood the test of time for more than 900 years.

It is a village turned museum, highly influenced by Yemeni culture, which is clearly visible in its unique architectural style, reminiscent of those found in the Old Quarter of Sana’a, the capital city of Yemen.

Despite certain areas being converted into a museum, you will still find people living in some of the houses here. It is said that there are around 60 multi-story buildings here, all made of stone, clay, and wood.

You will have to pay the entrance fee of 20 SAR per person to enter the structure. Inside, there is a small museum that contains old tools, weapons, and a few costumes. It’s not particularly special, but you can hike up further to get a nice view of the village from above.

There is also a cafe here as well as shops selling snacks and souvenirs in case you haven’t bought one along the way. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, you can also appreciate the museum from the outside. It is quite a sight to behold!

Once you are done, you can continue your way up the mountain to Abha. This is the most scenic part of the road trip, but also the most dangerous, with its steep climb and several hairpin turns, so be extremely careful here.

The road will take you all the way up to almost 2,400 meters. It takes about 45 minutes to drive all the way up to the top. We drove up with a regular sedan car (Toyota Yaris), and it was fine, but we were definitely pushing it to its limit with all the climbs we were doing.

Thankfully, there are a few rest stops that are worth visiting along the way. One is this viewpoint, located at one of the hairpin turns up the mountain, and you will get an incredible view of the valley below.

I was there at sunset, and it was incredible. There were also baboons everywhere, hanging out on the mountain, waiting for locals to feed them. They can get quite aggressive when they see anything that could be food, so do not have anything dangling around with you when you get out of the car.

Also, do not feed them; just like the monkeys in Thailand, that is how they become more and more aggressive towards humans. As long as you don’t have anything that looks like food, they won’t bother you.

Once you are done, drive all the way up to the top and you should find another great viewpoint with a clear view of the serpentine road that you just drove up. Don’t forget to stop here.

Last but not least, the highest viewpoint here will provide you with an incredible vantage point over the western side of the mountain, making it a perfect spot to watch the sunset. All three viewpoints are truly worth a visit, so be sure to keep an eye out for them! Bring your jackets too as it can be extremely cold up here.

Once you are done, you can descend to Abha and spend the night in the city. The next day, you can explore Abha, visit Shamsan Historical Castle, Abha Lake, and The Art Street at night, or you can just relax for the entire day before you head home.

On your last day, return your car to the rental place at Abha International Airport. Spare at least 3.5 hours before your flight because the car inspection might take 30 minutes and you should have time to dispute any extra costs they might throw at you at the end. Also, Abha airport is not particularly well organized, and you might find yourself having to queue up to check in for quite some time. We waited for an hour just to get our bag checked, so be sure to be at the airport early.

And that is it! You have completed a 2-week road trip around Saudi Arabia! Not many people will have the time and energy to do this epic itinerary, so congratulations! Enjoy the trip of your lifetime and stay safe!

When to Visit Saudi Arabia?

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is between November and Early March when the weather is perfect during the day and with some cool breeze in the evening and up in the mountains. Be sure to pack a few jackets as the night can be pretty cold in the desert.

I would avoid visiting Saudi Arabia in the summer months as, like most Gulf Countries, it can get extremely hot and humid. So much so that you wouldn’t be able to do anything during the day, which is not ideal for such an action-packed itinerary that we have here.

How to Get to Saudi Arabia?

From the US, there are only a handful of direct flights from the US to Saudi Arabia, such as the one from JFK to Riyadh operated by Saudia Airlines. But if you don’t mind transiting, you should be able to find flights for your city to Riyadh via Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordan Air.

From Europe, you can also take one of the many direct flights leaving from cities like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London to Riyadh via Saudi Airlines, KLM, or other local airlines.

From Asia, the same applies to most direct flights operated by Saudi Airlines. You can also fly via Emirates and Etihad if you don’t mind transiting through the UAE.

To find a cheap flight to Saudi Arabia, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get Around Saudi Arabia?

For this itinerary, you are going to need to rent a car and drive since we will be covering more than 2,700 km, visiting far and wide.

Relying on public transportation between cities is only applicable if you just want to visit Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca (for Muslims only) as they are connected via a high-speed rail line, but that is pretty much it for Saudi Arabia.

Within the city, you can also take Uber or Careem, but taxis are pretty expensive here, and you will save more money by renting a car and driving yourself.

Gas is cheap at around 1.9 – 2 SAR per liter, and it should cost no more than 84 SAR (223 USD) to fill up the 42-liter tank capacity of a Toyota Yaris entirely.

There are 2 notable car rental companies I recommend, Yelo and Keys, both are locals. Yelo is a bit more expensive, but they are highly praised and are more professional to deal with. Keys are cheaper, but I had a few issues with them.

When Keys delivered the car to me, the car’s interior was quite dirty. When we returned the car at another branch, they charged us 57 SAR for the stains that came with the car (not caused by us).

We forgot to record a video inside the car as proof when we got it, so we had to bite the bullet and pay. So don’t make the same mistake as I did and record both the exterior and interior of the car when you get it from the car rental place.

For 14 days, you can expect to pay around 1,000 USD for car rental with an open-mile policy and full insurance. You are going to need this insurance as without the open-mile, you are limited to traveling only around 200 km per day, which is not enough to cover this itinerary. Saudi Arabia is way too big for a daily mile limit.

You also need full insurance as the Saudi roads are a complete jungle out here. Everyone drives like their houses are on fire here. Tailgating and sweeping across 4 lanes without turn signals are extremely common, and you are mostly at the behest of other drivers.

I have highlighted quite extensively why here, so be sure to check that out. Oh, and there are also risks of sandstorms, so it is always a good idea to go with full insurance.

You could also rely on international car rental places like Hertz or Budget, but you might not be able to return the car at a different location, so be sure to look into that first.

For this itinerary, you are going to have to return the car at a different location since our trip starts in Riyadh and ends in Abha, so don’t forget to pick that option. Both companies allow a different drop-off location, and they both have a branch at Abha International Airport, so you are good to go.

For more details on renting and driving a car in Saudi Arabia, check out:Renting a Car in Saudi Arabia: 19 Things to Know

How Much Money Do I Need For A 2-Week Trip To Saudi Arabia?

From this 2-week itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: You can expect to spend around 835 USD minimum for 14 days’ worth of accommodation.

Food: For 14 days, you can expect to pay around 336 USD for food at regular restaurants.

Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 1100 USD for transportation with the car rental being 1,000 USD including open-mile, different drop-off locations, and full insurance. 100 USD is for gas for the entire 14-day road trip.

Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary, you can expect to pay around 200 SAR (53 USD) for activities, including entrance fees for tourist attractions, tours, etc.

Total Budget for 2 weeks in Saudi Arabia: 2,324 USD (Solo) or 2,713 USD (Couple)

What to Pack for Saudi Arabia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia:

Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.

Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.

Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.

Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).

Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It’s lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.

Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker’s towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.

Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.

Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.

Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.

Universal Adapter: You’ll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.

Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.

Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It’s large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!

Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Saudi Arabia

Looking for more information for your trip to Saudi Arabia? Here is a collection of articles about Saudi Arabia that you might find useful:

Want to visit Saudi Arabia, but not sure where to go? Check out: 15 Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia.
Visiting Riyadh soon and wondering what there is to do there? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AlUla is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia and if you plan to visit there, you are going to need this guide: 10 Best Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah is the Dubai of Saudi Arabia with the same laid-back vibe, but way cooler history. Here are the9 Best Things to Do in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Want to rent a car and travel around Saudi Arabia? You might want to read this first: 19 Things To Know Before Renting a Car and Drive in Saudi Arabia.
Looking to explore more? How about dropping by the United Arab Emirates Travel Guide, Qatar, or Bahrain?
Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.