Saudi Arabia Trip 2026: eVisa, Advisories, Riyadh + Jeddah

It was 2:30 a.m. and I was scrolling through the official Saudi visa site's list of 60-odd eligible countries, from North America all the way down to Oceania. The Asia section had Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong. Taiwan, the country on my passport, wasn't there.

For a moment I thought my plan was dead at step one. A lot of you won't have that problem: US, Australian and Singaporean passports are all on the list. Some of you will. The UK sits under a separate Electronic Travel Authorization category, Vietnam and the Philippines aren't eligible, and India and Indonesia go through a "Visa by Package" route. What I learned is that the list is only half the story. The thing that should actually make you stop and read is a different page: your own government's travel advisory for Saudi Arabia. So that's where I start, and then I break down the visa, the flights, and how to split your days between Riyadh and Jeddah, one piece at a time, for a first trip.

The short version: the visa is doable, but right now I only book what I can cancel

It comes down to three sentences. Getting a Saudi tourist visa is doable: if your passport is on the eligible list it's an online eVisa application, and if it isn't there are other official routes (Taiwanese passports like mine apply in advance through a separate channel). Governments are still flagging the country: the US has Saudi Arabia at Level 3, "Reconsider Travel", and Taiwan, where I started my own research, keeps the whole country at orange (Level 3). So if you want to lock in plans now, only book things with a clearly stated cancellation deadline.

I took the 7 Saudi activities we list on this site, checked each Klook page in September 2026, and sorted them by whether you can get your money back. In our Middle East deals, Klook is currently the only merchant with Saudi inventory, so there's no cross-platform price comparison here, just the prices and cancellation terms of each activity on the same shelf.

Activity	City	Listed price (per person)	Cancellation
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) transfer	Riyadh	NT$666 (~US$21), per car (sedan, up to 3 people)	Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
Masmak Fortress & Kingdom Center day tour	Riyadh	NT$5,004 (~US$157)	Free cancellation up to 7 days before
Red sand dunes full-day tour (dinner included)	Riyadh	NT$2,434 (~US$77)	Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Al Manjour small-group sunset hike	Riyadh	NT$1,226 (~US$39)	Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Six Flags Qiddiya City one-day ticket	Outside Riyadh	NT$1,752 (~US$55)	Non-refundable
Bayada Island snorkeling boat trip	Jeddah	NT$2,017 (~US$63)	Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
Haramain High Speed Railway ticket from Jeddah airport	Jeddah	From NT$206 (~US$6)	Non-refundable

Five of the seven can be canceled for free. The Six Flags ticket and the train ticket are gone once you pay. So here's my order: the Riyadh airport transfer (refundable up to 48 hours before) you'll need on arrival day can be booked first, and the two non-refundable items wait until the week before departure, after you've confirmed your government hasn't raised its advisory. Prices move. The table shows what the pages listed when I checked, so go by the checkout page.

What the travel advisories actually say

I read these pages all the way through, because they decide whether you go at all, and they also decide how you buy insurance.

There's no one advisory that covers every reader of this post, so start with your own government's page. Here are the three I read. The US State Department puts Saudi Arabia at Level 3, "Reconsider Travel", and says "Do Not Travel" to the Yemen border. The US Mission's notice of August 30, 2026 reads: "Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity."

The UK's FCDO page (updated July 25, 2026, and still current when I checked on September 15) advises against all travel within 10km of the Yemen border and all but essential travel 10 to 80km from it. It also says that since July 2026 the Houthis have launched air strikes against Saudi territory and could do so again at short notice, including against airports and ports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Abha. Japan's foreign ministry, for a third reference point, has Riyadh Province at Level 2 and Makkah Province, where Jeddah is, at Level 1.

The southern border risk isn't just words on a page. Safe Airspace, an aviation risk site, records on its Saudi Arabia page that after a Houthi missile and drone attack in July 2026, four southern airports (Abha, Jizan, Najran and Sharurah) were temporarily closed. Riyadh and Jeddah, the two cities in this plan, aren't in that area, but that doesn't reassure me much. The FCDO names airports in both of them, and South Korea's foreign ministry posted a safety notice on September 10 saying missile and drone attacks were continuing in the southwest, telling travelers to be careful around high-risk infrastructure such as airports and ports. It followed up on September 13 with a notice about people injured near the Yemen border. So I'd leave extra slack around the days you fly.

Insurance is where this gets practical. The FCDO puts it plainly: "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO." Insurers differ on whether they cover trips to places your government advises against, so read the war and government-advice exclusions, and ask the insurer you plan to use before you buy.

If you do decide to go, sign up for your government's travel alerts before you leave (the FCDO offers email alerts for its travel advice) and save your embassy's emergency contact in your phone. Both together take less than five minutes, so don't skip them.

The eVisa: on the list, off the list, and the route I took

Back to that 2:30 a.m. list. The visa.visitsaudi.com homepage describes a one-year multiple-entry visa with stays of up to 90 days each. The tourist visa covers events, family visits and leisure, and it includes Umrah but not Hajj. Visit Saudi's visa regulations page fills in the rest: the eVisa is either multiple-entry and valid for one year, or single-entry and valid for three months, each stay is capped at 90 consecutive days, and the fee shown is SAR 395 (about US$105), including the application fee and medical insurance. Your passport generally needs at least six months of validity from the date you enter. US citizens are the exception and only need a valid passport.

If your passport isn't eligible, the same official page lists other routes. Holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or residency permit can get a visa based on it, residents of GCC countries with residency valid for at least three months qualify, and anyone can apply through a Saudi embassy or consulate. Indonesia and India fall under "Visa by Package": an instant tourist eVisa sold by qualified travel agencies as part of a package with accommodation and flights. The page lists a package visa fee of SAR 402.21, single entry, valid for three months, and the package has to include a 4-star or higher hotel and return flights. UK travelers are listed under a separate Electronic Travel Authorization category, which I didn't dig into, so check that one on the official page yourself.

My own passport is Taiwanese, which isn't on the eligible list. Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs tells Taiwanese passport holders to apply in advance on ksavisa.sa or visa.visitsaudi.com.

For the hands-on details, I leaned on an application write-up that Taiwanese blogger Lin Xuan (林宣) published in April 2025. She applied on ksavisa.sa, so if you use a different application site your screens may look different. She prepared a 5×5 cm photo on a white background, a scan of her passport's data page, and her accommodation address in Saudi Arabia, and the visa arrived about 5 to 10 minutes after she submitted. She flagged three traps: don't hit back or refresh while you're filling in the form, don't leave it idle for more than 10 minutes, and type your address instead of copying and pasting it.

On the fee, the numbers I found don't match. Visit Saudi's official figure is SAR 395, while Lin Xuan paid SAR 463.44 (about US$123) in 2024, including mandatory insurance. So I left the visa fee out of the budget table below. Go by the amount on your own checkout page.

Getting there: check the routes from your own city

My own case is Taipei: there's no direct flight to Riyadh, and FlightConnections shows the fastest routings connecting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi at about 11 hours. You're probably starting somewhere else, so look up your own city on FlightConnections. Both Saudi airports do have long-haul direct links to Asian hubs. Bangkok to Riyadh has 7 direct flights a week on Riyadh Air and Saudia (about 7 hours 25 minutes), and Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah has 21 a week (about 8 hours 50 minutes). All of these are flight times, not counting layovers.

When a route only has a handful of direct flights, you have fewer alternatives if one gets delayed or canceled, and the FCDO tells travelers to be prepared for flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures. That's why I'd keep anything you can't change off your first and last nights.

I recommend an open-jaw ticket, flying into Riyadh and out of Jeddah, so you skip backtracking. When you compare fares, you can start your multi-city search from Trip.com's deals page, and keep every layover at 2 hours or longer.

Riyadh: three days is enough, and the trick is avoiding midday

Riyadh's tour operators seem to have agreed on something: desert tours almost all leave in the afternoon. The red sand dunes full-day tour runs from 2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the Al Manjour sunset hike runs from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., both built around sunset. Once I noticed the whole shelf worked this way, my rule for Riyadh got simple: mornings indoors, desert in the afternoon.

For the first full day, I'd hand the city over to Klook's Masmak Fortress and Kingdom Center day tour. It runs from a 9:00 a.m. pickup to 6:00 p.m. The itinerary lists Al Masmak Palace (Masmak Fortress), Deera Souq, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center and The National Museum of Saudi Arabia, and it finishes on the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Center. Entrance fees, a guide and round-trip transfers are included, and you can cancel for free up to 7 days before.

If you want to save that NT$5,004 (~US$157), ride the Riyadh Metro yourself. Argaam, a Saudi business news site, cited fares from the official Darb app around the metro's launch: a 2-hour ticket costs SAR 4 (about US$1), with unlimited metro and bus rides inside that window. Under the schedule announced at the time, the last of the 6 lines was set to open on January 5, 2025. I couldn't confirm whether fares changed after launch, so double-check in the Darb app before you go.

On day two, rest during the day and head out in the afternoon for the red sand dunes full-day tour, which includes a Middle Eastern dinner. The page says you meet at Carrefour at 1:30 p.m., and if you're late or don't show up there's no refund. That's exactly the kind of detail first-timers miss.

If you're doing 9 days, give the extra day to Six Flags Qiddiya City. It's one of the two non-refundable items in the opening table, so I cover it in the budget section at the end.

Jeddah: two days, one for the Red Sea and one for the old town

From Riyadh to Jeddah, FlightConnections shows about 1 hour 45 minutes nonstop, with over 400 flights a week in its September 2026 data, flown by flyadeal, flynas, Riyadh Air and Saudia. There are plenty of flights, but I couldn't find a fare I'd put in writing, so it's not in the budget table.

My first full day in Jeddah goes to the Bayada Island snorkeling boat trip (free cancellation up to 48 hours before). It leaves at 7:15 a.m. and lasts 11 hours 15 minutes, with snorkeling gear, drinks and snacks included. The page also says it may be canceled in bad weather, in which case you get a new date or a full refund. You'll be out the door before 7 a.m., so don't stay up late the night before.

The other day goes to the old town. UNESCO added "Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah" to the World Heritage List in 2014. Historic Jeddah (Al Balad) is right in the city, you can walk it without booking any tour, and heading out in the early evening once it cools down a bit is plenty.

Makkah and Madinah: the one thing non-Muslims need to remember

Saudi rules on this are blunt: the holy areas of Makkah and Madinah are restricted to Muslims, and non-Muslims should stay out of the restricted zones. (If you're Muslim, you can perform Umrah on the tourist visa outside Hajj season; I cover that in the FAQ.)

The place people cross this line by accident is the train. On Klook's Haramain High Speed Railway ticket from Jeddah airport, the destination menu lists Makkah, Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City and Jeddah Al-Sulimaniyah stations side by side, and a wrong pick can't be refunded. Matador Network, a travel publication, wrote in 2023 that Makkah station sits within the city limits, so non-Muslims can't get on or off there. The same product page also says the baggage counter "opens 2 hours before departure", which looks like it was copied from an airline template. I did a double take when I read that.

Dress, photos and hotels: read these first if you're a woman traveling solo

On dress, the consular notes I used (from Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs) say foreign women don't need to wear an abaya but should still dress modestly in public places and on beaches, and men shouldn't show their chest or back or wear sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee. Saudi Arabia's public decency code, approved by the Interior Ministry in September 2019, requires women to cover their shoulders and knees in public according to Arab News's summary at the time, and it applies to tourists as well.

Within that same code, the rule visitors break most easily is about photos. Arab News listed a SAR 1,000 (about US$266) fine for photographing people without their consent, another SAR 1,000 for playing loud music during prayer times, and SAR 50 (about US$13) for cutting in line. My own approach: when I shoot markets and crowds, I point the camera at the buildings first, and if I want to photograph a person, I ask with a gesture before I raise the camera.

For hotels, Al Jazeera reported on October 6, 2019, that Saudi tourism authorities had announced women could check into hotels on their own with ID, foreign travelers only need to show a passport, and foreign couples sharing a room don't need a marriage certificate. That removed a big hurdle for women traveling solo. With this plan you'll stay 3 nights in a row in Riyadh, so while you're booking, take a look at Agoda's deal for stays of 3 nights or more.

Alcohol, pork and pornographic material can't be brought into the country at all, and that's on the same consular page. Cash or jewelry worth more than SAR 60,000 (about US$16,000) has to be declared. There aren't many rules, and if you follow these on your first trip, you'll be fine.

7 days or 9: I ran the activity costs for both plans

First, what this table covers: only the items from those 7 activities that the plans actually use, at September 2026 page prices, per person. The airport transfer assumes you travel alone and pay for the whole car; two or three people sharing it can split the cost. Flights, domestic flights, hotels and the visa fee aren't included, because I couldn't find numbers for them I'd commit to.

Plan	Riyadh	Jeddah	Activities + transfer subtotal (per person)
7 days, tour version	Transfer NT$666 (~US$21) + city day tour NT$5,004 (~US$157) + red dunes NT$2,434 (~US$77)	Snorkeling NT$2,017 (~US$63)	NT$10,121 (~US$319)
7 days, DIY metro version	Transfer NT$666 (~US$21) + red dunes NT$2,434 (~US$77) + metro SAR 4 per 2 hours	Snorkeling NT$2,017 (~US$63)	NT$5,117 (~US$161), metro extra
9 days, tour version	7-day tour version + Six Flags NT$1,752 (~US$55) + sunset hike NT$1,226 (~US$39)	Same as above, plus a flex day	NT$13,099 (~US$412)
9 days, DIY metro version	7-day metro version + Six Flags NT$1,752 (~US$55) + sunset hike NT$1,226 (~US$39)	Same as above, plus a flex day	NT$8,095 (~US$255), metro extra

The two 7-day versions differ by NT$5,004 (~US$157), which is exactly the price of the city day tour. If it's your first time and you don't want to work out metro routes and tickets yourself, I'd spend the money, because it bundles entrance fees, a guide and transfers in one go (the tour is guided in English or Arabic). If you're happy to figure out the metro, save it and put it toward a nicer hotel.

Of the extra NT$2,978 (~US$94) in the 9-day plans, NT$1,752 (~US$55) is the non-refundable Six Flags Qiddiya City ticket. When I checked, it had a 2.8 rating from 6 reviews. One review from February 4, 2026 said the line for Falcons Flight was 230 minutes. It also mentioned a free shuttle bus from Jeddah Road station, but the last metro is at midnight, so if you stay until closing, you'll need a ride-hailing car back to the city. On the same page, the "one-day ticket + meal" option was showing NT$1,490 (~US$47) at the time, which is actually cheaper than the ticket alone, so read what each option includes before you pick.

Here's my own call. If you just want a first look at Saudi Arabia, go with 7 days and the DIY metro version: everything is refundable, so your worst-case loss is the lowest. If Falcons Flight is the whole reason you're going, do 9 days, but buy the Six Flags ticket last. If your government raises its advisory before you leave, cancel the refundable bookings before their deadlines, which is exactly why I insisted on refundable bookings from the start. Still can't decide? Don't book anything yet, and check your government's advisory page again in a while. You can browse other Saudi activities and Klook's current deals on Klook's store page.

FAQ

Q1: Do I need an eVisa before I fly, or can I get a visa on arrival?

If your nationality is on the eligible list, apply for the eVisa online before you leave. I didn't verify any visa-on-arrival rule for eligible nationalities, so don't count on one. Visit Saudi's official page does say that holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or residency permit can get a visa based on it, either as an eVisa or on arrival.

Q2: My government advises against travel. Can I still get travel insurance?

It depends on the insurer. Insurers differ on whether they cover trips to places your government advises against, and the UK FCDO warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Read the war and government-advice exclusions, and ask the insurer directly before you buy.

Q3: What should non-Muslims watch out for on the Haramain train?

Don't buy a ticket to Makkah station. Saudi rules restrict the holy areas of Makkah and Madinah to Muslims, and the Klook train ticket is non-refundable, so take a second look when you pick your destination station.

Q4: Can I perform Umrah on the tourist eVisa?

Yes, if you're Muslim. Visit Saudi's official FAQ says tourists can use the tourist visa to perform Umrah, but not during Hajj season, and Umrah permits are arranged through the Nusuk platform. Hajj needs a separate Hajj visa through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. If you're not Muslim, remember that the two holy cities are restricted to Muslims.

Sources

• US Mission Saudi Arabia: Travel Advisory (August 30, 2026): Level 3 "Reconsider Travel", Do Not Travel to the Yemen border
• UK FCDO: Saudi Arabia travel advice (updated July 25, 2026): Yemen border distances, Houthi strike warning covering airports and ports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Abha, insurance warning, flight cancellations and airspace closures, email alerts
• Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Saudi Arabia safety information (Japanese): Riyadh Province Level 2, Makkah Province Level 1
• Visit Saudi: Visa regulations: eVisa eligibility by nationality, validity, stay limit and fee, Visa by Package, routes for non-eligible passports, Umrah and Hajj, passport validity
• Saudi eVisa official site: one-year multiple entry, stays of up to 90 days, Umrah included and Hajj excluded
• Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs: Saudi Arabia visa and entry information (Chinese): dress code, prohibited items, cash declaration, holy cities rule, and the ksavisa.sa route for Taiwanese passports
• Lin Xuan: Saudi Arabia eVisa application guide (April 8, 2025, Chinese): ksavisa.sa steps, photo specs, 5 to 10 minute approval, amount paid in 2024, and form-filling traps
• Safe Airspace: Saudi Arabia: temporary closure of four southern airports in July 2026
• South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Safety Travel: Saudi Arabia (in Korean): September 10, 2026 safety notice on the Houthi conflict and September 13 notice on injuries near the Yemen border
• FlightConnections: Taipei to Riyadh, Bangkok to Riyadh, Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh to Jeddah: connections, flight times and weekly frequencies (September 2026 data)
• Argaam: Riyadh Metro tickets start from SAR 4: 2-hour fare and the opening schedule for the six lines
• Wikipedia: Al-Balad, Jeddah: "Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca" inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2014
• Matador Network: Haramain Train: Makkah station is within city limits and non-Muslims can't get on or off there (2023)
• Arab News: All you need to know about the new Saudi public decency code: 2019 public decency code dress rules and fines
• Al Jazeera: Saudi Arabia to allow foreign couples to rent hotel rooms (October 6, 2019): women checking in on their own and room-sharing rules for foreign travelers
• Klook activity pages for prices, times, inclusions, cancellation terms and reviews, checked in September 2026