How Much Does A Trip To Visit Saudi Arabia Cost? | Bharti AXA GI

If you are thinking of a trip to Saudi Arabia, this conservative Arab nation is sure to surprise you with its wealth of natural wonders, ancient and modern architectural marvels, grand shopping malls, aqua adventure sports and much more. However it is not exactly a cheap travel destination. Before deciding on budget for your Saudi trip take a look at how the two currencies stack up.

1 SAR (Saudi Riyal) equals 20 INR (Indian Rupees) approximately (as of August 2019)

Since the Saudi Riyal is stronger than the Indian Rupee, you will need a reasonably good budget for enjoying a vacation in Saudi Arabia.

To give you a fair idea of how much a trip to Saudi will cost you, we have broken it down into the main expenditure heads. This will help you to be well prepared and plan your finances accordingly.

Saudi Visa

The first main cost is for obtaining a Saudi Visa. Saudi Arabia issues various types of visitor visas and the process can be a bit complicated. Get hold of a Saudi Visa Guide or check with a registered travel agent regarding the visa type you need to apply for and the process to be followed. A single entry Saudi Visa would cost roughly Rs.4000. Additional documents like an Invitation Letter may need to be arranged so factor in extra cost.

Flight Tickets

Next comes cost of airfare. You can book flights to Riyadh or Jeddah from any of the key cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad. Air India, Emirates, Saudia, Oman Air, Air Arabia, Etihad and Gulf Air operate most of the flights between India and Saudi Arabia. A round-trip ticket for one adult on a non-stop Mumbai-Riyadh flight will cost you about Rs.26,000. Compare prices online for the best deal.

Accommodation

From budget, mid-range and luxury hotels to lodges, resorts and exclusive villas, there is a wide range of accommodation for you to choose from in Saudi Arabia. Per night stay in a mid-range hotel either in Riyadh or Jeddah could cost you anywhere between Rs.6000 – Rs.10,000.

Local Transport

Since public transport simply does not exist in most parts of Saudi, you will need to drive yourself around in a rented car or hire a taxi. Most taxi rides within the city will cost you about Rs.600 while compact car rentals start around Rs.2200. Don’t forget to arrange for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave India or you won’t be allowed to rent or drive a car. 

Food

A meal in an average restaurant in Saudi Arabia will cost you between Rs.300 to Rs.600. While a three-course meal in a reasonably good restaurant will cost Rs.1200 – Rs.3000. When you’re out and about during the day, street-food is your best bet since it is cheap, filling and easily available. There are a number of food options in Saudi whether you are non-vegetarian or vegetarian.

You can keep a Saudi Travel Guide handy for quick references of important places and contact details that you will need while in Saudi Arabia. Before you travel make sure to get Saudi Travel Insurance. This is an essential purchase if you are travelling abroad as it will take safeguard your finances by taking care of any loss, damage or trip cancellation. Travel insurance is not very expensive and you can easily purchase one online.