Saudi Arabia - FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and has coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. This mysterious and often misunderstood country provides a surprisingly wide range of exhilarating tourist activities. Spend your time exploring unfathomably vast stretches of golden desert, scuba diving through clear aquamarine waters to view fascinating ancient wrecks and a wide variety of colourful and unusual marine life, as well as visiting historic cities that have remained well preserved for centuries. Alternatively, city-slickers can marvel at the country’s grand and strikingly contemporary modern cities, each more glitzy, glamorous and sophisticated than the next and all featuring chic cafés, rows of designer boutiques and world-class hotels and restaurants. With its rich and ancient history, unique cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty, it is certainly worth a visit.

Currency:
Local currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Symbol: ﷼
ISO code: SAR
Subunit: Halala (1 SAR = 100 halalas)
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 SAR
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas, 1, 2 SAR

Banking:
Card Transactions: Widely accepted
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Yes
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Weekends: Closed (Friday and Saturday)
Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air
Main airlines: Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal
International Airports: King Khalid International Airport (RUH), King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
Domestic Airports: Multiple throughout the country

Road
Driving on the: Right
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes (in rural areas)
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes (Uber and Careem operate widely)

Bus
Inter-city bus services: Yes (operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company - SAPTCO)
Local city bus networks: Yes (mainly in larger cities)

Rail
Railway system: Yes (Saudi Railway Company - SAR connects major cities)
Subway System: Yes (Riyadh Metro is currently being expanded)

Water
Ferries: Yes (limited, mainly connecting coastal cities and islands)
Water taxis: Limited
Leisure cruises: Yes (departures from Jeddah port)

Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No, bottled water is recommended
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: Yes, from bottled water.
Meat: Yes
Street food: Limited (often in larger cities)

Local cuisine: Saudi Arabian cuisine is influenced by Middle Eastern and Arabic traditions, with a focus on rich flavors and aromatic spices. Popular dishes include "kabsa" (spiced rice with meat), "mutabbaq" (stuffed flatbread), and "shawarma" (grilled meat wraps). Dates are an important staple, often enjoyed with Arabic coffee, and the cuisine includes a wide variety of breads such as "samosa" and "khobz."

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Arabic coffee ("qahwa"), non-alcoholic malt drinks, and fresh fruit juices. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia.

Tipping: 10-15% (for good service)

Annual rainfall: Approximately 50-150 mm (varies across regions)
Average temperature: 25-45 °C

Summer:
Average in highs: 45 °C
Average in lows: 28 °C

Winter:
Average in highs: 25 °C
Average in lows: 10 °C

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is between November and February, when the temperatures are cooler, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. Summers can be extremely hot, especially in the central and southern regions.

Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable, and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No

Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes (especially for desert areas where temperatures drop at night)
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No

General
Umbrella and raincoat: No (rare rainfall, except during the brief rainy season)
Warm gloves, hat, and scarf: No (except for desert evenings in winter)
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes (only at private hotel pools or private beaches)
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes (the sun can be very intense)
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes (for dining out or visiting upscale areas)

General Guidelines:
Saudi Arabia is a conservative country, and visitors are expected to dress modestly, especially in public areas. Women are required to wear an "abaya" (a long black robe) in public, though the headscarf is optional for foreign women. Men should avoid wearing shorts in public areas.

Internet cafes: Yes (in larger cities)
Accommodation options: Yes (most hotels provide Wi-Fi)
Restaurants: Yes (many offer free Wi-Fi)
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes

Plug Type: G  

Voltage (V): 230 V  

Frequency Hertz (Hz): 60 Hz  

*A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.