Solo female travel is all about breaking out of your rules and growing beyond your own comfort zone especially if you are heading to Saudi Arabia. There is no doubt that travel alone to Saudi Arabia is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can fly safely with the following solo female travel tips in Saudi Arabia and make the most of your journey!
Find yourself a safe accommodation
Staying in a hotel makes a great option, as you can find everything you need from luxury resorts to apart-hotels.
As a start, you have to set a place to rest your head on the first night and plan to reach it by mid-afternoon to gain some time to choose an alternative, if you think that this is not the right place for you. However, you should first make sure if hotels welcome single females or not as many tend to serve single males only.
If you choose to stay in Mecca, you can make Mecca hotels booking online, and plan your accommodation in advance.
How to dress and act locally
The simplest way to do so is to dress modestly, as female tourists are no longer obliged to wear a hijab or an abaya. You can also bring a headscarf in case you want to enter the mosques.
Take care of your travel documents
Always try to make backup copies or photocopies of your documents and leave them at the hotel or save it on your laptop as it is troublesome to get them replaced or to continue your trip.
Partner with local guides
After settling in, it is a good idea to hire a local tour operator who normally is cordial and friendly with female visitors to help you discover the city and give you some important insights into the rich history of the Kingdom.
Keep in mind that local tour operators come from very conservative families, so please make sure you keep a balance between needed communication and friendly communication.
Saudi Arabia is mostly a safe and welcoming country, however, it is advised not to stroll alone at certain places after the sunset.
Know how to obtain the visa and get there
Despite the strict laws commanding female movements in Saudi Arabia, it is surprisingly possible and totally easy to travel to Saudi Arabia as these laws are not applied on the airline or if there are any rules, it is not applicable to western women.
There are two main international airports in Riyadh and Jeddah, and dozens of airlines that fly into KSA, depending on where you’re coming from.
One of the top local airlines you can fly with is Saudi Airlines, you can make Saudi Airlines booking and get the best deal on plane tickets.
The new visa program grants e-visas to citizens of 49 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. It permits travelers including women 25 and older a single entry into Saudi Arabia and a stay for 30 days. They also will be able to travel independently on the e-visa, without the need for male companions.
This is how you apply for it through the official website:
- You can apply for it by filling in your passport information and uploading regular (2×2) passport photos.
- You need to provide your port of entry, and which hotel you will be staying in, and when will you travel.
- You are required to pay for the visa online, which costs 440 SAR about $120.
At last, you need to print your visa before boarding, to present it to both airlines and immigration officers upon your arrival.
Before you travel to Saudi keep the following things in mind:
- Saudi Arabia is a very religious country, therefore most people you’ll meet will be religious.
- Women don’t need a male guardian to reserve hotels.
- As long as solo female travelers have a Saudi license or an international driver’s permit, they can rent a car on their own.
- Women don’t shake hands with men, they simply say salaam aleikum, nod, or put their hands over their hearts.
- The local men of Saudi greet and meet foreign women from a great distance.
- Jeddah is comparatively less conservative than Riyadh when it comes to clothes, women over there wear colorful and fancy abayas, and can relax with uncovered faces and heads.
- Villages and small-towns do not have family sections reserved, so it is better for female travelers to be careful while visiting the market, mosque, bank, or restaurant.
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About The Author
Michelle Joe
Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on twitter
