Saudi Arabia: In the Country

Categories of Restaurant

 

• Dining Restaurants and Food Courts

Rich use of spices and special flavours, which give the typical Saudi Arabian dishes their characteristic tastes.
Food and restaurants in Saudi Arabia

• Specialised restaurants

Restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Italian, French, Mexican, Japanese and Lebanese cuisines are also available. Food courts serving combo meals also exist across the country. For details, visit: Restaurants in Saudi Arabia

• International food chains

Prominent brands like Dominos, KFC and McDonalds have their outlets in the country.

Rules For Eating Out

Shops and restaurants close five times a day for prayer. Tips are not generally offered, though the trend seems to be changing now. Restaurants have table service.

There are no bars. Alcohol is forbidden by law, and there are severe penalties for infringement; it is important to note that this applies to all nationals regardless of religion.

Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan is punishable.

Price Indications

Food Specialties

Saudi food is often strongly flavoured and spicy. The most common meats are lamb and chicken, beef is rare and pork is forbidden under Islamic law. The main meat meal of the day is lunch. Some of the popular culinary specialties of Saudi Arabia are:
- Pita bread accompanies every dish;
- Rice, lentils, chick peas and cracked wheat are also common;
- Kultra (made of chicken or lamb) is popular for lunch;
- Kebabs served with soup and vegetables;
- Mezze.

Drinks

Consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Arabic coffee and fruit drinks are popular alternatives. Gawha, the ritual of serving coffee, is an important part of Saudi culture.

Dietary Restrictions

Alcohol, pork and some birds are prohibited by the religion. This prohibition is followed very rigorously by the Muslims.

Table Manners

- Sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee if the meal is served on floor.
- Use only right hand to eat.
- Meals are generally served in family-style.

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

Taxi services are available from all main airports to the traveler's destination. The fare should be negotiated in advance. Service taxis which are shared by people charge fares equivalent to buses.
Buses operated by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) are comfortable and usually follow schedule.

Maps of Urban Networks

Road maps

Urban Transport Agencies

Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)

Find an Itinerary

Google Maps

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Riyadh Intl (RUH)	33 km / 21 miles	SAR 60 / 30 min	-	-	Available
Jeddah (JED)	17 km / 11 miles	SAR 45-100 / 25-35 min	SAR 50/30-40 min	-	Available
Dammam (DMM)	24 km / 15 miles	SAR 50	SAR 10 / 45 min	-	Available
Taif (TIF)	28 km of Taif, 77 km of Meccakm / 18 miles of Taif, 48 miles of Mecca	SAR 40-100 / 20-30 min	-	-	-

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

Taxis remain the most suitable means of transport for foreigners. They are regulated by the Government.

Rail Companies

North-South Railway in Saudi Arabia

Airlines

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Travelling By Yourself

Recommendation

Cases of traffic signal disobedience and driving beyond speed limits have been reported. These are also the main reasons for the relatively high rate of traffic accidents. Renting taxis or a car is highly recommended within a city. Most road signs are in Arabic, though, many of them are in English too.

Driver's License

Foreigners can drive in Saudi Arabia with a recognised international driving permit for up to three months after entering the country. After the lapse of this period a Saudi license is required. The country allows the licenses from certain countries, which include the USA and UK, to be converted into Saudi license.

Conditions For Renting a Vehicle

An international driving license is required.

Rental Agencies

Avis

Tolls or Taxes

None

Road Maps

Maps of the World

Find an Itinerary

Live Search Maps

Traffic Conditions Online

The Weather Channel

Parking Facilities

Considering that the temperatures rise really high, covered parking facilities are necessary. Newly constructed apartment blocks have specified underground facilities for parking while villas have their own garages. Commercial centers have multilayered or basement parkings.

Rules of the Road

Minimum Driving Age

The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Women are not allowed to drive by law.

Side of the Road For Driving

Right

Speed Limits

Residential streets and local roads: 30 km/hr; Towns: 50km/hr; Highways: 100km/hr.

Safety Belts

Compulsory

Permitted Amount of Alcohol in the Blood

Zero (Drinking of alcohol is not permitted)

National Roads Organizations

Ministry of Transport

Quality of Communications

Saudi Arabia has an efficient and reliable telecommunications system. The Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) is a leading Internet and telephone service provider.

Telephone Codes

To Make a Call From Saudi Arabia, Dial 00
To Make a Call to in Saudi Arabia, Dial +966

Number of Digits of National Telephone Numbers

8 (Area Code: 1 digit, Subscriber Number: 7 digits).
For details, visit: Instructions about numbering

Mobile Telephone Standards

GSM

National Mobile Phone Operators

Al Jawal, Mobily, Bravo, Zain.

Availability of Internet

Internet Suffix

.sa

National Internet Access Providers

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology provides Internet facilities in most cities.

Access in Public Places

Internet is accessible in most malls, restaurants and cafes in the major cities.

Access in Hotels

Accessible in a majority of hotels.