Practical info for Saudi Arabia
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy RiyadhEmbassy
- Address
- PO Box 94351, Riyadh, Riyadh, 11693, Saudi Arabia
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/saudi-arabia/british-embassy-riyadh
- British Consulate General JeddahConsulate
- Address
- PO Box 393, Jeddah, 21411, Saudi Arabia
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/saudi-arabia/british-consulate-general-jeddah
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 21/10/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against:
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for SAR.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC+03:00, +3 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You can use a UK photocard driving licence for the first 3 months after you arrive in Saudi Arabia. Hire care companies may require an international driving permit (IDP).”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: STC (Sirocco, Airalo); Etihad/Etisalat/Mobily (Sirocco); Mobily (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Saudi Arabia
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Saudi Arabia?
Single emergency number: 911 ; Police: 993 ; Police: 999 ; Medical emergencies: 997 ; Fire brigade: 998
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia?
British Embassy Riyadh, PO Box 94351, Riyadh, Riyadh, 11693, Saudi Arabia ; British Consulate General Jeddah, PO Box 393, Jeddah, 21411, Saudi Arabia. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Saudi Arabia?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 21/10/2026.
What is the travel advice for Saudi Arabia?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against: Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for SAR.
What is the time difference in Saudi Arabia?
Local time: UTC+03:00, +3 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Saudi Arabia?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You can use a UK photocard driving licence for the first 3 months after you arrive in Saudi Arabia. Hire care companies may require an international driving permit (IDP).”
Which mobile networks operate in Saudi Arabia?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: STC (Sirocco, Airalo); Etihad/Etisalat/Mobily (Sirocco); Mobily (Sirocco).