Accommodation in Saudi Arabia


Saudi Arabia is believed to be a very expensive country, but that's not really the case. In western terms it is quite moderate, affordable, and that's true for accommodation as well. You won't find the real cheap, real budget options, although in some citites, including Riyadh and Jeddah, there are a couple of hostels. In 2024, a dormitory bed in Riyadh was SAR 80 per night, about GBP 17. At the same time, I had a studio for less in Abha. There is plenty of mid-range accommodation, and they are good, sometimes extremely good, value. The most expensive place is Al-Ula, as it caters for the wealthier clientele, and this studio, pictured above and below, was SAR 250, or GBP 52 per night. Not cheap, and perhaps too luxurious for a budget traveller, but occasionally one can splurge a little bit. Most other places were significantly cheaper, as you will see next. 





The cheapest place was this room with a bathroom in Abha for SAR 70, or GBP 15, per night. A little oldish and not everything worked well, but it was a bargain. 





The best value place was in Taif - this very spacious apartment for SAR 120, or GBP 25, per night. 





In Medina, this room with a bathroom cost SAR 140, or GBP 30, per night. 





The accommodation in Tabuk was the least good value, but it was still affordable and OK. For SAR 170, or GBP 36, I had this big room with a bathroom. 



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