Town in Medina Province, Saudi Arabia
AlUla
Desert oasis of sandstone canyons, Hegra's Nabataean tombs and luxury eco-lodges. Beautiful and calm, but expensive, tour-dependent and far from anywhere.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,670–4,800Comfortable, one person · SR10,000–18,000Details
- Value for money4/100Better value than 3% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Aug, 43°CDetails
- Internet168 MbpsFixed broadband, Saudi Arabia medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilDesalinated tap water is treated, but building tanks vary; almost everyone drinks bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$53–120Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundRental carYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards work in hotels, restaurants and tours.Details
Where to stay in AlUla
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| AlUla Old Town | Mudbrick lanes, cafés and restaurants; short walks |
| Al Manshiyah | Central strip with hotels, shops and tour offices |
| Hegra / desert lodges | Luxury camps and eco-resorts away from town |
Apps that work in AlUla
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Nusuk: Muslims: Umrah and Rawdah visit permits
- Taxis: No reliable ride apps; use hotel transfers, pre-booked drivers or rent a car.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Saudi Arabia.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards work in hotels, restaurants and tours. Carry cash for small shops and tips.
- Currency: Rial (SAR). US$1 ≈ SR3.75 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are plentiful; foreign-card fees vary by bank. Decline conversion to your home currency.
- Tipping: Not expected but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants, round up taxis, small tips for delivery riders and porters.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at almost all contactless (mada) terminals.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply online at ksavisa.sa: tourist eVisa, ETA or visa waiver depending on passport; some nationalities get visas on arrival.
- The tourist eVisa fee includes mandatory medical insurance.
- Passport must be valid six months; previous travel to Israel may lead to refusal.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
stc, Mobily and Zain counters at airports and malls; passport and fingerprint registration required for a physical SIM. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Saudi Arabia
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.