City in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Dammam
Eastern Province hub of expat professionals, with the Al Khobar corniche, malls, restaurants and a train to Riyadh. Hot, car-based and alcohol-free; fine for a work stint, thin for casual travel.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,670–4,270Comfortable, one person · SR10,000–16,000Details
- Value for money6/100Better value than 5% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Jul, 42°CDetails
- Air quality48.2 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Severely pollutedDetails
- 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 travel2/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$53–133Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereContactless works in almost every shop, café and taxi app; carry some cash for small shops, parking and tips.Details
Where to stay in Dammam
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Al Khobar Corniche and Thuqbah | Expats: restaurants, malls, beach, apartments |
| Dammam Corniche and Al Faisaliyah | Central, cheaper, near offices and the waterfront |
| Dhahran | Aramco and university area, quiet, green |
Apps that work in Dammam
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| HungerStation | Widest restaurant choice |
| Jahez | Strong local coverage and frequent promos |
| Keeta | Newer, aggressive pricing |
| Mrsool | Anything delivered, not just restaurants |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Nusuk: Muslims: Umrah and Rawdah visit permits
- Taxis: App cars are the norm; street taxis can be rough on price. Fares to Al Khobar from Dammam run 30–60 SAR.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Saudi Arabia.
- Cards almost everywhere Contactless works in almost every shop, café and taxi app; carry some cash for small shops, parking 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
Going to Dammam solo?
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Sources
- King Fahd International Airport
- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR)
- Saudi unified visa platform
- Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group
- Almana General Hospitals
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.