Middle East
Is Saudi Arabia safe?
L3Reconsider travel
Is Saudi Arabia safe?
Low street crime in cities, but since July 2026 Houthi missiles and drones have targeted Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan and other cities. The Yemen border zone is off-limits.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-03-12.
- Homicide rate: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2019, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 35.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998 · All emergencies 911.
- Solo women: Women travel solo freely; no abaya or headscarf required for visitors, but loose clothing covering elbows and knees is expected. Expect stares outside big cities.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Houthi missile and drone attacks on cities and airports since July 2026
- Avoid the Yemen border; Abha and Khamis Mushait advised against
- Extreme heat and long desert drives
- Very strict drug, alcohol and speech laws
Common scams
- Phishing texts impersonating banks, government services or couriers
- Unmetered airport taxis quoting inflated fixed fares
Laws visitors break by accident
- Alcohol is banned outright; arriving drunk or with alcohol can mean prison and deportation.
- Non-Muslims may not enter Mecca or central Medina; only private non-Muslim worship is tolerated.
- Posts criticising the state, royals or Islam, even old ones, have led to long prison sentences.
Safety by place in Saudi Arabia
Quick answers
Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?
Low street crime in cities, but since July 2026 Houthi missiles and drones have targeted Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan and other cities. The Yemen border zone is off-limits.
Is Saudi Arabia safe for solo female travelers?
Women travel solo freely; no abaya or headscarf required for visitors, but loose clothing covering elbows and knees is expected. Expect stares outside big cities.
What is the emergency number in Saudi Arabia?
Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998 · All emergencies 911.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Saudi Arabia
- Saudi unified visa platform
- Visit Saudi
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.