Travel advisory · Saudi ArabiaGovernments advise against all travel to Saudi Arabia.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- King Fahd International Airport, Dammam · avoid all travel · Canada, France
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
- Asir province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Italy
- Jazan province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Italy
- Najran province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Italy
Also named by one government: 10 km strip along the Yemen border (UK), 100 km strip along the Yemen border (France), 20 km strip along the northern border (Italy), 30 km strip along the Yemen border (Canada), Aramco administrative building, Dhahran (New Zealand), Aramco headquarters, Dammam (New Zealand), Aramco refinery, Riyadh (New Zealand), Border area to Hafar Al Batin and Khafji (Italy), King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (France), Mecca (Italy), Yemen border (US)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider Travel | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Saudi-Arabien wird gewarnt | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Saudi Arabia (military conflict, missile and drone strikes) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Rest of the territory: avoid unless imperative reason | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
AlUla
Travelers come for the rock-cut tombs at Hegra and the sandstone cliffs around the oasis, where a slow, few-day trip fits best.
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AlUla is an oasis valley in northwestern Saudi Arabia, set among sandstone cliffs in the Medina region. Its best-known site is Hegra, the southernmost major city of the Nabataeans, who also built Petra in Jordan. More than 100 monumental tombs are cut into the rock there, and the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In town, the old mud-brick quarter sits beside Elephant Rock, a natural sandstone formation.
AlUla suits travelers who want archaeology, desert scenery and a slower pace. Plan two or three days for Hegra, the old town and time among the cliffs. Hegra covers a wide area, so it takes more than a quick stop. Elephant Rock is about 15 minutes by car from town, and Jabal Ikmah about 40 minutes. November to March is the most comfortable window, because summer heat is intense.
AlUla in five
- Get the Saudi eVisa before you flyMany nationalities apply online for a tourist eVisa before travel. Check eligibility and apply on the official Visit Saudi visa site, then save the approval to your phone.Visas and entry
- Book Hegra tickets for a timed slotHegra, the Nabataean tomb site a drive north of town, admits visitors at set times, and slots can sell out. Book through the official site or a tour before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Set up an eSIM before you landSignal can drop at the open desert sites, so load an eSIM or local SIM before you land and download offline maps for the valley.Phones and eSIM
- Carry water and sun cover to the sitesThe sandstone sites have little shade on the open paths. Bring more water than you think you need, plus a hat and sunscreen.
- Pack modest clothes and a warm layerCovered shoulders and knees are the local norm in town and at the heritage sites. Desert nights in winter are cold, so bring a jacket for evenings.
Need to know
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
- Entry
- Tourist eVisa for many nationalities; check eligibility before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, 997 ambulance, 998 fire, 911 general emergency
- Tipping
- Not expected; small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold nights, clear
- FebruaryMild, clear
- MarchWarm days, mild
- AprilWarming up
- MayGetting hot
- JuneVery hot
- JulyVery hot
- AugustVery hot
- SeptemberHot, easing
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberMild, clear
- DecemberCool, clear
Right now in AlUla
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 28%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
AlUla
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°23°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue33°23°3%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed30°23°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°20°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri29°20°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat27°18°0%Saturday: Clear. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun24°16°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:53 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.75 SAR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hegraabout 30 minutes by carNabataean tombs cut into sandstone, the main reason to visit the valley.
- Elephant Rockabout 15 minutes by carA large rock formation shaped like an elephant, best seen in the cooler hours.
- Jabal Ikmahabout 40 minutes by carAn outdoor site with ancient inscriptions on the rock face, known as an open-air library.
Before you go to AlUla
Rules for AlUla, checked
- Many nationalities can get a Saudi eVisa online; check eligibility on the official Visit Saudi visa site before you book.Source
- Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, and drug offences carry severe penalties. Check the prohibited items list with customs (ZATCA) before you pack.Source
- Dress modestly in public places; covered shoulders and knees are expected at the heritage sites.
Plan around AlUla
Entry, regions and money for a Saudi trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an eVisa and how to apply
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights into AlUla and car hire for the sites
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area
Read the guideMoney and costsRiyals, cards and typical prices
Read the guideTours and ticketsBook Hegra and guided visits
Read the guideAlUla FAQ
Is AlUla worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the Nabataean tombs at Hegra and the desert rock formations. The sites are spread across the valley, so a car or a tour is the practical way to reach them.
How many days do you need in AlUla?
Two nights covers Hegra, Elephant Rock and the old town. Add a third night for Jabal Ikmah and time at the sites in the cooler hours of the day.
How do you get to AlUla?
Fly into AlUla airport (ULH) from Riyadh or Jeddah, or drive from other Saudi cities. You need a car or a tour to reach Hegra and the outer sites.
When is the best time to visit AlUla?
November to March, when days are mild and the sky is clear. Summers are very hot.
Do I need a tour to visit Hegra?
No. Book a timed ticket, then drive yourself or join a tour. A guide explains the tombs and inscriptions, which helps on a first visit.