Are you planning to visit the Middle East and looking for a luxurious vacation? Saudi Arabia will be your crown jewel destination, where you can enjoy the serene waters of the Red Sea, the natural wonders of the vast Arabian desert and breathtaking skyscrapers. Saudi Arabia, a land of rich cultural heritage and modern marvels, has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers in recent years. The spiritual allure of Mecca and Medina is a major reason that attracts millions of pilgrims annually. So, whether you are planning a solo trip or a luxurious retreat with your family and friends, Saudi will keep you captivated throughout your vacation.
Visa Process And Requirements:
Previously, Indian tourists had to go through a lengthy visa process, but now Saudi Arabia has introduced a simplified visa series for Indian tourists under its Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to make India its number-one tourism market. Saudi expects almost 2.2 million Indian travellers to visit Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024.
New Visa Options For Indians:
The tourism authority of Saudi Arabia has launched an array of tourist visa options like stopover visas, and eVisa to encourage visitors to explore the kingdom conveniently.
Stopover Visa
If you are travelling by flight via Saudi and want to spend 3-4 days, this news is for you. Indian travellers can now apply for a Stopover visa which is valid for up to 96 hours and can be obtained 90 days in advance on the Saudia airline website for a nominal fee. This allows exploration of the Kingdom's vibrant cities during the layover without much hustle.
eVisa And Visa On Arrival
Indian citizens holding a valid tourist or business visa from the United States, United Kingdom, or any Schengen country with stamped proof of entry are eligible to apply for the eVisa or Visa on arrival. Those with a valid residence visa from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country with a minimum validity of three months beyond the entry date into Saudi Arabia can also obtain the same visa. Those with permanent residency in these countries can also apply at self-service websites or passport control offices at Saudi airports.'
Multiple Entry Visa
This visa option caters to various travel purposes, including religious events, tourism, seminars and attending any family function. It is valid for one year with multiple entries, allowing tourists to stay for up to 90 days per visit. However, this visa does not grant permission to reside, study or work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
All of these visa options are valid for those wishing to perform Umrah. If you are an Indian traveller not eligible under the above-mentioned categories, you can directly apply through Tasheer Centres across India. Currently, there are 10 visa facilitation centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata and Calicut. To book an appointment, visit the official website of Tasheer Visa Centres.
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Required Documents
- Original Passport with at least 6 months validity.
- Two recent photographs with a white background.
- Flight booking with confirmed return air ticket.
- Confirmed hotel accommodation booking/voucher for the duration of stay.
- Proof of solvency – Updated Original Bank Statement maintained for the last 3 months with a minimum balance of Rs. 63,000 per applicant.
- The age of the applicant must be at least 18 years unless accompanied by his/her guardians.
Travel Logistics
Saudi Arabia is becoming a popular travel destination among explorers and being in the Middle East it’s not so far from India. It’s well connected by air and land. Moreover, you can opt for the sea route as well although it may cost you high in pocket. A railway project connecting India to Saudi directly is also in discussion which could make this journey much cheaper for pilgrims. Situated almost 4 to 5 hours of air travel away from India, airports at Al-Ahsa and Mecca are the nearest airports. There are hosts of airlines that provide service between India to Saudi such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Saudia, and a round ticket can cost between Rs. 19,000 to Rs. 30,000 depending on the chosen seat.
If you prefer going on long drives, you can opt for land travel as well. However, it will be a more than 3-day long and complicated journey as you have to drive almost 6130 km.
Navigating Saudi’s vibrant and enchanting cities has never been easier, still, authorities have made it a seamless process. You can opt for various options like travelling by your vehicle or using affordable public transport. Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal are some pocket-friendly and most connected airlines in Saudi. You can rent a car to drive yourself or take a taxi without worrying about driving. You can book these rides online through applications like Careen and Uber to get amazing deals. Saudi’s high-speed rail operates between Makkah and Al Madinah in western Arabia and from north to east Arabia, you will find domestic trains.
Travelling via public transport like buses and trains makes your journey efficient and stress-free.
Saudi is home to several eye-catching luxurious accommodation options to show you the glory of the kingdom. From huge skyscrapers to homestays, it offers budget-friendly options to lavish retreats which you can book as per your budget and convenience.
Currency: The Saudi riyal (SAR) has been the official currency of Saudi Arabia since the country was established. 1 SAR currently values 22.25 India Rupees and if you are planning for a 7-day long trip then it may cost you from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,50,000 depending on your travel style.
Best Time To Visit: The best span to visit Saudi is from November to February. At this time, you will find the weather mild and average temperature. Being a desert nation, travellers try to avoid visiting during the summer months, which span from April to October, due to the intense heat.
Language: The official language is Arabic although due to the diversity here, most people are multilingual. Arabic also has three regional variants: Najdi Arabic, Hejazi Arabic and West Arabian Arabic. However, being home to a large number of expatriates working there, English is widely spoken, effectively reducing the language barrier among people.
Explore The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
Post-pandemic Saudi has reported almost 55% growth in its tourism sector, and this is only increasing with time. With the diverse landscapes country has its ancient culture which you can experience in the souks of gleaming modern cities as well as around the desert homes of prophets and poets, princes and pilgrims.
In the north awe-inspiring Orche desserts to the south’s white-sand atolls of the Red Sea coast and valleys are home to rare Arabian leopards and Qahtani tribesmen donning floral headdresses. It also houses Nabatean tombs to magical canyons.
If you are into history and appreciate great architecture then embark on your exploration with the museums and great wonders of Riyadh, which is also the capital city of Saudi. Riyadh is known for the old Diriyah fort and giant open-air art Gallery. If you are a shopaholic, then Riyadh’s oldest market Souk Al-al will be a paradise for you.
Another major destination to explore is, Taif, where you can refresh your mood amidst the natural retreats. Beautiful rose fields to breathtaking natural views will soothe your eyes here. UNESCO heritage old city, Al Balad is also a place to visit. It's a home of coral houses and ancient walkways.
Saudi has a Red Sea coast of more than 2000 Km where you will find hundreds of trails to hike, breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset, mountains and canyons signing you up with thrilling water activities such as Kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and paddleboarding.
Saudi is a perfect blend of nature, wildlife, culture and modern architecture and Alula is the best example of that. It is one of the most visited places by tourists, which opened just a few years ago for travellers. It is home to some stunning rock formations where you can enjoy a mind-blowing view from a hot air balloon ride. Nestled near Tabuk, Al Disah Vally will strongly give you the vibe of another planet. It is home to a collection of sandstone columns, and a beautiful valley of high grasses and palm trees.
Another marvel is the Edge of the World. Situated in the west of the capital Riyadh, it will give you an uninterrupted view from the top across the arid landscape, where wild camels can still be seen rambling across ancient caravan routes.
If you are looking for a turquoise water island experience like the Maldives, then your search may end in Umluj. Here you can spot dolphins with the vibrant colours of the sky when the sun sets or rises along the stunning shoreline of the Red Sea.
Desert City Diriyah, Al Ahsa’s Al Qarah Mountain and RIjal Alma are some of the other scenic sites where you can explore and indulge in the ethnic and majestic occurrences.