Is Riyadh Safe in January 2026?

Unofficial and formal taxi drivers at King Khalid International Airport charge tourists three to five times the going rate for the 35km ride into central Riyadh. Drivers claim app-based services do not operate from the airport, that a fixed airport tariff applies, or that the price includes "city entry fees." Some agree on a price and then claim it was per person rather than for the vehicle.

How to avoid: Use the Uber or Careem apps, which operate fully from King Khalid Airport—request your ride before exiting arrivals and follow the in-app pickup instructions. Alternatively, Riyadh Metro Line 1 connects the airport to central Riyadh at a fixed fare of a few riyals. If you must take a taxi, agree explicitly on the total price for the vehicle before loading luggage.

With Saudi Arabia rapid expansion of tourist visas post-Vision 2030, fraudulent agents charge large fees for services available free on the official eVisa portal. Some steal passport scans and personal data submitted to fake processing websites. Others promise expedited visas that never materialize.

How to avoid: Apply directly through the official Saudi Arabia eVisa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com) at no cost. Never submit passport scans to third-party sites. Verify any travel agent is IATA-accredited.

Online services and social media accounts offer to process Saudi tourist visas, e-visas, or Umrah/Hajj visas for a fee, claiming to have faster processing, guaranteed approval, or access to visa categories not available on the official government portal. Many are outright scams that take payment and deliver nothing, while others charge excessive fees for a service the tourist can complete free of charge directly on the official visa portal.

How to avoid: Apply for Saudi tourist visas exclusively through the official Saudi Arabia e-Visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com) or through the official Umrah visa application process. The tourist e-visa is available directly to citizens of eligible countries with no intermediary required. Never pay a third-party service for visa processing unless it is an embassy-authorized travel agent.

Informal operators approach tourists near the entrance to Diriyah UNESCO World Heritage Site and the At-Turaif district offering private guided tours at premium prices with no official licensing. Some misrepresent what is included in the ticket price (the Diriyah site has its own official guides) or sell tours that simply duplicate what is available through the official Diriyah Gate Authority visitor center at a fraction of the cost.

How to avoid: Purchase tickets and book official guided tours directly at the Diriyah Gate Authority visitor center inside the main entrance on King Salman Road. Official guides are available in multiple languages at published rates. Do not book tours from individuals approaching you in the parking areas or outside the heritage site boundary.

Private exchange offices and hotel currency desks in Riyadh charge commission rates or apply unfavorable rates not disclosed upfront. Some offices display competitive rates but calculate the transaction using a different rate, adding a "handling fee" or "foreign currency surcharge" only when the transaction is underway. The Saudi riyal is pegged to the USD, so rate manipulation typically occurs through undisclosed fees rather than rate variance.

How to avoid: Use ATMs attached to Saudi banks (Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank) for cash withdrawals at interbank rates, or exchange currency at licensed exchange offices displaying their full fee structure. Saudi Arabia has many reliable licensed exchange shops (sarafeen) in commercial districts—Al Rajhi Money Transfer on Olaya Street is a benchmark for fair rates. Avoid exchange desks inside hotels.