Jeddah

Saudi Arabia introduced a new eVisa system in October 2019, dramatically simplifying visa applications for citizens of multiple world countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and much of Europe. The new multiple-entry visa will be processed within record time (as quickly as 30 minutes), issued for one year, and will allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days during its validity period. This marks a watershed moment in the country’s history, as Saudi Arabia has historically been off limits to non-Muslim tourists, with visas notoriously difficult to secure. Citizens of countries not covered by the eVisa program will still need to turn to their nearest consulate to obtain a visa.

Jeddah is well known for its dry and hot weather but surprisingly it has very pleasant and cool winters. Summers here are extremely hard to handle, as the temperatures rise over 45 degrees. Jeddah is also known for its dust storms which come from the deserts in the Arabian Peninsula. The best time to visit the city is from late October to March when the weather is not unbearable and temperatures are between 10 and 20 degrees.

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is the largest airport in Saudi Arabia, located about 20 km north of the city of Jeddah. The famous Hajj terminal is specifically for the use of Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca. The two regular terminals are 8 km apart, and the only way to get between them is by taxi. This is also the best way to get to the city. Be sure to agree on a price with the driver before stepping into the vehicle.

Taxis are by far the most common way to get around the city for tourists. Buses are not commonly used, but they are very cheap and can be a bit of a cultural experience. Larger buses are government-run and don't follow a schedule. Smaller buses are privately-owned and run and can be a more reliable option. Many chain hotels also have minivan services that take guests from the hotel to some of the commercial areas of the city.

Country code: +966 Area code: 2

Voltage: 127/220 V Frequency: 60 Hz Power sockets: type A / B / F / G