Jeddah Travel Guide
Buy Saudi RiyalJeddah at a glance
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's Red Sea city: Al-Balad, Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO site since 2014, the Corniche, King Fahd's Fountain and reef trips, and the gateway most Indian pilgrims pass through on the way to Makkah. Two or three days covers the city.
Since 17 October 2026, flights that used the North Terminal at King Abdulaziz airport, Indian carriers among them, run from Terminal 4 or the Hajj and Umrah terminals, so check yours. The Haramain High Speed Railway has a station at the airport: SAR 25.30 to Al-Sulimaniyah in the city (20 minutes), SAR 74.75 to Makkah (54 minutes, Muslims only) and SAR 149.50 to Madinah in economy, on November 2026 fares.
Walking Al-Balad is free, and Beit Nassif needs no ticket; go in the late afternoon, when the souqs fill after the evening prayer. A half-day snorkelling trip with equipment costs about SAR 350. Jeddah Bus charges SAR 3.45 a ride, but most visitors use Uber or Careem.
For Muslim travellers, tourist and visit visa holders may perform Umrah outside the Hajj period, with a permit booked in the Nusuk app; flights from India cross the miqat before Jeddah, so enter ihram before landing. Non-Muslims may not enter Makkah and take the signed bypass roads. Indian passport holders need a visa: the online eVisa if they hold a used US, UK or Schengen visa or live in the GCC, otherwise the new Package Visa bought with flights and hotel from an approved travel agent, or a visit visa through a visa service centre in India.
What to see and do
Al-Balad and Beit Nassif are in the old centre; the Corniche and the fountain run along the sea to the north, and Obhur's dive operators are about half an hour further.
Al-Balad
Historic Jeddah's 19th-century merchant tower houses with wooden roshan balconies, and the souqs of Al Alawi, Al Badu and Bab Makkah. Free to walk; best after 4 pm in flat shoes.
Beit Nassif
The coral-stone mansion in Al-Balad where King Abdulaziz once stayed, with a neem tree over 130 years old at the door. No ticket needed.
King Fahd's Fountain
The jet off the Corniche that rises over 300 metres, best seen after dark from the seafront promenade, with sculptures, cafés and lawns along the way.
The Red Sea reefs
Snorkelling and diving from Obhur, north of the city: a half-day snorkel trip with equipment costs about SAR 350, and day trips to Bayadah Island start from SAR 400.
Paying in Jeddah
For the riyal itself, visa rules for Indians, the cash you can carry and the tourist VAT refund, see the Saudi Arabia travel guide, and the SAR to INR page for today's rate. Saudi riyals load on the Matrix Forex Card, so most travellers carry the card plus a small cash float.
Visa and Mastercard work in malls, hotels, cafés, ride-hailing apps and on the Haramain train; city buses favour mada, the Saudi debit network. Keep SAR 100 to 200 a day for Al-Balad's souq stalls, small bakeries and tips. Jeddah airport has four VAT refund kiosks for shopping over SAR 500 in one store.
What Jeddah actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in riyals and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 26 October 2026, SAR 1 ≈ ₹25.29, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹3,290 to ₹24,530 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Haramain train, airport to Al-Sulimaniyah | SAR 25.30 |
| Haramain train, airport to Makkah (Muslims only) | SAR 74.75 |
| Haramain train, airport to Madinah | SAR 149.50 |
| Jeddah Bus: ride / day pass | SAR 3.45 / 10 |
| Half-day snorkelling trip | SAR 350 |
| Al-Balad and Beit Nassif | Free |
Getting around
Jeddah is built for cars: distances are long and most visitors use Uber or Careem. Jeddah Bus runs 5:30 am to 10:30 pm at SAR 3.45 a ride, bought in the Jeddah Buses or SAPTCO app. Visitors may drive on an Indian licence with an International Driving Permit for up to a year; non-Muslim drivers must take the signed bypass around Makkah.
Common mistakes in Jeddah
Assuming the eVisa is open to all Indians
India is not on the eVisa list. It works only with a used US, UK or Schengen visa or GCC residence; otherwise use the Package Visa or a visa service centre.
Going to the old terminal
North Terminal flights moved to Terminal 4 and the Hajj and Umrah terminals on 17 October 2026. Check yours before you leave.
Landing without ihram for Umrah
Flights from India pass the miqat before Jeddah; change before boarding or on board.
Dressing for the beach in Al-Balad
Cover shoulders and knees in public and fully at mosques; swimwear belongs at beach clubs and resorts.
Jeddah FAQs
By the Haramain High Speed Railway from the station at King Abdulaziz airport: 54 minutes with one stop, SAR 74.75 in economy on November 2026 fares. Only Muslims may book tickets to Makkah, and Makkah station is about 3.5 km from Masjid al-Haram.
Yes. India is not on the tourist eVisa list, but Indians holding a used US, UK or Schengen visa, or living in a GCC country, can apply online or get a visa on arrival: from SAR 379 plus health insurance. Since July 2026 other Indians can buy a Package Visa, flights and a hotel of four stars or more from an approved agent, issued within 48 hours; or apply for a visit visa through a visa service centre in India.
Yes. Nusuk, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's platform, says visit, tourist and work visa holders may perform Umrah. You still need an Umrah permit booked in the Nusuk app, and Makkah is open only to Hajj pilgrims during the Hajj period.
Yes. Jeddah, Al-Balad, the Corniche and the beaches are open to everyone. Non-Muslims may not enter Makkah and must use the signed bypass roads around it.
Yes. Walking Al-Balad is free, and Beit Nassif needs no ticket. Guided heritage tours cost extra.
November to March, with winter highs around 31°C against about 41°C in summer. The Jeddah E-Prix runs on the Corniche Circuit on 18 and 19 December 2026, with tickets from SAR 165.
On 26 October 2026 one riyal was ₹25.29 at the mid-market rate, so SAR 100 is about ₹2,530. The riyal is pegged at SAR 3.75 to the US dollar.
More guides in Saudi Arabia
Buy saudi riyal before you fly
See your Matrix rate and the applicable charges before you confirm. Order online for doorstep delivery or collect from your nearest branch.
RBI Authorised Dealer Category-II, Licence No. NDL-ADII-0023-2023 · Same-day delivery · Serving 3 lakh+ customers