Can I drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia?

No. Alcohol is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia — there are no licensed venues, hotel bars, or duty-free alcohol purchases. This is one of the key differences from the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. Attempting to import or consume alcohol can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation. Many expats socialise at cafés, restaurants, and social events that centre around food, coffee, and entertainment rather than alcohol.

What is daily life like for women expats?

Daily life for women expats has improved dramatically since 2017. Women can drive (legal since 2018), work in most sectors, attend events, dine at restaurants, and live independently. Abayas are no longer mandatory for non-Saudi women, though modest dress is expected. Women now make up 33%+ of the Saudi workforce (up from 17% in 2017). The social transformation is ongoing and accelerating — but cultural norms still differ from Western countries in some contexts.

Is English widely spoken?

English is widely spoken in business environments, international companies, hospitals, malls, and tourist areas. Most professionals in Riyadh and Jeddah speak functional English. Government offices and local businesses may require Arabic. Learning basic Arabic phrases is appreciated and helpful for daily interactions. Younger Saudis are increasingly English-proficient, and the education system emphasises English from primary school.

What should I know about Ramadan?

During Ramadan (approximately 30 days, dates shift annually by the lunar calendar): restaurants are closed for dine-in during daylight hours (delivery available), working hours are reduced to 6h/day, eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is not permitted (even for non-Muslims), and the city comes alive after iftar (sunset) with late-night dining, shopping, and socialising. Many expats describe Ramadan as a unique and memorable cultural experience.

How safe is Saudi Arabia for expats?

Very safe. Saudi Arabia consistently ranks among the world's safest countries for violent crime. Strict law enforcement, extensive CCTV networks, and heavy police presence contribute to a strong sense of security. Petty crime is rare. Women can walk safely at night in major cities. The main safety concerns are road traffic (Saudi Arabia has high road accident rates) and extreme heat. Natural disasters are very rare — the main environmental risk is occasional flooding in Jeddah during heavy rain.

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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Daily Life

Daily life in Saudi Arabia has transformed dramatically since 2017. Cinema, concerts, mixed-gender events, women driving, and a booming entertainment sector have reshaped the social landscape.

Arabic

Language

English widely used in business

~130 Mbps

Internet Speed

5G from STC, Mobily, Zain

Desalinated (safe)

Tap Water

Most expats use bottled/filtered

Friday–Saturday

Weekend

Changed from Thu–Fri in March 2022

5,000+ events/year

Entertainment

Rapid expansion since 2017

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Riyadh 🌊Jeddah

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Overview

Daily life in Saudi Arabia has transformed dramatically since 2017. Cinema, concerts, mixed-gender events, women driving, and a booming entertainment sector have reshaped the social landscape. While cultural norms remain more conservative than the UAE or Bahrain, the pace of change is extraordinary — the General Entertainment Authority now hosts 5,000+ events annually. Expats find a surprising richness in Saudi daily life: world-class dining, stunning desert landscapes, vibrant coffee culture, and a genuinely warm hospitality tradition.

Key Takeaways

Entertainment boom: F1 Grand Prix (Jeddah), WWE events, MDLBeast music festival (200,000+ attendees), international concerts
Traditional cuisine: kabsa (spiced rice with meat), mandi, mutabbaq, jareesh — rich and flavourful
Riyadh: dry desert heat — summers 40–50°C (May–Sep), winters 10–25°C (Nov–Feb); pleasant evenings in winter
5G coverage: widely deployed in Riyadh, Jeddah, and major cities by STC, Mobily, and Zain
Riyadh Metro: 6 lines, 85 stations — opening 2025–2026; will transform the city's transport landscape

Food and Dining

Saudi Arabian cuisine is a revelation — from traditional dishes like kabsa, mandi, and jareesh to a rapidly expanding international dining scene. Riyadh and Jeddah are experiencing a restaurant boom fuelled by Vision 2030's quality-of-life programme.

Traditional cuisine: kabsa (spiced rice with meat), mandi, mutabbaq, jareesh — rich and flavourful
Supermarkets: Panda, Danube, LuLu Hypermarket, Carrefour, Tamimi Markets — well-stocked with international products
Restaurant boom: Riyadh and Jeddah now have thousands of restaurants spanning every cuisine
Meal costs: casual restaurant SAR 30–60 ($8–$16); mid-range SAR 80–150 ($21–$40); fine dining SAR 200+ ($53+)
Delivery apps: HungerStation, Jahez, Careem Food — extensive networks, reliable service
Pork: prohibited — not available in stores or restaurants
Ramadan: restaurants closed for dine-in during daylight hours; delivery available; vibrant late-night dining after iftar

Climate and Environment

Saudi Arabia's climate is predominantly hot desert, with extreme summer temperatures in Riyadh (often exceeding 45°C) and high humidity along the Red Sea coast in Jeddah. Winters (November–February) are mild and pleasant — the best time for outdoor activities.

Riyadh: dry desert heat — summers 40–50°C (May–Sep), winters 10–25°C (Nov–Feb); pleasant evenings in winter
Jeddah: humid heat — summers 35–42°C with high humidity, winters 20–30°C; Red Sea moderates extremes
Sandstorms: common in spring (March–May), especially in Riyadh; carry face protection and keep windows sealed
Air conditioning: essential from April to October; included in most buildings; electricity costs rise in summer
Green Saudi initiative: massive tree-planting programme (450 million trees target); renewable energy investment accelerating
Outdoor activities: October to March is outdoor season — desert camping, hiking in Asir, Red Sea diving year-round

Internet and Connectivity

Saudi Arabia has one of the world's most advanced telecommunications networks, with 5G deployment among the fastest globally. The three major operators — STC, Mobily, and Zain — provide excellent coverage in cities.

5G coverage: widely deployed in Riyadh, Jeddah, and major cities by STC, Mobily, and Zain
Average broadband speed: ~130 Mbps (fibre and 5G); NEOM targeting 10 Gbps
Home fibre: STC Fibre, Mobily Fibre — SAR 200–400/month ($53–$107) for unlimited packages
Mobile data: STC, Mobily, Zain prepaid SIMs available at airports and malls; 5G plans from SAR 100/month
VoIP: Zoom, Teams, Google Meet all work; WhatsApp calling fully functional
VPN: widely used by expats for accessing content; not explicitly banned for personal use
Content filtering: government filters some websites and content — VPN use is common

Getting Around Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a car-dependent country, but that is changing rapidly. Riyadh's $23 billion Metro system (6 lines, 85 stations) is opening in 2025–2026, and ride-hailing apps have transformed urban mobility.

Riyadh Metro: 6 lines, 85 stations — opening 2025–2026; will transform the city's transport landscape
Haramain High-Speed Railway: Jeddah–Makkah (30 min), Jeddah–Madinah (2h) — modern and reliable
Ride-hailing: Uber, Careem, Jeeny — widely used, affordable, and reliable in major cities
Car ownership: very common; fuel is cheap (SAR 2.18/litre); wide roads and modern highways
Saudi driving licence: expats can convert some foreign licences; others must take a Saudi driving test
Domestic flights: Saudia, flynas, flyadeal — frequent and affordable between Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam
SAR Express: Riyadh–Dammam railway — comfortable and affordable alternative to driving

FAQs