Saudi Arabia is a country with contrasting landscapes. Tourists can experience desert landscapes as well as coastal cities. You can also engage in adventure in the desert and beaches. Many people visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time lack clarity on how to plan a multi-modal travel across land and sea. But it is possible to explore the country seamlessly by combining desert road trips, scenic coastal cruises, and well-connected domestic routes.
You can make your journey stress-free, memorable, and efficient with the right documents, itinerary, and transport options. Keep reading to know more about seamlessly exploring Saudi Arabia by land and sea on a KSA tourist visa.
Why Explore Saudi Arabia by Both Land and Sea?
From the beautiful coasts of the Red Sea to the enormous Empty Quarter desert, Saudi Arabia has a diverse terrain. You can experience the complete spectrum of the country’s attractions and landscapes by combining land and coastal journeys.
Here is why multimodal travel can create an enriching experience.
By Land
In Saudi Arabia, you will find desert landscapes. You can explore the dunes and feel the vastness and silence. For example, the Empty Quarter is the world’s largest continuous sand desert. Moreover, you can also access historical sites like AlUla and the Edge of the World when traveling on land.
You can enjoy speeding on a vehicle across the sand hills, camel trekking, stargazing, and camping. Hiking, caving, and snowboarding are also popular adventure activities in the Saudi deserts. Road infrastructure is also being upgraded to improve accessibility for travelers to various regions.
By Sea
You will find a different form of beauty when exploring the coastlines. You can explore coral reefs and observe diverse marine life. You will have opportunities for snorkeling and diving as well. If you plan to explore Saudi Arabia from sea view as a cruise passenger, a Saudi Arabia cruise visa will let you do so.
You will enjoy a contrast to the desert environment by exploring the Red Sea by boat. Cruise tourism has also become extremely popular in Saudi Arabia. Heavy investments are being made in Red Sea port infrastructure.
Planning a Land & Sea Itinerary in Saudi Arabia
Here is an itinerary combining land and sea travel.
Ideal Routes for First-Time Visitors
You should create an itinerary combining both land and sea routes. This way, you will be able to enjoy a mix of coastal beauty and inland culture. Here are the travel routes for land and sea for you to consider.
| Sea Route | Land Route | |
| 1 | Jeddah (Coastal city)
|
Riyadh
|
| 2 | Yanbu (Port city)
|
AlUla
|
| 3 | NEOM (Futuristic city)
|
Tabuk
|
| 4 | Siranna (Coastal escape)
|
Jeddah
|
Table 1: Land and Sea Travel Itinerary
Travel Modes to Consider
Here are the different travel options to consider for land and sea.
Sea: You can travel through the sea on ferries and cruise ships. Longer sea routes are covered by the cruises. You can take a ferry to travel a short route.
Land: You can use intercity buses or take car rentals. You may also take a domestic flight. Long-distance travel can be covered by bus. Renting a car will offer flexibility. Domestic flights are meant for faster travel between distant locations.
What Documentation and Permits Do You Need?
Here are the permits and documents you need to explore Saudi Arabia via land and sea.
Visa Essentials
Tourist vs. Cruise visas: You need a KSA tourist visa to gain entry into Saudi Arabia. A tourist visa will allow one-time or repeated entries. You need a passport with a validity of at least 6 months to apply for the visas.
You can also get a Saudi Arabia cruise visa if you want to enter the country for short trips or for traveling to the ports during cruise ship stops. You can choose an authorized port of entry as per your preference. But the visa is exclusively for cruise travelers.
Validity: Your single-entry visa comes with a validity of a maximum of 1 year from the date of issue. If you choose a multiple-entry visa, you will get a validity of over 1 year and up to 5 years from the date of issue. You can remain in the country for a maximum of 90 days on every visit.Single entry– 1 year validity
Multiple entry– 1 to 5 years validity
Stay per visit– 90 days
Types: You can get a paper sticker visa from an embassy in your home country. Or you can get your visa upon arrival at the Saudi Airport. Citizens of eligible nations, including the US and the UK, can get the on-arrival visa. A more convenient option is to apply for it online on a reputable e-visa portal.
Paper sticker (get from embassy)– Inconvenient due to need for physical travel.
Electronic (get from e-visa portal)– Convenient due to access online.
On-Arrival (get from destination airport)– Risky, as approval is not guaranteed
If Crossing Borders
You are recommended to use a multi-entry KSA tourist visa if you plan to leave and re-enter Saudi Arabia via border crossings. At least make sure that you are nationality-wise eligible for an on-arrival visa at border crossings.
Keep your documents, like your passport, proof of accommodation booking, and return ticket, ready. You may also be asked to present evidence of having enough finances to bear your expenses. You are also recommended to pre-register your vehicle before arriving at the border to avoid waiting times. This is particularly important when crossing via Abu Samra. Health insurance comes with the e-visa fees and offers coverage of SAR 100,000.
Here are the other borders you may need to cross:
- From Bahrain: The King Fahd Causeway
- From the UAE: The Al Batha border crossing
- From Jordan: The Durra border crossing
Must-Visit Stops Along the Way
Here are some additional spots where you can stop along the way.
| Coastal Highlights (By Sea) | Inland Wonders (By Land) |
| Jeddah Corniche: Sea views, art, and shopping. | AlUla: Ancient tombs and rock formations. |
| NEOM: Beach escapes and futuristic developments. | Riyadh: Cultural heritage and urban luxury. |
| Farasan Islands: Untouched biodiversity of marine life. | Abha: Cool weather and green mountains |
Table 2: Must-visit Stops Along the Way
Tips for a Smooth Cross-Territory Journey
Remember these tips to make your cross-territory journey smoother.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to travel to Saudi Arabia is when the weather is pleasant and mild. So, the months between November and February will be ideal. These are the winter months in the country. It is advised to avoid visiting during extreme summers as temperatures can become unbearable.
Cultural & Practical Tips
Dress conservatively and modestly. Respect local customs. And remember that shops and businesses prefer to stay closed on Friday for prayers. You should also install the Careem app. It is a one-stop spot for a range of online services, from grocery shopping and food delivery to ride booking. You should also keep Google Maps downloaded for offline navigation.
Ready For An e-Visa?
By combining inland road trips with local cruises, you can witness the best that the country’s nature, cities, and heritage have to offer. You need to plan your routes carefully and secure your tourist visa. And most importantly, don’t limit yourself to a single mode of travel. Go for a mix of land and sea routes to experience Saudi Arabia to the fullest. So, apply for a KSA tourist visa today!
