Language: Arabic is the official language in
Saudi Arabia, but English is widely understood.
Currency: The Saudi currency is the Riyal (SAR), divided into 100 halala. Foreign currency can be changed at banks and exchange bureaux. Banking hours are generally Saturday to Wednesday from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm. All major credit cards are accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Travelers cheques are also accepted and ATMs are widely available. There are no taxes in Saudi Arabia, so shopping is good value.
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Electricity: 125 volts, 50Hz,
but 215 volts, 60Hz in some (more remote) areas.
Communications: Saudi Arabia has a good telephone network. The country code is +966 and the outgoing international code 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for
South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for
Riyadh. Mobile telephone service providers operate GSM 900 networks, and there are Internet facilities in most cities.
Duty Free: Travelers to Saudi Arabia do not have to pay duty on 600 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco; or perfume or cultured pearls for personal use. Duty is payable on cameras and other electronic goods, and refunds on these are available if the articles are re-exported within 90 days. Strictly prohibited are food products and carbonated water, animals and birds and palm trees or derivatives thereof. Other prohibited items include alcohol, firearms, drugs, pork products and natural pearls.
Tourist OfficeThe
Supreme Commission for Tourism, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 480 8855 or www.sct.gov.sa
EmergencyEmergencies: 999 (Police); 997 (Ambulance)
Embassies
Saudi Arabian Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 342 3800.
Saudi Arabian Embassy,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7917 3000.
Saudi Arabian Embassy,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 237 4100.
Saudi Arabian Embassy,
Canberra,
Australia (also responsible for
New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6234 6900.
Saudi Arabian Embassy,
Pretoria, South Africa +27 (0)12 362 4230/40.
United States Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 3800.
British Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 0077.
Canadian Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 2288.
Australian Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 7788.
South
African Embassy, Riyadh: + 966 (0)1 422 9716/18.
Irish Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 2300.
New
Zealand Embassy, Riyadh: +966 (0)1 488 7988.
