Getting Saudi Riyals for Your Trip

Saudi Arabia has transformed dramatically as a tourist destination since opening to visitors in 2019. The Kingdom boasts modern infrastructure, excellent shopping malls, and a rapidly growing hospitality sector. Payment systems are well-developed, making accessing money straightforward.

The Saudi Riyal (SAR, symbol ر.س or SR) comes in banknotes of SAR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500. Coins include 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 halalas (100 halalas = 1 Riyal), though coins are rarely used in practice.

Key insight for 2026: The Saudi Riyal is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 3.75 SAR = 1 USD. This peg has held since 1986 and provides exceptional exchange rate stability. Your GBP/SAR rate effectively follows GBP/USD movements.

Best Ways to Get SAR Before You Travel

The stable exchange rate and modern banking infrastructure make Saudi Arabia easy for money management:

1. Multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) — Best option. Excellent rates for card payments and ATM withdrawals. Works perfectly throughout Saudi Arabia.
2. Withdraw from ATMs on arrival — Saudi airports have multiple ATMs. Banks include Al Rajhi, NCB, and Riyad Bank. All accept international cards.
3. Order Riyals from UK bureaux — Available from major providers. Rates are typically fair given the currency peg. Useful if you want cash in hand.
4. Exchange USD or GBP on arrival — Exchange counters at airports and malls offer competitive rates. USD gets the best rates due to the peg.

Using Cards in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has excellent card acceptance, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations:

Where cards work well:

• All hotels, from budget to luxury
• Shopping malls (Saudi has world-class malls)
• Restaurants and cafes throughout cities
• Supermarkets (Panda, Danube, Carrefour, Tamimi)
• Petrol stations and car rentals
• Tourist attractions and experiences
• Uber and Careem (ride-hailing apps)

Where you'll need cash:

• Traditional souks and markets (especially gold souks)
• Small local restaurants and street food
• Small shops in older neighbourhoods
• Tipping (cash preferred)
• Some taxi drivers who prefer cash

Pro tip: Contactless payments (tap to pay) are widespread. Apple Pay and mada Pay (Saudi's local system) work at most terminals.

Withdrawing Cash from ATMs in Saudi Arabia

ATMs are abundant throughout Saudi Arabia. Finding cash is never difficult.

Best ATMs to use:

• Al Rajhi Bank — Largest Islamic bank, ATMs everywhere. Reliable for international cards.
• NCB (The National Commercial Bank / Alahli) — Major bank with widespread coverage.
• Riyad Bank — Good network throughout the Kingdom.
• SABB (Saudi British Bank) — HSBC affiliate, good for UK cards.
• SNB (Saudi National Bank) — Formed from NCB merger, extensive network.

ATM tips:

• Most Saudi ATMs do not charge fees for international cards
• Withdrawal limits typically SAR 2,000-5,000 per transaction
• Always choose SAR (not your home currency) to avoid poor conversion rates
• English language option is always available
• ATMs are in malls, petrol stations, airports, and street locations

Exchanging Money in Saudi Arabia

Exchange services are widely available and competitive:

At airports (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam):

Exchange counters at Saudi airports offer reasonable rates, better than many destinations. Multiple options available in arrival areas.

In cities:

• Al Rajhi Exchange — Bank's exchange arm, found in malls and standalone locations
• Al Ansari Exchange — UAE-based but operates in Saudi
• Western Union / MoneyGram — Available for exchange and transfers
• Mall exchange counters — Competitive rates, convenient locations
• Banks — Can exchange with passport, though bureaux are more convenient

What currency to bring:

US Dollars get the best rates due to the currency peg. GBP and EUR are also easily exchanged. All major currencies accepted at airport and city exchange counters.

Money Safety Tips for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. Crime rates are exceptionally low:

• Very safe environment — Theft and crime against tourists are rare. You can carry cash without significant concern.
• Strict law enforcement — Saudi has strict laws with strong deterrents against crime
• Standard precautions apply — Keep valuables secure, use hotel safes
• Be aware of heat — Protect cards and phones from extreme summer temperatures
• ATM safety — Indoor ATMs (malls, banks) are coolest and most comfortable

The main consideration is practical rather than safety-related: Saudi Arabia runs on a different weekly schedule (Friday-Saturday is the weekend), so plan accordingly.