Saudi Arabia do's and don'ts

[750XL]

Hi all,

Due to fly to South East Asia on Saudi from LHR soon, out via Riyadh and back via Jeddah. Just wondering if there's any do's and don'ts on what to bring in your hand luggage while transiting through RUH/JED? got about 7 hours in each airport.

Obviously alcohol / pornography are a big no no but was just wondering if there's anything else I should avoid bringing to avoid trouble? (medicines?)

Thanks

[Hartington]

Don't know too many specifics, my one trip to Saudi was a quick 4 day there and back using Jeddah. The impression of the airport wasn't terribly wonderful. Bit dark and stark in equal proportions is my memory. Not sure there were many "facilities". But this was 6/7 years ago so things may have changed.

The flights were something else. Nothing horrendous but I hadn't been prepared for the on board prayer area with the GPS driven pointer to Mecca. In the case of my 777 it was about the last 5 rows of the central block at the very back of economy. On the outbound flight there were a few pilgrims and I was taken aback having waited a very long time for the toilet to find it was swimming with water when I got inside. My understanding is that the gentleman in front of me had to cleanse himself before he set foot on Saudi soil.

[Load Toad]

Yes, I cause the same issues on flights when I go back to Stoke.

[jabird]

Obviously alcohol / pornography are a big no no but was just wondering if there's anything else I should avoid bringing to avoid trouble? (medicines?)

I'd make sure you woof down that BLT before going on board too :=

My dad worked near Abha some years ago, and on arrival at JED, they went through everything - I think we got away with a copy of Viz, but any print material showing arms or legs is a no no. Some pilgrims from Africa had their dry foods chucked everywhere - pretty savage imho.

Having said that, they've moved on a little in 20 years - I've never seen SV come up in OTAs - are you going somewhere exotic, or did you book through a 'real' agent?

I would imagine that for 7 hours you might not be checked at all. As an impressionable wannabe architect at the time, I was in complete awe at both JEd and RUH, but RUH in particular is absolutely stunning.

Remember that when it came to ostentatious megaprojects, the Saudis then were about 20 years ahead of the Emiratis.

[jabird]

You've made me curious as it has been a while since I used RUH or JED, and also I have only ever changed to domestic there, not been a through pax.

LP has a good thread here - Connecting in Riyadh Airport - Lonely Planet travel forum (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2106469)

Note what they say about old comments saying your media will be checked, newer comments saying they won't care - but why take the risk? Backing up all your media to DVD, posting one home and keeping one copy somewhere concealed is good practice anyway.

Looks like the terminal has got a bit tatty since I was there. That is typical - down in the Asir where dad worked, they had built this fantastic road, but one bad rain storm washed away all the bridges. They just weren't interested in repairing them, the prestige buzz had gone. Also, lovely shiny new hospital, but the vaccines sat expiring in a warehouse in JED.

Anyway, you are passing through, not visiting to, so take it as an eye opener, airports are always fascinating places, some more so than others :)

[750XL]

Many thanks for the replies :ok:

We're flying Heathrow (772) - Riyadh (743) - Jakarta on the way out, and Kuala Lumpur (773) - Jeddah (772) - Heathrow on the way back. Certainly going to be an eye opener and an interesting journey :}

I'm hoping that a bit of sweet talking and flashes of my airside pass will possibly get me an upgrade so fingers crossed :hmm: Wouldn't mind trying to get into the lounges at RUH/JED too...

[jabird]

I'm hoping that a bit of sweet talking and flashes of my airside pass will possibly get me an upgrade so fingers crossed

Better get that Arabic phrase book out ;)

مرحبا رجل لطيف، ويمكن ان يكون الرجاء ترقية - يرجى جميلة، وأنا سأكون أفضل صديق؛)

[mutt]

flashes of my airside pass will possibly get me an upgrade so fingers crossed Dream On :):):):)

Customs are easy going these days, all items x-rayed, so bags arent usually opened. BE respectful of where you are, and you wont have any problems. Make sure you have 2 prong adaptors for changing items in the airports, 110v.

Mutt

[smith]

I don't know if it is still the same but being in the possession of a bible, rosary beads, crucifix etc was a complete no no. They would all definitely be confiscated and destroyed and possibly refused.

Also don't take any females with you as they are definitely not welcome in the country :-O :cool:

[bcgallacher]

As well as Christian artifacts it is also illegal to bring a Koran as the only version they permit is the one printed in Saudi. Do not wear a crucifix that could be seen.

[750XL]

Thanks for the replies.

Religious artefacts won't be an issue with us and we're going to avoid bringing any papers / mags etc with us.

We'll just quietly sit in the corner with our legs crossed and fingers on lips until we're called to board :}

[rmac]

I hope you got such a big discount on your fare as to make all the pain worthwhile. :}

[Rush2112]

I hope you got such a big discount on your fare as to make all the pain worthwhile. :}

Just what I was thinking!!

What a curious routing.

[redsnail]

It shouldn't matter so much as you're transiting but if you have a second passport, hide it.
I flew into Riyadh recently and I found it a curious place. Eg, I could fly in but I couldn't drive. I just followed the customs, wore the abbaya and let my male colleague do all the talking. :ok:
Your luggage will be screened, if you want to keep the hand searching to a minimum, pack your shoes on top with the soles facing upwards.

It is changing slowly, some customs guys are reasonable with a more open viewpoint, others are still several thousand years behind.

[Load Toad]

What would happen if your male colleague wore an abbaya - say to get out of designated driver duty...? If you were going to an illegal booze party (which don't happen)? Or maybe just for sexual kicks?

[redsnail]

The abbaya doesn't cover the face. If you want to wear a veil, you can but Westerners aren't expected to. Perhaps you're thinking of the burka?

[jabird]

Also don't take any females with you as they are definitely not welcome in the country :-O

Females are very welcome, and they still make up around 50% of the Saudi population ;)

They are just not welcome on the same terms - especially re: driving, employment and so on and I doubt you could even check in to an aiport hotel without names matching on passport.

As a transit passenger, you shouldn't have so many problems - although you are still a guest, you are only there for a few hours and moving on.