OEDR

[seawings]

We have a trip to Dhahran, Saudi Arabi in February. We are a US crew / US registered aircraft, staying for three days, two nights.
A couple of questions please:
Are there any issue being US?
Recommended hotels
Security for crew and aircraft.
Any other information you care to share.
Thanks in advance.

[Lost at fl345]

Hello m8,

About Dhahran nothing to do really, however if u can get a car and drive to Bahrain through the worlds longest bridge its a 30 min drive, which i believe will suit ur needs much more than dhahran and there is more night and social life out there...

JJs Irish Bar in Bahrain is the place to be usually and plenty of hotels to choose from there and a range of prices trust me u wil regret staying in dhahran and not going to bahrain and im that dead serious...

Security issues are over exaggerated in the states about the conditions in the mid east and most likely the airport securities will handle it and walking around in the street of Dhahran (nothin there anyway) is complelety safe m8 and cross the pond to bahrain it is also as safe especially the ppl of bahrain r more welcoming than their saudi counterparts hopes this helps and enjoy it

Hussain

[Panama Jack]

If you are flying into Dhahran, it is mostly a Military airport these days, so security of your aircraft should not be a big concern at all. Most GA and Airline is sent to Dammam (OEDF), about 45 minutes from town and even there security is good. There is no shortage of "N"-registered aircraft permanently based in Saudi Arabia (some of them operated by locals).

The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is considerably friendlier than Riyadh, and expats are basically everywhere (thanks to this being Saudi Aramco's headquarters). If you are going right into Dhahran, the Dhahran International Hotel is convenient and "right there" at the airport. Otherwise, there are numerous other excellent hotels in the Al Khobar area, where I would think expats would feel a little more comfortable than in Dammam. There isn't much in Dhahran-proper-- Dhahran is little more than the Air Base, the Aramco Camp, the US Consulate, and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. A corporate pilot friend of mine has stayed at the Holiday Inn a number of times, and there are even more plush 4 and 5 star locales right in Al Khobar such as the Le Meridien (a fantastic property) and others.

As far as Bahrain goes, if your visa allows you multiple entries into Saudi Arabia (remember, you are leaving the country when you cross the causeway) and assuming you can work out the rental car issues, it is a more Westernized environment, but not absolutely necessary. Bahrain is also more expensive than KSA. The Eastern Province is OK for a couple of days if you don't mind doing without liquor. By the way, if you are into sightseeing, the Aramco Exhibit, just outside the Saudi Aramco Dhahran camp is a very interesting and worthwhile museum about the petroleum industry and is considered by many to be the best museum in Saudi Arabia. You could easily spend a few hours there.

PM me if you have any more detailed questions and I will try to get you the answers.

[mutt]

Are you sure that you are flying into OEDR (military) and not OEDM (Civilian)??

When entering on a crew visa you will not be permitted to go to Bahrain.

Mutt

[Panama Jack]

Are you sure that you are flying into OEDR (military) and not OEDM (Civilian)??


I believe Mutt made a minor typo-- the ICAO identifier for Dammam is OEDF. ;)

[Desert Diner]

Panama,
When exactly have you been to Saudi?:ugh:
Mutt,
I think he meant DHA.
seawings,
As for where to stay. The only new :rolleyes: hotel would be the Holiday Inn which is not far from the airport.
As for what to do, unless you know someone that lives in the area, not alot.
No real bargains in Khobar and no good places to eat. With the exception of some of the compounds, where again you need to know someone.
As has been said, if you can get an exit/re-entry visa, you should go to Bahrain (better to take a taxi @SR250 each way) and spend the time there.

But as mutt said: "When entering on a crew visa you will not be permitted to go to Bahrain."

[Panama Jack]

Panama,
When exactly have you been to Saudi?:ugh:

Was based in Saudi from Spring 2003 to Summer 2005 on a corporate flying gig.

[mutt]

Mea Culpa....... OEDM is Dawadmi.... and you dont really wanna go there:):)

Mutt

[27mm]

2 things to remember:

1 Only use white Limos for transport (yellow taxis are uninsured, twice as dangerous and a rip-off)

2 Don't self-drive unless you have to - KSA driving is a world-class nightmare.