Currency in Saudi Arabia
The complete Saudi Riyal (SAR) travel guide
The Saudi Riyal (SAR, symbol ﷼ or SR) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.75 SAR per USD since 1986 — one of the longest-running currency pegs in the world. Issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), banknotes come in SR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas, SR 1 and SR 2. Saudi Arabia is the holy land of Islam — Mecca and Medina receive 2+ million Hajj pilgrims annually plus 20+ million year-round Umrah visitors. The Vision 2030 reforms have opened Saudi Arabia to non-Muslim tourism since 2019.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is increasingly card-friendly, especially in Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and the Red Sea projects. mada (the local debit network) is universal at Saudi merchants; Visa and Mastercard work nearly everywhere too. Apple Pay is widely accepted. Tap-to-pay is the dominant method. ATMs at Saudi National Bank (Al-Ahli), Al Rajhi, Riyad Bank, and SABB branches accept foreign cards with no per-transaction fees (your home bank may still charge). Cash is useful at souks (especially in Jeddah's Al-Balad), older taxis, and small shops in non-tourist areas. STC Pay and Tabby are popular for locals but require Saudi identification.
Tipping culture in Saudi Arabia
Tipping in Saudi Arabia is appreciated but not strictly expected. Restaurants: 10–15% is generous at sit-down restaurants where service charge isn't already included. Taxis: round up to nearest SR 5. Hotels: SR 10–20 per bag for porters; SR 10–20 per night for housekeeping at luxury hotels. Spa/salon: 10%. Hajj/Umrah service providers: SR 50–100 per service is standard. Drivers (hired by day): SR 50–100 per day. Tipping in SAR is preferred — USD tips are accepted but seen as awkward. During Ramadan, daytime tipping is the same; nighttime suhoor/iftar service often draws larger tips.
Best way to get Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Because SAR is pegged to USD at 3.75, conversion rates are extremely predictable. Best USD-to-SAR rates come from multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) — typically within 0.3% of the peg. Authorized money changers (Al Rajhi Tahweel, Tahweel Al Rajhi, Western Union) offer institutional rates close to the peg with no fees on small transactions. Avoid airport (RUH, JED) currency exchange counters — spreads of 3–5% above the peg are common. For Indian/Pakistani worker remittances from Saudi Arabia, Al Rajhi Tahweel and Western Union compete with Wise for SAR-to-INR/PKR conversions.
Practical money tips for Saudi Arabia
- •SAR is pegged to USD at 3.75 — rates barely move, focus on minimizing fees
- •Get a tourist SIM card on arrival at RUH or JED (STC, Mobily, Zain) — 7-30 day plans available for SR 50–200
- •Uber and Careem dominate ride-hailing in major cities — much cheaper and safer than street taxis
- •VAT (15%) is included in displayed prices; tourist refund scheme available on purchases over SR 1,000
- •Saudi plug types A, B, F, G (mixed) with 230V/50Hz — pack universal adapter
- •Friday-Saturday is the Saudi weekend (since 2013) — banks and some offices closed; tourist sites and malls remain open
- •Tourist visas (issued since 2019) allow non-Muslims to visit most of Saudi Arabia except Mecca and Medina (which remain restricted to Muslims)
Common money scams to avoid in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has extremely low tourist-money fraud — among the safest countries in the world. The main risks are mild: aggressive carpet/perfume-shop touts at souks (Al-Balad in Jeddah, Old Diriyah); rigged taxi fares from RUH and JED airports if you don't use Uber/Careem; some Hajj/Umrah tour packages with hidden surcharges (book through verified operators registered with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj); and occasional credit-card skimming at standalone ATMs in tourist areas — use bank-branch ATMs only. Strict laws apply: no alcohol, drugs carry severe penalties, public conduct standards are enforced.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Saudi Riyal pegged to the dollar?
Yes — SAR has been pegged to USD at 3.75 SAR per USD since 1986. The peg is supported by Saudi Arabia's vast USD-denominated oil revenues. SAMA holds over $400 billion in foreign reserves, making the peg essentially unbreakable. USD/SAR has not deviated meaningfully from 3.75 in nearly 40 years.
Can I use US dollars in Saudi Arabia?
Some tourist businesses accept USD but at terrible rates (5–10% loss). Always pay in SAR if possible. Use an authorized money changer (Al Rajhi Tahweel has hundreds of locations) or a Wise card for the best rates — typically within 0.3% of the peg.
Can non-Muslims visit Saudi Arabia now?
Yes, since 2019 Saudi Arabia issues tourist visas to non-Muslims for most of the country. Mecca and Medina remain restricted to Muslims only — these cities are physically inaccessible to non-Muslims (police checkpoints enforce). Most major Saudi tourist destinations — Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Edge of the World, Red Sea coast — are open to all visitors.
How much cash should I bring to Saudi Arabia?
Very little — Saudi Arabia is highly card-friendly. SR 200–500 ($55–135) for the trip is more than enough for souks, small tips, and emergencies. Withdraw from a bank ATM if needed.
What's the best way to send SAR to India or Pakistan?
For SAR-to-INR or SAR-to-PKR worker remittances, Al Rajhi Tahweel, Tahweel Al Rajhi, and Wise all compete closely — typically within 0.5–1.5% of mid-market. Western Union and traditional bank wires charge 2–4% in disguised margins. For amounts over SR 5,000, Wise typically wins by 1–2% versus traditional services.
Convert to and from SAR
Other country currency guides
Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.