Careful Planning
Whether you’re traveling to the next town over or to the other side of the world, careful planning is a must for your trip to be a success. The right preparation helps you avoid potential problems. There is a lot of advice on the Internet, which you can consult if necessary.
Credit card companies often provide travel insurance. However, you may have to use your credit card to purchase plane tickets or reserve accommodations to get the coverage. Avoid that your credit card getting expired.
When preparing the individual bookings of visa, hotel, flights, etc., there is a certain order that must be followed.
To apply for the visa, you must specify your place of residence. Otherwise, you will not be able to finish the visa procedure. I.e. you have to book the hotel and flights first before you can apply for the visa. The annual multiple entry visa is available for many nationals.
Medical Insurance
Medical care is good in Riyadh, Jeddah and Mecca. In other parts of the country, even in larger cities, the level is not always reliably assured.
Only private health care facilities are freely accessible to foreigners. The state health service can usually only be used in real emergency situations and for initial treatment.
- Take an individual first-aid kit with you and protect it against high temperatures while traveling.
- Take out travel health insurance for the duration of your stay abroad, which covers risks not covered by the statutory health insurance (e.g. necessary return transport to Germany in case of illness, treatment by private doctors or in private clinics). Although the application for a visa is accompanied by the conclusion of a Saudi Arabian health insurance, the scope of insurance can only be verified, so that an additional one is an option, especially since its costs are unlikely to be significant compared to those of the overall trip.
Insurance Policies
If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia for an extended period of time, be sure to check the extended absence from home against any insurance policies you have taken out at home. For example, in the case of homeowners insurance, coverage is often voided if the absence from home exceeds 45 days.
Clothes, Climate, Countryside
Be sure to dress appropriately for the climatic conditions. Depending on the time of year and the region, the nights can get very chilly. In the southwest of the country, especially in winter, heavy rains are not excluded. Headgear that covers the nose, ears and neck well with a wide brim is a must. Baseball caps, on the other hand, are totally inadequate in view of sun protection. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing with light-colored fabric, preferably natural fabric materials, is also essential for the heat. Leg-length pants are also strongly indicated.
Be sure to wear good footwear with a treaded non-slip sole. It is best if they are also ankle high; they will better protect against snake bites (although rare). Sneakers give a false sense of security during outdoor activities.
