I was wondering if I can travel to Saudi as a married woman on my own and if I should book my hotel room online?
Hey,
can I travel alone to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) as a married woman and book a hotel room online before I arrive, e.g. using one of the standard sites <snip>? Or better a local one?
Or shall I just book a hotel room on arrival?
Thank you
Kristin
[Edited: 2011 Sep 16 15:59 - Jabe:6222 ]
Reply to this Hello Kristin 😊
Though Saudi has lightened up with tourism and are issuing visas the sexism still happens. Women under 30 are not allowed to have a tourist visa, unless accomanied by a male(on the visit to Saudi). I presume when you say you are married, your husband will be accompanying you at least until you enter Saudi, and that will get past this restriction, if you are under 30.
About travelling alone: The clothing laws are very restrictive and most/all Saudi women dont go anywhere without a male driver. Wandering around the steets alone or travelling from city to city alone does not seem to be something they do at all. I dont know if this is because of cultural expectations or if it is the actual law.
I suggest that if you are going to Saudi, go at the cool weather time of the year(presuming there is one). That is what I did when I went to Iran, to prevent the discomfort of wearing a lot of clothes in the blazing summer heat.
The hotel: If you dont find out for sure if you have to have one booked, book one for the first night, to make sure you get past anything the customs and immigration might decide about what you need when you get there. Situations than can cause awkward questions to be asked, are to be avoided when entering certain countries, in my opinion.
Mel
[Edited: 2011 Sep 16 11:05 - Mell:49612 ]
Reply to this Hello Kirstin and welcome to Travelblog!
According to my research, if you are a woman there are only three ways to travel to Saudi Arabia.
1) Travel with your husband or family member (father or brother)
2) Join a tour group with other females.
3) Visit close relatives (not sure if you need your husband/father/brother with you for this purpose).
Independent tourist travel is not permitted in Saudi Arabia, you must go through an approved tour operator.
A male can travel alone but they must go with a tour, visit close relatives or can be sponsored on a business visa (I believe the business visa would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain for females).
Visiting Saudi for religious purposes (i.e. during the Haj) is another matter, and something of which I have no knowledge.
Once you have your approval, you might be able to specify what hotels you wish to stay at with the tour operator, but think that this may not be possible. Your hotel choice will be restricted to where the other members of your tour have been booked to stay.
Reply to this Thank you for your quick responses and the useful information!
Kristin
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