The Saudi riyal divides into 100 halalas and has maintained a fixed exchange rate of 3.75 riyals to one United States dollar since 1986 under a currency peg administered by the Saudi Central Bank, formerly known as the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority until its name change in 2020. Paper notes circulate in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals, while coins appear in 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 halala values as well as 1 and 2 riyal pieces. The currency code SAR appears on international banking systems. Visitors find that price stability in Saudi Arabia exceeds that of most neighboring countries specifically because of this dollar peg, though inflation reached approximately 2.5 percent annually in 2023 according to the General Authority for Statistics.
Automated teller machines distribute riyals throughout urban centers and increasingly in smaller towns, with the highest concentrations appearing in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Machines accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus network cards without difficulty at nearly all locations. Banks typically charge withdrawal fees between 10 and 20 riyals per transaction for foreign cards, while home institutions may add their own international withdrawal charges. Al Rajhi Bank, the National Commercial Bank, Riyad Bank, and the Saudi British Bank operate the most extensive ATM networks, each maintaining several thousand machines across the country. Machines in Mecca and Medina see exceptionally heavy use during Hajj season in Dhul Hijjah and Ramadan, sometimes resulting in temporary cash shortages at individual locations.
Point-of-sale terminals accepting international credit and debit cards function reliably in hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and established retail stores in major cities. Visa and Mastercard work more consistently than American Express or Diners Club, which many smaller merchants do not accept. Contactless payment technology using international cards operates at most newer terminals installed after 2018. Cash remains necessary for transactions in traditional souks, small family restaurants, taxis without meters, and rural areas. The government push toward digital payments under Vision 2030 has increased card acceptance significantly since 2016, but street vendors and some older establishments in historic districts like Jeddah's Al-Balad still prefer physical currency.
Mobile payment systems within Saudi Arabia primarily serve residents rather than short-term visitors. The domestic platforms STC Pay, operated by Saudi Telecom Company, and Mada Pay, built on the national Mada debit network, require local bank accounts and residency documentation for activation. Apple Pay and Google Pay function for international visitors only when linked to cards issued outside Saudi Arabia, as these services process through the international networks rather than domestic systems. Samsung Pay began operating in Saudi Arabia in 2018 and works similarly when connected to foreign payment cards. Restaurants and stores in Riyadh and Jeddah increasingly display QR codes for payment, but these typically link to platforms requiring Saudi phone numbers or bank accounts.
Foreign currency exchange services operate at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, typically offering exchange rates approximately 2 to 4 percent less favorable than the interbank rate. Licensed exchange houses called "Al Rajhi Exchange" and "Al Fardan Exchange" appear throughout cities and generally provide better rates than airport counters, usually within 1 to 2 percent of the official rate. Banks exchange major currencies including US dollars, euros, British pounds, and Emirati dirhams during business hours, which typically run Saturday through Thursday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, with closures on Friday. Hotels exchange currency at notably unfavorable rates, sometimes 5 to 8 percent below the interbank rate.
The Kingdom operates on 127-volt electrical current at 60 hertz frequency, distinct from the 230-volt 50-hertz standard found in most of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Wall outlets accept type A plugs with two flat parallel pins and type B plugs with two flat parallel pins plus a grounding pin, identical to the socket configuration in the United States and Canada. Type G plugs with three rectangular pins, standard in the United Kingdom and many former British territories, do not fit Saudi outlets without an adapter. Electronics designed for 230-volt systems require voltage converters rather than simple plug adapters, though most modern phone chargers and laptop power supplies automatically handle the voltage difference through built-in transformers. Travelers arriving from Europe, Australia, India, or China need both plug adapters and should verify that their devices support 127-volt input.
Mobile network coverage reaches 98.7 percent of the Saudi population according to 2023 figures from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, with 4G LTE signals available throughout Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam, and along major highways. Three licensed operators provide cellular service: STC (Saudi Telecom Company), Mobily, and Zain KSA. Remote desert areas in the Rub' al Khali lack consistent coverage, as do some mountainous sections of the Sarawat range in Asir province. The government deployed 5G networks starting in 2019, initially in Riyadh and Jeddah, expanding to more than 50 cities by 2024. Data speeds on 4G networks typically deliver 20 to 40 megabits per second download rates in cities, dropping to 5 to 10 megabits in rural areas. STC, Mobily, and Zain sell tourist-specific packages at their airport counters and authorized retailers in major cities. A typical tourist SIM costs 50 to 100 riyals and includes 5 to 20 gigabytes of data plus local calling minutes valid for 7 to 30 days depending on the package selected. Data-only plans cost less, starting around 40 riyals for 10 gigabytes over one week. The activation process takes 10 to 30 minutes while the operator registers passport details with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission database. Visitors cannot purchase SIM cards from convenience stores or unofficial vendors.
International roaming works for subscribers from most countries through agreements between Saudi operators and foreign carriers. Roaming charges vary substantially by home carrier but typically range from 5 to 15 US dollars per megabyte of data, making local SIM purchase significantly more economical for stays longer than two days. Some North American and European carriers offer international packages that reduce Saudi Arabia roaming costs to approximately 10 dollars per day for unlimited data, worth comparing against local SIM prices for short visits. Voice calls using roaming often cost 2 to 5 dollars per minute.
WiFi access appears in nearly all hotels rated three stars or higher, shopping malls, many restaurants in Riyadh and Jeddah, and some cafes. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing initiated public WiFi installation in parks and public squares in major cities starting in 2020, though coverage remains inconsistent. Connection speeds at hotels vary from 5 megabits per second at budget properties to 50 megabits or higher at international chain hotels. Many establishments require either room number verification or phone number registration to access their networks. Coffee chains like Jarir Café and Paul Bakery offer free WiFi to customers without registration requirements. Internet censorship blocks access to specific content categories including some voice-over-IP services, though major platforms like WhatsApp calling and FaceTime audio generally function without restriction as of 2024.
The government lifted its ban on voice-over-IP calling in 2017, allowing Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime to operate legally. Video calling through these platforms functions reliably on both mobile networks and WiFi. Zoom and Microsoft Teams work without issues for business communications. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission maintains filtering infrastructure that blocks websites categorized as containing prohibited content under Saudi law, though the specific list changes periodically and detailed blocking criteria are not published. Virtual private network services that encrypt traffic face intermittent blocking, with success rates varying by provider and time period.