When it comes to traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is more there to do as a family than you can imagine! If you are struggling with putting together a fun-filled family itinerary, then you’re in luck. Our tips and tricks on how to plan for a family holiday in Saudi Arabia will help you organize the most amazing family trip!
Putting together a plan for your entire family in the Middle East can be broken down into four main components. Logistics, adventures, what to pack, and food. Let’s take a look at these four elements to see how to plan your perfect holiday.
Logistics: Time of Year, Costs, Visas and More
One of the most difficult parts of planning an international holiday is understanding the logistics of the trip. For this aspect of planning your family holiday in Saudi Arabia, let’s break it down into budget, time of year, visas, and extras.
Budgeting and Costs
When it comes to booking your Saudi Airlines flight, or your stunning hotel, you need to consider all of the costs that go into this kind of family trip. You have to book several different tickets, have a large enough hotel room(s) for everyone, and so much more. Be certain to have a definitive budget before you even BEGIN to book anything.
Time of Year
First things first, the best time of year to travel in the Middle East should be in the Winter months. This is not only to avoid overheating during the hottest times of the year, but it is best for kids and teenagers. You can book your extraordinary vacation during their holiday time from school. Not to mention you also get the holiday season off from work!
Here are all the things you should definitely budget for BEFORE you start booking:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Food
- Souvenirs
- Transportation
- Tours
- Museums and Events
Once you have a solid budget, you can start to book everything from hotels to dune tours and more!
Visas and Legal Documents
Visas are another issue, especially for young children and teenagers in your family. Be certain to have all visa requests filed at least four months before your trip. This will not only make entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a breeze, but it will also reduce your stress leading up to your holiday.
Having passports and other legal documents filed and/or delivered way before your trip is also very important. Passports can sometimes take a lot of paperwork and a long time to process. Be certain to plan for a few weeks to a few months to get all of your passports!
Adventure Awaits
A family trip isn’t complete without some incredible memories from your international adventures. One of the most important things that go into planning a family holiday in Saudi Arabia is including extra special events or tours.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this could be walking the streets of the ancient At-Turaif District outside of Riyadh, or riding ATVs on desert sand dunes! No matter the adventure, be certain to plan something you can only do in Saudi Arabia.
Whatever activities fit best for your family will do wonders. Whether you decide to visit the Al Shall Theme Park or to walk through historical sites, is all up to you. However, booking these fun adventures in advance is a must!
What to Pack
Packing clothing for the whole family can seem daunting. However, checking the weather for Saudi Arabia for whatever time of year you book your trip is a priority. Just remember that culturally, women and teenage females should dress more conservatively. Always have a scarf on hand in case you are required to cover your head. Men should also always have their legs covered.
All of your destinations will have different clothing requirements, so having all of your activities planned out beforehand will be helpful. Entering historical Mosques, and heritage sites will require more conservative clothing and head coverings. Loose, lightweight clothing to keep you safe from the sun, but not too hot is important.
Food Ready
Families with little kids know how hard it is to get them to eat new and exciting foods. Be certain to have snacks and favorite food staples ready for the littles at all times. You can also try to get your kiddos excited about the trip by cooking traditional Saudi dishes at home before you leave!
No matter what age your kids are, being sure they will eat local staples is one of the most important parts of planning this holiday. If you have picky eaters or kids with food allergies, then you need to plan out restaurants, travel snacks, and all your meals before you leave.
Planning a Family Holiday in Saudi Arabia Can Be Easy!
By following these simple steps, you can put together an incredible Saudi Arabian holiday that the whole family will LOVE! Make sure to organize logistics way ahead of time, plan extraordinary adventures, know what to pack, and get the little ones ready for amazing food. By using these simple tips, you’ll be able to have an unforgettable family holiday in Saudi Arabia!
