Jeddah Travel Tips

We are today going to touch on many topics such as traveling in Jeddah, hotel apartments, and apartments for rent in Jeddah. If you are wondering why to read on. With the various lockdowns behind us now, if you are someone looking to travel, this may just be the location that you have in mind or haven't yet given a thought. Either way, if traveling to Saudi Arabia is on your charts then a trip to Jeddah must be a part of your plan. It is a must-visit when in that part of the world. We assure you this is a part of the trip you will surely end satisfied and happy.

Keeping that in mind, we want to discuss today with you Jeddah's traveling tips and things to keep in mind while traveling to Saudi Arabia. Each area, nation, and subcontinent has its aspects that one must know well and keep in mind to avoid any confusion or worse. This is as true for this region as there are certain unique aspects of traveling to this part of the world. We shall explore all of these bit by bit today.

What to know

There are some key points that you must keep in mind when traveling to Jeddah and any other part of Saudi Arabia. Let’s have a look at them:

• First-time traveler – If this is your first visit to the place or area, we suggest you seek out someone who has traveled there before or do an extensive study online in order to not miss out on any of the nuances. Things, guidelines, and norms often change between visits or with time so ensure your information is not outdated.

The second part holds true also for repeat travelers. Do not assume nothing has changed. Be it the pandemic or socio-economic reasons, things can change rather dramatically so stay updated.

• Appropriate clothing – You may need to order or abstain from wearing certain clothing items when in Jeddah. It is important to know and be prepared for this. As an example, males should not wear anything which is made of silk or must not wear anything with gold coloring. This is considered inappropriate by the people there. Similarly, a woman may need to order and be ready with abaya cloaks beforehand so as not to be stuck without them.

• Travel dates – You must be careful in choosing the dates you decide to travel to Jeddah at. Being a warm place, it is often advised to travel there during peak summers. This is so prominent that people with sensitivity should avoid being there at those times at all costs. In a similar manner, if you are someone who explores the places during the day and is a night resting individual then the month of Ramadan may not be the right time for you. This whole month sees most places closed during the day and the place comes to life in the late evening and night only. You must keep these and such other nuances in mind when choosing when to travel.

• Authority figures – Irrespective of how the system is placed and works in your country of origin, understand that in Jeddah, people who are authority figures, such as policemen, carry a lot of respect. It would be Ill-advised to argue or bicker with them. You are also advised to keep your passport and visa with you at all times and to produce it when demanded.

• Understand the laws – We cannot lay enough emphasis on this for you. The laws would be likely very different from your home country and the punishments some crimes carry here are extreme and irreversible. To ensure you do not unintentionally break a law, it is advised to read up on the many important laws in the country and especially those applicable to tourists or non-citizens.

What to see and do

Jeddah is a place of immense cultural value and pride. Being along the path of the Silk Route and being right next to the Red Sea makes it a major trading hub as well. With that in mind, you must understand that all places that are attractions there or are worth visiting will have this underlying theme and note to them. Let us see some of the must-visit parts of the place.

• Naseef House – Built in the late 1800s, this house with over 100 rooms contains all forms of art and culture possible, from wood cravings to ornate calligraphy scrolls. This place is a keyhole view into the entire cultural history and present of the whole area and surrounding regions.

• Floating Mosque – Seen as a major place of worship and finding peace, this mosque is well known in the region and is a must-visit for all travelers. The experience of being here is one of a kind and certainly unparalleled in the region.

• Al Shallal Theme Park – Irrespective of your age, this is a place to visit for relaxation and letting go. This theme part has its own famous roller coaster and high swings that allow travelers of all ages to find something for themselves and spend a good sunny day at this water oasis.

FAQs

• Is the trip safe for a solo female traveler?

Safety per self is not an issue for female travelers. While it would be foolhardy to suggest them to treat the place much the same as their possibly more liberal and forward home cities, it is still true that women are highly respected in terms of their safety in Jeddah.

The possible problems a solo female traveler may face would be with respect to some of the restrictions placed on women and the inability to interact with local women due to them staying inside for the most part.

What can certainly help is knowing what is and is not allowed and which parts of the place are safest as described by other women who have been there.

• What is my staying and traveling options in the place?

Much like any big city, Jeddah has options in hotels to choose from for your stay as a tourist and traveler there. Apart from that, there are also apartments that can be rented if your stay is for a substantial period of time ranging from a month plus to any number of months.

For moving around the place the best option would be hiring a private car and driver. This takes away the stress and rules of driving yourself and the person who is working for you would know the place well. If this does not suit you there is also a public bus system that runs on prefixed routes across the place. Speaking to a local may allow you to use this service to move around.

• What should I know about the phone and the internet there?

Getting a local SIM card is advisable for this place if you are looking to be here for more than 2 to 3 days. This will allow you to avoid unimaginable international rates on your service provider for every call you make within the area. However, this analysis is best left to you as you know the duration and purpose of your visit best.

When it comes to Wi-Fi, the same is functional in almost all parts of the place unless barred due to the sensitivity of the location (religious, military). Most restaurants and cafes also provide WiFi unless you visit an extremely small or snack one.