Saudi Arabia has opened up quickly to visitors. Tourist e-visas, the heritage sites of AlUla, the Red Sea coast and the events of Riyadh now draw travellers who would not have come a few years ago, alongside the millions of pilgrims who travel for Umrah and Hajj. Coverage is strong in the cities, along the highways and in the holy cities, which are built for enormous crowds. As Saudi Arabia lies outside Roam Like at Home, EU tariffs apply their own roaming charges there, in most cases per day.
This guide covers the apps you will need, how calling works, and the numbers to save.
Key facts for Saudi Arabia
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: stc, Mobily (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911; police 999, ambulance 997, fire 998
- Embassies: in Riyadh, with consulates in Jeddah for some countries
Regional tensions and the Yemen border
Since July 2026, the Houthis in Yemen have launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, and Iran has carried out strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region, so airports, ports, military bases and energy sites face a heightened threat. Flights can be cancelled at short notice, and if you are told to shelter, get inside a solid building, as falling debris from intercepts is the main danger. The UK advises against all travel within 10 km of the border with Yemen, and against all but essential travel between 10 and 80 km from it, an area that includes the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait.
Riyadh and Jeddah: metro, ride-hailing and cards
Uber and Careem operate in the main cities, and the Riyadh Metro, which opened in stages from late 2024, now crosses the capital on six lines. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, from malls to coffee shops.
Umrah, Makkah and Madinah
Pilgrims use the Nusuk app, run by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, for permits to pray in the Two Holy Mosques and to book a visit to the Rawdah in Madinah. Only Muslims may enter Makkah. The Haramain high-speed railway links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah. During Hajj and the busiest nights of Ramadan, the networks are under heavy load, so download your permits and tickets before you set out.
Calls: WhatsApp and the alternatives
WhatsApp voice and video calls were blocked in Saudi Arabia for years. Since early 2025 users have reported that they work, but there has been no official announcement, so keep another way to call for anything important. Messages work normally.
AlUla, the Red Sea and the desert
AlUla and the Red Sea coast are well covered around towns and resorts, but on desert drives the signal disappears for long stretches. From June to August, daytime temperatures in Riyadh and the desert often pass 45 °C: carry water, keep your phone out of the sun and download offline maps before leaving the main roads.
Laws to respect
Alcohol and drugs are illegal. Photographing people without their permission, or filming government buildings, can lead to arrest, and posting such images online can be prosecuted. Dress modestly in public places.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up from a QR code at home only begins its validity when it first connects in the Kingdom. It works as a data line, while your own number can still receive texts and bank verification codes.
Saudi prepaid SIMs are sold at airport kiosks and in operator shops, and the seller links each one to your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Saudi Arabia
- 911 is the unified emergency number, with operators who speak several languages; 999 is the police, 997 an ambulance and 998 the fire service.
- 993 is the traffic police, for road accidents.
- Embassies are in Riyadh, and some countries also have consulates in Jeddah. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- In the app, Arabic emergency phrases are ready for when you need to explain a problem at a hotel desk, a pharmacy or a police station.
Saudi Arabia travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Saudi Arabia
Do WhatsApp calls work in Saudi Arabia?
They have been reported to work since early 2025, without an official announcement. Messages work normally.
Which app do I need for Umrah?
Nusuk, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah app, for permits and visits to the Rawdah.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Saudi Arabia?
stc on most plans and Mobily on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
What number do I call in an emergency?
911, or 999 for the police, 997 for an ambulance and 998 for the fire service.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, set up Nusuk if you are travelling for Umrah, follow flight updates, keep well away from the Yemen border areas, carry water in the heat, and save 911.
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