Saudi Arabia Currency Guide: SAR, Exchange Rates, and Money Tips

Saudi Arabia Currency Guide

The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is the official currency of Saudi Arabia. The riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of SAR 3.75 = USD 1.00 — a peg that has been maintained since 1986 and provides visitors with exchange rate stability unusual among travel destinations. For travelers from the United States, this peg eliminates currency risk entirely: the price you calculate today is the price you will pay tomorrow, next week, or next month. For travelers from other countries, the riyal moves in lockstep with the US dollar, so watching the USD exchange rate for your home currency gives you the SAR rate automatically.

This stability is not merely a technical detail — it fundamentally simplifies budget planning for a Riyadh trip. Unlike destinations where currency fluctuations can shift your costs by ten to twenty percent between booking and arrival, Saudi Arabia offers pricing certainty. When we quote hotel rates of $17 per night for budget accommodation or $275-$19,654 per night for luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, those dollar figures are fixed equivalents, not approximate conversions subject to market movement.

Key Facts

• Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR / SR)
• Fixed Exchange Rate: SAR 3.75 = USD 1.00
• Approximate Rates: SAR 1 = approximately EUR 0.25 / GBP 0.21 / AUD 0.40 (varies with USD cross-rates)
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halala (100 halala = 1 riyal), 1 and 2 riyal
• Notes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyal
• Symbol: SAR or SR (used interchangeably)

Denominations and Design

Saudi banknotes feature designs reflecting the kingdom’s heritage and modernization. The 500-riyal note is the highest denomination and most useful for large transactions. The 100-riyal and 50-riyal notes are standard for daily use. The 10-riyal and 5-riyal notes cover smaller purchases. The 1-riyal note exists but coins are more common at this denomination.

Coins are used for small transactions but are less commonly encountered by tourists, as most transactions above SAR 5 use notes. The 1-halala and 5-halala coins are rarely seen in practice, as prices are typically rounded. The 1-riyal and 2-riyal coins are the most commonly circulated coin denominations.

Both Arabic numerals and standard Western digits appear on Saudi currency, making denominations easy to identify for international visitors.

Practical Money Matters

Credit and Debit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, malls, and tourist attractions. International visitors will find card acceptance standard at virtually all modern commercial establishments across Riyadh. Kingdom Centre Mall with its 150-plus luxury stores, Al Nakheel Mall with 200-plus outlets, and Riyadh Park Mall all operate entirely on card-friendly systems. Fine dining restaurants like Zuma, COYA, Gymkhana, Spago, and La Petite Maison accept international cards without issue.

Mada is the Saudi debit card network. Some venues accept only Mada, which international visitors typically do not have. King Abdullah Park has been reported as Mada-only for entry fees (SAR 11.5-12 per person). If you encounter a Mada-only situation, carry sufficient cash as backup.

American Express has limited acceptance compared to Visa and Mastercard. Do not rely on Amex as your sole payment method.

Digital Payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly accepted at major retailers, chain restaurants, and modern commercial venues. The Riyadh Metro ticket machines accept both cash and cards.

Contactless Payments: Tap-to-pay functionality works at most card-accepting terminals. Saudi Arabia has rapidly adopted contactless payment technology, and many transactions require only a tap for amounts below SAR 300.

ATMs

ATMs are widely available throughout Riyadh — in malls, near metro stations, in hotel lobbies, and on commercial streets. International cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus) work at most ATMs. Expect to pay a foreign transaction fee set by your home bank (typically 1.5-3% of the withdrawal amount) plus a potential ATM operator fee. Withdrawal limits vary by bank but are typically SAR 3,000-5,000 per transaction.

Major Saudi banks with extensive ATM networks include Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank (SNB), Riyad Bank, and Banque Saudi Fransi. Airport ATMs are available in all terminals at King Khalid International Airport.

Pro tip: Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize per-transaction fees. SAR 1,000-2,000 per withdrawal covers several days of cash expenses for most visitors.

Cash

Cash remains useful in several contexts despite Saudi Arabia’s rapid digital payment adoption:

• Traditional markets: Souq Al Zal near Masmak Fortress — where vendors sell antiques, traditional clothing, perfumes, spices, and handicrafts — operates primarily on cash. Bargaining is conducted in cash and the transaction is closed in cash.
• Street food: Shawarma stands (SAR 5-10), falafel wraps, and juice shops may prefer or require cash, particularly smaller operators.
• Budget dining: Local Saudi restaurants serving kabsa and mandi at SAR 25-50 per meal may not have card readers.
• Small shops and convenience stores: Corner stores and neighborhood shops sometimes operate cash-only.
• Tips and small services: Tipping hotel porters, housekeeping, and drivers is easier with cash (SAR 5-20 notes).

A reasonable cash float for a week in Riyadh: SAR 300-500 for budget travelers, SAR 500-1,000 for mid-range visitors. Luxury travelers can operate almost entirely on cards.

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange offices operate at King Khalid International Airport (all terminals) and throughout the city. The fixed USD peg means dollar-holders get a stable, predictable rate. For currencies other than USD, rates vary between exchange offices — compare rates at the airport versus city exchange offices, as city locations sometimes offer slightly better margins.

Hotels offer currency exchange but typically at less favorable rates than dedicated exchange offices. Banks exchange currency but may require a Saudi bank account.

When to exchange: For USD holders, any time is equally good due to the fixed peg. For holders of other currencies (EUR, GBP, AUD, etc.), the rate depends on the USD cross-rate, which fluctuates. Monitoring the USD exchange rate for your currency before travel helps you identify favorable conversion moments.

Costs for Reference

Understanding what things cost in Riyadh helps calibrate your budget. Saudi Arabia’s tourism spending reached SR300 billion ($81 billion) in 2025, reflecting both the volume of visitors (122 million nationally) and a cost structure that ranges from deeply affordable to extraordinarily luxury.

VAT

Saudi Arabia applies a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most goods and services. The VAT was initially introduced at 5% in January 2018 and tripled to 15% in July 2020. Prices at retail stores, restaurants, and most service providers typically include VAT in the displayed price. Hotel room rates may or may not include VAT depending on the booking platform — verify whether the quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive when booking.

There is no formal tourist tax-refund scheme as of 2026. Unlike the EU and some other destinations, visitors cannot reclaim VAT on purchases when departing Saudi Arabia. Factor the 15% VAT into your budget calculations, particularly for large purchases like luxury goods at Kingdom Centre Mall.

Tipping Culture

Tipping is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia and is less formalized than in the United States, but it is appreciated and becoming more common in the hospitality sector as international tourism grows. The tipping culture sits between the American expectation of 15-20% and the European approach of rounding up — a 10-15% tip for good service is generous by Saudi standards.

• Restaurants: 10-15% for table service at restaurants that do not add a service charge. Some restaurants include a service charge (typically 10-15%) on the bill — check before adding a separate tip. At fine dining venues like Zuma, COYA, and Gymkhana, tipping is expected and appreciated.
• Hotels: SAR 5-10 for bellhops and porters per service. SAR 10-20 per night for housekeeping. SAR 20-50 for exceptional concierge assistance.
• Taxis and Ride-hailing: Rounding up is common (a SAR 23 fare becomes SAR 25) but specific tipping is not expected. Both Uber and Careem include in-app tipping options.
• Tour Guides: SAR 50-100 per day for private guides, particularly for desert excursions to the Edge of the World or heritage tours of Diriyah.
• Spa and Salon Services: 10-15% is appropriate.
• Delivery Services: SAR 5-10 for food delivery drivers.

Daily Budget Planning

Understanding daily cost ranges helps travelers choose the right financial strategy for their Riyadh visit. Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure supports both extreme budget travelers and ultra-luxury visitors, with meaningful options across the entire spectrum.

Strict Budget: SAR 150-250/day ($40-$67) Accommodation in budget hotels at SAR 65-100. Meals from street food vendors and Saudi restaurants at SAR 50-80. Metro transport at SAR 8-16 using two-hour passes. Free attractions only (National Museum, Masmak Fortress, Diriyah, Wadi Hanifah, Boulevard City during Riyadh Season). See our Budget Travel Guide.

Comfortable Mid-Range: SAR 500-1,000/day ($133-$267) Mid-range hotel at SAR 200-400. Mix of casual and restaurant dining at SAR 150-300. Metro plus occasional ride-hailing at SAR 30-80. One to two paid attractions or experiences. A comfortable daily spend that enables a full Riyadh experience.

Luxury: SAR 5,000-15,000+/day ($1,333-$4,000+) Five-star hotel at SAR 1,500-5,000+. Fine dining lunch and dinner at SAR 1,000-3,000+. Private transportation at SAR 500-1,000. VIP experiences, events, and premium access. See our Luxury Travel Guide.

Banking Hours

Saudi banks operate Sunday through Thursday, typically 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Banks are closed on Friday and Saturday (the Saudi weekend). Banks close during public holidays including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Saudi National Day, and Founding Day. ATMs operate 24/7 regardless of banking hours. See our Saudi Public Holidays Guide for holiday dates.

Money Safety

Standard travel precautions apply: do not carry excessive cash, use hotel safes for valuables and backup cards, keep your wallet in a front pocket in crowded areas (Souq Al Zal, Riyadh Season zones), and notify your bank of travel to Saudi Arabia before departure to prevent card blocks. Riyadh has low crime rates, but opportunistic theft can occur in any major city.

For detailed daily budget breakdowns, see our Budget Travel Guide (from SAR 150/day) and Luxury Travel Guide (SAR 5,000+/day). For hotel pricing by category, see our Hotel Comparison guide.

Sending Money and International Transfers

International visitors occasionally need to send or receive money while in Saudi Arabia — whether splitting costs with travel companions, paying for advance tour bookings, or handling unexpected expenses. Western Union and MoneyGram operate through partner banks and exchange offices in Riyadh. Bank-to-bank international wire transfers are available through Saudi banks but typically require a Saudi bank account. Digital payment apps like Wise (formerly TransferWise) and PayPal operate with some limitations in Saudi Arabia. For most short-stay visitors, carrying sufficient cash and cards from home eliminates the need for international transfers entirely.

Contact info@discoverriyadh.ai for money questions.