Daily costs per person in Saudi Riyal (SAR). Medina is affordable, especially for food and holy site visits which are free.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: SAR (Riyal) (1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | SAR 100–200 | SAR 300–600 | SAR 1,000+ | Budget hotels → 3-4 star near mosque → 5-star with mosque view |
| Food | SAR 40–70 | SAR 100–180 | SAR 300+ | Street food & chains → restaurants → hotel fine dining |
| Transport | SAR 20–40 | SAR 60–120 | SAR 200+ | Uber/Careem → private taxi → car rental |
| Activities | SAR 0–50 | SAR 100–200 | SAR 400+ | Mosques & markets → museums & guides → Al-Ula day trip |
| Drinks | SAR 10–20 | SAR 30–50 | SAR 80+ | Tea & coffee → fresh juices → specialty cafes |
| Daily Total | SAR 170–380 | SAR 590–1,150 | SAR 1,980+ | $45–101 → $157–307 → $528+ |
Money-saving tips
Al Baik is king
Saudi Arabia's legendary fried chicken chain serves massive meals for SAR 15–25. Every Saudi loves it. The garlic sauce and broasted chicken are genuinely outstanding value.
Free holy sites
The Prophet's Mosque, Quba Mosque, Qiblatain Mosque, Mount Uhud, and the Seven Mosques are all free to visit. These are the main attractions of Medina.
Date market haggling
Date prices near the mosque are inflated. Walk two blocks back to find the same quality for 30–40% less. Always sample before buying and compare several vendors.
Ride-share apps
Uber and Careem operate in Medina. Rides within the city cost SAR 10–25. Much cheaper than hotel taxis. Airport transfer around SAR 40–60.
Hotel buffets
Many hotels near the mosque offer all-you-can-eat buffets for SAR 50–80. These are excellent value for a large meal and often include traditional Saudi dishes.
Foul & tameez
The most traditional (and cheapest) meal in Medina — fava bean stew with fresh bread for SAR 10–20. Found at bakeries throughout the old town. Filling and delicious.
