Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting new frontiers for motorcycle touring. Since the Kingdom opened to international tourism in 2019, riders from Europe, North America, and Australia have been discovering what locals have known for decades: Saudi Arabia has some of the most dramatic, varied, and uncrowded roads on the planet.
This guide covers everything an international rider needs to know before planning a motorcycle tour in Saudi Arabia.
Is Saudi Arabia Safe for Motorcycle Touring?
Yes. Saudi Arabia is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for international travelers. Violent crime is extremely rare, roads are well-maintained, and the local population is famously welcoming to foreign visitors.
The main challenges are practical rather than safety-related: heat (avoid June to September), long distances between fuel stops in remote areas, and navigating a country where most road signs are in Arabic.
A guided tour eliminates all three challenges.
Do I Need a Special Licence to Ride in Saudi Arabia?
Foreign riders need:
- A valid motorcycle licence from their home country
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) — obtainable from your national automobile association before you travel
- Your original licence must be carried at all times
Saudi Arabia recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Most European, American, Australian, and Canadian licences qualify.
Visa Requirements for International Riders
Saudi Arabia offers a tourist e-visa to citizens of 49 countries including the USA, UK, EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, and more. The visa costs approximately $135 USD and is valid for one year with multiple entries, allowing a stay of up to 90 days per visit.
Apply online at visa.visitsaudi.com before your trip. Processing typically takes 24-72 hours.
GCC nationals (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) do not require a visa.
Best Time to Ride in Saudi Arabia
October to March is the ideal riding season for most of Saudi Arabia. Temperatures are comfortable (15-25°C in most regions), skies are clear, and the desert landscapes are at their most dramatic.
April and November are good shoulder months — slightly warmer but still very rideable.
June to September — avoid for most regions. Temperatures exceed 45°C in the interior and along the coast. The exception is the Asir highlands (Abha, Jazan) where summer temperatures stay around 25°C due to elevation.
The Best Motorcycle Routes in Saudi Arabia
The Hejaz Mountains — Western Escarpment
The single most spectacular riding in Saudi Arabia. The road from Jeddah to Taif climbs 1,800 meters in under 40 kilometers through tight switchbacks carved into volcanic rock. Continue south through Al-Shafa, Al Baha, and Abha for a week of mountain riding that rivals anything in the Alps or Atlas Mountains.
AlUla and the Northern Desert
The road north from Madinah to AlUla passes through some of the most visually striking desert on earth — volcanic fields, sandstone canyons, and ancient Nabataean tombs. AlUla itself is home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site: 111 monumental tombs carved directly into golden sandstone cliffs. An unmissable destination.
Wadi Al Disah — The Hidden Canyon
One of Saudi Arabia’s best-kept secrets. A narrow canyon near Tabuk where a paved road runs between towering red sandstone walls, with a freshwater stream alongside. The approach from the coast road is itself a highlight — long, straight desert highway with nothing but mountains and sky.
The Red Sea Coastal Highway
The highway running north from Jeddah along the Red Sea is one of the great coastal rides. Turquoise water on one side, desert mountains on the other, with almost no traffic outside the cities. Best ridden in winter when the heat is manageable.
Jazan and the Fifa Mountains
The far southwest of Saudi Arabia is almost unknown to international tourists — which makes it extraordinary on a motorcycle. The Fifa Mountains rise to over 2,000 meters above sea level with narrow asphalt tracks cut into dense green terraces. The scenery feels more like the Ethiopian highlands than the Arabian Peninsula.
What Motorcycle to Ride
For a touring motorcycle in Saudi Arabia, you want:
- Long-distance comfort — days of 300-500km are common on multi-day tours
- Reliability — remote areas have limited breakdown support
- Heat tolerance — liquid-cooled engines handle sustained high-speed desert riding better than air-cooled
BMW R 1300 GS, BMW R 1300 RT, and Harley-Davidson touring models are all well-suited to Saudi Arabia’s mix of long highway stretches and mountain roads.
What to Pack
Essential gear:
- Full-face helmet (mandatory in Saudi Arabia)
- Riding jacket with CE-rated armor (vented for heat)
- Riding trousers with knee and hip protection
- Riding gloves
- Ankle-protecting boots
Documents:
- Passport
- International Driving Permit
- Home country motorcycle licence
- Tourist e-visa (downloaded to phone is sufficient)
- Travel insurance documents
Practical items:
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Electrolyte tablets (heat dehydration is a real risk)
- Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps works well with pre-downloaded Saudi Arabia maps)
- Arabic phrasebook or translation app
Guided Tour vs Self-Guided
Self-guided touring is possible in Saudi Arabia but comes with significant challenges: navigating Arabic road signs, finding fuel on long desert stretches, dealing with breakdowns far from cities, and understanding local traffic laws and customs.
Guided touring is the recommended approach for a first visit. A good guided tour provides:
- A Road Captain who knows every route and can communicate with locals
- A support vehicle carrying tools, spare parts, water, and emergency supplies
- Pre-arranged accommodation and logistics
- Government approvals for riding in restricted areas
- Local knowledge that no guidebook can match
How to Book a Motorcycle Tour in Saudi Arabia
KSA Motorcycle Tours offers fully guided multi-day motorcycle tours across Saudi Arabia. Our tours cover AlUla, Tabuk, Wadi Al Disah, Taif, Al Baha, Abha, Jazan, and the Red Sea coast.
All tours include the motorcycle (BMW or Harley-Davidson), experienced road captain, support vehicle, fuel, accommodation, and all required government approvals.
Tours run from October to April. Group sizes are kept small (maximum 12 riders) to ensure a personal experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women ride motorcycles in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Women have been legally permitted to drive and ride motorcycles in Saudi Arabia since 2018. Female international riders are welcome on all our tours.
Is alcohol available in Saudi Arabia?
No. Saudi Arabia is a dry country — alcohol is not available anywhere. This is worth knowing when planning your trip.
What side of the road does Saudi Arabia drive on?
The right side, same as continental Europe and North America.
Is Saudi Arabia expensive for travelers?
Moderately. Hotels and restaurants in cities are reasonably priced by international standards. Fuel is very cheap (subsidized). The main cost is flights — Saudi Arabia is not as well-connected as Europe or Southeast Asia, though connections via Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul are frequent and affordable.