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I haven’t been to Saudi Arabia, yet, but I know some of my readers have traveled there or want to. I chose to publish this short guide to help those readers. If you’ve been there and can give a few tips, please share in the comments! Thanks! —Aleah
Saudi Arabia has changed a lot in the last few years, and there’s genuinely more to do than most travelers expect. One day you’re in Riyadh enjoying the bright lights and attractions at Boulevard Riyadh City, and the next you’re exploring AlUla’s calm desert landscapes and heritage sites.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, 60.9 million visitors traveled in the first half of 2025, with international spending reaching SAR 49.4 billion in the first quarter. That’s why the Kingdom is quickly becoming a top destination, not only for business and pilgrimage, but also for leisure trips.
But if you’ve visited recently, you’ll know a map alone isn’t enough. You need a few solid apps to handle the basics, bookings, transport, event tickets, and (for pilgrims) official permits. Relying on random global apps can be frustrating when you need local payments, Arabic support, or up-to-date official requirements.
This is why we have included a selection of specialized travel apps for every stage of your journey, from planning your trip and booking your flights and accommodations, to getting around your destination.
The Main App: Your Hub for Travel Bookings—Almosafer
Don’t just download random apps; first, you need a solid travel booking app that will help you make major reservations, for example, your flights, hotels, and travel packages.
Almosafer is a strong all-in-one travel app because it combines global inventory with local Gulf needs. It’s backed by 40+ years of travel experience via Seera Group, has 10M+ downloads, and holds a 4.7★ rating on both iOS App Store and Google Play. More importantly for travelers, it supports local payments and omnichannel support across digital and in-person channels.
Here are some reasons that make your all-in-one travel app.
Reliable
When you are planning a trip, you need to be certain that your booking is secure. Almosafer is the right choice for you as they have partnerships with over 1.5 million hotels and other stays like apartment hotels, chalets, resorts, and more, along with over 450 airlines worldwide directly linked through their systems, ensuring that your reservation is confirmed and is ready once you arrive there.
Trustworthy Support (Omnichannel)
Technology is great, but sometimes you just want to talk to a travel expert. Almosafer certainly offers help across all channels. You can chat with them using WhatsApp, call their support services—which are available in Arabic or English at any time—or visit any of their 38 outlets situated in Saudi Arabia and one in Kuwait.
When you have a complex journey or a changing itinerary at the last hour, it may be comforting to know where you should go or who might provide some assistance by calling.
Visa and Transfer Services
Almosafer does more than offer flights; this app can help plan your vacation and ensure everything runs smoothly during the holiday. For instance, if you need a ride from the airport to your accommodation, they have it covered with experienced chauffeurs who will escort you safely. They can also help with any required documents or visa assistance services.
Proven Excellence
The 44 World Travel Awards under their name, including being named as the Saudi Arabia’s Leading Online Travel Agency for its excellent service provided in 2025, shows how good they really are.
Local Payment Ease
Almosafer supports a secure way of making payments. They accept Mada, KNET, Apple Pay, and provide installments through Tamara and Tabby with 0% buy now pay later, making your booking process smooth.
You can use your reward points. Almosafer allows you to earn and redeem loyalty points from Qitaf, Alfursan, Shukran, as well as Mokafaa instantly upon booking with them.
Moving Around: Ride Booking and Finding Your Way
While there are various public transport options in Saudi Arabia like the Riyadh Bus, using ride-hailing services remains the most efficient way of moving from one point to another.
Ride-Hailing Apps
● Careem: This is the Middle East’s “Super App” which is very popular in this part of the world. It can be found easily in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam. You know you are safe because it gives a fixed price, even offering an option to order food while at the hotel.
● Uber: You presumably already have this app if you’re coming from another country. The global standard works well here since it has a familiar interface and safety features that you are used to. It works excellently for picking up visitors at airports and other places that you want to go.
● Google Maps: This is a must-have app. In places like Riyadh where traffic patterns can change, its real-time updates are quite useful. It also helps you find “hidden gems” in your region, including coffee shops and restaurants that aren’t in the guidebooks.
Events and Entertainment Apps
Saudi Arabia has a lot of things to do all year long, from the Riyadh Season to concerts in Jeddah. You don’t want to miss out just because you didn’t know how to book.
● Webook: Think of this as your online ticket booth. You may use it to book tickets for concerts, festivals, and even Roshn Saudi League matches. It’s a super app for fun.
● Visit Saudi: This is the Saudi Tourism Authority’s official app for tourists. It is beautiful to look at and incredibly functional, helping you discover events, view interactive maps, and check verified opening times for heritage sites.
Religious Travel Apps
For a lot of people, going to Saudi Arabia is a spiritual journey. The government has made this procedure easier by putting it online, but you need the correct tools.
● Nusuk: If you’re going on a religious trip, you have to use Nusuk. It is the official app for arranging Umrah and, most importantly, for getting the permission to worship in the Rawdah at Al Masjid Al Nabawi. It keeps your trip focused on worship, not on filling out forms.
● Mawasim: It can be hard to get from booking your vacation to getting your spiritual permits. This is where Mawasim, which is part of Almosafer, comes in. With years of local experience, Mawasim offers complete pilgrimage solutions, including help with visas, transfers, and accommodations, all backed by a strong network and committed support on the ground.
Mawasim helps with everything from getting the best prices and taking care of visa formalities to arranging airport shuttles and accommodations. They have dedicated personnel on the ground to help with everything. They are an officially licensed partner of Nusuk, thus they make sure that your logistics are in line with your permissions.
Financial Apps
● Digital Wallets: It can be hard to deal with money while traveling, but the appropriate apps make it easy. People in Saudi Arabia use digital payments all the time. Setting up Apple Pay or STC Pay on your phone is a good idea for minor daily transactions like coffee or cabs.
The experience of traveling is more important than the stress of planning. You need a solid foundation to hold everything together, even while apps like Careem take care of your rides and Webook gets you tickets to concerts. Almosafer makes sure that the foundation is safe by giving you the trust, support, and connectivity you need to explore with confidence.
Disclaimer: Data validated on Nov 2025. All values are subject to real-time changes.
Elena is a professional writer based in Sacramento, CA. After graduation, she took a gap year to travel around the world (95 countries so far! Yay!). She loves surfing, Crossfit, Keanu Reeves, and cats.
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