Planning a Trip with Family to Saudi Arabia: Your Ultimate Guide
Are you a Canadian who is planning to take your kids on a short trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA? Well, then you have definitely made an excellent choice for the destination as Saudi Arabia offers many options for families, kids, and all. KSA saw over 106 million visitors in 2023. So, you can rest assured that the place is safe to travel to with Saudi Visas for Canadian citizens and will offer you the best traveling experience.
However, you might need more to have the perfect trip at the end. Rather, you will also have to come up with a proper plan to avoid all issues during the trip. Ultimately, making it easier for you to have a trip without any issues.
Preparing for Your Trip to KSA
Well, you will have to start with proper preparation before you get to board your flight to Saudi Arabia. This preparatory step includes understanding the requirements for visiting the place, the weather, and other things that come with visiting Saudi Arabia. So, let us break down how you should prepare for your trip:
Understanding Visa Requirements for Families
International travel requires you to get a Saudi visa for children, yourself, and anyone else traveling with you. This travel permit helps you freely explore the country without any set restrictions. This is why, you will be required to start your trip preparation by applying for a visa. The visa application process is pretty straightforward, so most people do not face any issues dealing with it.
Go to the website: Visit our site. Remember to check if your country is on the list of eligible countries before you continue with the rest of the process.
Choose the form: Locate the visa application form and then complete it with accurate information about yourself and your trip. Each person in the group must fill out a separate application.
Upload documents: Attach scanned copies of your essential documents. Make sure they match all requirements. You will need to provide scanned copies of the first two pages of your passport, hotel reservations, recent photographs, bank statements, flight tickets, and more. Make sure you ensure that you are using your valid passport that comes with a validity of at least six months and includes a minimum of two blank pages.
Make payment: Pay the fee with your credit/debit card.
Wait for approval: After this, it will take just a few days for you will receive an email containing the visa approval letter. This will be sent to the email address you mentioned in the form. This process can take from a couple of hours to a few days. After you get the letter, take a printout and carry copies with you to the airport. If the letter fails to arrive after 3 to 5 days, please contact our Helpdesk for assistance promptly.
This is the online application method for Saudi visas for Canadian citizens and everyone in general that came into existence in 2019. Through this, you get to have a passport that has a validity of 365 days and offers you multiple entries. However, each stay cannot be more than 90 days and the total stay is 180 days.
Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia
Well, it is very important for you to choose a good time when it comes to traveling to Saudi Arabia. Picking the right time with favorable weather will make the trip comfortable. Plus, traveling during a few specific seasons also helps you to experience some fun activities and festivals that take place in Saudi Arabia.
Weather Considerations:
The northern two-thirds of Canada experiences very cold winters and cool summers. On the other hand, the central southern part gets pretty cold in the summer but also experiences hot summers. So, the temperature of Saudi can be a little challenging in the summer especially if you live in the northern two-thirds. So, it is always better to travel between November and February. This is by far the best time to travel to the country as the temperature ranges between 15 to 25°C. Thus, it is ideal for you to travel with your family.
Peak Tourist Seasons:
You will be able to experience a whole lot of festivals if you travel to Saudi during the popular festivals. Some of the festivals that you shouldn’t miss are the Janadriyah Festival during the winter (late February), the Riyadh Spring Festival (April), the Jeddah Festival (months of Ramadan), Eid ul-Fitr (March), and others.
Packing Essentials for KSA
Packing the right type of clothes is a must when it comes to traveling to Saudi with Saudi visas for Canadian citizens. The country practices modest dressing which is why all women are advised to wear loose-fitted clothes that cover their arms, legs, and waist. It’s best to stick to long and full-sleeved outfits.
You should also cover your head when you go to religious locations. Men are advised to wear loose-fitting attire that doesn’t show their knees and shoulders. Wearing long trousers and jeans is fine, however, it shouldn’t be ripped or too casual. Above all, remember to dress according to the desert climate. Remember to carry hats and headscarves to avoid the sun’s rays.
Family-Friendly Destinations in KSA
KSA has a long list of options for both kids and adults. On top of that, the popular cities of Saudi have a lot to explore once you visit them.
Top Cities to Explore with Family
All cities of Saudi Arabia offer something different to their tourists. However, we feel there are some that should be explored by all.
Riyadh: The Capital City
This is the capital city of the country which is why it is always on the list of exploration of all tourists. From the National Museum of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom Centre Tower, this place has more to offer than you can imagine.
Moreover, most people who get Saudi visas for Canadian citizens tend to visit the Masmak Fortress for its historical importance. So, you should definitely take your kids there to understand the past of Saudi in a better way. You can also visit some famous art galleries like Al Ajlan and Abstract Art Gallery if you are on the artistic side.
Jeddah: A Coastal Gem
Situated on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, Jeddah is one of the most visited places by tourists. This place is known as the Gateway to Mecca and comes with many places like the Al Rahma Mosque, Makkah Gate, Jeddah Flagpole, Bilal Masjid, and others.
On top of that, most people who get Saudi visas for children and themselves visit beaches like Al Saif Beach, Silver Sands Beach, and Jeddah Waterfront Park. This will give you the perfect chance to spend some relaxing time with your family without doing much.
Al Ula: The Land of Ancient Wonders
Al-Ula ranks pretty high among the oldest sites in Saudi Arabia. This is exactly why, most people like to visit this place during their Saudi trip. This was an important meeting point for people from the Neolithic, Roman, and Ottoman periods, automatically giving it historical significance.
So, every traveler should make it a priority to visit this location during their trip to Saudi Arabia. Plus, you should also explore other ancient Nabatean sites, like Petra, which are also honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Activities for All Ages
No family trip is complete without fun activities. So, make sure you plan out some activities to make the trip a core memory for your kids. Some of the things that you can try after visiting with a Saudi visa for Canadian citizens are:
Desert Safaris and Camping
Desert safaris are great for exploring the beauty of Saudi Arabia. The winter months are ideal for this activity and it follows proper safety guidelines, so there is nothing to stress about. Some people even try camel riding which can be a fun experience if you have never tried this. Just remember to wear comfortable clothes and footwear to make the experience even better.
Exploring Historical and Cultural Sites
Visiting the historical places in Saudi is great if you want to see Saudi in its full glory. So, make sure you stop at the Ushaiger Heritage Village, Jawatha Mosque, Murabba Palace, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, and other places during this trip. Moreover, you should remember to carry a headscarf after you get a Saudi visa for Canadian citizens if you are visiting a religious place as a woman.
Theme Parks and Shopping Malls
Saudi is filled with many malls that you can visit if you are looking for a shopping spree. For instance, the Mall of Arabia is a huge 261,000 square meters building that is packed with over 400 stores. Plus, there are also other places like Panorama Mall, Red Sea Mall, Al Salaam Mall, and others. On the other hand, you should also visit the famous theme park, Al-Shallal Theme Park located in Jeddah. This is one of the biggest theme parks in Jeddah and comes with many fun zones for adults and kids.
Traveling and Accommodation Tips
Traveling internationally can sometimes bring in a few challenges. However, the challenges only get bigger when you are traveling with kids. You need to keep some things in mind while getting Saudi visas for children:
Safety Tips for Families
Remember to keep your kids close to you at all times and stop them from wandering alone. Otherwise, they can get lost which in turn will create more issues during the trip. Moreover, you should also keep the emergency number of Saudi Arabia saved in your phone to stay safe during any issue. The number for Police is 999 and that for the fire department is 998.
Cost-Effective Travel Plans
Planning an international trip doesn’t mean you have to splurge endlessly. Rather, you can easily have a great trip on a budget. So, try to book some budget-friendly hotels and flights. Plus, you can also choose a family package to save some money.
Family-Friendly Hotels
Booking family-friendly accommodation is great if you want to meet everyone’s travel needs. This includes getting hotels with bigger rooms and amenities specially designed for children and kids. Plus, you can also skip hotels and instead stay at some villas or Airbnbs. These are more welcoming and comfortable for people traveling with large families. So, you can consider booking these after you get Saudi visas for children and yourself.
Ready to explore KSA with your kids?
Visiting Saudi Arabia with kids is great for a wonderful family trip. This country comes with multiple exploration options for both kids and adults, making it ideal for people to travel with a Saudi visa for Canadian citizens. You will just have to start planning in advance to get your visa and book hotels.
If you face issues, contact the Helpdesk.