Saudi Arabia to open to tourists ?
 

Saudi Arabia will issue first tourist visas in 2018 - Nov. 22, 2017

It could have been pure rumors but MBS' latest moves have been spectacular and go in the direction of "normalizing" Saudi Arabia, so I do keep my finger crossed.

If that happenes before my next trip to Iran I might consider a "little" detour... and with a ferry to Sudan at hand... :mchappy

Laurent

Following! Any updates?

Keep it current
 

I'm also interested in any Saudi developments, so I'll just bump this thread to keep it current.


There is still a blockade of Qatar, so we're landlocked here for now.


The Donald had the boys over for a one-on-one, but so far no new developments yet.


Maybe for Ramadan we will see a change. Inshallah.

Saudi opens up to tourism
 

As some may have heard: it has happened this week.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/t...questions.html
E-visas: 440ry (£95)
https://www.saudiarabiavisa.com/faq/
They say duration = 90 days from issue.
Link to actual app form (hard to find on the above link): https://visa.visitsaudi.com

Single women allowed, no need for burqa, just modest dress.
Other tourist rules which might get you flogged and sent home:
https://www.saudiarabiavisa.com/laws...-saudi-arabia/

How it all applies to overlanders and foreign vehicles, who knows.
Added: I was told e-visa will not work overland.
IDP needed, CdP maybe not.

Clearly the only overland entry is from Jordan and no other way out other than ferries over the Red Sea to Sudan and Turkey or Dubai to Iran.
I presume Iraq, Qatar and Yemen borders all closed or a bad idea.

Petrol: 13p/L.

More here

Doesn't KSA share a huge land border with Oman?

It does, but most of it is swathed in the famously impenetrable Empty Quarter Sand Sea.
A couple of remote desert roads either side get close to each other, but there is only one official border crossing up near the UAE.
More about that here:
https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2...#comment-24791

Just 1 year late - if it actually materialize, that is..



But Jordan isn't the only open border, overlanders have been crossing from UAE as well (with special visas). So I can see a new overland route from Iran to UAE to KSA and on to Africa via a ferry to Sudan. That'd be awesome ! (finger crossed)

Port Sudan to KSA
 

Hi guys,
Back in 2003 I tried to cross from Port Sudan to KSA, I applied for a transit visa in Karthoum, at first they said yes and told me to come back in 3 weeks, I did but was told that my visa had been cancelled because motorcycle were not allowed. I went through Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey instead.
I am going back this way next year and would love to try it again, just to avoid Egypt. What are my chances??

Port Sudan to KSA
 

Hi guys,
Back in 2003 I tried to cross from Port Sudan to KSA, I applied for a transit visa in Karthoum, at first they said yes and told me to come back in 3 weeks, I did but was told that my visa had been cancelled because motorcycle were not allowed. I went through Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey instead.
I am going back this way next year and would love to try it again, just to avoid Egypt. What are my chances??

I live in Saudi, and the only border crossing I did was through saudi/bahrain. Saudi law does not allow you to ride a motorcycle (only cars) through border crossing. You must transport the bike on a tow truck or trailer. Once you cross the border then after you purchase the insurance and finish all the check points then you will be able to ride after.

Certain times such as parades the border crossing allows large groups of motorcycle riders.

After you enter Saudi you can head to uae/kuwait/oman

Also there is a ferry from southern turkey to duba port opposite side of sharm el sheikh egypt.