Currency & Payment Methods

The national currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (﷼), subdivided into 100 halalas. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 5, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 riyals, while coins come in 1 and 2 riyals, as well as 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 halalas.

The Saudi Riyal is pegged to the U.S. Dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 3.75 SAR.

Visitors can exchange foreign currencies at all Saudi banks, as well as at exchange offices located in airports, major shopping centers, and other locations across the Kingdom. Banks usually operate from Sunday to Thursday, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Exchange offices often stay open later but may charge higher commission fees.

Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted throughout the Kingdom. ATMs are plentiful, and many businesses also support digital payment methods like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

There is no need to carry large amounts of cash for all purchases, as hotels, most transportation services, and many meals can be paid for using credit cards.

Money can be sent or received in Saudi Arabia through online bank transfers or via banks that offer fast money transfer services, all of which are regulated by the Saudi Central Bank.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied in Saudi Arabia on all goods and services purchased and sold by businesses, with certain exemptions such as government education and healthcare services. This tax is imposed at every stage of the supply chain, from production to final sale, and serves as a key source of revenue for the state.