A backpacker finishing a Middle East tour expected Saudi Arabia to be the "Big Boy" of the region. Instead, he found high prices ($50/night for decent Airbnbs), limited activities beyond eating at cafes, and vast desert landscapes. His verdict: not coming back.
The six-day trip through Jeddah and Riyadh raises uncomfortable questions about the kingdom's tourism push: is Saudi Arabia ready for backpackers, or is it pricing out budget travelers while offering little beyond PR campaigns?
"It's the most boring and expensive country I've ever been to," the traveler wrote on r/travel after flying from Istanbul to Jeddah. "I did not do much research beforehand... I was under the assumption that Saudi was the 'Big Boy' of the Middle East and they would have more things going for it but outside of Riyadh and Jeddah all I saw was large landscapes of desert."
The timing—during Ramadan—likely affected the experience. Many businesses close during fasting hours, nightlife is muted, and the rhythm of daily life changes dramatically. But the traveler's core complaint went deeper: even accounting for Ramadan, there wasn't much to do.
In Jeddah, three days yielded modest highlights: the Jeddah Corniche promenade, the floating mosque, and families breaking fast in public spaces. "The city was much more laid back than I thought it would be," he noted—one of few positive observations.
Riyadh fared slightly better but still disappointed. When asked what young locals do for fun, a taxi driver's response was telling: "just eat, go to cafes, and smoke hookah." For a backpacker seeking cultural experiences, historical sites, or outdoor activities, this isn't exactly compelling.
