Saudi Arabia flights and travel guide

Language

Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia, but English is widely understood.

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Communications

Saudi Arabia has a good telephone network. The country code is +966 and the outgoing international code 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Riyadh. Two cell telephone service providers operate GSM 900 networks and there are Internetfacilities in most cities. Email is accessible from hotels and Internet cafes.

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Tipping

Service charge is usually included in bills at hotels. Elsewhere a tip of 10 per cent can be offered for services rendered. Taxi drivers can be given 10 per cent of the fare.

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Safety

The US and British authorities believe terrorists may be planning further attacks against Westerners and in places associated with Westerners in Saudi Arabia following recent incidents in which foreign nationals were killed.

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Health

Anyone arriving in Saudi Arabia from a country infected with yellow fever requires a vaccination certificate for entry. Not compulsory, but definitely advisable, is vaccination against meningococcus, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. There is a malaria risk in the south and parts of the western region of the country and visitors should take advice on anti-malarial precautions at least four weeks before leaving; an outbreak of cerebral malaria has occurred in Jizan. Food poisoning is a risk outside the good hotels. Visitors should only drink bottled water. The standard of medical care and facilities in Saudi Arabia is high, but treatment is expensive, therefore health insurance is strongly advised for all travellers.

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Electricity

125 volts, 50Hz, but 215 volts, 60Hz in some (more remote) areas.

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