It was our long time dream to visit Riyad by road after the introduction e- visit visa by Saudi Arabia. We utilized the opportunity of holidays during the new year 2025 and took a road trip to Riyad with our 8 family friends together (19 members).
We did several internet searches and enquired with many people in finding out the visit visa process, vehicle requirements for road trip, related travel protocols, accommodation, sight-seeing spots etc. In order to provide relevant information, we are sharing our wonderful experience of travelling by road to Riyad from planning stage onwards, tips for road trip, accommodation at Riyad, attractions covered by us, choices of food, return journey back to Kuwait etc. These are all our personal experiences and sharing for the benefit for those, who wants to visit Riyad for a pleasure trip. However, it is recommended to cross check on requirements with relevant government websites prior to taking your trip.
A. Applying for tourist visa:
As a GCC resident, it is easy to obtain the e-visit visa for Saudi Arabia. Please go to the website (https://ksavisa.sa ) and follow these steps:
B. Obtaining travel permits for vehicle
Some of our group travelled by company given vehicles and some by their personal vehicles by obtaining required permits for road trip. We are giving procedures for both cases as below:
B1 : Process for company provided individual vehicles:
B2. Obtaining travel insurance for personal vehicles
Note: Please ensure that you carry hardcopy of vehicle DAFTHAR as it is mandatory for border crossing points.
C. Border crossing procedures at NUWAISEEB Check point to entert into Saudi Arabia
Based on our experience, we have drafted following steps for smooth immigration procedures from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia
D. Selection of road to Riyad from Kuwait
There are different road routes available from Kuwait to Riyad. Following is our experience:
E. Choosing Hotel accommodation
As our Group consists of 19 members with cars, we have chosen a hotel in central location with adequate parking with restaurants in proximity. The hotel was affordable located in central area surrounded by various restaurants including Indian restaurants.
F. Going around Riyad
We have visited following attractions whatever possible in short time of 3 days. You may please visit updated attractions at Explore Saudi Arabia - Visit Saudi Official Website
F1. National Museum
F2. Harry potter Adventure Park
F3. Wonder Park
F4. Edge of the World Hiking / Trekking Experience
F5. Boulevard World
F6. Al Faisaliya Mall Sky Globe experience
F7. Shopping experience - world class malls
Note: Many more attractions were not covered due to shortage of time for us.
G. Returning back to Kuwait
As we said in point No. A as above, we have two route options to Kuwait from Riyad. Some of our group members have come back to Kuwait after three days through option1 route. Even though this is shorter route, the other group members arrived after 4 days stay through Option 2 via Jubail.
They spent good amount of time in Jubail in visiting good beaches and experienced some shopping in world class malls.
We engaged a coaster bus for easily going around with 19 people for better coordination and movement in the city. We had lot of fun with the excellent coordination by our Captain, he always used to say jokingly that we are all a bag of potatoes, because everyone used to go in different directions as soon as we get down from bus at each location. It was a daunting task for him to coordinate with everyone. Hence this article titles is given as written by all 19 Indian potatoes.
In a nutshell, we had a wonderful experience in Riyad with nice weather, nice people and good attractions. Again, we highly recommend you to check the relevant websites for latest and up to-date information.