How to Find Cheap Hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is located in the Nadj Region near the Nadg desert and is the capital of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite its location near the desert, the city lives up to its name, which is translated as "a place of gardens and trees." Riyadh is quietly one of the fastest growing cities in the world and has seen recent increases in tourism as a result of the work done by the Supreme Commission on Tourism.
Stop everything for prayer. Muslims of the city face Mecca and bow to pray five times a day when the speakers sing out a specific note.
Exchange dollars for Riyal banknotes with coins called "halalas" which are similar to nickels, dimes, quarters, 50-cent pieces and dollars (100 halalas).
Purchase visas before the trip from the Saudi Embassy at a cost of approximately $55. You will need to specify your reason for visiting the country, such as as tourism, business, visit family, residency or Hajj.
Obey the law and get your return ticket.
Book a flight on Saudi Arabian Airlines or EMIRATES to King Khalid International Airport, located 35 kilometers north of the city.
Arrange for a friend to pick you up at the airport or rent a car starting at around $130 for a manual compact car for a week.
To book accommodations, contact Ar-Riyadh Development Authority at 011 (+966) 1 4883331 or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
Wake up and shop. Book a room near the Al Faisaliah Center if you want to do some serious shopping.
Look for Riyadh hotel deals. While most 4-star level accommodations cost over $175 per night, you can find a couple in the $100 range.
Book a room at a cheap hotel at a price of $40 to $80 per night.
