Originally Posted by
danger
I'm two-thirds the way through a lengthy oneworld Explorer where the final sector is LHR-JED. Only now, however, have I discovered that Saudi Arabia does not have a tourism industry. To get a visa you must be on business or visiting family; there's no such thing as a tourist visa.
This is incorrect. You cannot visit as a tourist
on your own, but a local tourism company can arrange the paperwork for you. You will need to be on an "approved" tour, and there used to be some rule about travelling in groups of four, but I imagine that is up to the tour company to set up.
http://www.samallaghi.com/index.php?lng=en has a good reputation
http://sauditourism.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx I found on Google
If you are not a woman (we all have our faults), you can also obtain a three day transit visa that would permit you to go out and wonder around by yourself. If you look in the Trip Reports forums several people have had success with this process. NB., this advice is quite dependent on the passport you hold.
Originally Posted by
danger
From memory, I think it was also the Israeli thing that would prevent a visa.
An Israeli stamp or two is not a problem for Oman. In fact evidence of visiting Israel is much more likely to be a problem in Saudi Arabia. If you do decide to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist, I suggest replacing your passport before you go or travelling on a second passport, if your government will issue a second one to you.
As for the taxes, they are simply recalculated on any unflown sectors. If there are more taxes (or fees) to pay, you will be charged. If taxes have gone down, you might get the money back. You are not going to be taxed twice.