Hi everyone,
I plan to travel to Riyadh this fall, and it will be my first trip to KSA.
I am aware of the importance of observing proper etiquette, and dress code, and of being careful in interactions with others.
I have somewhat more practical questions:
1. Do taxi / limo drivers expect a tip?
2. In the case of cash expenses (such as tips) is it better to use USD or local currency?
3. Can I take prescription drugs (prescribed to me, non-narcotic) and what arrangements do I need to make?
4. Is it safe to use taxis or Ubers?
Thank you!
1: No-one expects a tip, apart from loose change rounding up. I've experienced rounding-down. Ride-share tips funded by credit card rule out tipping unless you are someone who rewards through the app post trip. There again, nobody is going to refuse a gift of cash.
2: There are very few sovereign states where foreign currency is used in everyday transactions. KSA certainly isn't one of them. You'll be able to pay for just about everything by card. If you find yourself in a cash situation without cash then you'd probably find someone who'd accept US dollars: but the exchange rate underlying the deal would reflect the significant uncertainty and inconvenience involved in the favour being extended to you. As for tipping, don't: but if you can't help yourself, it's your prerogative to give whatever currency you have to hand.
3: I've never been through anything more than a cursory custom's inspection: touch wood. But it can't hurt to carry copies of the prescriptions for any medicines you carry.
4: Just don't expect drivers to have more than a rudimentary command of English; it's probably best to stick to Uber/Careem, where drivers might be more amenable to a traveller's needs, but if not the app takes care of the details.