Jeddah Layover
 

I haven't found anything on this specific situation: I will have a layover of about 9 hours in Jeddah, and want to leave the airport. The flights in and out are on a single PNR on Saudia, using Delta miles. I know on a paid Saudia ticket I would automatically get a transit visa for up to 96 hours, but I don't see anything about flights booked through a partner at the website for Saudia. The government website talks about the e-visa good for a year, which I know I can get, but I'd rather avoid that cost if possible for such a brief stay. Do I need the e-visa or can a transit visa be obtained somehow, either in advance or at the airport. Thanks! (U.S. passport)

I can't guarantee anything, but this blurb comes directly from Saudia's website:

1. Passenger should be having a confirmed PNR to the final destination as SAUDIA will not accept separated PNR.

​​​​​​And here's Visit Saudi's take: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/saudi-stopover.

I reckon you might want to contact both of them to confirm if the stopover visa is available to you.

essentially it boils down to getting a visa on arrival or applying for an Evisa. The VOA seems pretty straightfoward (i see people usingvthe VOA desks at JED), but I imagine it could take some time: and it's not cheap.

The evisa is more expensive but covers multiple visits over a year.

The 9 hour transit would be at best 6 hours free time, and Im not sure you'd find 6 hours in Jeddah very productive. Dont get me wring, its a fine place, but it takes a bit of getting used to. There's nothing you'd recognise as public transport so you'd be relying on a rental car or taxis/uber. And the traffic can be horrendous. Right now the climate - heat and humidity - is punishing, even at night.

If you go for it, you could head for the old town, which has some attractive features, but it's not yet tourist friendly. An alternative might be the Hamra corniche area, where there are shops and cafes and a coastal park/walk. But all that's best considered only in the winter months, or during the evening/night when Jeddites themselves come out of hiding.

You could try calling Saudia about their offer of a free transit visa. The kindest comment I heard about that was "dysfunctional". i seem to remember that even when it works, it covers only stops of over 12 hours. And I think there was an unexpected administrative fee.


PS I just remembered the Islamic Arts Biennale held by the airport's Haj terminal - certainly worth a visit IF it is stil running