This is a product of the dry climate and also of the locals believing the site is cursed (resulting in fewer visitors over the years). The Mada’in Saleh site is very unique in that the tombs have been left largely undeveloped and remain in very good shape. We had a guide to drive us around and tell us about the various tombs. The tombs are similar to the famous Nabataean tombs in Petra, Jordan. Mada’in Saleh consists of many large and ornate Nabataean tombs carved into sand stone outcrops. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the more popular tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. We next drove to the Mada’in Saleh Archaeological site, which is close by. Arriving at the Hejaz Railway Museum in Saudi Arabia Hejaz Railway Museum in Saudi Arabia Hejaz Railway Museum in Saudi Arabia Hejaz Railway Museum in Saudi Arabia (credit: Fahrudin Al Fatah) Hejaz Railway Museum in Saudi Arabia (credit: Fahrudin Al Fatah) It was nice to walk around after the long van ride and it was interesting to read a bit about this railway. It was a tight fit with 8 people in there.Īt a pit stop our driver insisted that we all buy “Saudi Beer.” It was basically just malty grape soda and was pretty terrible.Īfter roughly 7 hours of driving, we reached the Hejaz Railway Museum. Our tour van that took us to Mada’in Saleh from Jeddah. The ride was long, but there were some interesting sights along the way.

There were a few instances where the van was stopped and having a driver who spoke Arabic was helpful. We booked a van and driver through our tour guide and it ended up being a good decision. Our trip started out with a long van ride to the Mada’in Saleh archaeological site. Part 1: Visiting the Mada’in Saleh archaeological site and Hejaz Railway Museum Using a tour guide service is also advised unless an Arabic speaker is along with you. To get around the country it is recommended to either hire a driver or rent a car. Tourists are responsible for following local laws. KAUST is a ~1 hr drive and the other sites are a ~7 hr from the airport.Īll foreign visitors should be aware that Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country with many strict laws and regulations. To reach the destinations described in this report, the easiest airport to fly into is the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah.

There is now a tourist visa available to visitors of many different countries, which opens Saudi Arabia up for different tourism options. Shop Deal of the Day at REI Outlet (up to 50% off)!įoreigners visiting Saudi Arabia must have an appropriate visa to enter the country. Jump to Part 2: Al-‘Ula Old Town and Fort Map of Saudi Arabia showing the approximate locations of KAUST, Mada’in Saleh, Al-‘Ula, and Elephant Rock The scenic campus sits on the coast of the Red Sea near Jeddah. KAUST is a large university campus that was opened in 2009 and aims to be world-class research institution. Other areas explored include the Al-‘ula Old Town and Fort and the incredibly large and unique Elephant Rock structure. The Mada’in Saleh archaeological location is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has many large tombs carved into impressive rock structures. Trip Overview: A multi-day trip to Saudi Arabia to see several historic sites and to visit/explore the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST).

Elephant rock saudi arabia