Amsterdam to Gurayat (AMS–URY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Dutch passport holders can get a tourist e-visa for Saudi Arabia through visa.visitsaudi.com. The e-visa costs SAR 480 (about EUR 120) including insurance, is valid for 1 year, and allows multiple entries of up to 90 days each with a maximum of 180 days total per year. Processing is near-instant, often approved within minutes. You can also get a visa on arrival at major Saudi airports for the same fee. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.

Direct flights from Amsterdam to Riyadh (RUH) and Jeddah (JED) run on Saudia and KLM. Amsterdam to Riyadh takes about 6 hours 15 minutes, Amsterdam to Jeddah about 6 hours. Flynas also operates some seasonal routes. Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR), pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 SAR per USD 1, roughly 4.05 SAR per EUR 1. Card payments are universal, even at small shops and street vendors.

No mandatory vaccinations for visitors from the Netherlands. During Hajj season (dates shift annually with the Islamic calendar), Jeddah and Mecca are extremely busy and special Hajj visas are required for pilgrimage. Tourist visas do not allow entry to Mecca. Medina is accessible to all visitors except the inner Haram area. The weekend is Friday and Saturday. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the country. Dress codes are relaxed for tourists compared to previous years, but modest clothing is expected in public.

Intercity and Sprinter trains run directly to Schiphol Plaza (the station is inside the terminal) from Amsterdam Centraal every 10–15 minutes (15 min, €5.70). The Intercity Direct from Rotterdam takes 43 minutes (€17.40 with supplement). Trains from The Hague take 35–45 minutes.

Taxis from central Amsterdam cost €35–50 and take 20–35 minutes. Highway A4 is frequently congested during morning rush. Bus 397 runs from Amsterdam Leidseplein to Schiphol (30 min, €5.50) for a cheaper landside alternative.