Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to international tourism, and millions of visitors now arrive every year for Hajj, Umrah, business, and leisure. Knowing even a handful of Arabic phrases will transform your experience, and Saudis are genuinely delighted when visitors make the effort to speak their language.
At the Airport
أين المخرج؟
Ayn al-makhraj?
Where is the exit?
Also: أين الخروج؟
أين أمتعتي؟
Ayn amti'ati?
Where is my luggage?
Said when luggage is missing
أين التاكسي؟
Ayn at-taxi?
Where is the taxi?
Or ask for 'Uber', which is widely used in Saudi
أريد الذهاب إلى...
Ureed al-dhahab ila...
I want to go to...
Follow with the hotel/place name
At the Hotel
عندي حجز
'Indi hajz
I have a reservation
هل الغرفة جاهزة؟
Hal al-ghurfa jahiza?
Is the room ready?
أريد غرفة لشخص واحد / شخصين
Ureed ghurfa li-shakhs wahid / shakhasayn
I want a room for one / two people
هل يوجد واي فاي؟
Hal yujad Wi-Fi?
Is there Wi-Fi?
'Wi-Fi' is universally understood in Saudi Arabia
وقت تسجيل الخروج؟
Waqt tasjeel al-khuruj?
What time is checkout?
At the Restaurant
أبغى أطلب
Abgha atlab
I want to order
'Abgha' is Saudi dialect for 'I want'
الحساب لو سمحت
Al-hisab law samaht
The bill please
Essential phrase for every restaurant visit
بكم هذا؟
Bikam hatha?
How much is this?
لذيذ جداً
Ladheedh jiddan
Very delicious
Complimenting food makes Saudis very happy
بدون حار
Bidoon har
Without spice
Important if you can't handle Saudi spice levels!
Shopping in the Souk
أبغى أشوف هذا
Abgha ashouf hatha
I want to see this
غالي، خلّيني أفكر
Ghali, khallini ufakkir
It's expensive, let me think about it
The classic pre-bargaining phrase
ممكن تنزّل السعر؟
Mumkin tnazzil as-si'r?
Can you lower the price?
The essential bargaining phrase
آخر سعر؟
Akhir si'r?
Final price?
Always ask this in the souk
بفكر شوي
Bafakkir shway
I'll think about it a bit
A more Saudi-friendly way to step away politely
Emergencies and Getting Help
ساعدني من فضلك
Sa'idni min fadlak
Help me please
اتصل بالشرطة
Ittasil bish-shurta
Call the police
Saudi emergency number: 911
أنا ضائع
Ana daye'
I am lost
Feminine: أنا ضائعة
أين أقرب مستشفى؟
Ayn aqrab mustashfa?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Travel tip: Saudi hospitality ('Diyafa') is legendary. If a Saudi invites you into their home or business, it is generally impolite to refuse without a strong reason. Tea, Saudi qahwa, and dates will almost always be offered, and accepting shows respect.
One more prep step before your trip: brush up on numbers. Prices, taxi fares, and addresses all require numbers in Saudi Arabic. Our Numbers in Saudi Arabic guide gets you from 1 to 1,000,000, and you can pair it with our Saudi Greetings Guide so you hit the ground speaking.
Practice these travel phrases for real with interactive lessons built around exactly these situations, no boring drills.