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Voykit pocket guide · Yemen
Al Hudayda
الحديدة
Skip unless you have a specific reason to visit Yemen's Red Sea port: half a day for the castle and corniche, then move on.
Al Hudayda is Yemen's principal Red Sea port, 225 km from Sana'a and Ta'izz. Tourism is minimal; facilities are basic. The main sight is the 16th-century castle by the corniche. Most travellers pass through on the way to Zabid or the coast. One night is enough.
- Country
- Yemen
- Local name
- الحديدة
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Sep (extreme heat, up to 37°C (99°F))May–Sep (extreme heat, up to 99°F (37°C))
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- YER
- Money
- US dollars and Saudi riyals in cash carry most payments: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget YER 15,000–25,000 excl. bed (check) · Mid YER 25,000–50,000 excl. bed (check) · High YER 50,000+ excl. bed (check) (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 194 · Fire and ambulance 191
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi ride within city | YER 1,000–3,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | YER 2,000–5,000 |
| Bottle of water | YER 200–500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HOD · Hodeidah International Airport
- Flights from Sana'a, about 30 min; check current status
Typical fares
- Airport to city centre
- about YER 3,000–5,000 by taxi (check)
- Taxi to Zabid
- about YER 10,000–15,000 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis are the main option; negotiate the fare before getting in. The corniche and castle are walkable from the centre.
See and do
Known for
- Al Hudayda Castle (قلعة الكورنيش)
- Red Sea corniche
- Gateway to Zabid
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zabid | Taxi or private car, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Al Shifra spa | Taxi or private car, about 1 h east | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Hodeidah Land Resort area
- Off Sana'a St, just outside town; villas with private pools, wireless internet. The only reliable option.
- City centre
- Small hotels, poor by international standards; check conditions before booking.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | كم؟kam? |
| Yes / No | نعم / لاna'am / la |
| Please | من فضلكmin fadlik |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Check your government's travel advice for Yemen before planning any trip.
- Extreme heat from May to September; carry water and sun protection.
- Facilities for visitors are very limited; bring cash (YER, USD or SAR).
- Road from Sana'a is in poor condition.
Yemen is under active conflict. Read your government's travel advice. In Al Hudayda, avoid demonstrations, stay in the resort area at night, and keep a low profile.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Al Hudayda yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Al Hudayda Castle (قلعة الكورنيش)
- Red Sea corniche
- Gateway to Zabid
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Al Hudayda, revision 5198806 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5198806
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/al-hudayda). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.