Major city · Saudi Arabia
Qatif
Spend a half‑day exploring Qatif’s historic souk and waterfront; add a night if you want beach relaxation.
Qatif is an ancient coastal town in the Eastern Province, known for its historic market, old mosques and easy access to the Gulf. The main sights fit into a few hours, so one day is enough for a quick visit; a second night lets you enjoy the seafront and nearby oil‑towns.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SAR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airport
- DMM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- Saudi Arabia ↗Apply for the tourist eVisa only on the official visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com); lookalike sites charge extra.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Dress modestly in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees; women are not required to wear an abaya but should cover up.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Alcohol is banned: do not bring it in, and do not buy it from anyone.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Shops close for about 20–30 minutes at prayer times; plan around them.
- Saudi Arabia ↗Makkah is closed to non-Muslims; checkpoints on the approach roads turn cars back.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Qatif999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qatif, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?SAR (riyal) is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.75.Saudi Arabia-wide
- SIM or eSIMSTC, Mobily and Zain sell tourist SIMs at arrivals; passport and fingerprint registration are required.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is desalinated and treated; most people drink bottled water, sold everywhere for SAR 1–2.Saudi Arabia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge; small change at cafés.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Saudi Arabia-wide
- SafetyQatif is generally safe for tourists; respect local customs, avoid late‑night walks in isolated areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets with a hand shower in malls, hotels and mosques; squat toilets at older fuel stations.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 997 ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckShops close for 20–30 minutes at each of the five daily prayers (not required by law since 2024, but many still do — check); Friday midday is closed.Saudi Arabia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDMM King Fahd International Airport (25 km (16 mi) north, taxi ~30 min).DMM King Fahd International Airport (16 mi (25 km) north, taxi ~30 min).
- Getting aroundTaxis and local minibuses serve the town; the main highway (Route 5) runs through Qatif, giving easy road links to Dhahran and Ras Tanura.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)SAR 5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (per km)SAR 2–3
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (city)SAR 2
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomSAR 250
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomSAR 350
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomSAR 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SAR 80 · Mid SAR 150 · High SAR 250
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DMM King Fahd International Airport (25 km (16 mi) north, taxi ~30 min)DMM King Fahd International Airport (16 mi (25 km) north, taxi ~30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Sep
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qatif: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jun
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Aug
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and local minibuses serve the town; the main highway (Route 5) runs through Qatif, giving easy road links to Dhahran and Ras Tanura.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dhahran
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Taxi or bus north along Route 5, about 15 min
Visit Aramco’s heritage centre.
Ras Tanura
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Taxi south, ~20 min
View Saudi Arabia’s main oil export terminal from the coast.
Al‑Ahsa Oasis
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Train from Dammam station, about 2 h, then local bus
Longer travel; consider an overnight stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Qatif city centre
Close to souk, restaurants and the waterfront; good for 1 night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SAR 80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- SAR 120–200 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double room1 × 1 night × SAR 350 | SAR 350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SAR 150 | SAR 300 |
| Taxi from DMM to Qatif (round trip)2 × SAR 120 · check | SAR 240 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × SAR 90 · check | SAR 180 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SAR 107 |
| Trip total≈ SAR 589 per person per day, bed included | SAR 1,177 |
2026 estimate in SAR; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | SAR 5–8 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | SAR 15–30 |
| Taxi (per km) | SAR 2–3 |
| Bus ticket (city) | SAR 2 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Dress modestly in public spaces; women should cover shoulders and knees.
- Alcohol is prohibited; only non‑alcoholic drinks are sold.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 45 °C (113 °F); stay hydrated.Summer temperatures can exceed 113 °F (45 °C); stay hydrated.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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QatifQatif
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance997
- General emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Dhahran (check address); other nations have consulates in Dammam or Riyadh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DMM → Qatif, taxi: about SAR 120, 30 min (check)
- Qatif city centre → waterfront, taxi: SAR 15–25, 5 min
Say or show
- عذراً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿudhran)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is this? (bikam hatha?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qatif. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Qatif for beach time.
- Combine Qatif with a day in Dhahran or Ras Tanura for industrial heritage.
Sources
Ask about Qatif
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