Major city · Saudi Arabia
Khobarالخبر
Base in Khobar for 2 nights if you want the Corniche, malls and Gulf beaches; skip it as a sightseeing stop and use it as a bed for Dammam and Dhahran.
Khobar is the seaside third of the Dammam–Dhahran–Khobar trio in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, and the most walkable of the three. There is little in the way of monuments: the draw is the Corniche, the two big malls, Half-Moon Bay beaches and ATV dunes south of town, plus easy day trips to Dhahran, Dammam, Qatif and the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain. Two nights covers it; one night is enough if you are only passing through.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SAR
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (40 °C (104 °F)+ and humid), Ramadan daytime eating rulesavoid Jun–Aug (104 °F (40 °C)+ and humid), Ramadan daytime eating rules
- Airports
- DMM · BAH
- Nights
- 2
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.
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
Emergency numbers for Khobar911 ▾
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 Khobar, 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
- SafetyKhobar is generally safe for visitors, including on the Corniche in the evening.
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 numbers911 Unified emergency (police, ambulance, fire) · 999 police · 997 ambulance
- 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, Dammam (About 40–50 min by car to central Khobar; taxi or pre-booked transfer, no metro.).
- Getting aroundKhobar is spread out and pavements are patchy away from the Corniche: a rental car is the practical option, and lanes are treated loosely.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeTea (shay) or Arabic coffee at a cafeteriaSAR 5–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across central Khobarcheck; meter or app priceSAR 20–40
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekSAR 40–100
- Budget bedHostel or budget bed, a night, per personSAR 90
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomSAR 450
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomSAR 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SAR 250 · Mid SAR 500 · High SAR 1,100
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, Dammam (About 40–50 min by car to central Khobar; taxi or pre-booked transfer, no metro.) · BAH Bahrain International Airport, Manama (Cross the King Fahd Causeway by car or bus; often used for regional connections. Allow 1.5–2 h door to door plus border time.)
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
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
not flagged
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: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. 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 (4 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Khobar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
4 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
Khobar is spread out and pavements are patchy away from the Corniche: a rental car is the practical option, and lanes are treated loosely. Taxis and ride-hailing work well near town and from hotels, usually within 5–10 min of a call; agree the fare or use the app meter. Dammam's train station is about 15 min away by taxi, and SABTCO runs buses to Bahrain.
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: About 30 min
Car or taxi, about 15–20 min
Half-day for the Aramco-side streets and malls; pair it with Khobar in one afternoon.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car or taxi, about 25–35 min; train station for Riyadh services
Corniche, markets and the main bus and rail links.
Qatif
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or taxi north, about 30–40 min
Old oasis town and fish market; go with a local or a driver who knows the area.
King Fahd Causeway and Bahrain
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h plus border time
Car or SABTCO bus across the causeway
Check your visa status for re-entry into Saudi Arabia before you cross.
Jubail
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Car north on the highway, about 1 h 30 min
Industrial city with a corniche and beaches; a long half-day.
Hofuf and Al-Ahsa
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Car or bus, about 2 h; train from Dammam
Palm oasis, caves and old town: better as one night than a rushed return.
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.
Corniche / waterfront
Walkable promenade, cafés and restaurants; best for a short stay without a car.
Al Yarmouk and Prince Turkey Street
Serviced apartments and mid-range hotels, a short drive from the Corniche.
Northern outskirts (Old Airport Road)
Bigger hotels with pools and parking; you will need a car or taxis.
Al Rawabi and Olaya districts
Business hotels and malls; convenient if you are working in Dhahran or Dammam.
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 200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- SAR 350–700 excl. bed
- High
- SAR 700+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × SAR 450 | SAR 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × SAR 500 | SAR 2,000 |
| Taxi or ride-hailing, both ways, DMM to central Khobar2 × SAR 150 · check | SAR 300 |
| Rental car, one day, small class1 × SAR 200 · check; fuel extra | SAR 200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SAR 60 | SAR 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SAR 352 |
| Trip total≈ SAR 968 per person per day, bed included | SAR 3,872 |
2026 estimate in riyals; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tea (shay) or Arabic coffee at a cafeteria | SAR 5–15 |
| Chicken shawaya with rice | SAR 25–45 |
| Fast-food meal (burger, fries, drink) | SAR 20–35 |
| Mall food-court meal | SAR 25–50 |
| ATV rental, per hourcheck; agree the rate and machine first | SAR 80–120 |
| Taxi across central Khobarcheck; meter or app price | SAR 20–40 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | SAR 40–100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Alcohol is illegal across Saudi Arabia; do not bring it in, including via the causeway.
- Pork is not sold or served: eat chicken, beef, lamb, seafood or vegetarian.
- Summer heat and humidity are dangerous in the middle of the day; carry water and plan indoor time.
- Dress and public-behaviour rules apply: modest clothing in public, no public alcohol or drugs.
- Some beaches near town are family-only; singles sections start further south along Half-Moon Bay.
- ATV rentals are often run by operators with little English: agree the hourly rate and the machine before you ride.
Emergency numbers
- Unified emergency (police, ambulance, fire)
- 911
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
Pocket card
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Khobarالخبر
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان، لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Unified emergency911
- Police999
- Ambulance997
Embassy
No embassies in Khobar; most are in Riyadh, with consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran for some countries — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi DMM airport → central Khobar: about SAR 120–180, 40–50 min (check)
- Taxi Khobar → Dammam train station: about SAR 40–70, 15–25 min (check)
- SABTCO bus Khobar → Bahrain: about SAR 60–100, 1.5–2 h plus border (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al-si'r?)
- الحساب لو سمحت — The bill, please (al-hisab law samaht)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al-hammam?)
- لا آكل لحم الخنزير — I don't eat pork (la akul lahm al-khanzir)
Alcohol is illegal; do not carry it across the causeway.
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 Khobar. 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: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (40 °C+ and humid), Ramadan daytime eating rules · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DMM and the Bahrain causeway route: taxi bands, border time, late-arrival fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Corniche, Rashid Mall, Mall of Dhahran, Half-Moon Bay beaches.
- Place pages with verified hours for the malls, Corniche and beach access, plus ATV operators with agreed rates.
- Summer-heat and Ramadan fixtures so the day plans stay usable in the low season.
Sources
- officialVisit Saudi — Eastern Province
- officialSAPTCO
- officialKing Fahd International Airport (Dammam)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Khobar, revision 5279509 (CC BY-SA 4.0)