Major city · Saudi Arabia
Ha'ilحائل
Spend 1–2 days in Ha'il for rock‑art sites and the A'arif Fort; arrive by plane or train and stay near the airport.
Ha'il sits on the edge of the Nejd plateau, about 1,000 m elevation, giving milder summer temps. Its main draws are UNESCO‑listed rock art at Jubbah and Shuwaymis and historic forts. A short stay (1‑2 days) covers the key sights; longer trips suit hikers heading into the surrounding mountains.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SAR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, dusty)
- Airport
- HAS
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Ha'il999 ▾
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 Ha'il, 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
- SafetyHa'il is generally safe for tourists; main risks are road safety on desert highways and respecting local dress codes.
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.
- AirportHAS Ha'il Regional Airport (10 km (6.2 mi) south of city centre; domestic flights from Riyadh/Jeddah, limited intl to Dubai/Kuwait/Cairo.).HAS Ha'il Regional Airport (6.2 mi (10 km) south of city centre; domestic flights from Riyadh/Jeddah, limited intl to Dubai/Kuwait/Cairo.).
- Getting aroundTaxi apps (Uber, Careem) dominate; car rentals at the airport.
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 (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))SAR 30–45
- Budget bedAl Afaq Suites room, a night, per personSAR 375
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SAR 150 · Mid SAR 275 · High SAR 425
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
- HAS Ha'il Regional Airport (10 km (6.2 mi) south of city centre; domestic flights from Riyadh/Jeddah, limited intl to Dubai/Kuwait/Cairo.)HAS Ha'il Regional Airport (6.2 mi (10 km) south of city centre; domestic flights from Riyadh/Jeddah, limited intl to Dubai/Kuwait/Cairo.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Jul
Avoid
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
Aug
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Sep
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ha'il: 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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jun
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Aug
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 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
Taxi apps (Uber, Careem) dominate; car rentals at the airport. The North‑South Railway station 15 km north links to Riyadh (≈4 h 30 min, six days/week).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jubbah Rock Art
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Hire a car or join a tour; 90 km (56 mi) NW, about 1 h 30 min driveHire a car or join a tour; 56 mi (90 km) NW, about 1 h 30 min drive
A'arif Fort
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Walk or short taxi from city centre (≈10 min)
17th‑century mud‑brick citadel with city views.
Barzan Palace
cautionDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Taxi 15 min north of centre
Limited opening hours; verify before travel.
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.
Al Afaq Suites
Apartment‑style rooms, near airport; SAR 375 per night (2026 estimate).
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 150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- SAR 250–400 excl. bed
- High
- SAR 400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Al Afaq Suites room1 × 1 night × SAR 425 | SAR 425 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SAR 275 | SAR 275 |
| Domestic flight Riyadh → Ha'il (round‑trip)1 × SAR 350 · check | SAR 350 |
| North‑South Railway ticket Riyadh → Ha'il (one way)1 × SAR 250 · check | SAR 250 |
| Taxi from airport to city centre1 × SAR 80 · check | SAR 80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SAR 138 |
| Trip total≈ SAR 1,518 per person per day, bed included | SAR 1,518 |
2026 estimate in SAR; flights, visas and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | SAR 5–8 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | SAR 20–45 |
| Taxi (5 km) | SAR 30–45 |
| Domestic flight (Riyadh‑Ha'il) | SAR 300–400 |
| Rail ticket (Riyadh‑Ha'il) | SAR 250–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train service runs only six times per week; check schedule before planning.
- Desert roads can be windy; keep water and fuel for out‑back trips.
- Dress modestly in public spaces; women should cover shoulders and knees.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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Ha'ilحائل
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance997
- General emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Riyadh; other nations have diplomatic missions in Riyadh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- HAS → city centre (taxi): ≈ SAR 80, 10 min (check)
- Riyadh → Ha'il (train): ≈ SAR 250, 4 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is it? (bikam hatha?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
- هل يمكن الدفع بالبطاقة؟ — Can I pay by card? (hal yumkin al‑dafʿ bil‑bṭāqa?)
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 Ha'il. 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–Feb · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, dusty) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contract (taxi apps, check availability).
- Car‑rental desk at HAS for self‑drive day trips.
- Train‑to‑city‑centre shuttle (check schedule).
Sources
Ask about Ha'il
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