If you are planning to travel in Saudi Arabia, you're probably wondering what the local currency. Or even how much is the Saudi Arabian currency in relation toeuro. We tell you all about Saudi moneythe exchange rates and even the cost of living!
What is the currency in Saudi Arabia?
The unit of currency in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi riyal. In Arabic, it is called riyâl sa'ûdî. Its ISO 4217 code is SAR.
The Saudi rial is divided into 100 units. One unit is one halala. So 100 halalas are equivalent to 1 riyal.
How much is currency worth in Saudi Arabia?
1 Saudi riyal is worth around 0.27 euro cents, according to Google finance. This is commonly known as the exchange rate. However, it can fluctuate. The Saudi currency is pegged to the US dollar. The rate is fixed at 3.75 SAR = 1 USD.
A few facts about the Saudi currency...
History of Saudi money
The Kingdom of Hijaz launched its own currency in 1926. To do so, it tied itself to the pre-existing Ottoman pound. This first currency was called the Hedjaz riyal.
The Saudi riyal was created in 1935. The first coins were minted in Meccaunder the rule of King Abdelaziz Ibn Saud. In 1963, the halala division was finally introduced. The currency was not pegged to the US dollar until 1986.
The first Saudi banknotes appeared in 1953. They now include denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyals. The reverse of each note features a portrait of King Abdullah Ibn Abdelaziz Al Saud.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia
To give you an idea of the cost of living in the Saudi kingdom, here are a few prices. However, these are indicative for the year 2022 and are average estimates.
For a budget or low-cost hotel, expect to pay an average of SAR 383. That's between €91 and €123. The average price in euros is therefore €102. The rates charged for hotels are higher than in France. For a mid-range hotel, the price will be around €115. For top-of-the-range accommodation, you should expect to pay between €228 and €292.
Outdoor catering:
- Meal in an average restaurant: around 63 SAR, with a price range from €11 to €40. The average price is estimated at almost €15.
- Mac Donald's fast food menu: 25 SAR or 6.7 €.
- Can of soda: 2.5 SAR (€0.75).
Here is a short list of foodstuffs and their average price:
- Water (1.5 L bottle): €0.6
- Bread (500g): €0.75
- 12 eggs: €3.5
- Milk (1 L): €1.5
Finally, with regard to transport :
- Petrol (1L unleaded): €0.58
- Single public transport ticket: €0.84
THE HARAMAIN VOYAGES TEAM
(This article was written in September 2022)
