Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Nov 8th 2008, 7:09 am
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 872
Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
right, booked the ticket, got my dates, am (finally!) on the way.
any pointers from veterans about what to expect, do, don't do, on arrival in Riyadh? am trying to compile a list of questions along the lines of;
- can i bring my laptop? (have seen some threads but no sure answer)
- can i bring my ipod?
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
promise will post the answers to the wiki!
thx,
still.unsure (but going anyway...)
any pointers from veterans about what to expect, do, don't do, on arrival in Riyadh? am trying to compile a list of questions along the lines of;
- can i bring my laptop? (have seen some threads but no sure answer)
- can i bring my ipod?
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
promise will post the answers to the wiki!
thx,
still.unsure (but going anyway...)
Nov 8th 2008, 7:52 am
#2
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
- can i bring my laptop? (have seen some threads but no sure answer)
Yes, but don't leave anything suspect on the hard drive
- can i bring my ipod?
Yes
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
I don't believe so, and I guess they have no way of knowing if you don't tell them anyway
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
Yes - be careful of anything too political too. No problems with magazines as long as they're not dodgy - I regularly read business magazines on flights between Dubai and Riyadh
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
Queues can be long. They'll scan your stuff and if you're lucky that'll be it. If not, depends what mood they're in...
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
Listernine - but I think it contains alcohol? It's very tough to find anyway... reading material too.
Yes, but don't leave anything suspect on the hard drive
- can i bring my ipod?
Yes
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
I don't believe so, and I guess they have no way of knowing if you don't tell them anyway
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
Yes - be careful of anything too political too. No problems with magazines as long as they're not dodgy - I regularly read business magazines on flights between Dubai and Riyadh
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
Queues can be long. They'll scan your stuff and if you're lucky that'll be it. If not, depends what mood they're in...
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
Listernine - but I think it contains alcohol? It's very tough to find anyway... reading material too.
Nov 8th 2008, 10:06 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
right, booked the ticket, got my dates, am (finally!) on the way.
any pointers from veterans about what to expect, do, don't do, on arrival in Riyadh? am trying to compile a list of questions along the lines of;
- can i bring my laptop? (have seen some threads but no sure answer)
- can i bring my ipod?
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
promise will post the answers to the wiki!
thx,
still.unsure (but going anyway...)
any pointers from veterans about what to expect, do, don't do, on arrival in Riyadh? am trying to compile a list of questions along the lines of;
- can i bring my laptop? (have seen some threads but no sure answer)
- can i bring my ipod?
- if you're a dual-national, do you declare the second passport? (esp if it's not of an 'endearing' country)
- can i bring any books? (have read that magazines are a touch subject and religious stuff is out)
- how long (roughly) does it take to get through customs?
- what kind of British/US items (apart from booze and pork stuff!) are most missed/prized that you can't find in KSA?
promise will post the answers to the wiki!
thx,
still.unsure (but going anyway...)
What do you mean by "not of an 'endearing' country"? If you've used it to visit Israel, don't even bring the second passport with you, in case they search your luggage and find it - if they do, you will be deported and banned, but only after an intimate body cavity search...............
Nov 8th 2008, 10:46 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: The Island of love
Posts: 882
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Walkers Crisps, Twiglets . . . .
Have never found the queues to be long - usually off the plane, got luggage and through in about 20 mins/half an hour.
Good luck
N
Have never found the queues to be long - usually off the plane, got luggage and through in about 20 mins/half an hour.
Good luck
N
Nov 8th 2008, 11:46 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
i met this yanki dude in a bar a few days ago, who'd worked in Saudi...he said working in saudi was like selling your soul to the devil 
but i guess the money side of it makes up for that :P
but i guess the money side of it makes up for that :P
Nov 8th 2008, 3:32 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: The Island of love
Posts: 882
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Absolutely, altho Lays have improved in recent years (they used to be truly foul), they are nowhere near as good as Walkers.
N
N
Nov 8th 2008, 4:07 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: MK
Posts: 64
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
I would not mind going there myself, I know Dubai to Saudi would be like going from the pan into the fire, but looking at things long term, the cash side is very attractive. Also the rents are very low there as I hear from many UK and US expats in Saudi who come to Dubai on weekends.
Nov 8th 2008, 4:09 pm
#9
A bubbly-jock...
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Teneriffe
Posts: 6,262
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
...with Walkers you get a choice between red or black and get drunk...but wake up with crispy hair from last night's vomit !
...with Lays you roll over and finish off with a ciggy...but wake up to crispy bed sheets !
...with Lays you roll over and finish off with a ciggy...but wake up to crispy bed sheets !
Nov 9th 2008, 8:14 am
#10
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 872
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Do NOT declare that you have two passports - and make sure you only ever use the same one every time you enter/leave the Magic Kingdom.
What do you mean by "not of an 'endearing' country"? If you've used it to visit Israel, don't even bring the second passport with you, in case they search your luggage and find it - if they do, you will be deported and banned, but only after an intimate body cavity search...............
What do you mean by "not of an 'endearing' country"? If you've used it to visit Israel, don't even bring the second passport with you, in case they search your luggage and find it - if they do, you will be deported and banned, but only after an intimate body cavity search...............
(and really NOT interested in the cavity search...)
Nov 9th 2008, 8:26 am
#12
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
It's fine, they love New Zealanders.
Nov 10th 2008, 6:50 am
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Riyadh.
Posts: 1,899
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Listerine is quite easy to get hold of - all the Danube's sell it. As a smoker, I'm a bit conscious of my smokers breath and Listerine about the most effective mouth wash/breath freshener, so I always go for that.
I always see how long I can rinse for using Listerine, as it really does burn your mouth. Well, not quite literally, because then you would require urgent medical treatment and wouldn't be able to eat for weeks.( Sorry - was watching Kevin Turvey on You Tube...)
I arrived in Riyadh in early April, got into the airport late night, which was still quite busy ( but nowhere near as busy or as big as Heathrow! ), and when I stepped outside, was pleasantly surprised at the heat. I was met by one of the company brokers, picked me up , drove me to the compound which was only 10 mins way, so didn't really get a feel for anything until I ventured out into Riyadh a few days later.
You can get most things ( apart from obviously alcohol and pork - but some people will say alcohol is easily avaialble if you have the right contacts.)
I brought my laptop and iPod with no problems. Customs was fine to get through, it was the passport queue which took a while. Customs just put your luggage through an xray machine.
Book - i.e novels, fiction should be no problem.
Hows the weather in Riyadh these days? Its a lovely low 30's these in Jeddah with no humidity - fantastic!
I always see how long I can rinse for using Listerine, as it really does burn your mouth. Well, not quite literally, because then you would require urgent medical treatment and wouldn't be able to eat for weeks.( Sorry - was watching Kevin Turvey on You Tube...)
I arrived in Riyadh in early April, got into the airport late night, which was still quite busy ( but nowhere near as busy or as big as Heathrow! ), and when I stepped outside, was pleasantly surprised at the heat. I was met by one of the company brokers, picked me up , drove me to the compound which was only 10 mins way, so didn't really get a feel for anything until I ventured out into Riyadh a few days later.
You can get most things ( apart from obviously alcohol and pork - but some people will say alcohol is easily avaialble if you have the right contacts.)
I brought my laptop and iPod with no problems. Customs was fine to get through, it was the passport queue which took a while. Customs just put your luggage through an xray machine.
Book - i.e novels, fiction should be no problem.
Hows the weather in Riyadh these days? Its a lovely low 30's these in Jeddah with no humidity - fantastic!
Nov 10th 2008, 9:09 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Listerine is quite easy to get hold of - all the Danube's sell it. As a smoker, I'm a bit conscious of my smokers breath and Listerine about the most effective mouth wash/breath freshener, so I always go for that.
I always see how long I can rinse for using Listerine, as it really does burn your mouth. Well, not quite literally, because then you would require urgent medical treatment and wouldn't be able to eat for weeks.( Sorry - was watching Kevin Turvey on You Tube...)
I arrived in Riyadh in early April, got into the airport late night, which was still quite busy ( but nowhere near as busy or as big as Heathrow! ), and when I stepped outside, was pleasantly surprised at the heat. I was met by one of the company brokers, picked me up , drove me to the compound which was only 10 mins way, so didn't really get a feel for anything until I ventured out into Riyadh a few days later.
You can get most things ( apart from obviously alcohol and pork - but some people will say alcohol is easily avaialble if you have the right contacts.)
I brought my laptop and iPod with no problems. Customs was fine to get through, it was the passport queue which took a while. Customs just put your luggage through an xray machine.
Book - i.e novels, fiction should be no problem.
Hows the weather in Riyadh these days? Its a lovely low 30's these in Jeddah with no humidity - fantastic!
I always see how long I can rinse for using Listerine, as it really does burn your mouth. Well, not quite literally, because then you would require urgent medical treatment and wouldn't be able to eat for weeks.( Sorry - was watching Kevin Turvey on You Tube...)
I arrived in Riyadh in early April, got into the airport late night, which was still quite busy ( but nowhere near as busy or as big as Heathrow! ), and when I stepped outside, was pleasantly surprised at the heat. I was met by one of the company brokers, picked me up , drove me to the compound which was only 10 mins way, so didn't really get a feel for anything until I ventured out into Riyadh a few days later.
You can get most things ( apart from obviously alcohol and pork - but some people will say alcohol is easily avaialble if you have the right contacts.)
I brought my laptop and iPod with no problems. Customs was fine to get through, it was the passport queue which took a while. Customs just put your luggage through an xray machine.
Book - i.e novels, fiction should be no problem.
Hows the weather in Riyadh these days? Its a lovely low 30's these in Jeddah with no humidity - fantastic!
Nov 15th 2008, 3:23 pm
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Re: Riyadh Arrival - what to expect touching down
Hi,
I will be arriving next month - as a female coming by myself any advice?
I will be arriving next month - as a female coming by myself any advice?