Last year I was lucky enough to travel with one of our first Explore groups to Saudi Arabia. We walked barefoot on sandy deserts and stood on a precipice at the edge of the world; we came up close and personal to ancient cave-paintings that have only recently become public knowledge; we immersed ourselves in the smells and sounds of the world’s largest camel market, and we were welcomed with Arabic hospitality in every corner.
Since my return, I’ve fielded many a question about my journey as a solo female traveller. How was I treated? What did I wear? Did I need to cover myself up in public? Times are changing quickly in Saudi Arabia, and figuring out how to travel as a solo woman seems like a minefield. To help with this, I’ve put together a myth-busting guide to the most common misconceptions about travelling in Saudi Arabia as a female. While laws for locals and tourists differ, all of these apply to travellers and many of them are now applicable to local Saudi women.