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Airport  
King Khaled International Airport is 36 km north of the city. Flight time from London is 6 hrs 25 min. The main Airport building has three terminals. No 1 is for Saudia Internal flights, No 2 for Saudia International flights and No 3 for Foreign airlines. If you are unfortunate enough to arrive just after the arrival of a flight from the Far East or India, immigration control may take at least 40 mins, plus the same again for baggage retrieval. However, Saudi authorities are more sensitive to delays these days and do try to push Westerners forward in the queues as much as possible. The level of English spoken by the Saudi staff is also improving, while the use of a few words of Arabic on your part always helps to smooth the process. Facilities are not extensive but include a few coffee kiosks and some fast food outlets in the arrivals concourse. However, there are now several major bank offices offering a currency exchange service. There is adequate underground parking, which is very cheap and easily accessible from all terminals.
Airport to City Centre
The journey into the centre of Riyadh takes about 30 mins. Complimentary hotel minibuses are usually available, but should be booked in advance of arrival. There is a new Jetlink coach service to the city, operated by SAPTCO. The service runs every 30 mins and costs only SR10. The city drop-off and pick-up points are located at the new Howard Johnson’s Riyadh Palace Hotel in Olaya and the bus station at Batha. Taxi standards have deteriorated recently, so be sure to choose a roadworthy vehicle. Ignore the hassling taxi drivers as you exit the baggage hall: instead go straight to the taxi rank and walk along it until you see a safe-looking taxi with an English speaking driver. Most drivers speak no English, do not know the names of the roads or major landmarks and above all are incapable of understanding any kind of map.
Orientation
In the past 25 years Riyadh has, like many other Middle East cities, exploded into a modern, vibrant commercial centre with many Western characteristics. This rapid growth is also reflected in the population, which has boomed from 667,000 in 1974 to more than 5 million today. In many ways, it resembles a modern American city, with motorways and flyovers, international hotels, high-rise blocks and neon-blazing shopping malls. The skyline is dominated by two new skyscrapers: the Kingdom Trade Centre, which is almost finished and will be the tallest at 300 m, and the well-established Al Faisaliah tower, designed by Norman Foster. Both towers are situated between the parallel King Fahad highway and Olaya St. Further south the city is dominated by the UFO-style Ministry of Interior, the adjacent Ministry of Public Works and the old Ministry of PTT building. 
The City is bounded by a ring road, which comprises the King Fahad Highway on the West Side, the Airport to Al Kharj Rd on the East Side, the newer Dammam Rd to the north and the Old Makkah Rd to the south. The King Fahad highway bisects the city; the main commercial area is dominated by the intersection of this with the Makkah Rd and Dammam Rd. To the east of Al Kharj Rd is a rapidly developing vast area as large as the main city, comprising a mixture of housing and commercial interests. 
The Old City of Dirah and the burgeoning commercial centre of Al Batha are to the south, bounded by Al Washem St to the north and Tariq bin Ziyad/Al Raes St to the south. The separation of Dirah and Batha is not very clear, but King Faisal St may be considered the boundary. The two well-known landmarks of the Water Tower and the 30-storey circular Khozam building dominate Dirah. Al Batha is the place for finding cheap bargains of any imaginable artefact or appliance and where almost anything can be made to order. It comprises a maze of old buildings and stalls, many without air-conditioning and intersected by very narrow alleyways. It is a very ethnic area, which can be a bit daunting and is best visited in a group. 
The best shopping area for quality merchandise is centred on the fashionable Olaya and Sulemaniah districts. The major banks are almost all migrating northwards from their former locations and the head offices are all to be found in the Olaya and Sulemaniah districts. The best known hotels are in the same area, with a few exceptions such as the Minhal Holiday Inn and the Hyatt Regency. There are no main residential areas since houses and compounds are to found in every district of the city. The plushest neighbourhoods for the super rich include the areas of Nasriya, Al Ma’ather and Umm Al Hammam, full of imposing walled mansions and gleaming white palaces.
Excursions
The ruins of Al Dir’aiyah, the ancient Saudi capital, lie 32 km north-west of Al Batha. The city flourished in the late 18c under the First Saudi Empire, but was razed in 1818 by invading Ottomans. Reconstruction began in 1980 and today there is much to see, especially the Mosque of Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab and the museums. Follow the new expressway link to the Diplomatic Quarter and turn right towards Qassim. On the expressway, pick up signs for Al Dir’aiyah after the King Saud University.The Reef Golf and Country Club is 25 km from the city centre and a good venue for a weekend in the wadi whether or not you play golf. The nine-hole course is nicely grassy, but there is also a swimming pool and plenty of opportunity to unwind in the clubhouse.
Getting Around
White taxis with Ar-Riyadh signs on the roof are now the only cabs in Riyadh. Taxi drivers come from many Arabic countries and India, and only a small percentage speak any English or have any knowledge of the city. Don’t depend on their ‘Yes’ answers – it is advisable to give directions for every step of the journey. All taxis have meters, but the price is negotiable and for Westerners is always higher than for other nationalities. Prices of local journeys should not cost more than SR10 to SR30 inside the major ring road. The quality standards of the taxis, the driving and service vary tremendously; it is advisable to select a taxi that looks clean and well maintained. However, the accident rate with taxis is very high. It is generally preferable to use hotel limousines, which give a better service, or better still insist on your host company sending you a car.
What to see
Riyadh Museum and King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre: Completed in 1999 to mark the Saudi Centenary, this excellent museum is by far the best in the country. It incorporates the Al Murrabah Palace, which has been restored to its former glory. The surrounding gardens include the famous Water Tower and a replica mud-brick village. The Museum is also home to the Department of Antiquities and Museums, which issues permits to visit historical sites such as Janadriah and the Thumamah park and wildlife reserve. Al Amir Abdullah bin Jalawi St and Al Malek Saud St jnct, Al Batha.
Diplomatic Area: Beautifully landscaped with a number of parks. A footpath surrounds the area, which meanders through quaint grottos and gardens complete with sun shading and interesting water features. On the western side the footpath overlooks Wadi Hanifah with its many palm groves and farms. Very pleasant for evening and weekend strolls. Families are allowed to enter on weekends to have picnics. To get there, head west along Arouba St, taking the underpass at KKESH (Eye Hospital) which then continues over the bridge crossing Makkah Rd; follow the right turning loop joining on to Makkah Rd, continue straight keeping to the right and after 400 m take the right turn into the DQ. Westerners are not usually stopped at the security check point. 
Dirah and Al Musmak Fortress: Built in 1282, this fort bore the brunt of the assault by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud when he overthrew the Rashidi regime in 1901 - note the spearhead embedded in the door! The fort is adjacent to the famous ‘chop-chop square’, where Fri morning executions take place. The surrounding area has been re-developed but it is possible to follow the line of the old city wall, which has been marked in the paving of the pedestrian areas.. 
Old Diriyah: The old Saudi capital is northwest of Riyadh, along Wadi Hanifah. The old buildings were constructed from the traditional mud-bricks. Recently these have suffered considerable erosion, though a preservation programme has restored a few buildings. There’s also a traditional water well in the adjacent Palm Grove; around 1600-1630 water is drawn up from the well in leather bags, the power provided by asses or donkeys. Admission free. 
Makkah Rd and Escarpment: Drive west along Makkah Rd and cut through the edge of the Tuwayq escarpment for Arizonaesque landscapes; particularly sublime in early morning and late afternoon. Note too the new bridge spanning one of the Wadis’s – it’s identical to the second Severn Bridge!
Shopping                Flygresa - Lågprisflyg - Weedend Resa                 Queensway Travel
Several modern shopping malls have been built during the last decade to keep pace with this ever-expanding city. The Al Faisaliah shopping complex is now open on Olaya leading to major traffic chaos on most evenings. A new Harvey Nichols store anchors the complex, which contains three floors of local and international boutiques and shops. Al Akariah Centre on Mosa Ibn Nosayr St in Olaya sells electronic goods, as do the shops along Olaya St at its junction with Makkah (Mecca) Rd. Both the Al Aruba and Al Andalus Centres, also accessed from Olaya, have ladies’ clothes in abundance. Leather and jewellery can be bought at the Euromarché Centre on Al Takhasussi Rd in Olaya. Most of the major hotels have lobby shops, notably the Inter-Continental and the Al Khozama, where they often have small art exhibitions. 
Where to walk
From the landmark Water Tower in Al Foutah, head on to Al Wazir St and turn right. Walk down to the Saudi British Bank on the left and go left through a narrow street packed with shops, before emerging on Al Batha St, the city’s main thoroughfare. Go right past the bus terminal, head under the flyover and right into Abu Ayoub Al Ansari St – the main souk area and a veritable maze of intrigue. To get back to the centre, go west along Al Imam Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulla St to the telephone exchange by the park. If you want to get out of the city, take a short drive down to the Diplomatic Quarter and stroll around the tracks and footpaths which run through the wadi. Do try to get hold of a map though; not only can it get confusing, but a complete circuit off-road is about 12 km. 
Weather and Climate
Summers are very hot, with temperatures seldom below 30oC from May to August and occasionally reaching 50oC. Low humidity offers some relief. Winters are far cooler in Riyadh, with maximum daytime temperatures of 21oC and evenings which can drop to freezing point. There is very occasional heavy rain.
Customs Procedures 
Do not ignore Saudi customs regulations. The following items are strictly prohibited: alcohol, narcotics, pornography, pork products, firearms, natural pearls. Attempting to import them into Saudi Arabia carries severe penalties, ranging from confiscation and fines to imprisonment and deportation. All international passengers will have their luggage inspected by customs officials. It pays to be helpful and patient: keep your passport handy and open all your cases and hand luggage for internal inspection. Magazines, videos and CDs may be retained for censorship and as this is time-consuming it is advisable not to carry such items unless absolutely necessary. Carrying chocolates can also cause delays whilst the ingredient list is inspected for added alcohol - do not attempt to bring liqueur chocolates into the country! The following items may be imported into Saudi Arabia without incurring customs duty: 600 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco; perfume for personal use; a reasonable amount of cultured pearls for personal use. A full list of items prohibited by the Arab League can be obtained from the Saudi Arabian Embassy.