Saudi Arabia in cash.
The kingdom has opened: AlUla with its Nabataean tombs, sisters of Petra; futurist Riyadh; coral Jeddah and its old souk. A new, grandiose tourism — and a riyal best prepared before departure.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your SAR travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
AlUla & Hegra
A hundred and ten Nabataean tombs carved in rose sandstone — Petra without the crowds.
Hegra (Madain Salih) — Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site — guided visits in vintage Land Rovers.
Elephant Rock & AlUla old town — The elephant rock at sunset, oasis and mud-brick lanes.
Riyadh
The vertical capital — Kingdom Tower, original Diriyah and the Boulevard of lights.
Diriyah (At-Turaif) — The kingdom's restored cradle, golden adobe after dark.
Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge — The glass bridge 300 m above the lights.
Jeddah
The Red Sea gate — an art-lined corniche, coral houses and mashrabiya balconies.
Al-Balad — The UNESCO old town with turquoise wooden balconies.
The Corniche & King Fahd's Fountain — A 300 m jet, sculptures by Moore and Miró by the sea.
Getting around.
Domestic flights are essential (Riyadh–AlUla 1 h 45), the e-visa is minutes online. Uber everywhere in town. In souks and small eateries, cash remains the courtesy.
Cash & banknotes.
Cards dominate the cities, but souks, neighbourhood cafés and local taxis appreciate the liquid riyal — SAR 250–450 a day in pocket makes the difference. Book Hegra early: winter slots vanish fast.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
Is the trip simple to arrange?
E-visa online in minutes for most passports, international hotels, reliable Uber. Book AlUla early — Hegra's slots vanish in winter.
Cash or card?
Card dominates in the cities, but souks, neighbourhood cafés and local taxis appreciate the liquid riyal — SAR 250–450 a day in pocket helps.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français