AlUla is Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious tourism project and its most expensive destination. The Royal Commission has built a world-class heritage and luxury travel offering in the northwest desert — and priced it accordingly. That said, there is a meaningful budget spread: a traveller sleeping in AlUla town and booking GYG-affiliated tours pays a fraction of what a Banyan Tree pool villa guest pays. This guide breaks down what to expect at each level.
Quick Budget Summary (per person, 3 nights)
| Budget Level | Accommodation | Activities | Food & Transport | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | SAR 400–600/night guesthouse | SAR 300–500 | SAR 200–400 | SAR 1,800–2,900 |
| Mid-range | SAR 700–1,200/night hotel | SAR 600–1,000 | SAR 400–700 | SAR 3,500–5,300 |
| Luxury (Habitas/Banyan Tree) | SAR 1,800–5,500/night | SAR 1,200–2,500 | SAR 700–1,200 | SAR 8,000–21,000+ |
All figures are per person, approximate, as of 2026. Heritage Season (October–March) pushes accommodation rates to the upper end; off-season (April–September) drops them 20–40%.
Getting to AlUla
Flights: Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Airport (ULH) receives direct domestic flights from Riyadh (King Khalid International, RUH) and Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International, JED). Saudia and flynas operate routes. Search for flights — prices run approximately SAR 200–600 per person each way depending on lead time and season.
From Medina: The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Mecca, Jeddah, and Medina, but does not extend to AlUla. From Medina, the drive is approximately 4.5–5 hours on Highway 15. A private hire transfer from Medina runs approximately SAR 600–900 one way.
Driving from Riyadh: The Riyadh-to-AlUla road trip is approximately 1,100 km — a 10–12 hour drive. Many visitors combine it with a multi-city Saudi itinerary. See our Riyadh to AlUla road trip guide.
Accommodation Costs
AlUla’s accommodation market splits into two distinct tiers: properties inside or adjacent to AlUla town, and the luxury desert camp operators in the Ashar Valley and surrounding landscape.
Budget and mid-range (AlUla town): A cluster of guesthouses, small hotels, and apartment-style properties in and around AlUla town offer rates from approximately SAR 400–800/night. These are functional rather than luxurious — adequate base camps for a heritage-focused visit where you spend most of the day out at sites. Proximity to AlUla Old Town is a genuine advantage. Search hotels in AlUla.
Mid-range resort properties: Several purpose-built properties in the SAR 800–1,800/night range offer more amenities while remaining outside the luxury flagship tier. Pool access, restaurants, and organised tours are standard at this level.
Habitas AlUla: The eco-luxury community camp in the valley. Habitat tents start from approximately SAR 1,800–2,500/night in shoulder season and SAR 2,500–4,000/night during Heritage Season. Sanctuary units run SAR 3,500–5,500/night at peak. The communal dining and experience programme (music performances, stargazing, rock art hikes) are included. Booking 3–6 months ahead for peak Heritage Season weeks is essential. See our full Habitas AlUla guide.
Banyan Tree AlUla: The flagship luxury property in the Ashar Valley. Desert Pavilions from approximately SAR 2,800–3,500/night in shoulder season, SAR 3,500–5,500/night at Heritage Season peak. Heritage Pool Villas with private pools range from SAR 6,500–9,000/night. Spa treatments (SAR 400–900), the Night Stories desert dinner (SAR 500–700/person), and guided Hegra tours (SAR 450–600/person) are priced separately. See our full Banyan Tree AlUla guide.
Heritage Sites: Entry Prices
AlUla’s archaeological sites are managed by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and booked through the experiencealula.com platform.
| Site | Price (per adult, approx. 2026) |
|---|---|
| Hegra (Mada’in Salih) | SAR 95 |
| Dadan archaeological site | SAR 55–75 (varies by experience) |
| Jabal Ikmah open-air library | Included in some Hegra packages |
| AlUla Old Town | Free (self-guided); guided tours available from SAR 100–200 |
| Elephant Rock viewpoint | Free |
Hegra tickets sell out during Heritage Season. Book as far in advance as possible. A guided Hegra tour via GYG typically includes entry, transfers from AlUla town, and a specialist guide — and often works out comparable in cost to arranging the same independently.
Tours and Experiences
Guided tours are the most practical way to visit Hegra, Dadan, and the wider valley — the sites are spread over a large area with limited public transport, and context from a guide substantially improves the experience.
GetYourGuide-affiliated tours (approximate 2026 prices):
- Hegra Guided Tour: includes entry, guide, and transfers. From approximately SAR 300–450 per person.
- Hegra, Dadan & Ikmah Highlights Tour: full half-day covering multiple sites. From approximately SAR 450–600 per person.
- Full-Day AlUla Wonders: Hegra, Dadan, Ikmah, and Elephant Rock in one day. From approximately SAR 600–800 per person.
- Full Day Private Tour: private vehicle and guide, flexible itinerary. From approximately SAR 1,200–1,800 for a small group.
Hot air balloon flights over AlUla run approximately SAR 1,200–1,800 per person and operate through resort concierges or specialist operators.
Food Costs
AlUla town restaurants: A meal at a local restaurant in AlUla town costs approximately SAR 30–80 per person. Saudi staples (kabsa, mandi, grilled meats with rice) dominate the menus. Budget SAR 100–200/day for food in town.
Resort dining: On-site restaurants at mid-range and luxury properties run significantly higher. Dinner at the Banyan Tree’s Al Wadi restaurant costs approximately SAR 600–1,000 for two. Habitas’ communal dining is included in the room rate.
Local Transport
There is no public transport connecting AlUla’s dispersed sites. Options:
- Rental car: the most flexible option. Rates from approximately SAR 150–300/day. Required for visiting Hegra, Dadan, and the wider canyon area independently. See our car rental guide.
- Resort transfers: most luxury properties offer scheduled transfers to key sites, either included or priced at SAR 200–400/person per excursion.
- Taxis: available in AlUla town. Day-rate hire for a driver/vehicle runs approximately SAR 400–700.
Travel Insurance
We recommend arranging travel insurance before visiting AlUla. Emergency medical evacuation from AlUla to Riyadh or Jeddah is expensive without cover, and the remote location means limited local medical facilities.
Off-Season vs Heritage Season: Cost Comparison
| Expense | Heritage Season (Oct–Mar) | Off-Season (Apr–Sep) |
|---|---|---|
| Habitas standard tent | SAR 2,500–4,000/night | SAR 1,800–2,500/night |
| Banyan Tree Desert Pavilion | SAR 3,500–5,500/night | SAR 2,800–3,500/night |
| Mid-range hotel (AlUla town) | SAR 700–1,200/night | SAR 400–800/night |
| Guided Hegra tour | SAR 350–500/person | SAR 280–400/person |
| Flights from Riyadh | SAR 350–600 | SAR 200–400 |
The key trade-off: off-season heat (May–September regularly reaches 42–45°C) limits outdoor activity to early mornings. October–November and February–March offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures and lower-than-peak rates — aim for these windows if cost is a concern.