After landing in Saudi Arabia

This is what I experienced in Saudi Arabia at  King Abdulaziz International Airport - Jeddah

After landing the flight we were transferred to the Immigration counter for the documentation and there were few lines. At the counter they asked to face the camera which is mounted on the counter and also finger prints were scanned. It took more than twenty five minutes for that as they were chatting with other colleagues going here and there while the finger prints were scanned, they were very slow. One of my friends stayed beside the counter for half an hour without knowing any reason. When he asked the officer at the counter he signaled with his fingers that he needs some time but he didn't mention anything because most of the officers do not understand English. It’s very difficult to communicate with them.

After the Immigration process we came to the Baggage area and the bags were thrown here and there my baggage was almost broken and my friend’s baggage wheels were totally broken.

Once the documentation process is over make sure to rush to the baggage area because there is no any authorized officer to take care of.

When we were going there one lady has taken my friends bag and she was yelling at us that’s her bag. After few minutes talking to that lady and helping her to find her bag, then we could sort-out the problem.

All the bags were scanned next to the baggage area.

Make sure any offensive item against the Saudi’s Government will not be allowed to bring outside the airport.

Below are several sources where you can get information.

http://www.saudiairlines.com/portal/site/saudiairlines/menuitem.d9a467d070ca6c65173ff63dc8f034a0/?vgnextoid=fd5a10f9517e1310VgnVCM100000d59618acRCRD

http://www.blueabaya.com/2012/05/expats-guide-flying-to-saudi.html

If you have a companies’ representative waiting at the airport make sure you have his mobile number since it is very difficult find someone there as the airport is always in a rush because of the MAKKAH tourists.

If you are hiring a taxi make sure you exactly know the destination unless they will play with your money.

You can buy a temporary sim card at the airport as there are many workers selling sim cards. Usually you can buy a “Mobily sim card for USD 10.00” and it has a reload of 10 Saudi riyals.