Essentials
- City
- Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
- Population
- 160,000 (City), part of the Dammam-Khobar-Dhahran metropolitan area of 4.1 million
- Internet Speed
- High-speed 5G widely available; average 150-300 Mbps on STC or Mobily networks
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (Fixed Peg). Digital payments are the standard
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water (5 SAR for 5L) or filtration systems
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK style)
- SIM Card
- STC (recommended for coverage), Mobily, and Zain. Available at Dhahran Mall; approx. 150 SAR for 50GB
- Banking for Expats
- Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (Saudi National Bank), and STC Pay for digital wallet/transfers
- Accommodation
- Gated compounds (e.g., Al-Turki, Canary Village) or high-end apartments in nearby Al Khobar
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, nearly 100% cashless; 'Mada' (local card system), Apple Pay, and VISA/MC are universal
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is active (approx. 350-600 SAR/night), or Gathern (local platform)
- Budget Accommodation
- Park Inn by Radisson Dammam/Khobar (approx. 300 SAR/night); hostels are non-existent
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Khobar Corniche (10 mins from Dhahran) for walkable dining and sea views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Dhahran Tower area or Ajdan Walk for proximity to modern cafes and high-speed infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WorkandCo (Al Khobar/Dhahran) - Rates approx. 1,200 SAR/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Draft Cafe at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra); ultra-modern, quiet, fast Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Startup Arabia events and regular tech meetups at the King Fahd University (KFUPM) Entrepreneurship Institute
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Al Khobar-Dhahran Chapter; Dhahran Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Careem (most reliable); average ride 25-45 SAR
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available via the 'Arnab' or 'Tier' apps at the Khobar Corniche
- Best Beach Nearby
- Half Moon Bay (15 mins away); private resorts like Dana Beach Resort offer day passes
- Top Regional Airline
- Flyadeal and Flynas (low-cost carriers)
- Top International Airline
- Saudia (National Carrier) and Emirates (via nearby Dammam DMM airport)
- Highway Access
- Direct access to Highway 40 and King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain (25 km away)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Dammam Railway Station (Haramain/SAR) connecting to Riyadh in 3.5 hours
- Public Transport Passes
- SAPTCO bus network exists but is not commonly used by expats/nomads; car rental is preferred
- Regional Travel
- SAR Train to Riyadh (approx. 150 SAR), or drive to Manama, Bahrain (45 mins)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) or Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital (Al Khobar)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Studio (Al Khobar); 100 SAR per drop-in session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Time PRO (approx. 600 SAR/month) or PureGym (250 SAR/month)
- Laundry Services
- Clean Line Laundry; pickup and delivery available via the app 'CleanCloud'
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- HungerStation, Jahez, and Mrsool
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kabsa (Rice and meat) or Mandi at Najd Village (approx. 60 SAR)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Wabi Sabi (Al Khobar) - high-quality plant-based menu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lock, Stock & Barrel for artisanal donuts or Patchi for luxury chocolates
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lulu Hypermarket and Panda for groceries; Souq Al-Hob for traditional goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.sa and Noon.com (next-day delivery common)
- Grocery Delivery
- Nana or Instashop (delivery within 60 minutes)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- None (Alcohol is illegal). Nightlife consists of late-night cafe culture at Ajdan Walk or Al-Rashid Mall
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol-free). Try 'Saudi Champagne' (Apple juice/sparkling water) at restaurants
- Wine Bars
- Non-alcoholic wine bars are trending; try 'Vinedoor' for premium grape-based mocktails
- Street Food Stalls
- Dhahran Mall Food Court or various food trucks near the Khobar Water Tower
- Popular International Cuisine
- P.F. Chang's, Texas Roadhouse, and Nobu (Al Khobar)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) - an architectural marvel
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ithra Museum (History, Art, and Science galleries)
- Historical Sites
- Dammam Regional Museum and the nearby Al-Qara Hill Heritage site
- Religious Sites
- Al-Rajhi Mosque (architecturally stunning)
- Annual Events
- Sharqiah Season (concerts, drone shows, cultural events in March)
- Cultural Districts
- Al-Khobar North for boutiques and galleries; Ithra for the arts hub
- Theater Venues
- Ithra Theater for international cinema and stage plays
- Local Markets
- Souq Al-Thumairi or the Traditional Khobar Souq
- Music Scene
- Desert Sound (Techno/Electro events - legal/modern pop-ups)
- Street Art
- Al-Khunaini Street in Khobar (Baylaoni District) Mural walk
- Cooking Classes
- Cozinha - The Cooking Studio (Al Khobar)
- Art Galleries
- Desert Designs Heritage Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The original Aramco 'Prosperity Well No. 7' monument
- Local Heritage
- Pearl diving history and Bedouin desert culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tarout Island for mangroves and historical castle views
- National Parks Nearby
- Al-Ahsa Oasis (UNESCO site, 90 mins south) - the world’s largest date palm oasis
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Loop at Dhahran Aramco Camp or Al Khobar Corniche
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Water Tower at Al Khobar Corniche sunset view
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sabkha areas near Half Moon Bay
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert campsites in the Al-Uqayr area (permits may be required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex, SMSA Express, and DHL (Main branch on Dhahran-Khobar Hwy)
- Tech Repair Services
- Jarir Bookstore or Aleph (Apple Premium Reseller) in Dhahran Mall
- Table Tennis Spots
- Young Men's Social Club; many gated compounds have private facilities
- Language Classes
- Berlitz Al Khobar for Arabic (Fusha or Ammiya)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ithra Library (massive, modern, and very nomad-friendly)
- Community Centers
- Aramco Community Centers (for residents) or various Social Hubs in Al Khobar
- Gaming Lounges
- Glitch (Dhahran Blvd) for esports and VR
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 382,500 SAR)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 247,500 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 560,000 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 350,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 100 m² = 750,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 100 m² = 450,000 SAR)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (for foreign investors; Zakat for Saudis/GCC)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- No Personal Income Tax for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited/Developing framework
- Property Tax
- White Land Tax applies to undeveloped urban land; no standard annual property tax for residential
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% personal income tax and the 'Premium Residency' options for long-term stay