Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Skyscanner reveals affordable late-summer escapes for Saudi travellers

RIYADH
Skyscanner reveals affordable late-summer escapes for Saudi travellers

As the school holiday period winds down, Skyscanner has highlighted affordable domestic, regional and international destinations for Saudi travellers planning late-summer or September getaways.

According to the travel platform’s latest data, AlUla is the most affordable destination across the summer, with average return flights from Saudi Arabia costing around SAR 471 ($126). 

Abu Dhabi follows at SAR 669, while Muscat averages SAR898. European travellers can consider Geneva, with return fares averaging SA 1,561.

For September travel, Madinah offers the lowest average return fare at SAR400, providing an option for domestic and faith-led journeys.

International destinations include Budapest at SAR603 and Istanbul at SAR 79, followed by Amman at SAR716 and Cairo at SAR748.

Sharm El Sheikh, Mumbai, Dubai, Karachi and Muscat also feature among the more affordable options.

Skyscanner also identified less-searched destinations that could appeal to travellers looking beyond traditional summer hotspots.

 The list includes Marrakech, Hurghada, Almaty, Guangzhou, Port Louis, Tbilisi, Baku, Colombo and Phuket.

Guangzhou and Budapest stand out as potential value options, with Guangzhou appearing among both the cheapest and under-the-radar destinations, while Budapest combines accessible September fares with relatively lower search interest among Saudi travellers.

Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “The return of the school season creates a different travel opportunity for those who are not tied to the academic calendar. Younger travellers, couples and groups of friends may have greater flexibility to compare a wider range of destinations and departure dates when planning a late-summer trip. Our data shows that value can be found across domestic, regional and international travel. From a change of scenery in AlUla to a spiritual visit to Madinah or an under-the-radar international escape, comparing destinations and live fares across different dates can help travellers find the trip that best suits their plans and budget.” -TradeArabia News Service