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Saudi Arabia

The kingdom is opening up, one app at a time

Curated by travelers, verified by locals

Heads up

Saudi Arabia has modernized rapidly, and apps are central to daily life. Careem is the go-to for rides, while HungerStation and Jahez dominate food delivery. The Mada payment network is everywhere, and contactless payments work at most places. If you are visiting for Hajj or Umrah, the Nusuk app is mandatory for permits and scheduling. WhatsApp is the universal communication tool. Note that the country is vast, so plan long-distance travel carefully using SAPTCO or domestic flights. Temperatures can be extreme, so expect to rely on ride-hailing rather than walking for most errands.

11 apps6 essentialMiddle East

Last updated: March 2026

Careem

Essential

The dominant ride-hailing app in Saudi Arabia, covering Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, and other major cities. Also offers delivery services and a digital wallet.

Pro tip: Careem is the most reliable option in Saudi Arabia, especially in cities like Makkah and Madinah where taxis can be scarce during peak pilgrimage seasons.

Uber

Nice to have

Available in major Saudi cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. A solid alternative to Careem with similar coverage.

View Ride Hailing guide →

HungerStation

Essential

One of Saudi Arabia's most popular food delivery platforms. Offers a huge range of local and international restaurants, plus grocery delivery in major cities.

Pro tip: HungerStation often has exclusive deals with Saudi restaurant chains that you won't find on other platforms. Check the offers section before ordering.

Jahez

Nice to have

A homegrown Saudi food delivery app that has quickly become a local favorite. Strong coverage across Saudi cities with fast delivery times.

View Food Delivery guide →

Mada

Essential

Saudi Arabia's national payment network. Mada cards (debit) are used everywhere, and the Mada Pay app enables contactless phone payments. Most shops, restaurants, and even street vendors accept Mada.

Pro tip: While you likely won't get a Mada card as a tourist, knowing that Mada terminals accept Visa and Mastercard contactless payments means your existing cards should work at most places.

STC Pay

Nice to have

A popular Saudi digital wallet by the national telecom company STC. Allows money transfers, bill payments, and in-store payments via QR code.

View Payments guide →
View Messaging guide →
View Navigation guide →
View Travel & Booking guide →
View Transit guide →

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Essential Apps for Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 | bento.travel