transit Saudi - questions
Not your average sight-seeing but anyway...
Where do I find an agent for a transit visa for driving from Qatar to Bahrain and how long would it take to get such thing? Costs? What kind of papers does the agent need? I'd guess a marriage certificate for hubby and me, but what else?
Do women need to wear special clothes when only passing through Saudi or for getting out of the car for some photo stops?
I heard there are some check points in Saudi. Where are they? Will we only be able to drive along the highway or do a litle detour along a side road or through a town as well?
When is a good time to do this regarding waiting times at the borders? I know Eid is not a good time, but are there certain weekdays that are better than others?
How do we get a visa for Bahrain? Buy at the border (currency, how much, cash or credit card), get in advance or is our Qatari ID card sufficient to get in?
Thanks a lot,
SFG
Yeah! I know it's not a lot (especially if the family is small). But who ever paid money to exit the country?
And you'll never know; this is just the start...soon they may increase it after seeing it's success.
Atrocious!
Whoa! That's indeed a ripoff even though Qr.25 is not much money. I'm not driving to UAE but still good information. Thanks a lot.
SFG
The visa is valid for a round trip...you dont need to get another one.
Just to leet you know, I travelled to Dubai last week and you know what? they have started something called "exit visa" at the UAE border. Can you believe it? they are charging Qr.25/- per passport to exit UAE. Total rip off; they just look for new ways to make money!
Thanks a lotjazzafterdark. I'm really looking forward to this trip. And Bahrain has enough nice things to see for a trip anyway :)
Still in doubt though if we should do this to Bahrain indeed, or to UAE. It's a lot of fuzz, and not so cheap with all the visas and insurances. The Saudi trip towards UAE however looks less interesting, unless we make a little detour up north first and then drive down.
One last question, which I can probably also ask the transit visa agent... but anyway. Do I need to get the transit visa back to Qatar in Bahrain, or is the one towards it also valid for the trip back?
Actually, I have seen some women just with headscarf and they have not made an issue...as well as I have experienced the cops making an issue for a Westerner in the same attire...so you never can tell, all depends on them...better to be on the safe side...you get abayas as cheap as even 50-60 riyals near Shar-a-kharba (in line with Qtel office near Qtel signal...near Habib international exchange).
Hubby being under your sponsorship will not be a problem as he is travelling with you.
Saudi insurance cost was 110 last year...Bahrain will be around the same. The insurance will not be valid for the return trip, you will have to take it once again.
Actually, I believe if planned early, the road trips are fantastic (not to mention being totally mobile when you are in Bahrain). It's much easier on the pocket too (especially if you have kids or there are 4-5 persons travelling along). Makes it all the more fun if there are 2 or more families.
I'd definitely recommend it if going to UAE.
Thanks for your answers. For some reason my internet connection is too slow or has other issues... only get time outs when trying to search :(
Jazzafterdark:
------
Women need to cover up when passing through Saudi. Women are not allowed to drive
-------
Do you mean headscarf only and any wide, non-reveiling clothes or do I need to get an abaya? If so, any recommendations for getting one cheap? :D
Will be quite nice for once to be driven around instead of driving myself :)
My hubby is under my sponsorship, actually. Might that be a problem?
Any ideas about the insurance costs for Saudi and Bahrain, and will the Saudi one still be valid when we drive back some days later?
I guess it's probably less fuss to just fly, but who knows if we ever get the chance to go into Suadi again. And judging from GoogleEarth, there are some nice rock formations near the road that I need to visit, something I dearly miss in Qatar.
For transit visa agency contact Sabur on 5427243. Usually the cost is Qr 125 per passport but during Eid he is now charging 300/- if you want to travel immediately during eid...says he needs to pay some other agents to get it done urgently...dont know how far it is true. I have never paid so much. Otherwise it is done in 4 working days. You dont need marriage certificate if you are under hubby's sponsorship. You need the passports, 2 photos of travellers (white background), Car registration card.
Women need to cover up when passing through Saudi. Women are not allowed to drive
There are 2 check points in Saudi (at the entrance and exit borders). You will take the highway road to Bahrain. All direction sign-boards are in place ...you wont get lost.
Early in the morning (4-5am) is the best time to be at the border? mid of the week is good...Friday morning is the best...no traffic at all. Your car will be checked at Saudi and Bahrain.
You should get the visa on arrival depending on your RP status (or if you have got it before). You will have to buy the visa at the border...I think 150/- per visa. Your passport should be sufficient.
Another thing, you will have to purchase car insurance both at Qatar-Saudi border as well as at the Saudi-Bahrain border (transit insurance).
And dont forget the Exit permit.
HTH.
A full write up on this can be found if you use the search box
I think you have to obtain visa from Bahrain embassy, once you had the visa, then go to saudi embassy to get the transit permit.