Preparing for your pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina also means planning your budget: here is how to exchange your euros for Saudi riyals before you leave and how much to set aside for Umrah or Hajj.
The Saudi riyal (SAR), the currency of the pilgrimage
In Saudi Arabia, the official currency is the Saudi riyal, whose international code is SAR (sometimes written ر.س or "SR"). A useful detail to know when planning your budget: the riyal has been pegged to the US dollar for decades, at a fixed parity. In practice, its value against the dollar barely moves; so it is mainly the euro's movement against the dollar that will change the number of riyals you get for your euros from one month to the next.
The riyal is divided into 100 halalas. In practice, during Umrah or Hajj, you will mostly handle banknotes: 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 riyals, as well as 1 and 2 riyal coins for small purchases. Since 500-riyal notes are sometimes hard to get accepted by small merchants around the holy sites, ask for small and medium denominations.
Why exchange your euros in France before leaving
On site, in Jeddah, Mecca or Medina, you will find exchange offices, but the rates applied to tourists and pilgrims are not always favourable, and the queues can be long during the peak Hajj season. Arriving with riyals in your pocket spares you from having to find a reliable counter the moment you step off the plane, tired, with your luggage and sometimes already in a state of ihram.
Exchanging in advance with a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France) guarantees you a regulated framework and a clear rate displayed before the transaction. At Paris Change, you benefit from commission-free exchange, with more than 53 currencies available including the Saudi riyal. You can order your riyals online and then collect them in store, which secures the availability of the amount you want even during peak pilgrimage season, when demand for SAR rises sharply.
How many riyals to plan for Umrah or Hajj?
The budget depends on the length of the stay (often 10 to 15 days for Umrah, more for Hajj) and on whether or not your package includes the hotel and meals. Most pilgrims travel with an "all-inclusive" formula through an agency; in that case, riyals in cash mainly serve everyday expenses. Here are the items to anticipate:
- Meals outside the package, water and snacks: around the mosques, fast food and small grocery shops operate largely in cash.
- Local transport: taxis, ride-hailing and shuttles between Medina, Mecca and the pilgrimage sites.
- Ritual fees and services: barber for the shave (halq), ihram items, prayer mats, alcohol-free perfumes.
- Gifts and souvenirs: dates, Zamzam water (subject to air transport rules), prayer beads, Qurans.
- Alms (sadaqa): many pilgrims set aside a dedicated cash envelope.
A range of several hundred riyals per person per week of personal spending is a realistic starting point, to be adjusted according to your lifestyle and the generosity of your alms. The most prudent approach is to plan a little margin rather than having to exchange again urgently on site.
Cash or card on site?
Saudi Arabia has modernised considerably: Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in hotels, shopping centres and major retailers, and ATMs are plentiful in Jeddah, Mecca and Medina. Even so, cash remains king as soon as you leave the large facilities: street vendors, small restaurants, taxis and recipients of alms operate in cash. Withdrawing at an ATM on site often involves foreign withdrawal fees and a rate set by your bank, whereas a well-considered exchange in France gives you complete visibility over the cost.
The best strategy for a pilgrimage: leave with a reserve of riyals in cash for the first days and daily life, and keep a bank card as a backup for major or unexpected expenses.
Customs rules and good practices
On the regulatory side, remember the European rule: above €10,000 (or the equivalent) in cash carried into or out of the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory. Saudi Arabia, for its part, applies a declaration requirement above a certain threshold on arrival: check with your agency or the consular authorities before departure. For an individual pilgrimage, amounts usually stay well below these thresholds.
A few practical tips specific to the destination:
- Spread your cash across several places (money belt, cabin bag) rather than in a single pocket.
- Favour 10, 50 and 100 riyal notes to pay easily and get change.
- Friday is the main day of prayer: shops and services slow down at certain hours.
- Tipping is not systematic but appreciated by porters and hotel staff; a few riyals are enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to exchange my euros for riyals?
Since the riyal is pegged to the dollar, keep an eye mainly on the euro/dollar parity. As the rate is an indicative counter rate that changes every day, the simplest approach is to book as soon as you know your departure date and to collect your riyals in store at the displayed rate, commission-free.
Can I order my riyals in advance and collect them later?
Yes. You can order your riyals online and come and collect them at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, at your convenience. This is particularly recommended during peak Hajj season, when demand for riyals is high.
Is the office open on the weekend before my departure?
Yes, Paris Change is open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm. So you can prepare your exchange even on the eve of a departure scheduled for the weekend.
Prepare for your Umrah or Hajj with peace of mind: stop by 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel (75005 Paris, Saint-Michel metro line 4, RER B and C), an ACPR-approved bureau de change, open 7 days a week and commission-free, or order your riyals online right now.
