Great — here’s a practical, budget-friendly 5‑day plan that covers Riyadh (your likely start point in Saudi), Dubai, and Kuwait, plus clear travel, visa and money-saving tips. I assume you’re based in Saudi Arabia; I’m using the latest visa/flight guidance (Aug–Oct 2025) where relevant — I’ve cited sources for the key, time‑sensitive points.
Suggested trip outline (fast, low-cost loop): Riyadh → Dubai → Kuwait → Riyadh
Total days: 5 (example: Day 1 depart Riyadh → Days 1–2 Dubai → Day 3 fly Dubai→Kuwait → Day 3–4 Kuwait → Day 5 fly Kuwait→Riyadh)
- Route, flights and timing (cheap + fast)
- Sequence: Riyadh → Dubai → Kuwait → Riyadh. This minimizes backtracking and uses short direct flights between each city.
- Typical flight times:
- Riyadh ↔ Dubai: ~2.5–3 hours (frequent daily services). (check exact schedules/price for your travel date)
- Dubai ↔ Kuwait: ~1h40. Jazeera and several carriers operate competitive services. (jo.wego.com)
- Kuwait ↔ Riyadh: ~1h20; low-cost/regional carriers like Jazeera run direct routes at budget fares. (jazeeraairways.com)
- Budget carriers to check (compare prices on aggregator sites): Flynas, flydubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, low‑fare options from Emirates/Kuwait Airways during sales. Book 3–6 weeks in advance for best budget fares.
- Visas & entry (important, time-sensitive)
- Kuwait: As of Aug 2025, foreign nationals who are residents of any GCC country (including Saudi residents) with at least six months’ residency validity can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at airports/land borders — you’ll need your passport and valid Saudi residency permit. This makes short trips to Kuwait easy for GCC residents. (saudi-expatriates.com)
- Saudi Arabia (return): If you’re a Saudi resident or citizen you can return normally; if you’re visiting Saudi from abroad you may need the Saudi eVisa depending on nationality — check the official Saudi eVisa portal for your nationality and fees. (If you’re a Saudi resident this shouldn’t block your return.) (gulfnews.com)
- UAE (Dubai): Check whether you need a visa or qualify for visa-on-arrival based on your passport. GCC residents often have simplified entry rules — verify online with UAE immigration or the airline before booking.
- Sample day-by-day itinerary (tight & budget)
Day 0 (evening before / early Day 1)
- Book an early evening or overnight flight Riyadh → Dubai (arrive Day 1 morning).
Day 1 — Dubai (sightseeing on a budget)
- Morning: Metro to Dubai Marina / JBR walk (cheap, scenic).
- Afternoon: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood + Dubai Museum (low-cost culture).
- Evening: Dubai Mall fountain show (free) and cheap food in food courts or local shawarma places.
Day 2 — Dubai (low-cost highlights)
- Morning: Abra ride across Dubai Creek (small fee) + Gold/Souq walk.
- Afternoon: Beach time at Jumeirah Public Beach (free) or rent a budget beach lounger.
- Night: Fly Dubai → Kuwait (late evening or red-eye) OR take an evening flight to Kuwait if schedules/prices suit.
Day 3 — Kuwait (arrival + explore)
- Afternoon: Corniche walk, local markets, cheap seafood/shawarma.
- Evening: Souq Sharq area or Al-Mubarakiya-style markets (affordable local food).
Day 4 — Kuwait (culture + quick day trips)
- Visit Kuwait Towers (iconic; low entry fee), the seafront, and any local museums. Use local buses/taxis or ride‑sharing to keep costs down.
- Late evening: Fly Kuwait → Riyadh (many short flights available); alternatively fly next morning if cheaper.
Day 5 — Back in Riyadh / buffer day
- Use as travel buffer or explore Riyadh’s low-cost attractions: Masmak Fort, Al Zal market, King Abdullah Park.
- Budget estimates (very approximate per person; adjust to your dates)
- Flights (total triangle, budget carriers): SAR 800–1,500 (or lower if you snag sales). Prices vary widely by date — book early. (jazeeraairways.com)
- Accommodation (4 nights): budget hotels / guesthouses / cheap Airbnb — SAR 120–300/night → SAR 480–1,200 total.
- Food: SAR 60–120/day (street food, food courts) → SAR 300–600.
- Local transport + small admissions: SAR 200–400.
- Estimated total (thrifty): ~SAR 1,800–3,700 per person. (Use exact flight costs and dates to refine.)
- Money-saving tips
- Flights: Use price comparison sites and sign up for fare alerts; check mid-week departures (often cheaper). Book carry-on only to avoid baggage fees.
- Accommodation: Pick centrally located budget hotels or well-reviewed hostels/Airbnbs to reduce transport costs. In Dubai, stay near a Metro line.
- Food: Eat at local cafeterias, food courts and street vendors rather than tourist restaurants.
- Public transport: Use metros, buses, and shared taxis where available. In Dubai the Nol Card and Metro are very economical.
- Attractions: Prioritize free/cheap sights (corniches, souks, public beaches, city parks). Buy only one paid attraction (e.g., observation deck) if you want a “big” experience.
- Travel light: a single carry-on speeds you through airports and avoids checked-baggage fees.
- Multi-city search: use “multi-city” search mode when booking (Riyadh → Dubai, Dubai → Kuwait, Kuwait → Riyadh) to compare cheaper routing than three single tickets.
- Practical safety & logistics
- Check luggage/baggage rules for low-cost carriers — carry-on limits can be strict.
- Always carry a copy/photo of your Saudi residency permit and passport (required for Kuwait visa-on-arrival).
- Buy travel insurance that covers flights and basic medical needs.
- Check COVID or health entry requirements only if airlines or governments list them (most Gulf travel is currently open, but reconfirm before departure).
- Next steps (quick checklist)
- Pick travel dates and search multi-city fares for your chosen dates (book 3–6 weeks ahead for budget fares).
- Confirm visa requirements for your passport and residency status (esp. UAE if you’re not a GCC resident).
- Reserve 3–4 budget hotels/Airbnbs near public transport and pre-book any must-do paid attraction.
- Set fare alerts and monitor prices for 3–7 days before booking.
If you want, I can:
- Search and compare sample multi-city flight prices for specific travel dates you give (I can pull real-time fares),
- Or build a tighter day-by-day schedule with exact flight times and suggested budget hotels per city.
Which would you prefer: (A) I compare flight prices for specific dates you have in mind, or (B) I build this itinerary with sample bookings (flights + budget hotels) for a chosen 5‑day window?