Beyond the School Holidays: Skyscanner Reveals Affordable and Under-the-Radar Escapes for Saudi Travellers
As schools return and the peak family holiday period draws to a close, younger travellers, couples and groups of friends who are not tied to the school calendar have another opportunity to plan a late-summer escape.
Skyscanner’s latest summer travel insights highlight a range of domestic, regional and international destinations offering comparatively accessible average return-flight prices from Saudi Arabia. The data also reveals where travellers could find value when travelling specifically in September, alongside less-searched destinations for those looking beyond the usual summer hotspots.
While lower search volumes do not necessarily mean fewer visitors, they can help inspire travellers to explore less obvious alternatives and consider places that may not have been at the top of their original list.
Domestic and Regional Summer Escapes Start from SAR 471
AlUla leads Skyscanner’s list of the most affordable destinations across the summer, with average return flights from Saudi Arabia priced at approximately SAR 471. For travellers seeking a change of scenery without travelling internationally, AlUla offers an accessible domestic escape and an alternative to the more familiar outbound summer routes.
Abu Dhabi follows with average return fares of SAR 669, while Muscat is available from SAR 898. Travellers considering a European break can explore Geneva from SAR 1,561.
Top Cheapest Destinations for Summer
AlUla, Saudi Arabia – SAR 471
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – SAR 669
Muscat, Oman – SAR 898
Giza, Egypt – SAR 1,095
Geneva, Switzerland – SAR 1,561
Guangzhou, China – SAR 1,572
Madrid, Spain – SAR 1,775
Lisbon, Portugal – SAR 1,862
Where Saudi Travellers Can Find Value in September
For travellers planning a September trip, Skyscanner’s flight-price data shows that return fares to Madinah average SAR 400, making it the most affordable destination analysed for the month. The domestic route also offers a timely option for travellers planning a religion-led journey or spiritual visit.
Beyond the Kingdom, Budapest follows at SAR 603 and Istanbul at SAR 679, while Amman and Cairo offer average return fares of SAR 716 and SAR 748 respectively. Sharm El Sheikh is available from SAR 944, followed by Mumbai, Dubai, Karachi and Muscat.
Top 10 Cheapest Destinations for September
Madinah, Saudi Arabia – SAR 400
Budapest, Hungary – SAR 603
Istanbul, Türkiye – SAR 679
Amman, Jordan – SAR 716
Cairo, Egypt – SAR 748
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – SAR 944
Mumbai, India – SAR 1,061
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – SAR 1,117
Karachi, Pakistan – SAR 1,123
Muscat, Oman – SAR 1,268
Looking Beyond the Usual Summer Hotspots
For travellers seeking a different experience, Skyscanner’s lowest-searched summer destinations provide inspiration beyond the most popular choices. The list spans Marrakech and Hurghada, alongside Almaty, Guangzhou, Port Louis, Tbilisi, Baku, Colombo and Phuket.
Guangzhou and Budapest present a particularly interesting opportunity. Guangzhou appears on both Skyscanner’s list of the 10 cheapest summer destinations and its under-the-radar list, while Budapest combines a comparatively accessible September fare with lower search interest among Saudi travellers this summer.
Under-the-Radar Destinations This Summer
Marrakech – Morocco
Hurghada – Egypt
Almaty – Kazakhstan
Guangzhou – China
Budapest – Hungary
Port Louis – Mauritius
Tbilisi – Georgia
Baku – Azerbaijan
Colombo – Sri Lanka
Phuket – Thailand
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.”
Flight prices can change based on availability and demand. Travellers are encouraged to compare live fares before booking and explore a wider range of domestic and international destinations to make informed decisions and find the best available option for their late-summer trip.
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