With temperatures cooling down, now is the time to hop on a flight to explore Saudi Arabia and the wider region — and new research from travel app Wego reveals that one of the Kingdom's cities is a top destination for GCC travellers this winter.
The cool coastal cultural hub of Jeddah ranked among the most-searched places for end-of-year travel, joining the Egyptian capital Cairo – the most popular destination – plus Istanbul, India's Cochin, Bangkok, Lahore in Pakistan, London, Dubai and Kuwait in the top ten.
Jeddah is the perfect place to visit for a mix of ancient charm and modern glam. Visitors can wander through Al Balad’s maze of centuries-old coral stone buildings, stay at the chic new Jeddah EDITION, or head to the sparkling Jeddah Yacht Club.
Outside of Saudi, the UK capital remains a perennial favourite thanks to the ease of entry for GCC citizens under new travel rules.
According to Wego, other European cities like Moscow, Baku and Milan are gaining popularity for their unique experiences and convenient accessibility.
The Russian capital's snow-dusted streets and frozen rivers are the definition of a winter wonderland — add in the iconic Red Square and cosy cafés, and you’ve got the ideal fairytale escape.
The research also reveals that Baku’s modern skyline twinkling above the Caspian Sea and Tbilisi’s snow-capped mountains have made them the new winter go-tos for travellers seeking something different.
If chic is more your style, Milan’s designer boutiques and Paris’ glittering Champs-Élysées promise world-class shopping and the best of winter glamour.
Direct flights to these destinations typically take less than four hours, making them ideal for a quick, hassle-free escape.
Wego also reported that airfares for the top 10 destinations have increased in price by an average of 10.81% compared to the same period last year. The exception is flight prices to Kuwait, which are 7.33% cheaper than last winter.
It comes as airlines have revealed a host of new direct routes from Saudi Arabia to destinations around the world ranging from Ras Al Khaimah to London and Rome.
Wizz Air also recently launched SAR90 flights from Dammam to Abu Dhabi as part of a special sale running from now until November 30.
