Pre-departure Checklist

Things To Do Before Departure

Things to do before departure:

72 hours before departure please fill out the following arrival form: https://arrival.muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home
Check to make sure you have your visa, it is required to enter the country.
- - You can read step by step instructions here: https://sites.google.com/stanford.edu/2023saudiarabia/trip-information?authuser=0
Suggestion: download WhatsApp to your phone for easy communication during the program.
- This is an internet based phone service so as long as you are on the WiFI of the hotel, you will be able to make and send WhatsApp messages and make and receive WhatsApp calls. Remind your family and friends to also get WhatsApp so you can call them. If the person you want to reach is not registered with WhatsApp, you will not be able to call them.

General Reminders

If you have not already, be sure to check your passport to make sure it is valid for 6 months after your return date to the U.S. and that it has at least 1 completely blank visa pages (not including the amendment pages at the back of the passport
Get necessary immunizations and prophylaxes (refer to the health and medical section in the Trip Information tab of your trip’s website).
Notify your credit card company that you will soon be traveling, so that any significant charges you make will not be questioned or put on hold.
Review the Saudi Arabia FAQ page for any last minute questions answered!
You should bring your original Covid-19 vaccination card, as well as a paper copy and a digital copy (such as a photo of your vaccination card saved to your email or phone). Keep the original with your passport or photo ID.

Arrival Transfers and Meeting the Group

Upon Arrival at the Airport

After you claim your bags and exit customs, look for our local staff member, who will be holding a “Stanford Travel/Study” sign. If you have difficulty finding your transfer, please contact your Stanford tour manager or local operator representative.

Transfer From the Airport

Airport transfers are included for all travelers arriving in Jeddah and transferring to the Jeddah Sheraton Hotel.

We will use the flight information you provided to the Travel/Study office to arrange your transfers, so please be sure to alert us if there have been any changes to your flight itinerary since you first sent your flight information to our office. Note that you may be grouped with other travelers arriving on the same flight or at the same time.

LAST NAME DATE FLIGHT # HOTEL ARRANGEMENT HOTEL CONFIRMATION NUMBER

February 22

Press 2/22 QR1184 @ 4:00 AM Distant Horizons - booked hotel and arrangements 90487309

February 24

Fegent 2/24 TG503 @ 11:00 PM Transfer included - Independent hotel arrangement 80062055

February 25

Bunzel 2/25 TK094 @ 1:00 AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 94895487

Waggener /McCracken 2/25 TK094 @ 1:00AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 80064001

Truex 2/25 QR1188 @ 8:35 PM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 90492228

Warm 2/25 QR1188 @ 8:35 PM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 80059589

February 26

Buchser 2/26 TK094 @ 1:15AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 90492227

Gaines 2/26 TK094 @ 1:15AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 80054509

Milias 2/26 EK801 @ 2:10AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 80059588

Lapan 2/26 QR1184 @ 3:30 AM Transfer included - Distant Horizons booked hotel arrangements 80054510

Mellenthin 2/26 QR1190 @ 11:15AM Transfer included 94895487

Goldberg 2/26 TK0092 @ 12:45 PM Transfer included 80057205

Ward 2/26 EY311 @ 3:25 PM Transfer included 94905478

Hodge 2/26 QR1186 @5:00 PM Transfer included 80057206

Chabot 2/26 WY675 @ 5:10 PM Transfer included 74656533

Wezelman 2/26 WY675 @ 5:10 PM Transfer included 74656532

Stein 2/26 EK803 @ 6:20 PM Transfer included 94905479

Robinson 2/26 QR1188 @ 8:25 PM Transfer included 94905480

At the Hotel

Check-in time at the Jeddah Sheraton Hotel is 4:00 p.m. on February 26, 2023. Luggage can be left with the bell captain if you arrive before your room is ready. Our first group activity will be a welcome briefing and light dinner in the hotel at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Program Updates

We are delighted to announce that Medina recently opened to tourists. We are happy we can take advantage of this opportunity to make a short visit before flying to Riyadh. It will involve an early departure from Al Ula and a four hour drive, but will add an additional historic important city to the program. There will be more detail on the updated daily itinerary shortly.

Luggage

Due to aircraft specifications and safety requirements of the small plane(s) on this itinerary, the following luggage and weight limits are strictly enforced:

one suitcase, not to exceed 50 pounds
one carry-on piece, not to exceed 15 pounds

Packing Suggestions

The following packing list should help you prepare for the program. These are simply our suggestions; you will want to make your own variations.

* Pack these items in your carry-on luggage

Clothing

comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
socks – you will need to take your shoes off in mosques
swimsuit – snorkeling & all hotels have swimming pools, but there will be times for men and women separately. Our schedule is fairly busy, but you may find time to sneak in a swim!

Men:

The dress code for men is quite relaxed and you should feel comfortable dressing as you would at home. You should plan on wearing trousers and short sleeved shirts (polos are ideal). Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as temperatures vary. It is not appropriate to wear shorts. There is no need to bring formal clothing although one long-sleeved shirt and tie are recommended. Bringing a jacket is not necessary. Socks are advisable for visits to mosques but open-toed sandals are fine.

Women:

Under Islamic law, women must dress modestly in loose-fitting clothing that does not draw attention to their figures. It is not necessary for women to wear abayas or chadors (the traditional black one-piece clothing).

In September 2019 there was a definite relaxing of the code but as respectful visitors to the country, we recommend erring on the side of caution. With this in mind, women should wear loose fitting clothing. This can consist of a long-sleeved, loose-fitting jacket that comes to below your hips with loose-fitting trousers. Solid colors are advised but muted colors and patterns are certainly acceptable.

In addition to the dress code above, please always have a scarf packed in your purse as you will need to cover your head when you enter a mosque. Alternatively, Saudi women often have a scarf which they wear, not on their head, but resting on their shoulders. Some women will have their heads covered, others do not. Some have a scarf draped around their neck.

You can not wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops or shorts. Shoulders and knees must be covered in public.

Personal Protective Equipment

You should pack an ample supply of masks to last you throughout the program, bearing in mind if you bring reusable cloth masks that it may not be possible or practical to launder them along the way. The CDC offers a guide to masks, which you can access on their website, here.
While Covid-19 testing is available in Saudi Arabia, you may want to bring several rapid self-tests to have on hand, for ease of access and your own peace of mind. You can read more about self-tests on the CDC website, here.
We also recommend you pack a sufficient personal supply of liquid hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes to last you throughout your travels.

Documentation

passport*
printed copy of your e-ticket for your flights*
original CDC Covid-19 card as proof of vaccination* (keep with your passport; note that the version you sent to the Travel/Study office is for verification only – you are responsible for making sure you have proof of Covid-19 vaccination with you on this program)
copy of CDC Covid-19 card as back-up
photocopies of credit cards*
extra passport photos (in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a new one)

Toiletries, Medications & First Aid

travel hairdryer - while the hotels have them, some hotels have wall hairdryers that are not super efficient
sunscreen and lip protection
anti-bacterial gel or towelettes
tissues (small travel packs)
Aspirin®/Tylenol®, etc.
cold remedies
anti-diarrheals (Imodium AD® and/or Pepto Bismol®)
prescription medications (in their original containers)*
- We suggest packing up to two weeks worth of additional medication in the event of being quarantined
motion sickness preventives

Miscellaneous

day pack or backpack large enough to hold a snack, water, sunscreen, walking stick(s), camera, and whatever else you might need during the day. It can also serve as your carry-on.
wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
voltage converters and plug adapters
plastic bags (Ziploc®) for storing toiletries, supplies and keeping camera equipment dry
money belt
travel sewing kit
TSA-approved luggage locks
extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts*

Report abuse