Recent travel data from Wego, the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), shows a marked increase in domestic winter travel demand in Saudi Arabia.
Local flight bookings within the Kingdom soared by 64% year-on-year, highlighting a strong preference among residents across Saudi Arabia for short, experience-led trips that explore the Kingdom’s cultural, recreational, and natural destinations.
Milder temperatures and a wide variety of tourism options have encouraged travelers to spend their winter holidays domestically, enjoying seasonal events, scenic landscapes, and unique cultural experiences without leaving the country.
Riyadh in the Spotlight
Riyadh continues to dominate as the top domestic winter destination this season, with bookings up 59.44% year-on-year, driven by the ongoing Riyadh Season 2025–2026. The city’s calendar is packed with concerts, sporting events, dining experiences, and large-scale entertainment, perfectly suited for winter travel, attracting visitors from across the Kingdom.
Scenic Escapes: Taif and Tabuk
Flight bookings to Taif surged by 67.97%, while Tabuk recorded a 40.90% increase year-on-year. These figures reflect the growing demand for scenic escapes, outdoor-led itineraries suitable for long weekends and family break trips.
The expansion of travel options and entertainment offerings, combined with the growth of the local hospitality sector, has made domestic travel more diverse and attractive, delivering a blend of enjoyment, comfort, value and flexibility for all age groups.
Winter Travel Booking Trends
Data indicates a mix of early planning and last-minute domestic travel.
While most domestic trips are planned slightly more than two weeks in advance, around 21% of bookings occur within a day of travel, signaling growing confidence in flexible digital booking solutions.
Digital Travel Platforms
Digital travel platforms have become essential tools for planning trips. Travelers can now compare hundreds of flight and hotel options within seconds, making it easier to find the best deals that suit budget and personal preferences.
Smart Travel Planning with Wego
Wego enables Saudi travelers to seamlessly compare flights and accommodation on a single platform. Tools like fare calendars, price alerts, and flexible date searches help users pick optimal travel windows and create well-balanced itineraries that combine quality experiences with cost efficiency.
Winter Tourism Boom
With Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions and mild winter climate, the season continues to establish itself as a peak period for domestic travel. These winter journeys are increasingly discoverable and bookable, supporting residents looking to explore the Kingdom during its most accessible months.
Infographic
Saudi Winter… Domestic Winter Travel Thrives
• 64% growth in domestic winter travel bookings.
• Riyadh leads destinations with a 59.44% increase in bookings.
• Taif records a spike of 67.97%.
• Tabuk sees 40.90% growth in demand.
• 21% of bookings are made just one day before travel.
• Mountain cities and cooler winter conditions attract families.
