Saudi’s Time Zone and What Time in Saudi Arabia

Are you traveling to Saudi Arabia and want to get familiar with the time in this country? In our daily lives, time is essential for planning when you do something, and so do travelers. Saudi Arabia, one of the most important nations in the Middle East, has its own distinct time zone based on its geographic location and cultural practices. This article provides knowledge about time in Saudi Arabia, with the purpose of helping travelers to plan your trip smoothly.

Time in Saudi Arabia - Standard Time (AST)

What time is it in Saudi Arabia?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is located in the region of the climatic zone where Arabian Standard Time (AST) which is UTC+3 operates. This means that Saudi Arabia's time zone is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a time standard that the whole world follows to synchronize their clocks. In contrast to many countries that observe daylight saving time, Saudi Arabia does not change the time throughout the year. Hence, the time is always at UTC+3 every time of the year.

Why No Daylight Saving Time?

The special thing about time in Saudi Arabia is daylight saving time (DST). While many countries use daylight saving time to make better use of sunlight during the summer months, Saudi Arabia has chosen not to follow this practice. Do you know what the reason is?

• Geography and Climate: Saudi Arabia, being a country with vast desert areas and has a hot climate; therefore, the days in Saudi are already long enough, and the concept of saving daylight becomes less practical.
• Cultural and Religious Practices: This country follows the Islamic calendar for religious purposes, and the five daily prayers, central to Islamic practice, are scheduled based on the position of the sun rather than clock time. Therefore, changing the clock for daylight saving could complicate this schedule.

Saudi Arabia time is not based on a calendar

Timekeeping in Saudi Arabia: Its Cultural Significance

Time in Saudi Arabia is not just a practical matter; it carries deep cultural and religious significance, especially due to the country’s Islamic heritage. The five daily prayers, known as Salah, form a central part of Muslim life, and their timing is based on the position of the sun.

The Five Daily Prayers and Time

Muslims in Saudi Arabia, like those around the world, perform five obligatory prayers throughout the day. The timing of these prayers is linked to specific phases of the day:

• Fajr (Dawn): Before sunrise.
• Dhuhr (Midday): When the sun begins to decline after reaching its highest point.
• Asr (Afternoon): When the sun is halfway between noon and sunset.
• Maghrib (Evening): Immediately after sunset.
• Isha (Night): After the twilight has disappeared.

Because prayer times change throughout the year as the days lengthen or shorten, timekeeping is vital for Saudi Muslims. These prayer times are often broadcast on radio, TV, and through mosque loudspeakers to ensure that the faithful can perform their prayers at the correct time.

Read more: Saudi Arabia prayer time

Prayer times in Saudi

The Role of Time in Saudi Arabia For Business and Daily Life

In Saudi Arabia, the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, as Friday is considered a holy day in Islam. Time management and punctuality are highly valued in the business sector, especially with Saudi Arabia’s growing role on the global stage. Major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah are home to international businesses, and the country is a major player in the oil industry. Accurate timekeeping is crucial for both domestic and international business dealings.

Saudi Arabia’s time zone (AST) is relatively convenient for conducting business with both Europe and Asia, as it falls in between the time zones of these two major economic regions. For example, when it is noon in Riyadh, it is:

• 9:00 AM in London (UTC+0)
• 1:00 PM in Dubai (UTC+4)
• 4:30 PM in New Delhi (UTC+5:30)

This intermediate position makes it easier to coordinate international calls and business meetings with countries in both Europe and Asia, though the time difference with the United States (UTC-5 to UTC-8) is more challenging, particularly for real-time communication.

Time has a big impact on people’s daily lives

Time In Saudi Arabia Converter- Comparing AST with Other Time Zones

Below is a comparison of the current time in Saudi Arabia with other countries' standard time.

Middle East and North Africa

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): UTC+4 (1 hour ahead)
• Kuwait: UTC+3 (same time)
• Qatar: UTC+3 (same time)
• Egypt: UTC+2 (1 hour behind)
• Jordan: UTC+2 (1 hour behind)
• Morocco: UTC+1 (2 hours behind)

Europe

• United Kingdom: UTC+0 (3 hours behind)
• Germany: UTC+2 (1 hour behind during summer; UTC+1 in winter)
• France: UTC+2 (1 hour behind during summer; UTC+1 in winter)
• Italy: UTC+2 (1 hour behind during summer; UTC+1 in winter)
• Spain: UTC+2 (1 hour behind during summer; UTC+1 in winter)

Asia

• India: UTC+5:30 (2 hours and 30 minutes ahead)
• Pakistan: UTC+5 (2 hours ahead)
• Bangladesh: UTC+6 (3 hours ahead)
• China: UTC+8 (5 hours ahead)
• Japan: UTC+9 (6 hours ahead)
• South Korea: UTC+9 (6 hours ahead)

Americas

• United States (Eastern Time): UTC-5 (8 hours behind) / UTC-4 (7 hours behind during daylight saving)
• United States (Central Time): UTC-6 (9 hours behind) / UTC-5 (8 hours behind during daylight saving)
• United States (Pacific Time): UTC-8 (11 hours behind) / UTC-7 (10 hours behind during daylight saving)
• Canada (Toronto): UTC-5 (8 hours behind) / UTC-4 (7 hours behind during daylight saving)
• Brazil: Varies (most regions UTC-3, which is 0 hours difference; some regions are UTC-4, 1 hour behind)

Oceania

• Australia (Eastern Standard Time): UTC+10 (7 hours ahead)
• Australia (Central Standard Time): UTC+9:30 (6 hours and 30 minutes ahead)
• Australia (Western Standard Time): UTC+8 (5 hours ahead)
• New Zealand: UTC+12 (9 hours ahead)

Travelers can compare your time zone to Saudi Arabia

Traveling to Saudi Arabia: What You Should Know About Time

Time zone knowledge is a significant aspect for travelers who are departing to Saudi Arabia, particularly in air travel, hotel reservations, and sightseeing activities should be taken into account. Here are a few tips:

• Time Difference: If you are coming from Europe, you will find the time difference manageable. However, if you are traveling from North or South America, you may experience jet lag due to the significant time difference.
• Business Hours: As mentioned, the typical working week is from Sunday to Thursday. Offices generally open at 8:00 AM and close around 4:00 PM, though this may vary slightly between sectors. Retail stores, particularly in large shopping malls, often open later in the day, around 10:00 AM, and remain open until 10:00 PM or later.
• Religious Observance: Be mindful of prayer times, as many businesses and public institutions may close for a short period to allow employees and customers to perform their prayers.

Conclusion: Time in Saudi Arabia

Time in Saudi Arabia is more than just a function of clocks and calendars. It is deeply intertwined with the country’s religious practices, cultural customs, and international business dealings. Operating on Arabian Standard Time (UTC+3), Saudi Arabia has chosen not to adopt daylight saving time, maintaining a steady rhythm throughout the year. For both residents and visitors, understanding Saudi Arabia’s unique relationship with time is essential for navigating daily life, from prayer schedules to business hours.

Whether you're traveling for business, pilgrimage, or leisure, being aware of the time zone and cultural significance of time will enhance your experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.