Job Discussion Forums

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

I personally don't know about the flights (but maybe someone else can help on that one).. but some companies, such as ICEAT, make you travel to Bahrain (for the visas) by bus, coach, or whatever, and the company pays for it. Or at least they should.

FreedomFighter1122 · Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 8

I'm also from the UK and looking to come to Saudi for the first time. I was wondering how the Skype quality is for VIDEO chat?? I'd like to see my girl whilst talking to her, how's the quality?? -) Cheers!

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Riyadh to Bahrain is best done by road. Less than four hours maybe. Never took a bus. Heard they got stuck on the Causeway sometimes.

Flights can be cheap. Less than SAR 600 to Bahrain or Beirut. There are budget operators flying from Saudi airports. Especially Riyadh and Jiddah. Cairo seemed to be expensive. Over SAR 1200.

I was on a business visa and had to exit once a month. It wasn't a problem for me as I lived in Dammam and drove over the Causeway.

Travelling in Saudi is not a pleasant experience. I used planes extensively, both internally and internationally and it was never smooth. Schedules are very flexible as are your seat reservations sometimes. Riyadh airport is not good. Immigration queues can take hours. Monthly trips could be expensive in terms of time and money. However you will probably welcome the break.

My recent experience with Skype was mixed. At busy times (like Thursdays and Fridays and late evening), the internet speed wasn't good. Sometimes it worked better with the video turned off. However choose your times and you may not have a problem. Sure others there now have found a way around this.

FreedomFighter1122 · Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 8

Thanks desertdawg.

Having a pretty good internet connection is important to me, as is a stocked kindle and a gym membership.

I have an IPHONE 4 from the UK, does anybody know if i can get it working in Saudi??

Hoping to use it for internet only, using skype and other programs from the iphone and laptop.

Cheers,

Freedom

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

I'm not technically savvy, but don't see why i-phone won't work. Know plenty people who have them bought from abroad. I'd download/install all stuff first, make sure it isn't locked and be careful about the simcard/provider package I selected in Saudi.

No problems as far as I'm aware with gyms and Kindle. Pretty sure you can even download stuff inKingdom. Maybe issues with billing/your "electronic" address. Sure others can answer about that

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

I'm concerned for you 'cause Skype does work there, but better if you have wireless, and in order to get wireless, you need to have an... iqama! Unless there is a way around that. My relative in Saudi uses a credit top up key system thing, and the quality is as bad as dial up.

That said, the connection is better for us in the morning (before the Saudi work day really begins), as well as on the weekdays, generally. The quality gets bad on the weekend, and even worse in the evenings.

But it's good, as it's better than nothing, and the quality of the picture is still decent, so long as you've got a good camera on your laptop, as well. It can be a major factor.

ap4058 · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 84

Would you need to use a VPN for skype to work effectively?