Top Yemen hotels
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The best is to hop onto a mini bus and ask around to get to the old city or wherever else, the people of Yemen are ver helpful, kind-hearted and concerned. Bound to find someone who'll take you to your destination plus show you around for a tip.
Some areas of Yemen are still risky for tourists, authorities claim. In particular, the region of Ma'arib and the areas near the undemarcated border to Saudi Arabia. There, local bedouin tribes do kidnap from time to time groups of tourists that are kept as hostages (well treated apparently) that they then trade with the government for improvements for the community.While we intended to cross this region, we were told that the risk of kidnapping was elevated as, apparently, some presumed terrorists from the area had been arrested weeks before and a group of tourist prisoners looked like the perfect asset to buy their freedom.For this reason, we were forced to travel in a scorted convoy with the rest of the tourists that also decided to take the infimous risk. Everything turned out to be eventually mere speculation.
Crossing the Northern Yemeni dessert was an amazing experience. Even if there were no roads or tracks wahtsoever, our driver managed to find our way in the middle of the most absolute lack of points of reference.The journey was long and exhausting, but we finished it totally in awe and covered by three or four layers of a fine dust.
In general, even in the most remote places that we visited, Yemeni roads were in perfect condition and with very few traffic. Considering that, in addition, the scenery never ceases to amaze the passengers, it sounds like a paradise for the driving lovers.However, self-driving is not a very good idea. Notwithstanding the security concerns, signalisation is not always optimal and cars are usually old and with plenty of mechanical problems that only the expert locals are able to fix. That is why we hired a driver. His knowledge of foreign languages was limited but we managed to communicate and he drove us to everywhere we wished while we indulged into the contemplation of the landscape (while we listened once and again to Arab music tapes in the cars old -to say the least- casette-player).
The bus company I used was Gulf Transport and left Salalah (Oman) and arrived at Sayun in Yemen about 12 hours later.The border was the most remote I have ever come across (in the middle of the desert) but was no problem getting through.The trip from Salalah costs 10 O.R. (or 18 O.R. return.)The trip itself is all desert and not too interesting except for the dramatic change in altitude and scenery about an hour from the beginning and for the last 2 hours of the trip.The buses only leave Salalah (Oman) a couple of times per week. I travelled on a Monday - leaving Salalah at 06:00 and arriving in Sayun at 20:30.My return trip left at 16:15 on a Tuesday and arrived the following morning in Salalah at 11:00 (cost 4,880 Yemeni Rials)
Getting around Yemen by any means has the additional hassle of requiring a travel permit. These are available at any tourist police office and are free, but you must apply for them the day before travel. For most people on holiday, and who've planned their trip, this may not be a big problem. The problem is that it removes any spontaneity. Short trips around the city centers though are exempt from this requirement, however these requirements are subject to change.Tour operators should arrange your permits for you if you have booked with them.
It is considerably cheaper to buy Yemenia tickets in Yemen rather than through a foreign travel agency or on the Internet. You also should not worry about the seat, most likely you'll get seat on the flight of your choice without compromising :-) Yemenia has offices in every city and major towns all over the country and in the world. Please note that payments are possible with Visa, Master Card, AmEx, in both Yemeni Rials or US Dollars.The domestic departure tax is 3 USD and it is always included in the cost of all domestic tickets bought in or outside Yemen.
The only airline that offers internal flights is the national carrier, Yemenia. It flies from Sana'a and return to destinations like Aden, Ar-Rayyan (for going to Al-Mukalla), Sayun, Ta'izz, Al-Hudayda, Hadibu (Soqutra Island) and Al-Ghayda (near Omani Border).
Several European major Airlines, such as British Airways and KLM, fly to Sana'a as do some other regional airlines such as Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Emirates. Most International flights start and finish in Sana'a but a few Middle Eastern Airlines also fly to and from Aden, Al-Hudayda, Sayun and Ar-Rayyan.
The Departure Tax which is often included in the price of the ticket is 13 US$ for all international passengers flying from Sana'a Airport. So, if someone try's to cheat u then u can show them the ticket on which somewhere this money much be mentioned.
Arabia Felix Sanaa
6 Reviews and 22 Opinions absolutely PERFECT! We had all we need - hot water, cable TV, views and very interesting stay....
Shibam Hotel Shibam
2 Reviews and 0 Opinions I didn't stay there, but went there in early afternoon hoping for a cup of tea. But they don't have...
Al Hawta Palace Hotel Say'un
1 Review and 10 Opinions Al Hawta Palace Hotel is situated on the outskirts of Say'un and is set in lovely landscaped...
Reviews and photos of Yemen attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Yemen sightseeing.
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Q: Hi, i want to travel to hodeidah and then to Mukalla.Can I get flight from hod to Mukalla and Mukalla to saana?
A: The only domestic carriers are Yemenia and Felix. There are no direct connections from Hodeidah to Mukhalla. You'd have to go via San'a. Of note, San'a airport has closed...
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