SAS-CI 2026 will take place at the Novotel Dhahran Hotel & Residences,
AMAAD Business Park, Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia — adjacent to King Fahd
University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).
How to Reach the Conference Venue
By air through King Fahd International Airport:
- King Fahd International Airport is a 35 minutes drive from the conference venue. A taxi will cost around SAR 150 for the one-way trip.
- If your flight makes a stop in Riyadh, you can either take a flight from King Khalid Airport, Riyadh to King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, which takes about an hour (highly recommended), or a train from Riyadh Train Station, which takes around 4 hours.
- The hotel sits on the KFUPM side of Dhahran, a short drive from Al Khobar and Dammam. Ride-hailing apps and taxis serve the area, and there is parking on site for delegates who drive.
Hotels and Accommodation
The hotels below are located close to the conference venue. Participants are responsible for their
own accommodation and are encouraged to book early, as rooms are limited. Please read the conditions
carefully and mention SAS-CI 2026 / KFUPM when you contact
the hotel.
Apply for Saudi Visa
-
The Saudi visa is just a click away once you fill in the online visa application form, available
here.
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If you are a speaker, you will require a business visa and the SAS-CI 2026 coordination team will
assist you in obtaining it.
Please send an e-mail to KIKX-Logistics@kfupm.edu.sa
well in advance of the conference, so that we can help you get your visa on time.
About Dhahran and the Eastern Province
Dhahran sits in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, on the Arabian Gulf coast, and forms part of
the Dammam metropolitan area together with Dammam and Al Khobar. It is the cultural and intellectual
heart of the region, home to KFUPM, Saudi Aramco and Ithra, and is known for its museums, green
spaces and modern architecture.
While you are in the region, you may enjoy:
- King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) — a landmark centre for art, knowledge and innovation in Dhahran.
- Al Khobar Corniche — a palm-lined waterfront promenade with seaside cafés and restaurants.
- Half Moon Bay — a long-standing local favourite for beach days and picnics.
- Heritage Village, Dammam — traditional architecture, crafts and local hospitality.
- Mall of Dhahran — one of the largest shopping complexes in the Eastern Province.
- King Fahd Causeway — the road link connecting Al Khobar with the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Winters are mild and pleasant, which makes the cooler months the most comfortable time to explore the
province, while summers are hot and humid. Private cars, ride-hailing apps and taxis are the easiest
ways to move between Dhahran, Al Khobar and Dammam.