Wait. Let’s stop right there. If you’re searching for the exchange rate of the Saudi Dinar to Philippine Peso, you’ve already hit the first major speed bump.
There is no such thing as a Saudi Dinar.
I know, it sounds weird because so many neighboring countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan use the Dinar. But in Saudi Arabia, the money in everyone’s wallet is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). It’s a common mix-up, honestly. You're probably looking at the screen thinking, "Okay, fine, Riyal, Dinar—just tell me how much my money is worth."
As of January 17, 2026, the rate is hovering around 15.85 PHP for every 1 SAR.
It’s been a bit of a climb lately. Just a few months ago, back in August 2025, you were looking at closer to 15.05 PHP. If you’re sending home 2,000 Riyals today, that extra 80 centavos per Riyal adds up to an extra 1,600 Pesos in your family's pocket compared to last summer. That's a few extra sacks of rice or a very decent Jollibee blowout for the whole clan.
Why the "Saudi Dinar" to Philippine Peso Rate Is Moving
Currency markets are basically a giant, never-ending tug-of-war.
The Saudi Riyal is a bit of a special case because it's pegged to the US Dollar at exactly 3.75 SAR to 1 USD. It’s been that way since the 80s. This means when you see the SAR to PHP rate moving, you’re actually watching the US Dollar and the Philippine Peso fight it out.
If the US economy is looking strong or the Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates high, the Riyal (by proxy) gets stronger. Meanwhile, the Peso has its own drama. Local inflation in Manila, electronics exports, and even the weather can affect how much a Peso is worth on the global stage.
Recently, the Peso has been under a bit of pressure. This is actually good news for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) because your hard-earned Riyals now buy more Pesos than they did a year ago.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Getting a good rate is only half the battle. You’ve got to watch out for the "spread."
Imagine the "official" rate you see on Google is 15.85. You walk into a remittance center in Al Khobar or Riyadh, and they offer you 15.60. Where did that 25 centavos go? That’s the spread. It’s how the exchange house makes their money without calling it a "fee."
Then there’s the actual transaction fee. Some apps charge 15 SAR, others 25 SAR. If you’re only sending a small amount, a high fee can eat your exchange rate gains for breakfast.
The Best Ways to Send Your Riyals Home in 2026
We’ve moved past the days of waiting in long lines on your day off. Mostly.
Digital is the way to go, but not all apps are created equal. Here’s the lowdown on what people are actually using right now:
- STC Pay: Still a heavyweight in the Kingdom. It’s integrated with Western Union, so you can send to bank accounts or for cash pickup at any Palawan Pawnshop or Cebuana Lhuillier.
- Urpay: Often has "zero fee" promos that make it very attractive for quick transfers.
- Wise (formerly TransferWise): If you have a local bank account in KSA that allows international transfers, Wise usually offers the closest thing to the real mid-market rate.
- Enjaz: The classic. Good if you prefer the security of a physical bank-affiliated service but want to use their app to skip the Friday morning crowds.
Honestly, the "best" app usually depends on where your family is picking up the money. If they’re in a remote province, a service that hits GCash or Maya instantly is worth a slightly lower rate just for the convenience.
Timing Your Remittance
Should you wait for 16.00 PHP?
Predicting the market is a fool's errand. We’ve seen the rate touch 15.89 recently, which is the highest it's been in a year. If you need to send money for tuition or a medical bill, just do it. The stress of waiting for a 5-centavo jump isn't worth the 100 Pesos you might save.
However, if you're looking to move a large sum—say, for a down payment on a house in Cavite or a new car—that's when you watch the charts. A 0.50 difference on 50,000 SAR is 25,000 Pesos. That is significant.
Real-World Math: SAR to PHP Breakdown
Let's look at what 1,000 Saudi Riyals gets you at today's roughly 15.85 rate:
👉 See also: Walmart Is Reportedly Planning to Sell Fewer Goods This Christmas: What Really Happened
The Math: $1,000 \times 15.85 = 15,850$ PHP
But remember to subtract the transfer fee. If the fee is 20 SAR, you’re actually sending 980 SAR.
The Reality: $980 \times 15.85 = 15,533$ PHP
Suddenly, that "great" rate looks a bit smaller. Always calculate the "total landing amount"—the exact number of Pesos that will actually hit the receiver's hand after every single deduction.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Remittance
Don't just walk into the nearest exchange shop.
First, check the live mid-market rate on a reliable site like XE or Reuters so you know the baseline. Then, open at least two different apps (like STC Pay and Urpay) to see who is offering the better "all-in" deal for that specific hour.
Second, consider the "Speed vs. Cost" trade-off. Direct bank-to-bank transfers can sometimes take 2-3 days but offer better rates. If it’s an emergency, you’ll pay a premium for that "instant" GCash credit.
Finally, keep an eye on Saudi National Day or Philippine holidays. Remittance companies love running "zero-fee" or "bonus rate" promotions during these times. It might be worth holding off for a few days if a holiday is around the corner.
Stop calling it the Saudi Dinar—your Riyals are doing just fine on their own.
Check your favorite remittance app right now and compare its "landing amount" against the 15.85 benchmark. If the gap is more than 0.30 PHP, you're likely paying too much in hidden spreads.