King Khalid International Airport, otherwise known as Riyadh Airport, is the main airport for Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia – and if you’re travelling to Riyadh, this is where you’ll come into. It is the second-largest airport in Saudi Arabia after Jeddah Airport (and the second largest in the world) and was built in 1983 for the increased amount of travel – both local and international – to Riyadh.
There are three operational terminals at King Khalid International Airport, with both domestic and international flights landing and departing from the airport. Flying to or from Riyadh soon? Here’s everything you need to know about Riyadh Airport.
Where is Riyadh Airport?
The main airport in the capital of Saudi Arabia, King Khalid International Airport is found 35km north of the city of Riyadh. It is located at Airport Road, around a 30-minute drive to the capital from the airport. There are two parallel runways that are both 4,260m long.
What is Riyadh Airport abbreviated to?
Riyadh Aiport’s full name is King Khalid International Airport and it is abbreviated to RUH.
What airlines operate from King Khalid International Airport?
RUH is a hub for Saudia and Flynas. Saudia is the flagship airline for Saudi Arabia, which was formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines. Its main hub is in Jeddah, but it also operates from Riyadh Airport and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudia flies to and from global locations including the UK, USA, UAE, Germany, Turkey and more. Flynas – which was formerly Nas Air – is a low-cost carrier that flies to and from Riyadh Airport to domestic and international destinations. Flynas is Saudi Arabia’s first budget airline.
What airlines fly in and out of Riyadh Airport?
There are many international airlines flying to Riyadh Airport including Gulf Air, Alitalia, Air Arabia, KLM, Air India Express, Spice Jet, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Etihad Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Korean Air, PIA, Air Cairo, Qatar Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, British Airways, and more. For a full list visit kkia.sa. Local airlines include Saudia, Flynas, FlyaDeal, and more.
What are the new rules regarding the COVID-19 pandemic?
Heading into the city you should know masks are no longer a necessity in open places, they must however still be worn in closed spaces. Unvaccinated travellers are now allowed into the Kingdom and the 10-day home quarantine and the institutional quarantine are also no longer required. Social distancing has also been suspended, according to the Ministry of Interior, “suspending the application of social distancing measures in all open and closed places, activities, and events”. PCR testing is no longer required upon arrival either.
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What’s next for the airport?
According to the Saudi Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser, the Saudi aviation sector will witness investments worth $100 billion in the next decade to develop new facilities in the King Khalid International Airport and the Jeddah Airport.
How long has Riyadh Airport been open?
King Khalid International Airport opened in November 1983. Terminal 5 is the newest terminal – having opened in 2016. Terminals 3 and 4 are currently being revamped.
How many terminals are there at Riyadh Airport?
There are three terminals – Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 5. There is also a Royal Terminal. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by walkways, while Terminal 5 is connected by a shuttle bus every ten minutes. You can also reach the terminals from airport hotels via shuttle bus. Terminal 1 is an international terminal that houses all services except those operated by AirFrance, Saudia, and Flynas. These services operate from Terminal 2. Terminal 5 provides domestic flights within Saudi Arabia from airlines including Saudi Airlines, Flynas, Saudi Golf, flyadeal and Nessma. Gates 11-18 are found in Terminal 1. Gates 21-28 are in Terminal 2. The Royal Terminal greets heads of state and high-ranking VIPs.
What facilities are at Riyadh Airport?
There are cash machines, currency exchange, duty free shops, barber shops, luggage wrapping, food, drink and retail concession stands, medical services, and a mosque within Riyadh Airport.
What lounges are at Riyadh Airport?
You can book a space in some of the lounges whatever airline you are flying with and there are a range of facilities with snacks, buffets, wifi and more. Prices start from US$38. Lounges in Terminal 1 include Plaza Premium Lounge and Welcome Lounge. Lounges in Terminal 2 including Welcome Lounge and Saudia Al-Fursan Golden Business Lounge. In Terminal 5 there is naSmiles Lounge and Saudia Al-Fursan Golden Lounge.
What shops are in King Khalid International Airport?
Shops include Virgin Megastore, Foot Locker, Under Armour, Swatch, Duty-Free and more.
What restaurants are in King Khalid International Airport?
There are a variety of restaurants and coffee shops including Burger King, Butlers Chocolate Café, Cinnabon, Costa Coffee, Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts, Karam Express, Kudo, Mamma Roti Café, Paul, Pizza Sbarro, Ritazza Café, Simit Saryl, Starbucks, Upper Crust, Wayne’s Coffee and more. Visit kkia.sa for a full list.
Are taxis available?
You can get a taxi to downtown Riyadh and it takes 30 minutes. Payment must be made in advance, and you can pay at one of the taxi desks in the terminal. Official taxis are metered and marked with the airport logo. The flat rate is around SAR70. You can also get Uber, Bolt and Careem from RUH.
Is there a car rental at King Khalid International Airport?
Yes, you can rent a car from Riyadh Airport. Companies include Alamo, Alga, Avis, Bin Hadi, Budget Saudi, Enterprise, Europcar, Hanco, Hertz, Lumi, Yelo and more, and it is a 30-minute drive to the capital. Women are allowed to rent a car, but they are unable to travel alone with a male unless they are relatives.
Is there parking at King Khalid International Airport?
There are both short-stay and long-stay facilities. There’s also valet parking. There’s parking available for 11,500 vehicles. ParkSHORT is a two-five minute walk to the terminal and is from SAR5.50 an hour, ParkVALUE is up to ten minutes away and is SAR3.30 per hour, ParkLONG is SAR3.30 the first day at SAR2.20 after that.
Are there hotels near the King Khalid International Airport?
The five-star Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel is next to the airport. It has a fitness centre, spa and lounge. There’s also a new Radisson Hotel five kilometres away from King Khalid International Airport and has easy access to one of Riyadh’s top hangout spots, Riyadh Front.
For more information visit kkia.sa (+966 920 011 233)
How many airports does Saudi Arabia have?
There are 10 international airports in Saudi Arabia including Riyadh Airport. They include Abha International Airport, Al-Ahsa International Airport, Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport, King Fahd International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Taif International Airport, and Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport.
There’s also a brand-new airport in the making located in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM. NEOM is just one of the many giga-projects in Saudi Arabia right now. It was originally framed as a $500 billion investment.
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