King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the main airport serving Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital.
RUH is located roughly 35 km north of Riyadh’s city center, connected by Route 539 and Route 65.
Riyadh’s airport has grown significantly in recent years in light of Saudi Arabia’s opening to the world. In 2024, the airport handled 37 million passengers, making it one of the top 10 busiest airports in the Middle East.
Major Airlines - Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal
RUH is a major hub for Saudia, the flag carrier of the country. The airline operates upwards of 3500 flights per month to over 70 destinations around the world, making it the largest at RUH.
Two Saudi Arabian low-cost carriers are also based in Riyadh: Flynas and Flyadeal. Both provide cheaper airfare to regional destinations in Asia, Africa, and, seasonally, in Europe.
Riyadh Air, the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, will begin operations from King Khalid International Airport in 2025. It is planned as a world airline, connecting the Saudi capital with major airports throughout the world.
RUH receives flights from over 50 airlines, some of which include Air China, Air France, Air India, Emirates, KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
To see a full list of airlines at RUH, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates of RUH
King Khalid International Airport is one of the few airports in the world to have 5 passenger terminals. It is indeed one of the largest airports in the world.
The terminals are as follows:
- Terminals 1-4: The initial complex, built in 1983 and connected via three covered transitions. You can find most amenities here, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, rent-a-car companies, banks, and shops.
Terminal 1, renovated and reopened in December 2024, includes modern check-in counters, passport control, and automated gates. Base for Flynas, and soon for Riyadh Air.
Terminal 2: Currently closed for renovation, but was used for most international flights.
Terminal 3: Now houses most international airlines, excluding the few in T1 and Saudia/Flyadeal in T4.
Terminal 4: Formerly domestic, upgraded with jet bridges, now serves Saudia and Flyadeal international routes.
Terminal 5: The latest addition to the airport, opened in 2016, and dedicated to domestic flights by Saudia, Flyadeal, and Flynas.
There’s also a VIP Royal Terminal for the Saudi Royal Family and a General Aviation Terminal for private and government traffic.
Connecting Flights and Transit at Riyadh Airport
The layover process at RUH largely depends on which airlines you travel with.
If you have two connecting flights by Saudia or Flynas, you are eligible to receive a transit visa for free. In all other cases, you will require a proper visa for Saudi Arabia, even if you’re just transiting at the airport and even if your stay there is less than 12 hours. Some nationalities may be eligible to receive it on arrival, though it is still a sizeable amount of money - around 480 SAR (~128 USD).
This means that self-transfers (i.e., two flights with different airlines) may not be economically viable, as the added cost of the visa will offset any savings in flight fares.
The terminals are not connected airside, and there is no International Transit Area. All arrivals will need to go through Immigration before proceeding to a new gate, even if both flights are from the same terminal.
This being said, the transit itself is relatively easy and quick. The terminals are connected by walkways, and signage is adequate. No walk between any two gates will be longer than 10 minutes.
Wi-Fi
You will have access to the Airport’s Wi-Fi free of charge. Connect to the network “_KKIA free Wi-Fi” and a login page will open automatically. Click on " Connect Now " to begin browsing.
Dining Options at RUH
The options for food and drinks at King Khalid International Airport have improved immensely over the last couple of years. The airport is aiming to become a global hub and adds new restaurants, cafes, bars, and retail outlets each month.
Some notable authentic dining places include:
AlBaik: A local Saudi fast food chain serving amazing fried chicken. Located in T3.
Mama Benz Café: Serves coffee, pastries, and desserts in T5.
Mazza w Mashawi: Offers Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine in the Mezzanine of T3.
St Mia: Craving pizza, pasta, panini, or other Italian staples? Find Straola Mia in Terminal 4.
Shawarmer: The place to go and have classic Middle Eastern shawarma. Find it in T5, Departure Floor.
Maqloba: Serves innovative Arabic food in T5, Metro Link.
Dallah’s Coffee: If you’re tired of the International coffee chains, try this Saudi coffeehouse to experience true Arabian coffee culture. Find it in T1.
Of course, you can find world-famous brands too. Favorites include Burger King (T1, T3, and T5), Baskin Robbins (T5), Costa Coffee (T1), Domino’s Pizza (T5), Dunkin’ Donuts (T3, T4, and T5), KFC (T3), McDonald’s (T1), and others.
Lounges at RUH
There are 6 lounges currently available at King Khalid Airport. Note that with future expansion, more lounges will open, so check with official sources to see if your airline’s or branded lounge is now available.
Al Fursan Lounge: Find Saudia’s dedicated lounges in T4 and T5, on the Departure Floor. These two lounges are open 24/7 and offer complimentary food, sleeping rooms, showers, among other facilities.
Plaza Premium Lounge: With a buffet, sleep room, comfortable seating area, and reading materials, this is one of the nicer lounges to relax at. You can use Priority Pass or pay at the door. A 2-hour pass is 150 SAR, a 5-hour pass costs 270 SAR, and a 10-hour pass is 535 SAR.
Hayyak Lounge: Two luxurious lounges, one in T3 (Mezzanine Floor) and one in T5 (Departures), that welcome first-class and business-class passengers and select bank cardholders. Others can enter for a fee - check with the lounge directly.
Flynas Lounge: Located in T5, this is the Saudi low-cost airline’s dedicated lounge.
WASAN Lounge: Offers sleeping capsules in T5, Departures at a price of 56 SAR per hour.
Catrion Lounge: Located in T4, Mezzanine, this lounge offers buffet food, sleeping rooms (350 SAR for 3 hours plus 100 SAR per hour after), VIP rooms, and seating areas. The 3-hour pass costs 350 SAR.
Transport to and from the airport
The Riyadh Metro is hands down the most flexible and convenient way to travel between the airport and the city. There are Metro stations at Terminal 1, Terminals 3 and 4, and Terminal 5. The metro operates from 6:00 AM to midnight on Saturday through Thursday, and from 8:00 AM to midnight on Fridays. Ticket prices start at 4 SAR and depend on the validity of the ticket you buy - options range from 2 hours to 30-day passes.
The next most popular option is ridesharing. App-based rides like Bolt, Careem, Uber, and Jeeny provide services at RUH. Check the respective app for instructions about pick-up locations and fares. These are available 24/7 from all terminals.
Regular taxis have stands in front of Arrivals at each terminal, too.
If you’re traveling further north within Saudi Arabia, the nearby Riyadh North Station lies on the Riyadh-Qurayyat railway line. It is some distance from the terminals, so you will need additional transport to get there.
Lastly, many opt to rent a car while traveling in the Kingdom. Several international and domestic car rental companies offer services at the airport. There is no integrated car rental center, and the offices/kiosks are spread throughout the terminals.
Parking at King Khalid International Airport
Ample short- and long-term parking is available with direct access to the terminals.
For short stays, the ParkSHORT, having 2100 parking slots, is located a 3-5 minute walk from Terminal 5 (the Domestic one). The parking fee is 10 SAR per hour up to a maximum of 130 SAR per day.
The equivalent parking option for international travelers is the ParkINTERNATIONAL lot, which is a 3-5 minute walk from Terminals 1, 3, and 4. There is also a free shuttle. Prices are 10 SAR/per, 130 SAR/day, and 40 SAR/day after the second day.
If you will be parking for a long time, the best option is the ParkLONG lot, located near Terminal 5 (Domestic, but can be used by passengers on all flights). This lot is about a 5-minute walk away from the Domestic Terminal (T5) and 15 minutes on foot from the International Terminals (T1, T3, T4), with a free shuttle bus available too. The price for parking is 80 SAR per day.
Lastly, the ParkVALET offers valet service, where you can drop off or pick up your car directly at the terminal gates or dedicated parking lots. This is available at all terminals.
Hotels in or near Riyadh Airport
There are no hotels within the terminals, and the only option for sleeping overnight is one of the lounges that offer sleep pods/sleep rooms.
For a full-service hotel near the airport, check out the Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport. It is the closest accommodation option (just 0.5 km), offers a free shuttle and a range of premium amenities like a Turkish steam bath, hot tubs, soundproof roofs, an excellent restaurant, a snack bar, and buffet breakfast.
An alternative is the Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel, roughly the same distance away from the terminals, although without a complimentary shuttle. With an outdoor pool, a fitness center, spacious rooms with marble bathrooms and Japanese-style tubs, it makes for a top premium choice for a stay near RUH.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
