Practical information for traveling to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is located on the Arabian Peninsula. Its capital city is Riyadh and the currency used in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi riyal. The capital city of Riyadh is also home to King Khalid International Airport, a busy international airport in Saudi Arabia which sees arrivals from countries around the world – including from US airports in cities such as Washington and New York. Further international airports in Saudi Arabia include King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudi Arabia runs on Saudi Arabia Time, or AST (Arabia Standard Time).
What airlines operate flights to Saudi Arabia?
From the US, a number of airlines operate both non-stop and connecting flights to Saudi Arabia. From a limited number of airports, such as New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, non-stop flights are available to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Operated by Saudia, flight time is between 12h and 12h 10m. Connecting flights are also available from airports across the US, with airlines including Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Alitalia operating flights from the US to Saudi Arabia. In addition to Riyadh Airport, flights from the US to Saudi Arabia also touch down in airports like King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
When is the best time to buy tickets to Saudi Arabia?
When it comes to visiting Saudi Arabia, visitors will want to take the weather conditions into account. Generally speaking, Saudi Arabia has a hot and a cold season – with the hot season being very hot! Between April and October, temperatures are usually above 104 degrees, and there is a high risk of sandstorms during April. However, from November to March temperatures are considerably cooler – making it much easier to sightsee by day. When it comes to booking flights to Saudi Arabia, be sure to book ahead to get the best flight fares.
How long is the flight to Saudi Arabia?
The flight time from the US to Saudi Arabia varies greatly depending on the flight chosen – for example, connecting flights take considerably longer than non-stop flights. Direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh take around 12h to 12h 10m; meanwhile, direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to King Abdulaziz International Airport take 15h 25m.
What is there to see and do in Saudi Arabia?
Known as the home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is host to a large number of important Islamic sites. These include the Great Mosque of Mecca, the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, and the Kaaba mosque, all of which are important pilgrimage sites. In the country's capital city of Riyadh, popular attractions include the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, which is located in the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre; the Masmak Fort; and the Murabba Palace and museum. Saudi Arabia also shares a coastline with the Red Sea, with cities such as Jeddah located on the coast. In the city, King Fahd's Fountain – or the Jeddah Fountain – is an impressive water feature located in the Red Sea itself.