Flying from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH): What you need to know
Set your travel plans in motion by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH). Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the two main airports in Istanbul.
Around 4 hours 10 minutes is the typical travel time on a direct Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport flight.
Istanbul and Riyadh (where King Khaled International Airport is located) share the UTC+3 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch on arrival.
With 38 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to King Khaled International Airport (RUH) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 12:25am. If you're eager to make the most of your day before flying, the latest departure from IST to RUH is with Turkish Airlines at 11:30pm.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Istanbul to RUH. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the mad dash to your gate.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself a bit more breathing room. The recommendation for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Get there in one go from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Direct flights from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH) can be booked from here.
At IST, you'll find a good selection of carriers that offer direct flights from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport, such as:
The top choice among passengers flying between IST and RUH is Turkish Airlines.
Think about adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Istanbul to RUH. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Pause your trip (and maybe pocket some savings) with a stop at one of these popular options:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Prefer to leave from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? Direct Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH) flight tickets are available from this popular hub.
You can take your pick of airlines operating direct flights from Istanbul to RUH departing from SAW. Book a ticket with any of these carriers and take a direct route to your destination:
On the SAW to RUH route, AJet is the go-to airline for most travellers.
If you're looking for a carrier that's reliably punctual, go with Pegasus. It has an exceptional on-time performance of 84.31% for flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and King Khaled International Airport.
Break up your flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick another place off your list. Popular stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and RUH are:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
Trabzon Airport (TZX)
You can arrive at SAW from central Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Taking off bright and early? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to RUH flight:
76.93% of flights taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport arrive according to schedule.
About King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
Few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal if you've arrived on a late flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport. Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel and Makarem Riyadh Hotel are great choices near RUH.
Pick up a King Khaled International Airport rental car and explore Riyadh and beyond with your own wheels. Sixt, Alamo and Final Rentals are top outlets you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle around four weeks in advance of your Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
Rs12,625 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport. Return flights start from Rs33,768. These fares can change based on demand.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to walk away with cheap flights from Istanbul to RUH if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
Affordable Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport tickets are easier to find when you have flexibility in your schedule. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to compare fares across every month and then pick the cheapest day.
Snapping up a cheap flight ticket from Istanbul to RUH is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport. Pick the airlines, flight times and stops that look good to you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
Think about the kind of experience you want when deciding the best time to fly. April is the quietest month to visit Riyadh. July is when most people book flights from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport (RUH), which may be perfect if you're chasing more excitement.
Lock in an Istanbul to RUH flight ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Riyadh to range from 26ºC to 44ºC.
January has temperatures of between 7ºC and 23ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Riyadh
After booking your flight from Istanbul to King Khaled International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these options your base for exploring Riyadh:
There are so many things to explore in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Boulevard Riyadh City, Fahad Al Owaidah Grand Mosque and Masmak Citadel are major attractions which should feature on every Riyadh itinerary.
Explore more of Saudi Arabia
You've ticked off Riyadh, now it's time to explore more of what Saudi Arabia has to offer. Around 153 kilometres south-east, Al Kharj is a must-visit city that features top sights like Abdulaziz Abdullah Al’askar mosque.
Another major destination in Saudi Arabia, Sājir is located around 209 kilometres west of Riyadh. Make room in your schedule for highlights including Yousef Al Harbi Museum.
