Travelling from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 4 hours 10 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Riyadh (the location of King Khaled International Airport).
With 38 flights a week between the two airports, King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 01:25. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from RUH to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:55.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your RUH to Istanbul flight.
If you're heading away during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
You can book a direct King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul ticket. Begin your trip at RUH and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Direct flights from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul are offered by a range of airlines. Travel with one of these:
We make it easy to book flight tickets from RUH to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
RUH is around 27 kilometres from central Riyadh. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near RUH. Whether you're taking an early flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
86.76% of flights departing from King Khaled International Airport land at their destination according to schedule. With its solid on-time performance, you're unlikely to experience delays when setting off from RUH.
How to find the cheapest flights from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul flight is Rs19,678. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs40,459. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from RUH to Istanbul, book early. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across each month when looking for your King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from RUH to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Snag an affordable flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks before your flight from RUH to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your RUH to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are generally higher and top attractions can get busy. Plan your trip to Istanbul in the low season if you like a quieter vibe.
Book a King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from RUH to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul, browse our selection of hotels including:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are a couple of top attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you want to check out another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.