How to find cheap flights to Saudi Arabia
Leave from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo when planning your flight to Saudi Arabia for the most affordable start to your trip.
Consider touching down at Riyadh for even more value from your fare.
October is generally the cheapest time to visit Saudi Arabia.
For a round trip, the lowest price right now is R 7,595. One-way fares are available from R 5,131.
Happy to land in any city? Add your departure point, then enter 'Saudi Arabia' in the 'To' field. This will give you a list of destinations and the option to sort them by 'Cheapest flights.'
Alternatively, select 'Add nearby airports' at the start of your search if you know where you want to travel to. This will display prices for nearby arrival airports so you can quickly find the best deal.
Take the stress out of fare hunting by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or a notification through the app when prices go down.
Avoid leaving things to the last moment. Booking ahead often brings lower fares and access to some impressive early bird discounts.
The best time to go to Saudi Arabia
Use the 'Whole month' tool if you have flexible travel dates. Browse fares for the entire month and find a flight that suits your budget and schedule.
Plan your trip for January if you'd like to be there when it's busy. This is the most popular month for flights, but also when fares are likely to be more expensive.
Travel in December if you're aiming for a more laid-back vibe. This is the quietest time of year and also when plane tickets to Saudi Arabia are generally more affordable.
Think about your travel preferences and let the weather guide your choice. July is one of the warmest months in Saudi Arabia, with highs averaging 40ºC (104ºF).
Plan your trip for sometime around January if you prefer cooler conditions. The lowest average temperature then is 10ºC (50ºF).
Rain is more frequent in April, while June tends to be drier.
Also factor in dust storm season and periods of extreme heat when picking your travel dates. Of course, weather risks depend on where and when you go.
Getting to Saudi Arabia
When it's time to book flights to Saudi Arabia, there are plenty of arrival airports to choose from. The busiest include:
Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh
Dammam King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam
These airlines are the biggest players flying into this destination, based on rough monthly flight figures:
Major hubs including Dubai, Doha and Cairo are common stopovers on flights to Saudi Arabia. Your specific connection will depend on your departure city and airline, which you can check as you search.
Places to visit in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah
With a population of roughly 2.9 million and located in Mecca Province, this city headlines the list of must-visit places.
Build in time for key stops like Digital Art Museum (Team Lab), Jeddah Beach and Corniche park, as well as other landmarks.
Flying into Jeddah usually means arriving through Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED). You’ll find some excellent flight deals to Saudi Arabia through this airport.
Ready to lock in your perfect base? Check out the lineup of hotels in Jeddah.
Riyadh
This city of around 4.2 million in Riyadh Province serves up its own mix of character, energy and culture.
King Khalid Grand Mosque, AlRawi Grand Mosque and Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art are some of the first things you'll want to make time for.
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the main airport serving the city.
Check out hotels in Riyadh and lock in a stay that keeps up with your plans.
Dammam
Searching for more ideas on places to visit in Saudi Arabia? This city of about 770,000 people in Eastern Province is ready to be explored.
Well-known sights to tick off while you're here include Adventure World, Rayyan Grand Mosque and King Fahd Mosque.
Dammam King Fahd International Airport (DMM) is the main airport for flights into the city.
Whether you prefer fuss-free comfort or something fancier, hotels in Dammam offer options for every type of trip.
Good to know
Entry rules can change often, so check whether you'll need a visa or any other documents before you travel. Your airline, travel agent or the local embassy or consulate should have the most up-to-date details.
The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is the local currency.
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are common across cities of all sizes, from smaller centres through to major hubs.
Tipping is expected in Saudi Arabia. Most people adjust the tip based on service, and adding one is just part of how things work here.
With low Wi-Fi availability, getting online isn't always easy while travelling around. Download what you need (like booking confirmations, maps and key details) when you do have access.
Saudi Arabia has a population of about 35 million. The capital city is Riyadh.
This destination has one standard time zone of UTC+3.
Saudi Arabia is located in Asia within the Western Asia subregion.
Looking to time your flight to Saudi Arabia with a big occasion? Well-known events worth planning around include the Janadriyah National Heritage and Culture Festival, the Jeddah Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Complete your trip with hotels and a car hire
Found that cheap ticket to Saudi Arabia? Now work out where you'll stay and how you'll travel around. Explore the range of hotels in Saudi Arabia and filter your search by review score, star rating and more. You can also browse car hire options in Saudi Arabia and choose from pickup locations in cities or right at the airport.