Riyadh King Khaled International Airport (RUH)

Once the largest airport site in the world, Riyadh King Khaled International Airport serves Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. Take a look at our Riyadh King Khaled International Airport guide for essential information on airport transportation, terminal facilities and contact details.

Riyadh King Khaled International Airport is situated 35km (22 miles) north of Riyadh.

Plans are in place to increase the capacity of the airport over the next three decades.

The three in-use terminals (Terminals 1, 2 and 3) are all housed within the same building, connected by linking buildings equipped with travelators. There is a fourth passenger terminal, Terminal 4, but this has never been used.

Major roads to Riyadh King Khaled International Airport are King Fahd Road, Al-Takhassousi Road and the East Interstate Highway. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre.

Taxi: Taxis are the only mode of public transport available to/from the airport and must be paid for in advance. Authorised taxis marked with the airport logo are available 24 hours a day to the city centre (journey time: 30 minutes). By law, taxis must have a meter and passengers should check this before setting off. Average prices start at SAR60.

Two large, multistorey car parks are located directly in front of the passenger terminals, one on either side of the mosque. These have a total capacity of over 11,000 vehicles and are connected to the terminals (and to the mosque) by pedestrian walkways.

Each terminal has an operations office, which provides passenger information.

There is a selection of shops at Riyadh King Khaled International Airport, including an extensive duty-free facility selling a wide range of products.

Facilities for those with disabilities include adapted toilets, lifts, escalators, travelators and telephones. Reserved car parking spaces are available in the car parks opposite the terminals. Passengers requiring wheelchairs and special assistance should request this from their airline prior to travelling.

Internet kiosks are available within the terminals. There is a post office in Terminal 2.

Luggage trolleys are available for use by passengers.

Restaurants, snack bars and cafés are present throughout the airport, available 24 hours in both the domestic and international terminals. There are no bars as alcohol is forbidden in the kingdom.

There is one on-site hotel at Riyadh King Khaled International Airport – the Makarim Riyadh Hotel. Most of the major city hotels (including many international brands) offer courtesy airport transportation services to guests. Our Riyadh King Khaled International Airport guide includes the following accommodation options:

This Holiday Inn is located between Riyadh King Khaled International Airport and the city centre, just a 20-minute drive from the terminal building. The hotel is a good budget option for those on business, with 26 meeting rooms as well as two outdoor pools.

Located in central Riyadh, the Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh is home to four restaurants serving a mix of local and international fare. The hotel is a good mid-range option for those on business centre with 12 meeting/event rooms and free Wi-Fi internet access.

Set in expansive gardens, Riyadh InterContinental Hotel has a range of leisure facilities, including a nine-hole golf course, bowling alley and tennis courts. The hotel is 30 minutes away from Riyadh King Khaled International Airport.

Located in the architecturally stunning Kingdom Centre, the Four Seasons Riyadh is a 30-minute ride from Riyadh King Khaled International Airport via a pre-arranged shuttle bus service. Hotel facilities include a choice of restaurants and a spa.

Boasting 248 rooms and suites, Makarim Riyadh Hotel is located on the airport site. The hotel offers a choice of restaurants, extensive meeting and events facilities, a business centre and a wide range of sports facilities, including tennis courts, an outdoor pool, gym and sauna.