Airport Guide to King Khalid (RUH)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport is the main airport for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Located 35km (22 miles) outside the city, the airport (known locally as KKIA) is a popular point for stopovers in the Middle East and welcomes nearly 14 million passengers each year.

Flights to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport come in from all over the world, including cities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Regular service is available from Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Islamabad, Casablanca, Doha, Singapore and Istanbul.

Although it’s such a high-traffic facility, there is a steady stream of complaints about the service at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. Staff members are fond of their breaks and the service tends towards glacial rather than speedy. Give yourself plenty of time to get through check-in and security.

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Terminal Transfer

There are four passenger terminals: the first two are used for international flights, while the third is for domestic flights. To connect you need to exit the airside area and check-in through security again, which may take a while. There are moving sidewalks to speed the journey.

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Getting into Town

Train: There is no train service to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport.

Bus: There is no bus service.

Taxi: Metered taxis are available to and from the airport. The fare to downtown Riyadh will not be less than SAR 60 (about £10), but beware of scammers who will try to charge upwards of SAR 200 (£33).

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Car Parking

The airport’s parking facilities are state-of-the-art, with multi-level garages connected to both the terminals and the airport mosque.

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Information Desks

The operations office in each terminal offers bilingual assistance to travellers.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has a bank and ATMs, but no currency-exchange facilities.

Luggage: Luggage trolleys are available. Lost-luggage queries are handled by individual airlines.

Conference and business: There isn’t much in the way of business facilities, but airport hotels such as the Sheraton Riyadh or Sahara Airport Hotel offer meeting and event facilities with audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi and catering.

Other facilities: The airport has an enormous mosque that can accommodate up to 5,000 people, as well as first-aid clinics, airport hotels, VIP lounges and handicapped facilities.

Wi-Fi: There is Wi-Fi available in the terminal for a fee.

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