Saudi Arabia is vast, and the airport you land at can save you hours on the road or add them. So it is not enough to know the airports' names; you need to know which one is closest to where you are actually going. Below, the main airports are grouped by region, with the IATA code you will see on your ticket, followed by the question that matters most: where should I land for my destination?
The Hijaz (Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Taif)
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| King Abdulaziz International | JED | Jeddah and Makkah |
| Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International | MED | Madinah |
| Taif International | TIF | Taif |
| Yanbu | YNB | Yanbu |
Jeddah is the main gateway for pilgrims; Makkah is about 100 km away, a 60–75 minute drive. Madinah's airport suits those who want to start at the Prophet's Mosque and is a relatively short ride from the central area. Taif's airport works for travellers heading to Taif itself, or for anyone who finds a convenient flight there and then takes the Al Hada road down to Makkah. More on Taif International Airport.
Central region
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| King Khalid International | RUH | Riyadh |
| Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International | ELQ | Qassim (Buraidah, Unaizah) |
| Hail International | HAS | Hail |
Riyadh's airport lies north of the city, and the drive into central Riyadh is fairly long, longer still at rush hour. See our King Khalid Airport page.
Eastern Province
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| King Fahd International | DMM | Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran |
| Al-Ahsa International | HOF | Al-Ahsa and Hofuf |
King Fahd International is a good distance from both Dammam and Khobar, so allow plenty of road time before departures. See the King Fahd Airport page.
The south
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Abha International | AHB | Abha and Khamis Mushait |
| King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz | GIZ | Jazan |
| Najran | EAM | Najran |
| Al Baha | ABT | Al Baha |
| Bisha | BHH | Bisha |
The north and north-west
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| AlUla International | ULH | AlUla |
| Tabuk | TUU | Tabuk |
| NEOM Bay | NUM | The NEOM area |
| Al Jouf | AJF | Al Jouf |
| Arar | RAE | Arar |
This list covers the main airports rather than every one, and the routes flown from each change with airlines and seasons, so check when you book.
Jeddah: more than one terminal
Since most pilgrims pass through King Abdulaziz International, it is worth knowing it has more than one terminal: the modern Terminal 1, which handles most flights, the North Terminal used by some airlines, and the Hajj Terminal, which is used for certain flights during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Check which terminal is on your ticket and pass it to your driver, because the distances between terminals are considerable. More on pickups there in our Jeddah airport taxi guide.
Tips that apply at every airport
- Visas and entry rules: check them before you travel on official sources such as the visa portal or Nusuk, as they change from time to time.
- Staying connected: the arrivals halls of the larger airports have mobile operator counters where you can buy a local SIM; bring your passport.
- Money: ATMs are easy to find and cards are widely accepted, but a little cash helps for small purchases.
- Ihram: pilgrims flying in for Umrah enter ihram when the aircraft passes the miqat, or before; it should not be postponed until after landing in Jeddah. Many change at their departure airport and make the intention on board.
- Domestic connections: if you have an onward flight to another Saudi city, leave a generous gap between flights, especially if you must collect and re-check your bags.
- Arrival times: late-night and pre-dawn arrivals are common on international routes. A pre-booked car means you are not hunting for transport at 3 am.
Planning a multi-city trip
If your trip covers several regions, the order of airports matters as much as the airports themselves. A pilgrim who also wants to see Riyadh, for instance, might fly into Madinah, drive to Makkah, take a domestic flight from Jeddah to Riyadh, and fly home from Riyadh. Planned that way, every long leg is covered once and no road is driven twice. Flying open-jaw (into one city and out of another) is worth pricing against a simple return, as it can save a full day of travel.
Where should you land? Quick answers
- Straight to Umrah: Jeddah (JED). See our Jeddah Airport to Makkah transfer page.
- Madinah first: Madinah (MED), then travel to Makkah by road.
- Both holy cities in one trip: many travellers fly into Madinah and out of Jeddah, which avoids doing the long drive twice.
- Business in the capital: Riyadh (RUH).
- Eastern Province and Al-Ahsa: Dammam (DMM) or Al-Ahsa (HOF), depending on available flights.
- Heritage trip to AlUla: AlUla (ULH) where flights allow; otherwise Madinah is the usual alternative, followed by a long drive.
Getting away from the airport
For Hijaz airports we publish fixed fares, per car, in Saudi riyals:
| Route | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → within Jeddah | 150 | 250 | 500 |
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | 200 | 350 | 500 |
| Jeddah Airport → Madinah | 500 | 700 | 1000 |
| Jeddah Airport → Taif | 300 | 500 | 800 |
| Madinah Airport → hotel in Madinah | 100 | 200 | 300 |
For Riyadh, Dammam and other airports, the fare is confirmed on WhatsApp according to your destination. Wherever you land, the driver waits in arrivals with a name sign, your flight is tracked, and you get 60 minutes of free waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Makkah?
King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah is the usual gateway, about an hour to an hour and a quarter by road.
Is there a train from Jeddah Airport?
Yes, the Haramain railway has a station at King Abdulaziz International Airport. With a lot of luggage, though, many people prefer a door-to-door car.
How early should I get to the airport?
As a rule, two hours for domestic and three for international flights, with more margin in peak season, or whatever your airline specifies.
To book: WhatsApp +966582918075.