Sleeping in Airports

Jeddah Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Jeddah Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

I have personally had one immigration officer FALL ASLEEP while checking my documents. He actually left his post to go splash water on his face, but then fell back asleep immediately upon return. – a traveller

JED Airport Overview

jeddah airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (Code: JED).

What to Expect

There are 3 terminals at the Jeddah airport: New Terminal 1, North & Hajj. The new Terminal 1 is said to be modern with several amenities such as gardens and lounges.  According to wikipedia, Saudia and Ethiad are currently operating out of Terminal 1.  The North Terminal handles all flights on foreign airlines (except Ethiad). While the Hajj Terminal handles the traffic for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

  • The immigration / passport control area is reportedly disastrous, so prepare yourself for long wait times (some reported 4+ hours) and poor customer service.
  • Many reviewers warned of filthy bathrooms. One went as far as to describe them as a “war zone.” We recommend bringing hand sanitizer and tissues along.
  • Only passengers are able to enter the airport. Non-travellers have been banned from entering the departure and arrival halls. There is reportedly a small, uncomfortable waiting area outside the airport and it does not have a woman’s section in it.
  • Economy class passengers can pay to use one of the first class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
  • WiFi is available to help pass the time.

Sleeping in Jeddah Airport

According to reviewers, sleeping options are limited to hard metal benches.  For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel on airport grounds. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.

Good to Know

  • Several female reviewers reported being placed in separate, longer security lines.
  • Complaints about this airport are frequent and varied. You may want to read traveller reviews to get a better idea of what you may be facing.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Jeddah Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • First Class Lounge – Location: North Terminal, Airside. Hours: Open 24 Hours. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, International Departures, near Gate 39.  Hours: open 24 hours.  Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Related Pages: Jeddah Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Jeddah Airport:

  • Clarion Hotel – No airport shuttle.  »Check Rates
  • Mena Airport Hotel Jeddah – Located close to the International Terminal.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Jeddah Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Jeddah Airport in Terminal 1 and the North Terminal.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminal 1 & North Terminal.

Banking Services – ANB Bank • Alahi Bank • Alinma Bank • Al rajhi Bank all provide full-service banking inside the airport. Locations are available in both terminals.

Currency Exchange – Alamoudi Exchange provides services in both Terminals. Full banking services are also available (see above) and may also provide currency exchange.

Duty Free & Shopping – Yes, Duty Free is available (note, alcohol is not allowed to be sold) as well as a variety of other shops.

Food & Drinks – There are restaurants and coffee shops available. Hours are not known but options are available both landside and airside.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – As of the last update, luggage storage facilities are available. Further information is currently unknown.

Mobile Charging – A traveller (August 2018) has advised us that mobile charging (Huawei Super Charge) is available in the International Terminal South. The charging stations offer USB, Iphone charging and traditional power socket charging.

Pharmacy – Alnahdi Pharmacy is available in both Terminals.

Prayer Room – Yes, a large mosque is available at the airport.

Rest Zones – A reader tells us “There are 4 inclined chairs in gate A29. It’s the only free rest zone available in the Airport”. (August 2022) To add more locations, write a review or click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader tells us “Before you exit the airport, there are various SIM card shops. The three major brands to look out for in Saudi Arabia is STC, Zain and Mobily. STC is the best 5G coverage.” (April 2023)

Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Jeddah and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there is a Altayyar travel agency with offices at the airport (both Terminals) that can probably be of assistance.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

airlinesAirlines

Jeddah airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Afriqiyah Airways • Air Algérie • Air Arabia • Airblue • Air Cairo • Air Asia • Airblue • Air India • Almasria Universal • Ariana Afghan Airlines • Azerbaijan Airlines • Biman Bangladesh Airlines • British Airways • Citilink • Daallo Airlines • Egypt Air • Emirates • Eritrean Airlines • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • Flyadeal • Fly Bosnia • FlyEgypt • Flynas • Garuda Indonesia • Gulf Air • IndiGo • Jazeera Airways • Jet2 • Jubba Airways • Kabo Air • Kam Air • Kuwait Airlines • Libyan Airlines • Libyan Wings • Lion Air • Malaysia Airlines • Max Air • Middle East Airlines • Nesma • Nile Air • Nordwind • Oman Air • Pegasus Airlines • PIA • Palestinian Airlines • Qeshm Airlines • Royal Air Maroc • Royal Brunei Airlines • Royal Jordanian • Salam Air • Saudia • Saudi Gulf • SCAT Airlines • Scoot • SpiceJet • SriLankan Airlines • Sudan Airways • Syrian Air • Tarco Airlines • Thai Airways • Tunisair • Turkish • Turkmenistan Airlines • Utair • Uzbekistan Airways • Yemenia. Note: the airport is served by additional airlines on a seasonal and Hajj only basis.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rental

The airport is served by 12 different car rental agencies including Avis • Best Car Rentals • Budget • Tajeer and more. The South Terminal provides the most options.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update there were no hotels providing airport shuttle service.  See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. There are no meters, so negotiate a fare with the driver before starting your journey.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.