Riyadh Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Riyadh 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.

Security is amazing, and they will let you strip to your boxer shorts in public to attempt to get through the metal detector without it beeping. – Ade

RUH Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport.

What to Expect

Riyadh Airport (Code: RUH) consists of five terminals (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), though as of June 2019, only 1, 2 and 3 were in operation. The terminals are connected by more than 1,100 metres (3,800 feet) of moving walkways in three link buildings. Food and shopping options can be found on the landside and airside of all three operational terminals, though the dining choices are considered “uninspiring” at best, and retail merchandise “expensive.” The airport has been undergoing near-constant renovation and construction for years, and reviewers have recently begun describing the terminals as clean and efficient. However, airport staff are sometimes rude and unhelpful. WiFi is available, and there are plenty of charging stations for mobile devices. Comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.

Sleeping in Riyadh Airport

We have a few reviews related to actually sleeping in this airport. However, the seating is described as limited, uncomfortable and with armrests, and at least one reviewer suggested the floor may not be a good option due to the tendency of people to spit on it. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Good to Know

A ban on luggage trolleys in certain areas means you have to carry your baggage by hand to check-in counters, so try to travel light if you can!
Although head covering is not required, females should dress modestly when travelling through this airport.

Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Riyadh 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.

Airport Hours

A reader reports “resting chairs at gates 403-404.” (May 2023)

Rest & Relaxation Zones

A reader says there are “resting chairs at gate 403-404”. (May 2023)

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Riyadh Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Riyadh Airport:

Riyadh Marriott Airport Hotel – Located next to the terminal. No airport shuttle.
Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport – No airport shuttle.

Browse the complete list of hotels in Riyadh on Expedia.

Airport Lounges

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

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Mezzanine, opposite Gate 21. International departures only. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
Wellcome Lounge (Terminal 1) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Mezzanine Level. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Wellcome Lounge (Terminal 2) – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, 2nd Floor. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
naSmiles Lounge – Location: Terminal 5, Airside. Open to Domestic flights only. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.

Drinking Water

Drinking water refill stations are not available. A reader reports bottled water is available from vending machines for approximately 2 SAR. (December 2024)

Food & Drinks

Restaurants and coffee shops are available in all terminals, both landside and airside. At the time of this update, we had no information about 24-hour food options. If you know, click here to update the guide.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Mobile charging points are available in some areas of the terminal. (Reader report, April 2019)

Showers

Showers are available in some airport lounges. See Airport Lounges.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available. A reader reports registration requires a mobile number and SMS verification. (November 2023)

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.

ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Fees may apply; check your bank’s fee schedule and withdrawal limits before travelling. Locations: Landside and Airside in all terminals.
Barber Shop – Barbershop services are available in the arrivals areas of Terminals 1 and 3.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange counters are available in Terminal 2, Airside, operated by Alinma Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, and Al Bilad Bank.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free and a small selection of shops are available.
Information Desk – Service centres are located in the arrivals areas of all terminals.
Luggage Wrapping – Luggage wrapping is available in the departures areas of all terminals.
Medical Services – Medical services may be available at the airport hospital in a separate building across from the terminal.
Mosque – A mosque is available.
Porters – Porter services are available outside security areas for a fee. (Reader report)
SIM Cards – SIM cards are available from STC and Mobily in the Terminal 2 arrivals area. (October 2023)
Travel Agencies – Travel agencies are located in the arrivals areas of all terminals.

Airlines

Riyadh Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air Blue • Air Cairo • Air India • Azerbaijan Airlines • Biman Airlines • British Airways • Egyptair • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • Flyadeal • FlyBosnia • flydubai • Flynas • Gulf Air • Jazeera Airways • Kuwait Airways • Lufthansa • MEA • Nesma Airlines • Oman Air • PIA • Pegasus • Philippines Airlines • Royal Air Maroc • Royal Jordanian • SalamAir • Saudia • SriLankan Airlines • Sudan Airways • Tarco Airlines • Turkish Airlines • Yemenia.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

Hertz offers service on-site in the Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall. Many local car rental agencies also provide service on-site, in the Arrivals Halls of Terminals 1 and 3.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Both flat-rate taxis and metered taxis (who usually offer a flat rate anyway) are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. A reader wrote to us to share a bit more info about the taxis:

“From airport to the city you can take a formal taxi in the taxi queue for about 70 SAR (Saudi riyals). There is also a little desk at the airport exit inside the terminal that belongs to London Taxi, it is maybe 80 SAR but the taxi is a London cab with extra space for luggage and legs and better accessibility. There is a lot of informal cars picking passengers at the exit doors of airport but it is not recommended to trust them. Observe only one stop is included in the price.

To go to airport you can call London taxi or the taxi companies to pick you or also use the app Uber.”

Last updated: 2026-03-26

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.