Hat Yai to Jeddah (HDY–JED) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Thai passport holders can apply for a Saudi eVisa through visa.visitsaudi.com. The eVisa costs about SAR 535 (about THB 5,100) including mandatory medical insurance, is valid for 1 year with multiple entries, and allows stays up to 90 days per visit. Processing takes 24 to 48 hours. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. The eVisa covers tourism, visiting family, attending events, and performing Umrah (but not Hajj or paid employment).

Required documents for the online application include a passport scan, a recent photo, and a credit or debit card for payment. At King Khalid International (RUH) in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz (JED) in Jeddah, or Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) in Medina, immigration scans your passport, takes fingerprints and a photo, and stamps you in. The process is efficient with dedicated eVisa lanes.

Direct flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Riyadh run about 7 hours on Saudia and Thai Airways. Bangkok to Jeddah runs about 8 hours. Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR), pegged at 3.75 SAR per $1, trading at roughly 9.5 SAR per THB 1. Card payments work widely. No mandatory vaccinations for tourist entry (meningitis ACWY vaccination is required only for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims). The Riyadh Metro opened in 2024 with 6 lines covering the city at SAR 4 to SAR 6 per ride (THB 38 to THB 57). Uber and Careem operate in all major Saudi cities.

The Haramain HSR airport station (in the terminal complex) connects to Jeddah city in 15 minutes (SAR 20–25) and onward to Mecca (45 min, SAR 55) and Medina (2h, SAR 105); essential knowledge for Hajj/Umrah travelers.Careem and Uber serve the airport widely; expect SAR 40–80 to central Jeddah, 25–45 minutes. Taxis at the rank run SAR 60–100. Rental car desks are in the arrivals hall. The airport has two main terminals (North and South); confirm which terminal before booking ground transport.

Hot desert climate on the Red Sea coast. Summers (May–September) are brutal at 38–45°C with high humidity from sea proximity, making outdoor exposure extreme. Operational disruptions in summer are more often from sandstorms than temperature alone.

Winter (December–February) is warm and pleasant at 20–28°C. Rare but intense rainfall events (typically October–November) can cause flash flooding and ground stops. Jeddah's drainage infrastructure is limited. The city sits close to sea level; humidity amplifies heat year-round.