Istanbul to Riyadh (IST–RUH) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
IST–RUH is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines, Saudia and Faso Airways lead the route. The flight covers 1,527 miles in approximately 3h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 32 | 32Q, 333, 73H, 77X | 3h45-4h | – | Star Alliance | – |
| SV Saudia | 21 | 320, 321, 330 | 3h50-4h15 | – | SkyTeam | – |
| F3 Faso Airways | 7 | – | – | – | – | – |
| XY flynas | 7 | 321 | 3h10 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Riyadh from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→RUH | SAW→RUH |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 60 | 15 |
| Flight time | 3h 55m | 3h 35m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · RUH: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Riyadh.
Turkish passport holders need an eVisa to enter Saudi Arabia. Apply through the official portal at visa.visitsaudi.com. The eVisa costs around SAR 535 (including insurance), is valid for one 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. Medical insurance from a Saudi-approved provider is mandatory and included in the eVisa fee.
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
IST–RUH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to RUH
İstanbul Airport (IST) and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines, Saudia, Faso Airways and flynas. With 60 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to RUH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to RUH is about 3 hours 55 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,527 miles (2,458 km). There are approximately 60 weekly flights outbound and 66 return, totaling 126 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Queen Alia, Beirut Rafic Hariri and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Pendik, Istanbul (SAW).