New York to Riyadh (JFK–RUH) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
JFK–RUH is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Saudia leads the route. The flight covers 6,513 miles in approximately 12h. Beyond nonstop, 29 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SV Saudia | 6 | 744, 77W | 12h-12h15 | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
JFK: EDT · RUH: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in New York, it's 1:00 AM (next day) in Riyadh.
US passport holders can obtain a tourist eVisa for Saudi Arabia at visa.visitsaudi.com. The eVisa costs SAR 535 (about $143), which includes the visa fee and mandatory medical insurance. It allows multiple entries over 1 year with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit and 180 days total per year. Processing is instant to 24 hours. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. Upload a passport scan and a recent photo.
Saudi Arabia also issues visas on arrival at major airports for US citizens at the same SAR 535 fee. At King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah or King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, the VOA counter processes arrivals in 15 to 30 minutes. The eVisa saves queuing time. Saudi Arabia opened to tourism in 2019 and has invested heavily in destinations: AlUla (Hegra/Mada'in Salih, a Nabataean UNESCO site), Diriyah (the original Saudi capital near Riyadh), and the Red Sea coast resorts. Dress modestly in public; women are not required to wear an abaya but should cover shoulders and knees.
Direct flights from New York JFK to Jeddah run about 11 hours on Saudia. Washington Dulles to Riyadh runs about 12 hours 30 minutes on Saudia. Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR), pegged at 3.75 SAR per $1. Card payments work widely. The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Jeddah to Mecca (30 minutes) and Medina (2 hours 30 minutes). Riyadh's Metro system has 6 lines serving the capital. Uber and Careem operate in all major cities. Restaurant meals range from SAR 30 to SAR 80 ($8 to $21) at mid-range restaurants. Alcohol is prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia.
The AirTrain connects JFK to the NYC subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station (Howard Beach is the other connection point). Subway fare plus AirTrain totals $9.25 from midtown Manhattan; allow 60–75 minutes. LIRR from Penn Station takes 25–30 minutes to Jamaica, then 8–10 minutes on AirTrain; total fare around $10–15 depending on time of day.Taxis from Manhattan to JFK are a flat rate of $70 plus tolls and tip ($85–95 all-in). Ride-shares cost $45–80 depending on traffic and time of day. A dedicated express rail (JFK Connect) has been proposed but does not exist yet.
JFK–RUH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from JFK to RUH
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) are connected by nonstop service from Saudia. With 6 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
JFK to RUH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from JFK to RUH ranges from 12 hours 0 minutes to 12 hours 15 minutes. The route covers a distance of 6,513 miles (10,480 km). There are approximately 6 weekly flights outbound and 5 return, totaling 11 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
29 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 15 hours via GYD. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.