London to Jeddah (LGW–JED) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders need an eVisa to enter Saudi Arabia. The eVisa costs SAR 535 (about $142) including insurance, is processed within minutes, and allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days per visit over a 1-year validity period with a maximum of 180 days total. Apply at visa.visitsaudi.com. The eVisa covers tourism, Umrah (outside Hajj season), and visiting family or friends.

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least one blank page. The eVisa application requires a passport photo page scan, a digital photograph, and basic travel details. No hotel booking or flight proof is needed for the application itself. Hajj requires a separate visa through an authorized Hajj operator, with its own process and quotas.

Direct flights from London Heathrow to Riyadh (RUH) run about 6 hours 30 minutes, to Jeddah (JED) about 6 hours 15 minutes. Saudia and British Airways operate the routes. The Saudi riyal (SAR) is pegged at 3.75 SAR per $1. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals on standard tourist visits. Meningitis ACWY vaccination is required for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Dress codes are relaxed compared to a decade ago but modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected in public spaces.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.

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.