Chicago to Riyadh (ORD–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.
Last scheduled nonstop: Mar 2026.
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.
ORD–RUH had nonstop service from Saudia, last on the schedule in March 2026. There's no nonstop on it right now, so today you'd fly it with one stop. The connecting options below are sorted by layover. Nonstop, it's about 6,980 miles in 12h 29m.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SV Saudia | 0 | – | – | SkyTeam | – |
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
ORD: CDT · RUH: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Chicago, it's 2:00 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.
CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 from downtown Loop stations to O'Hare (45 min, $5). Pace buses serve suburbs. Ride-shares cost $35–55 from downtown depending on traffic; add 30+ minutes during rush hour on the Kennedy Expressway.Economy parking lots E/F connect via ATS people mover. Terminal 5 (international) is separate from Terminals 1–3; allow extra time for inter-terminal transfers.
ORD–RUH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from ORD to RUH
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) had nonstop service from Saudia, last on the schedule in March 2026. The nonstop is dormant right now, so the way to fly it today is one connection, and the options above are sorted by layover.
ORD to RUH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ORD to RUH is about 12 hours 29 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 6,980 miles (11,232 km).
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Queen Alia, Amsterdam and London Heathrow. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.