Riyadh to London (RUH–LHR) — 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.
RUH–LHR is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Saudia, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways lead the route. The flight covers 3,070 miles in approximately 7h. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SV Saudia | 17 | 773, 777 | 7h-7h15 | – | SkyTeam | – |
| VS Virgin Atlantic | 15 | 773, 777 | 7h | – | SkyTeam | – |
| BA British Airways | 7 | – | – | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
RUH: +03 · LHR: BST
When it's 6:00 PM in Riyadh, it's 4:00 PM in London.
Saudi passport holders need a Standard Visitor Visa to enter the UK. Apply online at gov.uk/standard-visitor and attend a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global center in Riyadh or Jeddah. The visa costs GBP 115 (about SAR 540) for a 6-month multiple-entry visa, with options for 2-year (GBP 400), 5-year (GBP 771), and 10-year (GBP 963) versions. Processing takes 3 to 4 weeks from the biometrics appointment.
Required documents: passport valid for the duration of your stay, completed online form, biometrics (fingerprints and photo at VFS Global), bank statements for the last 6 months, employment letter, and travel itinerary. Each visit can last up to 6 months (180 days). The UK is not part of the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not cover the UK and vice versa. Saudi Arabia has a dedicated visa processing lane at VFS Global with Arabic-speaking staff.
Direct flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow run about 6 hours 30 minutes on Saudia and British Airways. Jeddah to London is also served directly. Manchester and Edinburgh connect via London or through Gulf carriers. The UK uses the British pound (GBP), trading at roughly 4.85 SAR per GBP 1. Card payments work everywhere, including contactless on the Tube. No mandatory vaccinations. The Heathrow Express to Paddington takes 15 minutes at GBP 25 (book online for GBP 5.50 off-peak). An Oyster card covers the Tube, buses, and Overground at GBP 2.80 per Zone 1 trip with a daily cap of GBP 8.10. London's Edgware Road and Knightsbridge neighborhoods have extensive Arabic restaurants, shops, and services.
Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes to Paddington (15 min, £25). Piccadilly line is slower (50–60 min) but £5.50 with Oyster. National Express coaches serve all terminals from Victoria (60–90 min, £6–10). Black cabs cost £50–90 to central London depending on traffic and time of day.
Mild maritime climate. Summers average 18–23°C with long daylight hours. Winters are 2–7°C, rarely below freezing. Rain is frequent year-round but rarely heavy. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of season. Fog can disrupt flights November through February.
RUH–LHR Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from RUH to LHR
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) are connected by nonstop service from Saudia, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. With 39 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
RUH to LHR Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from RUH to LHR is about 7 hours gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 3,070 miles (4,940 km). There are approximately 39 weekly flights outbound and 24 return, totaling 63 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Cairo, Zürich and İstanbul. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.