Riyadh to Pendik, Istanbul (RUH–SAW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
RUH–SAW is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Valuair leads the route. The flight covers 1,488 miles in approximately 3h 58m. Beyond nonstop, 29 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VF Valuair | 7 | 73H | 3h58 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
RUH: +03 · SAW: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Riyadh, it's 6:00 PM in Pendik, Istanbul.
Saudi passport holders can enter Turkey with an e-visa, obtained online at evisa.gov.tr. The e-visa costs $50 (about SAR 188) for a single or multiple entry visa valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Processing is instant after payment. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. Print the e-visa or save it on your phone. At Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), show the e-visa and passport at immigration.
Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for Saudi travelers, particularly Istanbul, Trabzon, and Antalya. The 90/180 rule means you can spend a maximum of 90 days in Turkey out of any rolling 180-day window. Overstaying triggers fines and potential entry bans. For stays beyond 90 days, apply for a residence permit through e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr within the first 90 days. Turkey has a large and growing Saudi tourism infrastructure, with Arabic signage and menus common in Istanbul's Fatih and Taksim districts.
Direct flights from Riyadh to Istanbul run about 4 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines, Saudia, and flynas. Jeddah to Istanbul runs about 4 hours on the same carriers. Dammam, Medina, and other Saudi cities also have direct Turkish connections. Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY), trading at roughly 9.6 TRY per SAR 1. ATMs are everywhere. Card payments work widely. No mandatory vaccinations. The Istanbulkart works on all Istanbul transit at TRY 17.70 per trip (about SAR 1.85). Trabzon, popular with Saudi families for its green mountains and mild summer climate, is a 2-hour flight from Istanbul.
RUH–SAW Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from RUH to SAW
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) are connected by nonstop service from Valuair. With 21 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
RUH to SAW Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from RUH to SAW ranges from 3 hours 58 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,488 miles (2,394 km). There are approximately 21 weekly flights outbound and 21 return, totaling 42 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
29 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 9 hours via HRG. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.