Riyadh to Shenzhen (RUH–SZX) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
RUH–SZX is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. China Southern Airlines and Saudia lead the route. The flight covers 4,201 miles in approximately 8h. Beyond nonstop, 16 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ China Southern Airlines | 4 | 333 | 8h04 | – | SkyTeam | – |
| SV Saudia | 3 | 77F | 8h | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
RUH: +03 · SZX: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Riyadh, it's 11:00 PM in Shenzhen.
Saudi passport holders enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under the expanded visa-free policy introduced in 2024. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), or Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), you go through the standard immigration lane and receive a 30-day entry stamp. This policy covers tourism, business visits, transit, and family visits.
The 30-day visa-free stay cannot be extended, so plan your trip length accordingly. For longer stays, apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah before travel ($140 for a single-entry tourist visa, processing 4 to 7 business days). China also offers a 144-hour visa-free transit for travelers transiting through designated cities to a third country, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and others.
Direct flights from Riyadh to Beijing run about 8 hours on Saudia and Air China. Jeddah to Guangzhou runs about 9 hours on China Southern and Saudia. Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other Chinese cities connect through a stop or via Gulf hubs. China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY), trading at roughly 1.94 CNY per SAR 1. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate payments, but foreign Visa and Mastercard now link to these apps. Cash is accepted at most places. No mandatory vaccinations. Beijing's subway costs CNY 3 to CNY 10 per ride (SAR 1.55 to SAR 5.15), and Shanghai's metro is similar. High-speed rail connects Beijing to Shanghai in 4 hours 30 minutes (CNY 553 second class, about SAR 285).
Metro Line 11 (Airport Express) connects to Futian station (30 min, ¥20) and Luohu (45 min, ¥28); from Futian you can cross to Hong Kong via the Futian/Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. Trains run 6am to midnight.Taxis to the city centre cost ¥60–100. Ferries to Hong Kong run from the adjacent Fuyong Ferry Terminal (45 min, HK$300–350); a convenient alternative to land crossings. Car rentals are limited; private car hire with driver is common for business travel.
Subtropical monsoon climate. Summers (May–September) are hot and very humid (28–34°C) with heavy monsoon rainfall and frequent typhoons. Typhoon season peaks July through September and can close the airport for 12–24 hours. Thunderstorms cause delays throughout the wet season.
Winters are mild and mostly dry (10–20°C). Spring brings persistent fog and drizzle (February–April) that can disrupt morning departures. October and November are the most pleasant months.
RUH–SZX Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from RUH to SZX
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) are connected by nonstop service from China Southern Airlines and Saudia. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
RUH to SZX Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from RUH to SZX ranges from 8 hours 0 minutes to 8 hours 4 minutes. The route covers a distance of 4,201 miles (6,760 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 6 return, totaling 13 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
16 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 20 hours via PVG. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.