The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
Three hours of layover at RUH is better spent within the terminal without leaving the immigration. Once the passengers have cleared security, they can visit cafes like Starbucks or Tim Hortons to have a drink or a bite. International travellers can come to the duty-free shop to buy perfumes, electronics or accessories. To others, Alfursan Lounge or a paid-access lounge will offer comfortable seating and Wi-Fi access, as well as refreshments. One is advised to get back to the gates at least 45 minutes before the boarding.
Having five to six hours, the passengers can exit the airport and visit one of the nearby destinations in Riyadh. Highly frequented places like Riyadh Front or Granada Mall can be accessed within approximately 20-30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing services, depending on the traffic. These places have restaurants, cafes and shopping places that can be visited in a short period of time. The travellers are expected to check into the airport at least two hours prior to their next flight in order to undergo the check-in and security processes.
In case of extended layovers, a half-day trip to central Riyadh is possible for the passengers. Popular sightseeing sites are often used, like the Kingdom Centre, Boulevard Riyadh City, or the ancient Diriyah district, which is within reach and can be explored with sufficient time. The traveller needs to plan their time in transportation and come back to RUH with enough time to spare for immigration and security checks. Individuals who would rather relax than exit the airport can reserve a room in Aerotel Riyadh, located within Terminal 5, to have a peaceful rest.
King Khalid International Airport has numerous dining facilities in its terminals, but the majority of them specialize in established fast-food chains and foreign coffee chains. Established restaurants like Al Baik and McDonald's also serve passengers with full meals at both departure and arrival airports. These outlets are always heavily frequented because of their popularity and the speed of service, as well as the high domestic and international travel seasons.
The airport also has several coffee shops, with Starbucks and Tim Hortons having stores located in some of the terminals. The passengers, who are between the check-in and boarding gates, are also frequent visitors in these cafes, and they form one of the most convenient locations in the airport where people get to enjoy coffee, beverages, and even light snacks
The various grab-and-go kiosks and snack counters around the terminals sell sandwiches, packaged food, bottled drinks, and plain bakery items. These are positioned close to the gate and the central concourses, and hence can be accessed by passengers who wish to make quick purchases as they progress to their flights.
RUH food outlets are a convenient mix of the global fast-food chains, the traditional coffee shops, and small convenience shops, which are situated in the terminals to cater to travellers with minimal waiting duration or extended flight routes.
The airport boasts a number of lounges in its international and domestic terminals where travellers can enjoy their comfortable moments relaxing, refreshing or working before their flights. The availability of access also depends on the terminal and airline, though the majority of lounges have the typical facilities like Wi-Fi, food service, and seating.
Saudia has a premium lounge that is available to business and first-class passengers and Alfursan members. It provides hot and cold meals, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a shower to the long-haul travellers.
Plaza Premium Lounge / Primeclass Lounges (Terminal-specific)There are commercial lounges in the selected international terminals. They offer food and beverage service, workplaces, Wi-Fi and showers. These lounges can be accessed by qualified airline customers or by paying a fee on entry and third-party lounge services.
This lounge is based in the domestic concourse, and it serves domestic business-class passengers of Saudia and Alfursan frequent flyers. It offers food, internet connectivity and comfortable seating.
Pay-Per-Use Lounges (Terminal 5)In Terminal 5, there are some paid lounges that allow access via major lounge-access networks like Priority Pass and LoungeKey, which include seating, snacks, and Wi-Fi services to domestic passengers.
Other Relaxation OptionsThere are also prayer rooms in all the terminals and general seating arrangements that spread through the concourses for those passengers who do not want to be in lounges. Terminal 5 Aerotel Riyadh has private rooms and access to showers for travellers who require a more extended rest during long stays.
The King Khalid International Airport offers various essential facilities in its terminals to allow passengers to rest, pray, or deal with long queues in a soothing and comfortable environment.
The complex of the airport has a large mosque, which serves passengers and the personnel of the airport. It ranks among the most visible ones at RUH and is easily accessible via the main terminal areas.
There are both men's and women's prayer rooms in all the terminals at RUH. These are located close to boarding gates and staff concourses and provide passengers with space to be silent during the day.
Terminal 5 is the location of an airside transit hotel with short-stay rooms and shower rooms. It is among the most convenient services to travellers who require adequate rest on their long domestic or connecting international flights.
The RUH has medical clinics situated at the complex of the terminal, which offer first-aid and medical services to passengers who might be in need of emergency care.
In selected terminals, there are designated play zones where the families can spend time with their children before boarding the aircraft.
Each terminal has expansive seating and less busy seating areas, not located in the high foot traffic areas. These can be used by passengers who do not need to use lounges, yet they would like to have a comfortable place to wait.
There are ATMs and exchange counters on the arrivals and departures. Some of the lounges have business services such as workstations and meeting rooms.
In King Khalid International Airport, the shopping is organized in a simple pattern, with the duty free stores, fashion outlets, souvenirs, and travel necessities stores being located primarily in the international departures areas. Travellers who pass by Riyadh will have a combination of both internationally famous brands and locally recognizable stores that provide convenient shopping prior to taking international flights.
This stores stock a large variety of perfumes, cosmetics, tobacco products, confectionery and electronics to meet the needs of international travellers. The Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, and travel-retail chocolates from Toblerone, Lindt, and Godiva are popular brands that are usually on offer. Electronics and accessories of such brands as Apple and Samsung are also frequently sold in foreign duty-free stores.
RUH has several fashion and accessories stores in its international departure terminals that stock the products of popular international brands. These outlets offer handbags, accessories, travel products and luxury lifestyle choices to the travellers, enabling them to shop for luxury products prior to boarding the plane.
The inside of RUH has souvenir shops that stock traditional oud and attar perfumes, Saudi dates, regional desserts, Arabic coffee sets, incense burners, and other cultural gifts that are usually bought by tourists. Such stores offer travellers an opportunity to have convenient gifts or products of Saudi origin as a symbol of Riyadh and the Kingdom.
The convenience stores through Watania Mart and other travel-retail kiosks dispersed throughout the terminals sell toiletries, chargers, adapters, neck pillows, snacks, bottled beverages, newspapers and magazines. These are the outlets intended to satisfy the passenger's needs for last-minute purchases prior to domestic or international flights.
The international terminals have many specialty retailers such as electronic and accessory shops which sell headphones, phone accessories, and travelling devices. The passengers are also provided with sunglass outlets with branded eyewear selections of popular names.
