Riyadh to London: Flight Time, Airlines and When to Book

Riyadh to London is one of the busiest long-haul routes out of Saudi Arabia, and the direct flight takes 7 hours 25 minutes. On this route the difference between a comfortable trip and a tiring one usually comes down to small details: departure time, which terminal you land in, and how you get into the city.

Flight time and distance

King Khalid International to Heathrow is roughly 4,965 km, and the direct flight takes 7 hours 25 minutes.

The time difference is three hours in summer, four in winter. A morning departure from Riyadh lands in London around the middle of the day, which is the easiest arrival to work with on day one.

Who flies the route

Around 24 direct flights a week, across three airlines:

• Saudia: 2 to 3 daily
• British Airways
• Riyadh Air: 1 daily

All direct flights land at Heathrow, not Gatwick or any other London airport. Which terminal depends on your airline, so check your booking confirmation. Heathrow has four, and they are far enough apart that arriving at the wrong one costs you time.

If you see a much cheaper fare to a different London airport, that is a connecting flight. Add the layover before you compare the price.

Getting from Heathrow into London

Three ways into the city:

• Heathrow Express: fastest, about 15 minutes to Paddington, and the most expensive. It serves Terminals 2, 3 and 5 only. From Terminal 4 you change trains first
• Elizabeth line: slower than the Express, much cheaper, and serves every terminal including Terminal 4
• Piccadilly line: around 50 minutes to central London, the cheapest option, and serves every terminal

Transfers between terminals are free on both the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line.

An Oyster card or a contactless bank card works on the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line. Oyster is not accepted on Heathrow Express, which has its own fare.

When to book

On long-haul, the gap between booking early and booking late is much wider than on short routes.

• Six to eight weeks out is usually the sweet spot on this route
• The most expensive periods are summer, school holidays and the end-of-year break
• The quietest and usually cheapest months are January, February and November
• Midweek is cheaper than weekends, and on a long-haul fare that difference adds up

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements depend on your passport nationality and change from time to time. Check gov.uk before booking rather than relying on an old answer or on someone else's experience with a different passport.

Two practical notes

The weather is not what you expect. London is not cold all year, but it is changeable in any month. A light packable layer is more use than a heavy coat most of the time.

Distances are shorter than they look. Many central London landmarks are 15 to 20 minutes apart on foot. The Tube is not always faster for a single stop.

Compare Riyadh to London flights on Tripzle

FAQ

How long is the flight from Riyadh to London?

7 hours 25 minutes direct.

Which airlines fly direct from Riyadh to London?

Saudia, British Airways and Riyadh Air.

Which London airport do direct flights use?

Heathrow. There are no direct flights from Riyadh to London's other airports.

How many direct flights are there per week?

Around 24.

When is the best time to book?

Usually six to eight weeks out, avoiding summer and school holidays where possible.

Sources

• Direct flights Riyadh to London Heathrow (FlightsFrom)
• Heathrow Terminal 4 (Wikipedia)