Travel guides for Saudi residents: routes, visas and when to book
Thoughtful guides and practical notes to help you plan the parts of a trip that matter.
Hand baggage on Gulf airlines: weight, size and what you can't pack
Gulf airlines allow one 7 kg cabin bag in economy, but the size limit differs: Saudia 56×45×25 cm, flynas and Etihad 56×36×23 cm, Emirates 55×38×22 cm, Qatar Airways 50×37×25 cm and flydubai 55×38×20 cm. Air Arabia adds 3 kg for a personal item. A bag of 50×36×20 cm fits all of them.
Dubai to Istanbul flights: airlines, flight time and which airport to choose
A non-stop flight from Dubai to Istanbul takes 5 hours to 5 hours 20 minutes, and Istanbul is one hour behind Dubai. Five airlines fly it from Dubai International: Turkish Airlines and Emirates to Istanbul Airport (IST), Pegasus and AJet to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), and flydubai to both airports.
Lost or delayed bag in Saudi Arabia: what to do and what to claim
Report a missing bag before you leave the baggage hall, then claim in writing. Saudi rules pay 148 SDR (about SAR 749 or AED 733) for the first day of delay and 60 SDR (about SAR 304) for each day after, up to 1,288 SDR (about SAR 6,517 or AED 6,382), the same amount as for a lost bag.
Saudi family visa with your work visa: who can come in 2026
On 6 October 2026 Saudi Arabia announced that skilled workers moving to the Kingdom will be able to get entry visas for their spouse, sons under 25 and unmarried daughters while their own work visa is still in process. The start date, fees and platform are not published yet.
Visa check before you book: a guide for Saudi residents
Visa rules for iqama holders follow your passport and your documents. Among nearby Gulf states, the UAE wants a residence permit valid 1 year from arrival, Kuwait 6 months and Qatar 3 months from the application, and the UAE, Oman and Kuwait require a profession on an approved list. Before you fly, check your Absher exit/re-entry visa covers the trip.
Short getaways from Riyadh: Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul compared
From Riyadh, Dubai is about 2 hours away by direct flight, Cairo about 3 hours and Istanbul about 4 hours. On Google Flights on 13 November 2026, the lowest direct one-way economy fares for Wednesday 13 January 2027 were SAR 429 to Istanbul, SAR 439 to Dubai and SAR 457 to Cairo.
Saudi holidays 2026–27: when to book your flights
The Ministry of Education calendar puts the autumn break from 20 November 2026, the mid-year break from 8 January 2027 and the Eid al-Fitr break from 26 February 2027. On Google Flights on 13 November 2026, the first day of a break cost more than an ordinary Wednesday on three of the four routes we checked.
Riyadh to Karachi and Lahore: airlines, baggage and when to book
From Riyadh, a direct flight takes about 3 hours to Karachi (KHI) and about 4 hours to Lahore (LHE). Several Saudi and Pakistani airlines fly both routes. On Google Flights on 13 November 2026, the lowest one-way economy fares for 13 January 2027 were SAR 566 to Karachi and SAR 642 to Lahore.
Riyadh to Manila flights: airlines, flight time and what to know
A direct flight from Riyadh to Manila takes about ten hours. Riyadh Air has flown the route since 9 September 2026 and its Manila page lists four flights a week. Cebu Pacific has cancelled its Riyadh flights until 18 November 2026. Register on the free Philippine eTravel portal within 72 hours before you arrive.
Riyadh to Kerala flights: how to book Calicut and Kochi
From Riyadh, pick the Kerala airport nearest home: Calicut (CCJ) for northern Kerala or Kochi (COK) for central Kerala, both about 5 hours away. On Google Flights on 13 November 2026, the lowest one-way economy fares for 13 January 2027 were SAR 609 to Calicut and SAR 620 to Kochi.
How to compare flights from Saudi Arabia: dates, bags and total price
Search from Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) or Dammam (DMM), and from any airport within driving distance. Try a day or two either side of your date, and compare the total price with bags, seats and meals. Weigh a cheaper flight with a stop against a direct one, check the change rules, and book with your passport name.
Riyadh to Dubai flights: airlines, flight time and when to book
A non-stop flight from Riyadh to Dubai takes about 2 hours. Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, Emirates, flydubai and Riyadh Air fly it, mostly into Dubai International (DXB). Dubai is one hour ahead of Riyadh. Some airlines use Dubai World Central (DWC), which is farther from the city centre, so check the airport on your ticket.
Where to book flights and hotels from Saudi Arabia: a pre-booking checklist
Compare the total price with baggage, because many low fares include only a small cabin bag. Check layovers and total travel time, read the change and refund rules, and choose free hotel cancellation if your dates are not final. Before you pay, confirm the final price on the booking page and check who you book with.