Saudi holidays 2026–27: when to book your flights

For people living in Saudi Arabia, flight prices follow the school and public holiday calendar more than the season alone, because families want to travel on the same days. This guide lists the coming breaks in the 1448 school year and shows fares we found around the start of two of them.

Coming school breaks

These are the start dates the Ministry of Education publishes in its 1448 academic calendar, checked on 13 November 2026:

Founding Day itself is 22 February each year, by royal order. Eid day depends on the moon sighting, so check the official announcement before you fix your booking. We have left out the summer break because the ministry's page does not give its date.

What fares show around the start of a break

On 13 November 2026 we searched Google Flights for one-way economy fares on the first day of two breaks and on an ordinary Wednesday after each. These are the lowest fares it showed, in Saudi riyals (direct flights on the first three routes, any flight on Jeddah to Calicut):

On the three Riyadh routes, the first day of the break cost more than the following Wednesday, and Istanbul showed the biggest gap: SAR 1,359 against SAR 699. Jeddah to Calicut went the other way in November: 20 November was SAR 111 cheaper than 25 November, because demand on that route also follows other seasons. So a school break does not always mean a higher fare. These are one-day snapshots, not offers.

How to book around school breaks

• Look as soon as you know your dates. Compare several days before you decide.
• Try a midweek day. In our sample, the Wednesday was cheaper than the Friday a break starts on three of four routes.
• Check each direction separately. The outbound and the return can be priced very differently. Check each leg, and compare one-way and return fares.
• Read the change rules. Holiday plans often change. Check the change and cancellation rules for your fare on the booking page.
• Check your documents early. Make sure your passport and iqama are valid for the whole trip, and that your exit/re-entry status is in order on Absher.

For a full route example, see our Riyadh to Kerala guide, and for shorter trips our short getaways from Riyadh guide.

Frequently asked questions

When do flight prices rise in Saudi Arabia?

Usually on the first days of school breaks and Eid, when many families travel at once. In our sample, the first day of the autumn and mid-year breaks cost more than an ordinary Wednesday on Riyadh to Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul.

How early should I book for Eid?

There is no single answer. Look as soon as you know your dates, and compare prices over a few days. We do not have enough history to name an exact number of weeks.

Is it cheaper to leave on another day than the first day of the break?

On most routes in our sample, yes. The Wednesday after the break started was cheaper on three of four routes, while on Jeddah to Calicut the start of the autumn break was cheaper. Compare a few days.

Are these dates official?

Yes. The break start dates come from the academic calendar page on the Ministry of Education website. Eid day itself depends on the moon sighting.

Does Safrova sell tickets?

No. Safrova compares fares and sends you to a partner to book. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.

Sources

• Ministry of Education: academic calendar 1448 (Arabic), checked 13 November 2026
• Saudi Press Agency: royal order on Founding Day
• Google Flights: Riyadh to Dubai, fares of 13 November 2026
• Google Flights: Riyadh to Cairo, fares of 13 November 2026
• Google Flights: Riyadh to Istanbul, fares of 13 November 2026
• Google Flights: Jeddah to Calicut, fares of 13 November 2026
• Absher: Saudi Ministry of Interior services

Last checked: 13 November 2026