Primary International Air Gateways in Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh
Strategic Role: Primary gateway to the capital and the country's main business and government hub.
Identifiers: IATA: RUH | ICAO: OERK
Infrastructure: Multiple operational terminals with significant long-term expansion, including development of a major new airport complex.
Visa Processing: Travellers holding a tourist eVisa or eligible for a VoA may complete immigration procedures at this airport.
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah
Strategic Role: The busiest airport in Saudi Arabia and the main arrival point for pilgrims, supporting Red Sea "fly-cruise" movements.
Identifiers: IATA: JED | ICAO: OEJN
Infrastructure: Dedicated Hajj/Umrah terminal and a modern terminal for international tourists.
Visa Processing: Tourist eVisa holders and eligible VOA travellers may enter Saudi Arabia through this airport, which also supports air-to-sea cruise transfers.
King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Dammam
Strategic Role: One of the major international gateways serving the Eastern Province and the wider Gulf region.
Identifiers: IATA: DMM | ICAO: OEDF
Infrastructure: One of the world's largest airports by land area, with extensive international connectivity.
Visa Processing: Tourist eVisa holders and eligible VOA travellers may complete immigration procedures at this airport.
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED), Medina
Strategic Role: Main entry point to Medina, supporting religious travel and wider visitor movement.
Identifiers: IATA: MED | ICAO: OEMA
Infrastructure: Modern international terminal handling year-round global arrivals.
Visa Processing: Travellers holding a tourist eVisa or eligible for a VoA may enter Saudi Arabia through this airport.
Emerging International and Tourism-Specific Airports
These facilities are being developed or upgraded to provide direct, seamless access to key tourism destinations.
AlUla International Airport
Role: Boutique gateway to AlUla, tailored to premium and cultural tourism, with a private executive terminal and rapid processing.
Status: Fully international; receives selected regional and international flights.
Identifiers: IATA: ULH | ICAO: OEAO
Visa Processing: Accepts tourist eVisa and VOA in line with national entry policy.
Red Sea International Airport
Role: Access point for the Red Sea tourism destination and nearby developments, featuring advanced biometric travel systems.
Identifiers: IATA: RSI | ICAO: OERS
Status: Operational for domestic and international services, including routes from Dubai and Milan.
Visa Processing: Travellers holding a tourist eVisa or eligible for a VoA may enter Saudi Arabia through this airport.
Taif International Airport
Role: Secondary gateway for Mecca pilgrims and a key summer-resort access point, helping relieve pressure on Jeddah.
Identifiers: IATA: TIF | ICAO: OETF
Status: A new, expanded international airport is under construction 21 km away, targeting 2.5 million passengers annually by 2030 under a PPP model.
Visa Processing: Equipped to process tourist eVisa and VOA arrivals.
NEOM Bay Airport (NUM)
Role: Primary commercial entry point for NEOM, utilising advanced biometric e-gates and 5G-enabled “contactless” processing.
Identifiers: IATA: NUM | ICAO: OENN
Status: Operational with international connections, including London and Dubai.
Visa Processing: Accepts both tourist eVisa and VoA.
Abha International Airport
Role: Central aviation hub for Aseer’s mountain tourism and the region’s cultural and nature-based destinations.
Identifiers: IATA Code: AHB | ICAO: OEAB
Status: Undergoing major expansion to raise capacity to 13 million passengers, with a new heritage-inspired terminal opening in phases by 2028.
Visa Processing: Accepts tourist eVisa and VoA.
Maritime Ports of Entry
Saudi Arabia has several authorised seaports where cruise passengers can complete immigration checks using either a tourist eVisa or a maritime transit visa. These three ports below form the core of the national cruise strategy.
Jeddah Islamic Port
- Role: Primary homeport for Red Sea itineraries, handling embarkation/disembarkation for cruises linking Egypt, Jordan, and regional destinations.
- Processing: A fully designated immigration entry point listed in the maritime visa system and equipped for large passenger volumes.
- Visa: Accepts tourist eVisa, VOA (where eligible), and nautical transit visas.
King Abdulaziz Port
- Role: Homeport and turnaround facility for Gulf cruise itineraries connecting Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.
- Processing: Recognised seaport of entry for tourist eVisa holders. Travellers must ensure their visa documentation is valid before boarding cruise voyages visiting Saudi ports.
- Visa: Accepts tourist eVisa and cruise transit visas.
Yanbu Commercial Port
- Role: Key transit port enabling coastal stopovers and access to heritage sites inland, including excursions toward AlUla.
- Processing: A designated immigration entry point for cruise itineraries.
- Visa: Accepts tourist eVisa and transit visas; passengers travelling inland must ensure their visa type and validity permit extended travel within the kingdom.
Important Entry Guidance for Travellers
Travellers entering Saudi Arabia through any of the airports or seaports listed above must hold a valid passport and either a valid Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa or be eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA). Immigration authorities may request supporting travel documents, such as confirmed accommodation details or return travel tickets, during the entry process.