Riyadh Airport Alternatives: Compare All Available Routes

If you want to reach or leave Riyadh without flying directly into King Khalid International Airport, you can use a nearby airport and continue to the capital by train or by car with a driver. The quickest option is to fly to Qassim and take the Northern Railway train to Riyadh, a journey of 2 hours 28 minutes. Dammam is the next best option, while Madinah, Jeddah and Manama suit travellers who don’t mind a longer road journey.

This guide compares the routes by travel time, explains how to get to Riyadh from each airport, and lists the flights available from each one.

Your Options for Getting to or from Riyadh

• Qassim: fly to Prince Nayef International Airport, then take a Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) train to Riyadh. The train takes 2 hours 28 minutes, which makes this the quickest route.
• Dammam: 3 hours to 3 hours 50 minutes by train, or about 4 hours by car.
• Manama: about 5 to 6 hours by road to Riyadh.
• Madinah: about 7 hours by car to Riyadh, or about 4 hours by car to Buraydah, then the Northern Railway train.
• Jeddah: about 9.5 hours by car. There is no train between Jeddah and Riyadh.
• Getting between cities: book a car with a driver instead of driving yourself.

Riyadh Airport Alternatives Compared: Travel Time

Route	Time
Qassim + Northern train	2 hours 28 minutes by train
Dammam + train or car	3 hours to 3 hours 50 minutes by train, about 4 hours by car
Manama + road	5 to 6 hours by car
Madinah + car or bus	About 7 hours by car to Riyadh, or about 4 hours to Buraydah, then the Northern Railway train
Jeddah + road	About 9.5 hours by car, or 12 to 13 hours by bus

How to Book and Get There, Route by Route

Route	Booking and getting there	If you are leaving Riyadh
Qassim + Northern train	Book through the SAR website or the SAR North and East app, and check train times. Prince Nayef Airport has flights to 18 destinations (Sabq).	Take the train to Qassim, then fly from Prince Nayef Airport.
Dammam + train or car	Check train times on the SAR website, or book a car with a driver to Riyadh.	Take the train to Dammam and fly from there, or continue by road to Manama.
Manama + road	Fly to Manama, then continue by road to Riyadh. Before you travel, check Bahrain’s entry requirements and the causeway crossing.	Travel by road from Dammam to Bahrain, then fly from Manama.
Madinah Airport + car or bus	Book a car with a driver straight to Riyadh, or to Buraydah and continue on the Northern Railway train. Reserve your train seat in advance, and check SAPTCO bus times to Buraydah if you prefer to go by bus.	Take a car with a driver to Madinah, or take the train to Qassim and continue by road to Madinah, then fly from there.
Jeddah Airport + road	Book a car with a driver to Riyadh, or take a bus (SAPTCO, Al Shamal or SATRANS). There is no train between the two cities, so expect a long journey, and check bus times.	Take a car with a driver or a bus to Jeddah, then fly from there.

Flights from the Alternative Airports

Airport	Domestic flights	International flights
Dammam	Bisha, Jeddah, Madinah, Arar, Al Jouf (Sakaka)	Istanbul, Peshawar, Sialkot, Islamabad
Qassim	Jeddah	Cairo, Istanbul, Trabzon, Amman, Sharjah, Dubai
Madinah	None in the table	Cairo, Karachi, Islamabad, Dhaka, Mumbai, Zurich
Jeddah	Qassim	None in the table

These destinations are based on the schedule data we have and may not be a complete list. Schedules change, so check your flight with the flight tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions About Riyadh Airport Alternatives

Which terminal do I use at Riyadh airport?

Following the terminal changes in February 2026, Terminals 1 and 2 handle international flights by the national carriers, Terminals 3 and 4 handle domestic flights, and Terminal 5 handles foreign carriers. Check your terminal on your boarding pass.

How can I check that my flight is still operating before I go to the airport?

Start with the Almatar flight tracker. Enter your flight number, or the route and date, then click “Track” to see whether your flight is on time, delayed or cancelled. The page also shows gate changes and arrival updates.

Can I reach Riyadh by train from other cities?

Yes. SAR trains run to Riyadh from Dammam and Qassim, and some sources also mention a line from Hofuf. Book your seat early and check the timetable on the SAR website, as demand is high.

Can I book a car with a driver instead of driving myself?

Yes. You can book a car with a driver through Almatar, which is a convenient choice for long road journeys between cities, such as from Madinah or Jeddah to Riyadh.