What is happening with Riyadh flights
In early October 2026, flights at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) were suspended for periods after attacks on Saudi Arabia, and many departures were delayed or cancelled, as reported by The National. Several foreign airlines have paused Riyadh services for a period. The airport has not shut permanently, and the picture changes from day to day.
If your flight has been cancelled, or you would rather not wait for the schedule to settle, the road is a realistic alternative. Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai can all be reached by car from Riyadh in a single day, and each has a large international airport with onward connections.
Your options at a glance
| From Riyadh to | Distance | Driving | Border | Our fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doha (DOH) | ≈ 600 km | 6–8 h | Salwa / Abu Samra | GMC 3,000 SAR |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) | ≈ 850–900 km | 8–9 h | Al Batha / Al Ghuwaifat | From 3,500 SAR |
| Dubai (DXB) | ≈ 990–1,000 km | 9–10 h | Al Batha / Al Ghuwaifat | From 3,500 SAR |
| Dammam (DMM) | ≈ 400 km | ≈ 4 h | None | From 1,000 SAR |
| Bahrain (BAH) | ≈ 430–480 km | 4–5 h | King Fahd Causeway | SUV 2,000 SAR |
Driving times exclude border processing and stops. Fares are one way, per vehicle, from a Riyadh address.
Doha: the shortest international drive
At around 600 km, Doha is the closest of the three Gulf capitals. You cross from Saudi Arabia at Salwa into Qatar at Abu Samra, then continue to Doha and Hamad International Airport. For many travellers it is the quickest way to get onto an international flight when Riyadh is disrupted. Read the full Riyadh to Doha by road guide.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai: one border, a longer day
Abu Dhabi and Dubai share the same border, Al Batha on the Saudi side and Al Ghuwaifat on the UAE side, in the far east of the Kingdom. Abu Dhabi comes first, at about 850–900 km; Dubai is roughly another 140 km along the coast. Both are a full day on the road, so for a morning flight most people leave Riyadh the evening before. See Riyadh to Abu Dhabi by road and Riyadh to Dubai Airport by car.
Before you cross a border: documents
Driving into Qatar or the UAE is an international crossing, not a domestic trip. Every passenger needs a valid passport and permission to enter that country, and residents of Saudi Arabia also need a valid Iqama and an exit/re-entry visa if they plan to return. Requirements depend on nationality and residency, so check yours before you set off. Our documents guide goes through the checklist.
Staying inside Saudi Arabia instead
If crossing a border is not possible for everyone in your group, look at Dammam (about 4 hours) or Jeddah (a full day's drive). Neither needs a visa. Our airport comparison page sets out all five airports side by side, with fares and links to each route.
Planning the drive around a flight
- Confirm the flight first. Make sure your new flight is operating before you leave Riyadh.
- Work back from departure. Driving time, plus a margin for the border, plus stops, plus the airline's check-in time.
- Keep documents in the cabin. Passports and residency cards should be in a bag with you, not in the boot.
- Tell the driver your flight time. If the airline changes it, let us know straight away so the pickup can move.
Why a private car rather than a bus
Where scheduled coaches run, they leave on their own timetable and with luggage limits. A private car leaves from your door when you need it to, takes the whole family and its bags in one vehicle, and goes straight to the terminal. On cross-border routes the driver also handles the vehicle's side of the crossing, while each passenger goes through immigration themselves.
Fares and vehicles for each route: Riyadh to Doha, Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, Riyadh to Dubai, Riyadh to Dammam Airport and Riyadh to Bahrain.