When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Jeddah?
The best time to visit Jeddah – weather-wise – is between late October and March. October through January is a busy time for Hajj, and the Jeddah Summer Festival in July and August sees the number of visitors – and temperatures – rise. Flights to Jeddah, as a result, are more expensive during these periods. Compare return flights on a month-to-month basis to pick the cheapest time to travel with Netflights, but remember, last-minute flights can pop up at any time.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Jeddah?
Cheap flights to Jeddah are usually available during March with fares remaining lower than usual until June. During the summer, Jeddah flights are at their most expensive, so book around two months before travel if you want to visit then. Winter is a popular time to travel to Saudi Arabia, but you can sometimes find last-minute flight deals with Netflights during this time if you’re patient.
Flying to King Abdulaziz International Airport JED
Located 19 kilometres north of Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport was named after the former Saudi monarch. Though it’s only the third-largest airport in the kingdom, it’s by far the busiest. A three-stage development programme is due to be completed in 2018. The airport has a special terminal for pilgrims going to Mecca; the Hajj terminal can handle 80,000 passengers with its innovative open-sided design. You can find direct flights to Jeddah with Saudi Arabia Airlines and British Airways, both of which depart from London Heathrow. Although most of the airlines that connect to Jeddah don’t offer direct flights, you can compare return flights from carriers, such as Aer Lingus, Air France, Egypt Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Kuwait Airways, Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Journeys with these airlines will include at least one stopover.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
There are three terminals at JED with the North Terminal used for international flights only. You’ll find money exchange facilities, restaurants and cafes and shops here. An interterminal bus departs every thirty minutes and only charges a small fee. Taxis are also available. Located less than 9 km away, the South Terminal is used for domestic flights. The enormous Hajj Terminal is located next to the international terminal and boasts several prayer and rest areas, a market, clinic, banking services and a mosque.
Getting to the City from King Abdulaziz International Airport JED
There are bus service connecting Jeddah Airport to the city, but they are often crowded. Taxis are available from outside the arrivals hall to make the 19 km journey to the city centre. Rates are fixed, but it’s still smart to confirm the cost before you begin your journey. Work on a high-speed rail link between the airport and the city is due to begin in the near future. There are special government buses organised for travellers on their way to Mecca that depart from outside the Hajj Terminal.
Why visit Jeddah?
Sprawled along the Red Sea, Jeddah is known in the kingdom for its shopping and 29 kilometres waterside stretch of Corniche, where sculptures, restaurants and resorts line the seashore. The old city still has multi-story houses made from coral; though many are crumbling, the beautiful Naseef House has been well preserved. The Souq Al Alawi, a lively market where haggling is the norm cuts through the old town.
For more retail adventures, head to either the lively fish market or the Gold Souq in the morning. When the Saudi sun gets too hot try scuba diving in the Red Sea or head to the water park at Sail Island. Sit down for a meal of traditional dishes at a waterside restaurant, ideally with a view of the King Fahd Fountain, the tallest water fountain in the world. If you’re looking for the most relaxed city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is your best bet.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
Visitors with a British passport need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims. These can be obtained through visa agencies accredited to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of application. Non-Muslin travellers may need to state the reason for their trip before boarding flights to Jeddah. You can exchange British pounds to Saudi riyal at currency exchange facilities in the airport.
