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UK travellers have more direct options to Saudi Arabia than ever before. British Airways and Saudia both fly nonstop from London Heathrow to Jeddah and Riyadh. Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new second airline, added its own Heathrow route in July 2026, plus a first-ever direct Manchester service. Everyone else connects through a hub such as Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. The cheapest option depends on your airport, your dates, and whether a direct flight is worth paying more for.
| Question | Short answer |
| Any direct flights? | Yes. Heathrow–Jeddah and Heathrow–Riyadh (BA, Saudia, Riyadh Air); Manchester–Riyadh (Riyadh Air, 3x weekly since Jul 2026). |
| Cheapest UK airport? | Depends on dates. Budget indirect fares from Manchester or Luton can undercut a Heathrow direct fare. |
| Which Saudi airport? | Jeddah for Makkah/Umrah; Riyadh for the capital/business; Madinah if your trip starts there; Dammam for the Eastern Province. |
| Direct flight time? | Around 6–6.5 hours, Heathrow to Jeddah or Riyadh. |
| Cheapest time to fly? | Outside Ramadan, Hajj and UK school holidays. |
| UK airport | Direct to Saudi? | Best route | Airlines |
| Heathrow | Yes | Jeddah and Riyadh, both direct | British Airways, Saudia, Riyadh Air |
| Manchester | Yes (Riyadh only) | Riyadh direct, 3x weekly | Riyadh Air |
| Gatwick | No | Via Heathrow or a Gulf hub | Various, 1 stop |
| Birmingham | No | Via Heathrow or a Gulf hub | Various, 1 stop |
| Glasgow | No | Via Heathrow or a Gulf hub | Various, 1 stop |
| Edinburgh | No | Via Heathrow or a Gulf hub | Various, 1 stop |
Heathrow has genuine nonstop competition. British Airways flies Heathrow–Jeddah and Heathrow–Riyadh daily. Saudia also serves both from Heathrow. Riyadh Air joined in July 2026 with a daily Heathrow–Riyadh service on Boeing 787-9s. Start here if a direct flight matters most to you.
Manchester gained its first-ever direct Saudi route in July 2026: a 3x-weekly Riyadh Air service to Riyadh. It's newer and less frequent than Heathrow's options, so check current schedules rather than assuming daily availability. Outside these flights, Manchester travellers still have plenty of 1-stop options via Gulf carriers.
None of these has a nonstop Saudi service right now. The practical choice is a connection, either via Heathrow or through a Gulf or Turkish hub like Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul. This adds journey time, but it can also open up cheaper fares than flying direct.
A cheaper flight into the wrong airport can cost more overall. Flying into Riyadh when your trip is really based in Jeddah adds a long domestic transfer that can wipe out any saving.
| Option | Typical advantage | Potential drawback |
| Direct | Faster and simpler; around 6–6.5 hours | Usually the most expensive option |
| 1 stop | More airport and airline choice | Adds 2–5 hours to your journey |
| 2+ stops | Sometimes the cheapest headline fare | Long journey; higher risk of missed connections |
A direct flight is rarely the cheapest fare, but it's usually the least hassle. A well-timed 1-stop can be a genuine sweet spot. Anything with 2 or more stops is worth weighing against the extra hours it costs you.
Real examples checked in August 2026: Manchester to Jeddah from £188 return (indirect, Nov–Dec 2026 dates), and London Luton to Jeddah from £150 return (Wizz Air Malta, 1 stop each way, similar dates).
These are dynamic fares for specific dates, not a promise of what you'll pay. Direct flights on British Airways, Saudia or Riyadh Air are full-service fares and typically cost more than these budget indirect examples, especially near Ramadan or UK school holidays. Airfare moves with season, demand, airport, booking date and baggage, so always compare live prices for your own dates.
Fares rise around Ramadan and Hajj, when demand for pilgrimage travel peaks well above normal. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha bring smaller spikes too. On the UK side, summer holidays and half terms push family travel demand up across most long-haul routes, not just this one – see Travelapp's UK school holiday dates guide for exact 2026 dates once it's published. Outside these periods, fares are generally calmer, so flexible dates are your biggest lever over price.
Most pilgrims fly into Jeddah, the main gateway to Makkah with the widest choice of UK flights. Some itineraries fly into Madinah instead, or into one city and out of the other, to cover Makkah and Madinah without doubling back. Whichever airport you choose, build your flight dates around your hotel and ground transport, not the other way round. A cheap flight that lands hours before check-in, or outside your visa window, isn't a good deal. Demand and fares both rise sharply around Ramadan, so book earlier than for a standard holiday.
Ready to compare? Browse flights to Saudi Arabia, explore our Saudi Arabia holiday packages, or check our Umrah packages for a pilgrimage trip. Get in touch and we'll help you find the right route for your dates and budget.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
No single airport is always cheapest. It depends on your dates and destination city. Budget indirect fares from Manchester or Luton undercut Heathrow direct fares in examples checked for this guide, but compare live prices for your own dates.
British Airways and Saudia fly Heathrow to Jeddah and Riyadh. Riyadh Air added a Heathrow–Riyadh service and a Manchester–Riyadh service in July 2026.
Yes, from London Heathrow, with British Airways and Saudia. No other UK airport has a direct Jeddah service currently.
Neither is consistently cheaper. Jeddah has more flight choice overall as the main Umrah gateway, but the better-value city depends on your dates and departure airport.
Jeddah, for most pilgrims, as the primary gateway to Makkah with the widest flight choice. Some itineraries use Madinah instead, or fly into one city and out of the other.
Around 6 to 6.5 hours direct from Heathrow to Jeddah or Riyadh. Connecting routes take longer, depending on the layover.
It depends on the airline and fare. Full-service carriers like British Airways, Saudia and Riyadh Air usually include checked baggage; budget indirect fares often charge extra. Always check before comparing prices.
Book further ahead for Ramadan, Hajj and UK school holidays, when prices and seat availability both tighten. Outside those periods, there's more room to wait for a good fare.
Yes. Demand for Umrah travel rises sharply around Ramadan and Hajj, and fares typically rise with it. Booking earlier than usual is the most reliable way to manage this.
