Int'l Egypt Air connecting to Saudi Air in Jeddah
May 27, 2010, 4:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
Int'l Egypt Air connecting to Saudi Air in Jeddah
Hey there,
We have a flight coming in from Cairo via Egypt Air to Jeddah and out of Jeddah 2hr20 later en route to Johannesburg. From what I've gleaned from other posts, this is cutting it a little tight because the North Terminal (where I'll presumably be arriving) is 20km from the South Terminal (where I'll be presumably be departing). This is probably exacerbated by a lack of English speaking personnel on hand in Jeddah. So basically I'm looking for any and all suggestions for how to expedite the process. Obviously, we won't be checking any bags but, at this point, the flight is non-refundable, non-transferable so if we were to miss it we'd incur some pretty sizable additional costs (ie, we'd need to buy a new ticket).
Luckily (I hope) our flight is arriving at 2:15 AM (out 4:35 AM) so foot traffic shouldn't be too formidable. If anyone has any suggestions regarding getting through the customs process (I'm assuming we'll need to clear since we're exiting the airport to go to the South Terminal), getting a cab to the other terminal and getting checked in for our connection it would be MUCH appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
JH
We have a flight coming in from Cairo via Egypt Air to Jeddah and out of Jeddah 2hr20 later en route to Johannesburg. From what I've gleaned from other posts, this is cutting it a little tight because the North Terminal (where I'll presumably be arriving) is 20km from the South Terminal (where I'll be presumably be departing). This is probably exacerbated by a lack of English speaking personnel on hand in Jeddah. So basically I'm looking for any and all suggestions for how to expedite the process. Obviously, we won't be checking any bags but, at this point, the flight is non-refundable, non-transferable so if we were to miss it we'd incur some pretty sizable additional costs (ie, we'd need to buy a new ticket).
Luckily (I hope) our flight is arriving at 2:15 AM (out 4:35 AM) so foot traffic shouldn't be too formidable. If anyone has any suggestions regarding getting through the customs process (I'm assuming we'll need to clear since we're exiting the airport to go to the South Terminal), getting a cab to the other terminal and getting checked in for our connection it would be MUCH appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
JH
May 28, 2010, 11:27 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 830
Marhaba JH.
You're right.
The S.Terminal is about 20 km from N.T.
BUT
o I understand it right,that your Flight to JNB is also with MS ?
Then,you'll be on Transfer,so no need to leave the Terminal.
If you have to leave the Terminal,you'll need Visa for KSA.
South Terminal is only for Domestic&Saudi Air Intl.only
You're right.
The S.Terminal is about 20 km from N.T.
BUT
o I understand it right,that your Flight to JNB is also with MS ?Then,you'll be on Transfer,so no need to leave the Terminal.
If you have to leave the Terminal,you'll need Visa for KSA.
South Terminal is only for Domestic&Saudi Air Intl.only
May 28, 2010, 1:47 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
Marhaba JH.
You're right.
The S.Terminal is about 20 km from N.T.
BUTo I understand it right,that your Flight to JNB is also with MS ?
Then,you'll be on Transfer,so no need to leave the Terminal.
If you have to leave the Terminal,you'll need Visa for KSA.
South Terminal is only for Domestic&Saudi Air Intl.only
You're right.
The S.Terminal is about 20 km from N.T.
BUT
o I understand it right,that your Flight to JNB is also with MS ?Then,you'll be on Transfer,so no need to leave the Terminal.
If you have to leave the Terminal,you'll need Visa for KSA.
South Terminal is only for Domestic&Saudi Air Intl.only
May 28, 2010, 4:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 830
Aah,SAA (South African )
The N.Terminal is used by''All Foreign Airlines''.
No need to change the Terminal.
You'll be in Transit,insh'allah
.ergo,no Visa needed.
Terminal S.was exclusivly only for Saudi Air(SV ) and is since 2007 also for NAS & SAMA.
Hope this was helpful.
The N.Terminal is used by''All Foreign Airlines''.
No need to change the Terminal.
You'll be in Transit,insh'allah
.ergo,no Visa needed.Terminal S.was exclusivly only for Saudi Air(SV ) and is since 2007 also for NAS & SAMA.
Hope this was helpful.
Last edited by moeser; May 28, 2010 at 4:12 pm
May 28, 2010, 4:18 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
Sorry, I think I maybe be confusing my acronyms.
By SAA, I meant Saudi Arabian Airlines (not South African) so I will be departing from Jeddah on Saudi Air. Again, to clarify, I'll be arriving via Egyptair. My layover is 2hr20 and I have no transit visa. Any suggestions?
By SAA, I meant Saudi Arabian Airlines (not South African) so I will be departing from Jeddah on Saudi Air. Again, to clarify, I'll be arriving via Egyptair. My layover is 2hr20 and I have no transit visa. Any suggestions?
May 30, 2010, 2:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 830
Is it a cooperate flight ?
For KSA you'll need a Saudi Visa.
If your way back s also over JEDDAH (jED),you need a Multi Entry Visa.
It usually takes 14 Days.
Without a valid Visa,boarding wll be denied in Cairo(CAI).
I strongly recomend to check with MS&SV(Saudia) if there is any special Procedure for Transfer Passengers.
Without avalid Visa,you can't enter KSA.
They are very restrictiv.
Keep me informed.
BR
For KSA you'll need a Saudi Visa.
If your way back s also over JEDDAH (jED),you need a Multi Entry Visa.
It usually takes 14 Days.
Without a valid Visa,boarding wll be denied in Cairo(CAI).
I strongly recomend to check with MS&SV(Saudia) if there is any special Procedure for Transfer Passengers.
Without avalid Visa,you can't enter KSA.
They are very restrictiv.
Keep me informed.
BR
May 31, 2010, 9:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: BA Gold; AS MVP
Posts: 292
Hellman, unless the entire journey is on one ticket (NPR), I think you may have problems transiting in Jidda. If you have a ticket CAI-JED that is distinct from the onward Saudia ticket to South Africa, I am almost certain that the agent will need to see a Saudi Arabian entry visa prior to allowing you to board the aircraft in Cairo. Saudi visas are NOT something easily obtained BTW.
If, however, your SINGLE ticket shows a transfer in Jidda, you will not 'enter' the country. MS or SV will transfer you from the North Terminal to the South Terminal -- believe me, there is no way you will be able to get into a taxi to go from North to South. While it certainly isn't 20 km (perhaps 10 at most), getting there by taxi involves traveling along a freeway that parallels the runways.
I'd advise you to sort this out PRIOR to attempting to board the MS flight in Cairo - it'll be major hassle (if not impossibility) for you if the entire journey isn't on one ticket.
Good Luck!
If, however, your SINGLE ticket shows a transfer in Jidda, you will not 'enter' the country. MS or SV will transfer you from the North Terminal to the South Terminal -- believe me, there is no way you will be able to get into a taxi to go from North to South. While it certainly isn't 20 km (perhaps 10 at most), getting there by taxi involves traveling along a freeway that parallels the runways.
I'd advise you to sort this out PRIOR to attempting to board the MS flight in Cairo - it'll be major hassle (if not impossibility) for you if the entire journey isn't on one ticket.
Good Luck!
Jun 4, 2010, 2:56 am
#8
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,949
I'd recommend getting a transit visa, whatever... if you miss the connection or the flight is cancelled, you won't be able to leave the airport without one.
Do you mean in this specific case? I've taken a taxi between the two terminals several times.
Do you mean in this specific case? I've taken a taxi between the two terminals several times.
Jun 4, 2010, 3:54 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 830
You know how difficult it is,to get a Visa for KSA,even a Transfer Visa
and how long it could take.
Jun 4, 2010, 7:36 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 4
Jeddah as a connecting point
Definitely, Jeddah is not a good connecting point between Cairo (CAI) and Johannesburg (JNB). Moreover, in case of using multiple tickets for connecting flights, there will be a risk of potential problems in case of late arrival of the delivering carrier.
Simply, two separate tickets mean two carriage contracts. On the other hand, the participating carriers shown on ONE ticket covering all flights from the origin (CAI) to the destination (JNB) will be responsible for any possible delay, mis-connection, or layover.
What about flying with Kenya Airways through Nairobi, or with Ethiopian through Addis Ababa?
Simply, two separate tickets mean two carriage contracts. On the other hand, the participating carriers shown on ONE ticket covering all flights from the origin (CAI) to the destination (JNB) will be responsible for any possible delay, mis-connection, or layover.
What about flying with Kenya Airways through Nairobi, or with Ethiopian through Addis Ababa?
Jun 5, 2010, 12:18 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: BA Gold; AS MVP
Posts: 292
Yes, I was referring to the specific case of the traveler attempting to transit in Jidda on two separate tickets without a visa to enter the country. I don't believe there is a way that he'll be allowed to board the aircraft in Cairo on a CAI-JED ticket without an entry visa of some sort (call it 'transit' or whatever!).
I concur that, if any way possible, the OP will save himself LOADS of grief by avoiding an attempt to transit in Jidda. It simply won't happen - he won't make it out of CAI without a Saudi visa.
I concur that, if any way possible, the OP will save himself LOADS of grief by avoiding an attempt to transit in Jidda. It simply won't happen - he won't make it out of CAI without a Saudi visa.
