Originally Posted by
Flamenguista
I will be doing a self transfer and I'd love to hear any real world experiences with this, as the info available is scarce.
Itinerary is XXX-DOH-RUH on Qatar and then RUH-BAH on Gulf Air. From what I understand, though this is not entirely clear, I need to purchase a transit visa (traveling on US passport). The problem is that the government visa website currently only allows for transit visas to be done through the national airlines. Is it just easier to file a regular tourist E-Visa?
From recent flight records, I see Qatar operates from Terminal 3 and Gulf Air from Terminal 2. Does anyone know the exact process for a self transfer? After immigration, where in the airport will I be let out? Will I need to leave a secure area to get to Terminal 2 for the Gulf Air flight? I know a few different airports have separate immigration/security for passengers in J, would that be the case in Riyadh? Both my separate tickets are in Business, and I'll only have a carry-on.
Finally, in anyone's opinion, how long would you estimate this to take?
I wish this wasn't the case, but my Qatar flight is an award booking, and they won't let me change or eliminate the RUH leg of it. My original reason to go Saudi Arabia is no longer possible, so instead of canceling the entire itinerary, I'm trying to make this trip work for me.
We're in pretty much the same boat, so I'll give you the link to my extant thread:
Saudia ---> British Airways at Riyadh
I travel to Jeddah as a destination frequently, Riyadh very infrequently, Both immigration set-ups can have specific lines for different passenger types, but the distinction can be fluid. Friends tell me that RUH arrivals have improved beyond measure - but let's see: I'm pretty sure it depends on the density of wide-body arrivals.
I don't know if you can process check-in formalities or get boarding passes issued airside: that's the boat we share. You could wait to find out, then if unsuccessful go for the VoA option. If you might return anytime to KSA, the regular e-visa is only a little more expensive, and for most eligible passports it will give you multiple entries over a year. I think both visas cost uncomfortably north of £100.
At Riyadh, T1 and T2 have a connected airside, but i think T3 is new to that game.
Good luck, and please report back !