Desperate for help with RUH transfer
Jul 3, 2025 | 1:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
Desperate for help with RUH transfer
I have a RUH transfer. Arriving from LHR with Virgin at Terminal 1 and departing RUH from Terminal 4 with Saudia. Layover is 4 hours. Same PNR.
I have now read so many horrible stories about transiting at RUH, could someone calm me down?
I have tried getting a transit visa through ksavisa.sa but the website is bugged on all browsers and all devices so I am giving up the idea of arriving with a visa.
My questions are many: Do I need a visa? (Seems like I do because of 2 different airlines) Will I be sent back because I lack a visa or is VOA smooth? Can I stay airside between Terminal 1 and 4?
Grateful for any help.
I have now read so many horrible stories about transiting at RUH, could someone calm me down?
I have tried getting a transit visa through ksavisa.sa but the website is bugged on all browsers and all devices so I am giving up the idea of arriving with a visa.
My questions are many: Do I need a visa? (Seems like I do because of 2 different airlines) Will I be sent back because I lack a visa or is VOA smooth? Can I stay airside between Terminal 1 and 4?
Grateful for any help.
Jul 3, 2025 | 8:35 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,333
I have a RUH transfer. Arriving from LHR with Virgin at Terminal 1 and departing RUH from Terminal 4 with Saudia. Layover is 4 hours. Same PNR.
I have now read so many horrible stories about transiting at RUH, could someone calm me down?
I have tried getting a transit visa through ksavisa.sa but the website is bugged on all browsers and all devices so I am giving up the idea of arriving with a visa.
My questions are many: Do I need a visa? (Seems like I do because of 2 different airlines) Will I be sent back because I lack a visa or is VOA smooth? Can I stay airside between Terminal 1 and 4?
Grateful for any help.
I have now read so many horrible stories about transiting at RUH, could someone calm me down?
I have tried getting a transit visa through ksavisa.sa but the website is bugged on all browsers and all devices so I am giving up the idea of arriving with a visa.
My questions are many: Do I need a visa? (Seems like I do because of 2 different airlines) Will I be sent back because I lack a visa or is VOA smooth? Can I stay airside between Terminal 1 and 4?
Grateful for any help.
There is no contiguous airside connection between the terminals, but if you present yourself at the transfer desk I'm pretty sure some arrangement will be made for an airside car/bus transfer. By and large Saudi officials are friendly and helpful to visitors, but if you hit an exception you can always get a visa from one of the machines or desks - it's a pretty slick process. Slick but expensive.
Jul 4, 2025 | 4:41 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
There is no contiguous airside connection between the terminals, but if you present yourself at the transfer desk I'm pretty sure some arrangement will be made for an airside car/bus transfer. By and large Saudi officials are friendly and helpful to visitors, but if you hit an exception you can always get a visa from one of the machines or desks - it's a pretty slick process. Slick but expensive.
Calmed me down quite a bit. So worst case scenario is visa on arrival? And that visa (long 1 year?) is OK for a 4 hour layover?
I just dont want to be sent back. But come to think about it, in all the horror stories Ive read maybe no one was sent back.
Does being a Schengen citizen and EU passport holder help maybe?
Jul 4, 2025 | 6:11 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 689
I never did such a transfer, and don't know if you strictly need the transit visa or not.
I do know that the ksavisa website is a heaping pile of trash.
If you are in/near London, there is a visa application centre around the corner from Marylebone station. I got my (entry) visa there last year and found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.
I do know that the ksavisa website is a heaping pile of trash.
If you are in/near London, there is a visa application centre around the corner from Marylebone station. I got my (entry) visa there last year and found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.
Jul 4, 2025 | 4:08 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,946
If you are eligible for visa on arrival, I wouldn't worry. Just look for the transit counter when you arrive (they are reportedly surprised when someone actually uses it but know what to do - at last reports re: JED and transfer T1 to/from Hajj terminal or whichever one GA uses).
Jul 4, 2025 | 5:32 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
If you are eligible for visa on arrival, I wouldn't worry. Just look for the transit counter when you arrive (they are reportedly surprised when someone actually uses it but know what to do - at last reports re: JED and transfer T1 to/from Hajj terminal or whichever one GA uses).
Jul 5, 2025 | 4:06 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,333
Helps enormously 
VOA is a smooth process, though I doubt you will need to go through it It's the same price as the eVisa and should give you leave to enter the country as many times as you wish over a twelve month period.
VOA is a smooth process, though I doubt you will need to go through it It's the same price as the eVisa and should give you leave to enter the country as many times as you wish over a twelve month period.