# King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)

> Jeddah, SA · 19 km (12 mi) north of Jeddah

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/jed
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/jed.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: JED
- **ICAO**: OEJN
- **Timezone**: Asia/Riyadh
- **Runways**: 3
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 34M/yr
- **Hub for**: Saudia
- **Official site**: https://www.kaia.sa

## Overview

## Welcome

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) stands out as the primary air gateway for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, dictating its unique design and seasonal operation. The airport hosts both an ultra-modern Terminal 1, complete with a massive aquarium and indoor garden, and the vast semi-open Hajj Terminal, which feels like a temporary city during peak pilgrimage periods. For non-pilgrim travelers, the combination of state-of-the-art amenities and intense congestion during peak seasons creates a travel environment found in few other airports of its size.

## At a glance

- Passenger Traffic: 34 million annually

- Runways: 3

- Terminals: 2 (Terminal 1, Hajj Terminal)

- Main Hub: Saudia

- Location: 19 km north of Jeddah

- Key Airlines: Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal

## Terminals & layout

The airport's two terminals serve distinct purposes. Terminal 1 accommodates Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal, providing a modern travel experience highlighted by an enormous aquarium, which doubles as a meeting point and relaxation zone. Meanwhile, the Hajj Terminal, designed specifically for pilgrims, operates as a microcosm of the pilgrimage, with spacious prayer areas and the capability to handle immense crowds with its tent-like structures.

## Getting to and from the city

Transport options from JED to Jeddah are extensive, ranging from Uber and Careem rides to the Haramain High Speed Railway. The SAPTCO Bus and local Airport Shuttle Bus offer more economical options, whereas private limousine services provide a more luxurious ride into the city. Expect variable pricing during peak religious seasons, with seasoned travelers advising pre-arranged hotel or travel agent pickups to avoid surge pricing.

## Traveller essentials

Free Wi-Fi at JED can be unreliable, making offline downloads wise before arrival. Payment is mostly cashless at airside locations, but not all vendors accept international cards reliably, so having some local currency or a topped-off local digital wallet is advisable. Parking ranges from SAR 20 for remote areas to SAR 50 for short-term spots, so choose according to your needs and budget.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Dining options cluster around global names like McDonald’s and Starbucks, with local favorites such as Barns Café and Shawarmer also on site. For a meal with less wait time, venture outside the central food court in Terminal 1. Shopping includes everything from Virgin Megastore to Swarovski and Pandora, ensuring a well-rounded retail selection, though passengers note that prices may feel steep particularly in duty-free zones.

## Lounges

For those seeking a more serene airport experience, JED's lounges, including the Altanfeethi Lounge and the Plaza Premium Lounge, offer a range of services from culinary delights to refreshing showers. These facilities often provide reliable Wi-Fi and quieter environments compared to the bustling main terminal.

## Insider tips

- **Time:** Build in significant buffer time during Hajj or Umrah, as queues can delay you by several hours, especially at night.

- **Quiet:** For a peaceful wait, the less busy gates in Terminal 1 often have unused seats and power outlets.

- **Avoid:** Tight layovers under 2.5 hours during busy seasons can be risky due to repeated document checks.

- **Money:** Opt for cash before you go airside since small outlets may not accept foreign cards.

- **Local:** Explore smaller, independent cafés away from the central area for a more authentic and relaxed experience.

- **Insider:** The showers in premium lounges are underutilized and ideal for refreshing after a long flight.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 1** — Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal, Royal Air Maroc
  Main terminal for international and domestic flights.
- **Hajj & Umrah Terminal** — Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal
  Dedicated terminal for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

## Dining (24)

- **Al Baik**
- **Al Tazaj** — 1
- **Barns Café** — 1 · Cafe · $$
- **BON Café**
- **Brew 92** — 1 · Coffee Shop · Specialty Coffee · $$
- **Broast** — 1
- **Burger King** — 1
- **Cinnabon** — 1
- **Costa Coffee** — 1
- **Dr. Café** — 1
- **Dunkin** — 1
- **Herfy** — 1
- **Juice Time** — 1
- **Krispy Kreme** — 1
- **Kudu** — 1
- **McDonald’s** — 1 · American · Fast Food · $
- **PAUL** — 1
- **Piatto** — 1
- **Sbarro** — 1 · Italian · Fast Food · $
- **Seattle's Best Coffee** — 1
- **Shawarma Factory** — 1
- **Shawarmer** — 1
- **Starbucks** — 1
- **Subway** — 1

## Lounges (12)

- **صالة التنفيذي** — 1 · فيزا, ماستركارد, نقد
- **Al Fursan Lounge** — Royal Terminal, invitation only
- **Altanfeethi Lounge** — 1 · Visa, Mastercard, Cash
- **First Class Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, Saudia first class
- **Flynas Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, airline lounge access
- **Plaza Premium Lounge** — 1 · Visa, Mastercard, Cash
- **Primeclass Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, independent access
- **Saudia Alfursan Golden Lounge** — Hajj Terminal, Saudia and SkyTeam
- **Saudia Alfursan Lounge** — North Terminal, Saudia and SkyTeam
- **Saudia Alfursan Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, Saudia and SkyTeam
- **Wagas Lounge** — 1 · Terminal 1, paid access
- **Welcome Lounge** — 1 · Visa, Mastercard, Cash

## Shops (22)

- **Al-Musbah** — 1
- **Bath and Body Works** — 1
- **Body Shop** — 1
- **Duty Free** — 1 · Duty Free
- **Duty-Free Art Wall** — 1 · Attraction
- **Hadeel Bookstore** — 1
- **Hemat** — 1
- **Jarir Bookstore** — 1
- **KAIA Aquarium** — 1 · Attraction
- **Local Dates Shop** — 1
- **MAC** — 1
- **Mobile Accessories Kiosk** — 1
- **Oud and Perfume Kiosk** — 1
- **Pandora** — 1
- **Paris Gallery** — 1
- **Pharmacy Outlet** — 1
- **Samsonite** — 1
- **Shop & Dine** — 1 · Fashion
- **Souvenir of Saudi Arabia** — 1
- **Swarovski** — 1
- **Tumi** — 1
- **Virgin Megastore** — 1

## Parking (18)

- **مواقف خاصة لذوي القدرة المحدودة على الحركة** — /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr · next to terminal
- **Bus Parking Area** — Coaches · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **Economy Parking** — Long-stay · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **مواقف شحن السيارات الكهربائية** — /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr · next to terminal
- **مواقف مسافري الدرجة الأولى والأعمال** — Valet · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr · next to terminal
- **Hotel Parking** — On-site hotel · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **مواقف الفترات الطويلة** — Long stay · SAR 30/day, /how not cited//hr · 0.5 mi
- **Long-Term Parking** — Long stay · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **حافلات النقل المترددة** — /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr · next to terminal
- **Overflow Parking** — Seasonal Hajj · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **Premium Parking** — Short-stay · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **مواقف اقتصادية بعيدة** — Remote · SAR 20/day, /how not cited//hr · 1 mi
- **Remote Parking** — Economy · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **مواقف الفترات القصيرة** — Short stay · SAR 50/day, SAR 10/hr · next to terminal
- **Short-Term Parking** — Short stay · /how not cited//day, 5.75/hr · a few steps away from arrivals and departures
- **Staff Parking** — Restricted · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **Valet Parking** — Valet · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr
- **VIP Parking** — Valet · /how not cited//day, /how not cited//hr

## Ground transport (11)

- **Airport Shuttle Bus** — Local bus
- **Careem** — Rideshare
- **Charter Hajj Coaches** — Group transport
- **Haramain High Speed Railway** — Train
- **Hotel Shuttle Vans** — Hotel transfer
- **Intercity Taxi Rank** — Metered taxi
- **Local Public Bus Route to Jeddah** — City bus
- **Private Limousine Service** — Car service
- **Rental Car Center** — Car rental
- **SAPTCO Bus** — Intercity coach
- **Uber** — Taxi

## Insider tips

- _Time_: Build in significant buffer time during Hajj or Umrah, as queues can delay you by several hours, especially at night.
- _Quiet_: For a peaceful wait, the less busy gates in Terminal 1 often have unused seats and power outlets.
- _Avoid_: Tight layovers under 2.5 hours during busy seasons can be risky due to repeated document checks.
- _Money_: Opt for cash before you go airside since small outlets may not accept foreign cards.
- _Local_: Explore smaller, independent cafés away from the central area for a more authentic and relaxed experience.
- _Insider_: The showers in premium lounges are underutilized and ideal for refreshing after a long flight.