Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Saudi Arabia

Direct flight routes to Saudi Arabia

Currently there are no non-stop flights operating between Australasia and Saudi Arabia.

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering frequent connections to Saudi cities, with average layover times of 3-4 hours. Modern terminal facilities and comprehensive duty-free shopping. Free shuttle service to major attractions for longer layovers.

Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways primary hub with multiple daily flights to Saudi Arabia. Typical connections run 2-5 hours. Award-winning Hamad International Airport features quiet rooms and complimentary city tours for layovers over 8 hours.

Singapore (SIN) – Singapore Airlines connections via Changi Airport. Connection times average 4-6 hours. Features butterfly garden, movie theater, and swimming pool. Excellent for breaking long journey into two manageable segments.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Malaysia Airlines hub offering budget-friendly connections. Average layover time 5-7 hours. Efficient transit process and good dining options.

Time vs money

One-stop flights typically offer the best balance between travel time and cost. Two-stop itineraries can reduce ticket prices by 20-30% but add 6-12 hours to total journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layovers of at least 3 hours when connecting through Dubai or Doha to allow for security checks and potential delays.


• Consider breaking journey with 24-hour stopover in Singapore or Dubai at minimal extra cost through airline stopover programs.


• Lower fares typically available when routing through Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta, but require longer total travel time.


• Book flights arriving in Saudi Arabia late evening to avoid peak-hour immigration queues.


• Check if your chosen route operates daily, as some connections only run 3-4 times per week.

• Etihad Airways offers competitive fares from Sydney and Melbourne to Jeddah via Abu Dhabi, with economy fares often 15-20% below market average. Their Boeing 787 Dreamliners feature a generous 33-inch pitch in economy and superior air quality systems. The connection time in Abu Dhabi is typically under 3 hours, making it one of the faster options.
• Flying Qatar Airways via Doha from Perth provides excellent value, with total journey times around 18 hours to Riyadh. Their A350-1000 aircraft offers a wider economy seat at 18 inches, while their frequent promotions can drop fares to as low as AUD 1,200 return. Qatar’s extensive Saudi network allows easy connections to secondary cities like Dammam and Medina.
• Singapore Airlines operates from six Australian cities to Jeddah via Singapore, with particularly competitive prices from Adelaide and Brisbane. Their A350-900 economy cabin offers a comfortable 32-inch pitch, while the carrier’s high-frequency schedule allows flexible connection times in Singapore.
• Consider departing from Auckland with Emirates, routing through Dubai to Saudi destinations. The airline’s modern A380 fleet offers superior comfort with 32-34 inch pitch in economy, while their multi-risk travel insurance is included in all fares. Evening departures from Auckland align well with morning arrivals in Saudi Arabia, minimizing jet lag.
• The Malaysia Airlines route via Kuala Lumpur offers some of the lowest fares from Sydney and Melbourne to Jeddah, often 25% below market average. Their A330-300 aircraft provides a comfortable 32-inch pitch in economy. The carrier recently increased their baggage allowance to 30kg for economy passengers on this route.

1. Not considering the two-hub advantage Many travelers overlook that flying via either Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways) can offer significantly different prices and layover times to Saudi cities.
2. Booking flights during Hajj season Flying to Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj pilgrimage (dates vary yearly) means extremely high fares and limited availability, even if you’re not traveling for religious purposes.
3. Missing the terminal distinction at Jeddah Travelers often don’t realize that Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport has separate terminals for Hajj, domestic, and international flights, which can cause confusion and missed connections.
4. Overlooking regional entry points Many automatically book flights to Riyadh or Jeddah when smaller airports like Dammam might offer better connections and lower fares from Australasia.
5. Poor timing for layovers Booking tight connections in Gulf hubs during peak hours (midnight to 4 AM) can lead to stressful transfers and potential missed connections due to the extremely busy nature of these airports during these times.

Emirates

Best for: Most extensive network from Australasia to Saudi Arabia with excellent service consistency.

Serves 7 Australasian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, Christchurch) to multiple Saudi destinations via Dubai. Economy offers generous 32-34″ seat pitch, high-quality entertainment system with 4500+ channels, and well-regarded halal-certified meals with regional specialties. Efficient layovers in Dubai average 2-3 hours. Passenger ratings consistently above 4/5 for economy service.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Superior economy class comfort and award-winning catering.

Operates from 5 major airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland) to Saudi Arabia via Doha. Features industry-leading 18-inch-wide seats with 32″ pitch in economy. Distinguished by exceptional dining program with multiple meal choices and snack bar access. Typical connection times in Doha range 2-4 hours. Consistently rated among top 3 airlines globally for economy class experience.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Most spacious economy seating and family-friendly services.

Connects 4 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth) to Saudi Arabia through Abu Dhabi. Offers generous 33″ seat pitch in economy and unique “Flying Nanny” service for families. Features modern entertainment systems and quality halal meals. Transit times in Abu Dhabi typically 2-3 hours. Receives high marks for seat comfort and family travel experience.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Premium economy service quality and reliability.

Services 6 Australasian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Wellington) to Saudi Arabia via Singapore. Known for attentive cabin crew and high service standards. Economy features 32″ pitch seats with acclaimed entertainment system. Connection times in Singapore average 2-4 hours. Consistently rated 4.5/5 for economy class service quality and punctuality.

Using APAC carriers for cheaper routes to Saudi Arabia

Savvy travelers from Australia and New Zealand can significantly reduce costs to Saudi Arabia by leveraging regional Asian carriers instead of booking direct routes. This strategy, known as “segment breaking,” can save up to 40% on standard fares.

1. Break the journey in Southeast Asia – Consider flying budget carriers like AirAsia or Scoot to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur first
2. Utilize Middle Eastern connections – From Southeast Asia hubs, connect with carriers like Thai Airways or Malaysia Airlines to Middle Eastern interchange points
3. Final leg options – Complete the journey using Gulf carriers like Saudia or regional carriers like flynas for domestic Saudi segments

Key money-saving opportunities arise from:

1. Lower operating costs of Asian carriers
2. Competitive pricing in the Southeast Asian market
3. Frequent promotional fares on individual segments
4. Ability to mix different airline alliances

While this approach requires more planning and potentially longer travel times, savings often outweigh the inconvenience. Best results typically come from booking 3-4 months ahead and being flexible with layover durations.