20 hour transfer time in Riyadh?

[Pella1]

I am investigating flights to Jordan in November. For the past five years, I have travelled to Jordan to undertake archaeology projects. I usually fly via an Asian hub and have a ‘luxury’ stopover on the return leg. However I have an interest in seeing Muscat and thought I would fly Sydney-Amman-Amman-Muscat-Sydney. One online ticket search resulted in a code-share ticket with Saudi Arabian Airlines with a 20 hour transfer time in Riyadh. Can anybody advise what I could do with a 20 hour transfer in Riyadh Airport?
Please note that I am a 54 year old female Australian citizen who is not a Moslem.

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF Pella1.

Can't help with your question, but your occupation seems interesting ...

 

[casanovawa]

I have recently had to get visas for a couple of people to go to Saudi Arabia... You need an invitation from someone in Saudi Arabia i believe, so if you want to leave the airport and go through immigration you will need one of these visas... Its also a bit complicated so we went through like a visa processing company to assist us....

Me personally, I'm not planning to visit there anytime soon...

But yes your occupation does sound interesting and hoping to visit Amman and Petra myself next year...

 

[superpang]

Ive been to that Airport and there is really not much to do there..........why dont you check your options with RJ they are a great little airline and a one world member so if you are QFF you will earn points with them

 

[simongr]

I have recently had to get visas for a couple of people to go to Saudi Arabia... You need an invitation from someone in Saudi Arabia i believe, so if you want to leave the airport and go through immigration you will need one of these visas... Its also a bit complicated so we went through like a visa processing company to assist us....

Me personally, I'm not planning to visit there anytime soon...

But yes your occupation does sound interesting and hoping to visit Amman and Petra myself next year...

you can not underestimate the pain of getting a Saudi visa. Personally I would route any where ther than Saudi. I go there for business and diving only.

 

[danunder1]

Hi Pella1
I personally would suggest flying in to Dubai, hiring a car (cheap as chips, asis petrol) and driving to Muscat.This time of the year is fine, and it's lovelydrive anyway. You'd go to Muscat from Dubai via Al Ain (half of Al Ain's inUAE, and half in Oman, so there's a brief stop there for a passport stamp),then through Oman's former capital, Nizwa to end up in Muscat, and come backvia the coast, turning left at Sohar. Would make it easier to get around inMuscat as well. (Have done this bytheway, whilst living in Dubai). Then, whenback in Dubai, continue on to Jordan as you know, via Emirates or RoyalJordanian. The latter bytheway, is interestingly the only Middle East airline Iknow of, that'll get you into Israel (should you wish to go, of course).
Enjoy your digs...

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF Pella1!

I have never transited via Riyadh but I have heard that you cannot do anything during a transit anyway. Where do you think you can go? Get out of airport and visit an exciting place?

Is there a connection via the Antarctic?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

and hoping to visit Amman and Petra myself next year...

IMO both are well worth a visit.... and also IMO Jordan was a much more enjoyable experience than Egypt, even though my original reason to visit the region was Egypt with both Jordan and Israel added on as an afterthought.

Crusader forts, Lawrence of Arabia country, Wadi rum etc...

 

[danunder1]

Well, actually, my dear old business colleague is the former Deputy to Saudi's Minister for the Interior, and would easily help you with a visa. He's probably about seventy now, and the most humble host you could imagine.
Actually - and not your typical urban myth - I also have it on excellent authority, that he (Serhan) was the first person in the Saudi gov't ranks, to put pen to paper, seeking and recommending the expulsion of Osama bin Laden from the Kingdom.
And he's a wonderful guide as well. Can absolutely guarantee, he'd be thrilled to look after any acquaintance of mine. You'd be as safe as the proverbial...not joking.
And a couple of places you could do worse than visit in Riyadh - both Kingdon Tower and the Al-Faisalia Tower have stunning boutiques that are truly not to be missed. Google them to have a look see.
Against my wishes, my dear friend bought a stunning outfit for my wife in a boutique at Al-Faisalia - at a price I was too embarrassed to mention.
And November weather over there as you well know, will be great.
The old story, it's not what you know, but who..... ..Serhan is the elderly gentleman with the checkered wear...and we're at the top of Kingdom Tower.

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah i did about 6 days in Egypt in 2010 then took a bus across Sinai into Israel and up to Jerusalem for several days, would have liked to pop over to Jordan then, but also had to squeeze in Athens and Istanbul that trip and just not enough time...

The fact that i have a couple of entry and exit stamps from Israel I imagine would mean i wouldn't be greeted with open arms at Saudi immigration... Unless i knew the King...