Flying to Pakistan on Saudi Arabian Airlines

Hello, I have found a great fare to Islamabad on Saudi Arabian Airlines, It requires an 18hr layover in Jeddah but would save me over $300 and at least give me a glimpse of that part of the world. Has anyone done this and would you reccomend? thx,, avsfan

Hello,
Forget the glimpse of that part of the world. It is really difficult to get a visa for Saudi other than business or pilgrimage visa. You will stay 18h in the airport.
You can decide if saving 300USD is worth spending 18h inside an airport, and Saudi airports are not the most fancy ones...

Cheers,
Patrice

Do you have a visa? If not the only glimpse you may get is from the air..

Transit visas are free. I havent read of any cases online where they have been denied when someone has an onwad ticket on Saudi Arlines. Still you cannot just roam and go wherever you want. You must apply 90 days before you leave so it adds some uncertainty before you leave if you purchase ticket before visa. I think I will probably chicken out and fly on a more expensive direct flight but this is an interesting and very cheap option which many might not know about. $619 one way from DC to ISB.

Saving 300$ is not a bad idea if you could arrange your transit visa before leaving.

The catch is you cannot get your transit visa more than a few months in advance so you would have to buy tickets before you get the visa. I dont think that a transit visa would be denied. I havent read about this happening to anyone while researching online, for whatever that is worth.