Are you planning your vacation from Riyadh to London? Your search ends here, as this post exclusively focuses on comprehensive Riyadh to London tour packages, providing you with all the essential details you need for your trip.
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula. The population of Riyadh was 7.6 million in 2019, making it the most populous city in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s GDP per capita income is $ 32,372, the second-highest after Dhahran’s $55,940. This gives the city a high disposable income to travel worldwide and a high inbound travel destination to the UK.
Riyadh to London Travel
The distance between Riyadh and London is a whopping 6,118 km by road and 4,946 km by air. You need to be super adventurous to do road travel to reach London from Riyadh. By Road, it can take a minimum of 62 hours to reach London. Of course, you will be taking breaks throughout your journey. So it can take up to 7 -9 days of being on the road to reach London. However, the best alternative we would recommend to travel to London from Riyadh will be Air travel.
Riyadh to London flights
The best airline service and most efficient on-time arrival will be the national airline of Saudi Arabia which is Saudia. Reviewers on Tripadvisor have given 3.5 stars to the Saudia airline. Following are the topmost recommended airlines for travel to London from Riyadh:
- Saudia (3.5 stars on Tripadvisor)
- Emirates (4 stars on Tripadvisor)
- British Airways ( 3.5 stars on Tripadvisor)
- Qatar (4 stars on Tripadvisor)
- KLM (4 stars on Tripadvisor)
The fastest among the above-mentioned flights will be Saudia and British Airways which will take roughly 7 hours to reach London. Both these flights offer non-stop flight from Riyadh to London. We recommend Saudia and Qatar Airways as a flight to book your trip from Riyadh to London.
Top London hotels to stay for Riyadh Tourists
Once you are done with the visa formalities and flight booking, you will need to sort out the hotel booking. London has the most beautiful and highest number of 5-star hotels in the world with 75 hotels in total. Surpassing Dubai which has 61 5-star hotels. The top 10 London hotels as per travel and leisure in 2022 are as follows:
| S.No | Hotel Name | Score | |
| 1 | Shangri-La the Shard, London | 97.86 | Check Availability |
| 2 | The Goring, Belgravia | 96.55 | Check Availability |
| 3 | The Connaught, Westminster | 95.79 | Check Availability |
| 4 | The Lanesborough, Oetker Collection | 95.50 | Check Availability |
| 5 | Kimpton Fitzroy London | 95.24 | Check Availability |
| 6 | Claridge’s, Mayfair | 94.60 | Check Availability |
| 7 | The Savoy, Strand | 93.63 | Check Availability |
| 8 | Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park | 92.95 | Check Availability |
| 9 | Four Seasons Hotel London, Park Lane | 92.50 | Check Availability |
| 10 | Rosewood London | 92.39 | Check Availability |
In case you are looking for other specific London hotels you can search and book below basis availability:
Visa requirements for Travelling to London from Riyadh
For Riyadh to London travel, it is mandatory for Citizens as well as ex-pats to apply for a visa to travel to the UK. Following is the process for booking your UK tourist visa:
1. Choose the UK Visa Type
You will have to choose the right visa to travel to the UK. Generally, tourists who are travelling to the UK for a short term can apply for a short-term visa which is valid for up to 6 months. You can see all visa types here Link
2. UK Visa Fees
Following are the visa fees to travel to the UK:
-
- Standard Visitor visa – for the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
| Visa types – Standard Visitors | Visa application fee in Saudi Arabian Riyal (﷼) | Visa application fee (USD) |
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | SAR 499 | $ 133 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | SAR 1,890 | $ 504 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | SAR 3,431 | $ 915 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | SAR 4,305 | $ 1,148 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months up to 12 months | SAR 994 | $ 265 |
| Marriage visitor visa | SAR 499 | $ 133 |
| Permitted paid engagement visa | SAR 499 | $ 133 |
| Private medical treatment – more than six months up to 11 months | SAR 994 | $ 265 |
| Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group (the UK only) | SAR 499 | $ 133 |
-
- Child Visitors
| Visa types – Child Visitors | Visa application fee in Saudi Arabian Riyal (﷼) | Visa application fee (USD) |
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | SAR 499 | $ 133 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | SAR 1,890 | $ 504 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | SAR 3,431 | $ 915 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | SAR 4,305 | $ 1,148 |
Please Note: The visa fees may change from time to time. We will keep it updated, in case the changes are frequent, you may also visit the “Gov.UK” website to check the latest UK visa fees from Riyadh.
3. Apply for a UK visa Online and Pay
Once you have decided the type of visa you want to apply you, you will then have to fill out the application form on the Gov.UK website in English and pay online for the visa type selected. At the bottom of the page, you will see a “Start Now” button to start a new application. Apply Here
4. Appointment at VFS Global Riyadh
Once you have completed the application and paid the fees online, you will be redirected to the VFS Global website to book a face-to-face appointment to submit the visa application documents and biometric capture. Following is the Riyadh UK Visa application centre:
| VFS Global Riyadh Address | Opening Hours |
| UK Visa Application Centre 2591 Makkah road, al Hada, Riyadh 12913, Saudi Arabia, (Beside Marriott Courtyard, Opposite of Diplomatic Quarters Gate 2) | Business hours are Sunday to Thursday 09:00 – 16:00 |
To know more about the Riyadh UK visa application centre click here. To edit or reschedule your booked appointment you can Log in to VFS global here.
5. Documents to carry on the appointment day
Once your appointment is fixed, you will have to carry the following documents with you to the visa application centre:
- Printout of the Appointment Confirmation letter confirming the details of your appointment (Received from VFS Global)
- Valid passport or travel document (With at least 1 page that is blank on both sides)
- Printout of your checklist (From your completed application on GOV.UK)
- Supporting documents you have not uploaded your documents online, you will need to bring them with you to the Visa Application Centre. Please refer to UKVI guidelines for your visa type for the documents you must provide. Documents should be sized, sorted and separated according to the supporting documents guidelines, to ensure swift processing at the Riyadh Visa Application Centre.
Once you have sorted your visa, you will have to Book your flights which we have recommended above. And once you have booked your flight you land in the dreamland of London. Below you can see our top-selling London tour packages you must check out and book.
Latest News: Going forward from 22 February 2024 onwards, Saudi Arabian Nationals will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they are travelling to the UK. Click here to know more.
You can also apply for the UK Visa from our partner iVisa by clicking below:
Best London Tour Packages for tourists travelling from Riyadh
We have listed below top London tours curated for Riyadh tourists, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience in the vibrant city, encompassing its iconic attractions and cultural highlights.
1. Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace Tour
Experience the original Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace tour. Enjoy traditional sandwiches, cakes & scones on the grounds of the Palace by the Diana Statue.
2. Warner Bros. Studio: The Making of Harry Potter with Luxury Round-Trip Transport from London
Step into the mystical world of Harry Potter™ with a behind-the-scenes visit to Warner Bros. Studio London. With luxury round-trip transport from London Victoria to the north London studios included, this 7-hour experience enables you to discover the magic of the Harry Potter films without any hassle.
3. The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Admission Ticket
When in London, you don’t want to miss the fresh and fragrant air of “The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew”. Stroll along a walkway high up in the treetops, and explore acres of gardens under glass. Step inside a royal palace, discover galleries of botanical art, and experience 250 years of royal history at Kew Gardens, London’s largest World Heritage Site.
4. Tower of London Early Access Tour including Private Audience with Beefeater
The Tower of London is steeped in rich history dating back more than 850 years. Explore the castle with a beefeater (also known as a Yoeman Warder) who knows the castle and its history better than normal tour guides do.
In case you are unable to find the right tour package from Riyadh for yourself, you can browse our tours section to see more existing London tour packages.
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