The New Nonstop and What It Costs
Saudia starts flying nonstop between Riyadh and Tokyo Narita in November 2026, three times a week. Tickets are on sale now, according to the Saudi Press Agency, and the aircraft is a Boeing 787-9, according to AeroRoutes.
The first flight leaves Riyadh at 22:35 on Monday 16 November and lands in Tokyo at 15:00 the next day. From 19 November, flights leave Riyadh at 01:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and the first flight back leaves Tokyo on 17 November.
The nonstop saves time more than money. In our early December sample it cost USD 325 more from Riyadh than Etihad via Abu Dhabi, which takes about two hours 20 minutes longer.
Getting the Timing Right
- Leaving Riyadh at 01:00: you land at Narita at 17:25 the same day, in time to reach your hotel for the evening. Plan your train or bus into central Tokyo before you fly, because Narita sits well outside the city.
- Leaving Tokyo at 21:30: you land in Riyadh at 05:25 the next morning, so arrange your ride home in advance.
- Flying time: about 10 hours 25 minutes to Tokyo and 13 hours 55 minutes back. Tokyo is six hours ahead of Riyadh.
- Saudia’s other new routes: see our latest Saudia news, routes and fares.
Visas and Baggage Before You Book
- If you live in Saudi Arabia: you can apply for a Japanese tourist visa online through JAPAN eVISA, whatever your nationality, as long as you hold an ordinary passport and fly in on an international flight.
- What the eVISA covers: a single entry for tourism, for a stay of up to 90 days. You may be asked to attend an interview at the Japanese embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
- For business or multiple entries: the online system does not cover these, so apply through the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh or the Consulate-General in Jeddah.
- Visiting Saudi Arabia from Japan: check who can get the eVisa in our Saudi Arabia tourist visa guide.
- Baggage: the allowance depends on the fare type, so check it on the fare screen before you pay.
The Riyadh flight lands at 17:25, so a room from your arrival night is enough. The return lands at 05:25, so book your last Riyadh night only if you need to rest before heading home.
Questions
When does Saudia start flying from Riyadh to Tokyo?
The first flight leaves Riyadh at 22:35 on Monday 16 November 2026. From 19 November the flights leave at 01:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Is the Saudia Riyadh to Tokyo flight nonstop?
Yes. SV824 flies nonstop from Riyadh to Tokyo Narita in about 10 hours 25 minutes, and SV825 flies back nonstop in about 13 hours 55 minutes.
Which Tokyo airport does Saudia use?
Tokyo Narita (NRT). Narita is outside central Tokyo, so check your train or bus into the city before you arrive.
Is the nonstop the cheapest way to fly between Riyadh and Tokyo?
Not in our sample. For 1 to 8 December, Saudia’s nonstop was USD 859 return from Riyadh, while Etihad via Abu Dhabi was USD 534 and Qatar Airways via Doha USD 610.
Can Saudi residents get a Japan visa online?
Yes, for tourism. Residents of Saudi Arabia of any nationality can apply through JAPAN eVISA for a single-entry visa of up to 90 days.
Sources
- Featured image: Saudia Boeing 787-9 HZ-AR22 by simon butler, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Saudi Press Agency, Saudia to Launch Direct Riyadh-Tokyo Flights in November, three weekly flights from King Khalid International Airport and booking through Saudia’s channels, retrieved 30 September 2026.
- Saudia on X, 16 November start date, 29 September 2026.
- AeroRoutes, Saudia Riyadh to Tokyo Narita schedule, aircraft type, retrieved 30 September 2026.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, The JAPAN eVISA System and FAQ about JAPAN eVISA, eligibility for residents of Saudi Arabia, single-entry tourist visa up to 90 days, retrieved 30 September 2026.
- Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia, retrieved 30 September 2026.
- Wego flight search, Riyadh to Tokyo and Tokyo to Riyadh, sampled 1 October 2026 in USD.
How these figures were produced
- Fares are a Wego flight search for one adult in economy, sampled on 1 October 2026 in USD: from Riyadh flying Tuesday 1 December and returning Tuesday 8 December 2026, and from Tokyo flying Thursday 3 December and returning Thursday 10 December 2026.
- Early December was sampled as the first full weeks of the new service.
- The other airlines are the cheapest fare on the same dates with the whole trip on one airline, at most one stop and under 25 hours each way. Durations shown are the outbound journey.
- Flight numbers, times and days are the Saudia flights on sale on Wego, checked for 16 to 21 November and 1 to 12 December 2026. Flying times are worked out from those local times.
- Baggage allowances and refund terms are not taken from the fare feed; check them on the fare you choose before you book.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
