Riyadh to Addis Ababa Flights: Your Essential Guide

The Riyadh to Addis Ababa route is an international corridor serving a mixed traveller profile, including business professionals, expat workers, and leisure visitors. Demand varies by season, with significant traffic for religious connections via Saudi Arabia.

This route offers 11 weekly flights, with direct service from Flynas, Saudia, and Ethiopian Airlines. Connecting options are also available through major Gulf carriers. Booking patterns show fares can fluctuate, making flexible travel dates key to securing better prices.

When are Riyadh to Addis Ababa flights cheapest?

Flights from Riyadh to Addis Ababa are typically cheapest in October, with September and January also offering lower average fares. Friday is generally the cheapest day to depart.

• Months: October (avg 530 SAR), September (avg 539 SAR), and January (avg 544 SAR) often present the lowest average fares.

• Friday departures tend to be the cheapest day of the week, while Thursday is usually the most expensive. Weekend and weekday fares on this route show similar pricing patterns overall.

• Cheapest fares are spread across 9 different months — flexible travel dates help find the best price.

Fares for Riyadh to Addis Ababa flights show a clear seasonal pattern. October is typically the low season, with average fares around 530 SAR, offering potential savings of 19% compared to the monthly average. Conversely, June is the high season, with average fares reaching 806 SAR, an increase of 27%. Friday is generally the cheapest day to fly, while Thursday tends to be the most expensive.

To secure better fares, consider travelling during the low season, particularly in October. Flexible travel dates are highly beneficial as cheapest fares are spread across nine different months. Booking approximately 40 days in advance can help secure competitive rates.

While Friday is often the cheapest day for departures and Thursday the most expensive, the overall fare difference between weekend and weekday travel on this route is similar, indicating no strong price advantage for either.

Riyadh to Addis Ababa flight guide

This international route connects Saudi Arabia's capital with Ethiopia's hub, facilitating diverse travel needs from business to family visits and onward connections within Africa.

Airlines on the Riyadh–Addis Ababa route

Several airlines operate between Riyadh and Addis Ababa, offering both direct and connecting services. Flynas provides a low-cost direct option, while Saudia offers full-service direct flights. Ethiopian Airlines also operates direct services, serving as a major hub for African connections. Emirates and Etihad Airways provide connecting flights through their respective hubs, offering premium service options.

Airline comparison

	Flynas	Etihad Airways	Ethiopian Airlines	Emirates	Saudia	Qatar Airways
Checked baggage	20kg	23kg	46kg	25kg	46kg	25kg
Cabin baggage	7kg	7kg	7kg	7kg	7kg	7kg
Meals	Buy-on-board or pre-order only; no complimentary meals in standard economy.	Complimentary hot meals and beverages.	Complimentary hot meals and beverages.	Complimentary, multicourse regionally inspired meals.	Complimentary, including Arabic coffee, dates, and hot meals.	Complimentary multi-course meals and beverages.
Wi-Fi	Not available on all aircraft.	Paid 'Surf' packages available; free 'Chat' messaging packages for Etihad Guest members.	Paid Wi-Fi available on A350 and 787 aircraft.	Paid packages available; complimentary for Emirates Skywards members.	Available for purchase (free messaging on select aircraft).	Super Wi-Fi available; 1 hour free for Privilege Club members.
Entertainment	No seatback screens; limited streaming to personal devices on select aircraft.	Seatback E-BOX screens with movies, TV, and live sports.	Seatback screens with on-demand audio and video.	Award-winning 'ice' system with up to 6,500 channels on HD seatback screens.	Seatback 'Beyond' IFE system.	Oryx One IFE system with up to 8,000 entertainment options.
Check-in policy	Check-in typically opens 48 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.	Check-in typically opens 30 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.	Check-in typically opens 48 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.	Check-in typically opens 48 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.	Check-in typically opens 48 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.	Check-in typically opens 48 hours before departure; verify with airline before travel.
Direct flights	Direct flights available.	No direct flights available.	Direct flights available.	No direct flights available.	Direct flights available.	No direct flights available.
Seat selection	Paid for standard economy; free for Premium class.	Paid for standard economy seats; free at check-in.	Available online during check-in.	Paid for regular economy depending on fare brand; free at check-in.	Paid in advance on basic economy; free at check-in.	Paid on 'Classic' economy fare; free on higher tiers.
Cabin classes	economy, business	economy, business	economy, business	economy, business, first	economy, business	economy, business

About Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For travellers from Riyadh, Addis Ababa serves as a key gateway to East Africa, offering a blend of historical sites and a vibrant cultural experience. It's a destination for business, family visits, and exploring Ethiopia's rich heritage, often serving as a transit point for onward African journeys.

Places to visit in Addis Ababa