Jeddah airport in autumn 2026: terminals, Umrah and the school break
A practical guide to Jeddah's King Abdulaziz airport this autumn: new Terminal 4, Umrah season, the 20 November school break, and rail links.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah enters autumn 2026 in the middle of the 1448 AH Umrah season, with the school autumn break starting on Friday 20 November 2026 according to the published school calendar. It also comes after Jeddah Airports Company began a phased opening of the new Terminal 4 on Sunday 27 September, so checking your departure terminal is now an essential step before any flight.
| Venue | King Abdulaziz International Airport, north Jeddah |
|---|---|
| Umrah season | Visas and arrivals began on 31 May 2026; last departure date 7 April 2027 |
| Autumn break | Friday 20 to Saturday 28 November 2026; classes resume Sunday 29 November (confirm with the Ministry of Education) |
| Terminals | Terminal 1, North Terminal, the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, and the new Terminal 4 |
| Good for | Umrah pilgrims, families travelling over the break, and domestic and international travellers |
What's new this season: Terminal 4
Jeddah Airports Company announced the phased opening of Terminal 4 from Sunday 27 September 2026. The terminal covers 97,000 square metres, can handle up to 15 million passengers a year, and includes a dedicated group check-in facility for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Under the published schedule, these airlines have moved to Terminal 4 so far:
- Sunday 27 September: Wizz Air, AJet and SalamAir.
- Monday 28 September: Fly Jinnah and Nesma Airlines.
- Tuesday 29 September: Akasa Air.
- Thursday 1 October: SyrianAir and Pegasus.
- Saturday 3 October: Azerbaijan Airlines and Tunisair.
The company says more airlines will follow in stages, with the aim of moving all foreign carriers from the North Terminal, plus selected foreign airlines from Terminal 1 and the Hajj and Umrah terminals. It advises passengers to confirm their terminal through their airline or the airport's official channels.
Umrah season and the autumn break
Under the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's calendar for 1448 AH, Umrah visas and arrivals began on 31 May 2026, and Umrah permits through the Nusuk app from 1 June. The last day to issue visas is 9 March 2027, the last day to enter is 23 March, and the last day to leave is 7 April 2027.
At home, the published 1448 AH school calendar puts the autumn break from Friday 20 to Saturday 28 November 2026, with students back on Sunday 29 November. The mid-year break follows from 8 to 16 January 2027. Check the Ministry of Education's official channels to confirm.
Travel usually picks up around school holidays, so book early and allow extra time on the first and last days of the break.
Tips before you head to the airport
- Confirm your departure terminal before you leave, especially if you fly with a foreign airline.
- Airport management has advised arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. At peak times the airport has previously asked Umrah groups and charter passengers to arrive at least four hours early but no more than six, so follow the airport's account for current guidance.
- Get your electronic boarding pass before you reach the airport.
- Avoid bags tied with rope, wrapped in cloth or irregularly shaped, and keep within your ticket's weight allowance.
Know your rights
The General Authority of Civil Aviation's passenger rights regulations, in force since 20 November 2023, cover delays, cancellations and lost baggage, including the right to ask to end your contract if a flight is delayed by more than two hours. In GACA's March 2026 complaints index, King Abdulaziz recorded the lowest complaint rate among international airports with more than 6 million passengers a year.
Getting there
The airport is in north Jeddah, and the Haramain High Speed Railway station connects directly to Terminal 1. According to the Saudi Press Agency, trains from there take about 45 minutes to Makkah and about 1 hour 45 minutes to Madinah; check times on Saudi Arabia Railways' website before you travel.
If you are going by car, book a ride in Drovox Passenger, set your exact terminal, and see the fare before you confirm. For dawn flights or peak times, schedule the ride ahead so a Hero arrives when you choose.
Follow King Abdulaziz International Airport's official channels for any schedule updates, and see details on the airport's official website.
