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RUH → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from King Khaled International Airport (Riyadh) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for capturing the Riyadh skyline upon takeoff and offers the iconic views of the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the historic Sultanahmet district as the plane descends into Istanbul.
Search flights from RUH to SAW
Riyadh Skyline
Aerial view of the Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliyah Tower shortly after takeoff from RUH.
Hijaz Mountains
Dramatic, rugged mountain ranges of Western Saudi Arabia as you head North.
Mediterranean Coast
Vistas of the Southern Turkish coastline near Antalya if the route tracks slightly West.
Princess Islands
Clusters of islands in the Sea of Marmara visible during the final descent into SAW.
Bosphorus Strait
The waterway separating Europe and Asia, visible if the aircraft loops for a Western approach.
Book an A or B seat. For daytime flights, the sun will be behind you during the afternoon, providing perfect lighting for photos of the Anatolian landscape. Watch for the 'Golden Horn' and the bridge lights if landing after sunset.
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An Nafud Desert
Expansive stretches of red sand dunes in Northern Saudi Arabia.
Taurus Mountains
Snow-capped peaks of the Taurus range as you enter Turkish airspace.
Lake Tuz
A massive white salt lake in Central Anatolia that glows brightly from high altitude.
Asian Side Suburbs
The sprawling, dense urban landscape of Pendik and Kartal on approach to SAW.
The Right Side is excellent for seeing the Anatolian interior. If the flight is in the morning, be prepared for intense glare from the sun. Look out for the Euphrates River basin if the flight path takes a more Easterly route over Iraq/Turkey.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 2,394 km (1,488 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 12 min
Departure: RUH (24.957599639892575, 46.69879913330078)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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