Riyadh to Sydney (Mascot)
16h 19m The flight from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) covers 12,795 km (7,950 miles) and takes approximately 16h 19m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 118°, passing near 7.3° S, 95.7° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 23h 16m | 23h 41m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 16h 24m | 16h 49m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 14h 13m | 14h 38m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 15h 03m | 15h 28m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| RUH | SYD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | King Khalid International Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport |
| City | Riyadh | Sydney (Mascot) |
| Country | Saudi Arabia | Australia |
| ICAO | OERK | YSSY |
| Coordinates | 24.9576, 46.6988 | -33.9461, 151.177 |
| Elevation | 2,049 ft | 21 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Riyadh to Sydney (Mascot)?
A non-stop flight from Riyadh (RUH) to Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) takes about 16h 19m. The great-circle distance is 12,795 km (7,950 miles, 6,909 nautical miles), flying south-east on an initial bearing of 118°.
How far is Riyadh from Sydney (Mascot)?
12,795 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,950 miles or 6,909 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between RUH and SYD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,795 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 16h 19m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.