Riyadh: which lounge to pick across King Khalid terminals

The criterion that decides everything at King Khalid airport is the terminal. The independent lounges are spread across Terminal 1, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, in the international departure areas, and each terminal has its own offering. The second criterion is the card: the lounges open to those not flying premium class all accept Priority Pass, and almost all also accept paid entry.At Terminal 1 the reference is the Plaza Premium Lounge, the only lounge in the terminal listed in the Priority Pass guide. You enter free with the card or by paying at the door, and it stays open all night: a guarantee for those with an international flight in the small hours. At Terminal 3 those departing on an international flight find the Hayyak VIP Lounge (International Departure, Terminal 3), also accessible with Priority Pass or by paying and also open without interruption. It is part of the Hayyak network, which is also present at Terminal 5. At Terminal 5 Priority Pass holders have more than one option, and here it is the schedule that makes the difference. The Hayyak VIP Lounge (International Departure, Terminal 5), which Priority Pass lists as Hayyak Luxury Lounge, stays open all night and can also be entered by paying. The naSmiles Lounge, after passport control, accepts only Priority Pass instead and works only during the day, so it is no use for evening and night flights: in the evening the choice inevitably falls on the Hayyak. Those flying Riyadh Air in Business or Business Elite have a lounge of their own, the Riyadh Air Hafawa Lounge, located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Designed by the studio Yabu Pushelberg in limestone, oak and bronze, it is very large and includes private rooms and family rooms, useful for those travelling in a group or wanting some quiet before a long flight. Access is reserved for the airline's premium passengers: you cannot enter with Priority Pass or by paying. The Saudi airlines remain. Saudia, which is part of SkyTeam, has its own Saudia Alfursan Lounge for premium-class passengers of Saudia and the other alliance airlines and for members with elite status. The low-cost carrier flynas, instead, reserves the Flynas Lounge for passengers who have bought a business fare: even when flying a budget airline, therefore, a premium ticket opens a dedicated lounge.

In summary: first the terminal, then the schedule. With Priority Pass at Terminal 1 you go to the Plaza Premium Lounge and at Terminal 3 to the Hayyak, both open all night; at Terminal 5 the Hayyak covers every time slot, while the naSmiles is fine only during the day. Those without the card can pay for entry to the Plaza Premium and Hayyak lounges. Riyadh Air Business passengers have the Hafawa between Terminals 1 and 2, Saudia and flynas premium passengers the lounges of their respective airlines.