Current Time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
الرياض
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
المملكة العربية السعودية
Dialling: +966
City Details
Riyadh
الرياض
Lat: 24.7136° N
Long: 46.6753° E
Population: 6,500,000
Time Zone
Asia/Riyadh
GMT+3
Public Holidays
No public holidays on record for this country
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, with approximately 7.9 million residents as of 2024. Sitting at 600m above sea level on the central Arabian Plateau, it is the political, administrative and financial hub of the Kingdom and one of the fastest-growing megacities of the 21st century. Saudi Vision 2030 is transforming it with a $23 billion urban development plan that includes King Salman Park, the world's largest urban park.
Administrative Region
Riyadh Province (Minṭaqat Al-Riyāḍ)
SA-01
Local Currency
﷼
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.sa
- ISO CodeSA-01
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The site has been inhabited for millennia, but modern Riyadh emerged from the small desert town of Diriyah, the original capital of the First Saudi State, established in 1744. The Al-Saud dynasty reconquered Riyadh in 1902 when Ibn Saud and a small force stormed the Masmak Fortress. Riyadh became the capital of the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 when King Abdulaziz consolidated the Arabian Peninsula under Saudi rule.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Diriyah — original Saudi capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- /National Museum of Saudi Arabia
- /Kingdom Centre Tower observation deck
- /Al Masmak Fortress — site of the 1902 Saudi reconquest
- /Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) — dramatic escarpment day trip 90km northwest
🎒 Visitor Tip
The Riyadh Metro — the world's longest driverless metro system — opened fully in 2024 and now provides clean, cheap air-conditioned transit across the city. Dress conservatively outside of hotel compounds. The National Museum and Diriyah UNESCO site (the original Saudi capital) are the best historical attractions. The best time to visit is November to March when temperatures are 18–25°C; summer highs regularly exceed 45°C.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located on the central Najd Plateau of the Arabian Peninsula at approximately 600m above sea level. The terrain around the city is generally flat but sits within a broader rocky plateau landscape. The Tuwayq Mountain escarpment — a 800km limestone ridge — lies south and west of the city. Wadi Hanifa, a seasonal river valley, runs through the western part of the city and has been developed as a public park.
Climate Stats
Hot desert (Köppen BWh)
Avg Summer
42°C
Avg Winter
12°C
Annual Rainfall
82 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Riyadh
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Riyadh
What timezone is Riyadh in?↓
Riyadh is in the Asia/Riyadh time zone (Asia/Riyadh), currently UTCGMT+3.
Does Saudi Arabia observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Saudi Arabia does not observe daylight saving time. Riyadh stays on AST (UTCGMT+3) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is AST?↓
AST stands for Asia/Riyadh. It is UTCGMT+3 and is the standard time used in Saudi Arabia.
How many hours ahead is Riyadh compared to London?↓
Riyadh is 3 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 2 hours.
What is the time difference between Riyadh and New York?↓
Riyadh is 8 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Riyadh?↓
The time displayed for Riyadh is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+3 mean for Riyadh?↓
UTCGMT+3 means Riyadh is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Riyadh?↓
Standard business hours in Riyadh are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM AST (UTCGMT+3). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Saudi Arabia national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Riyadh and London?↓
Riyadh is within a few hours of London, so scheduling calls is usually straightforward. Always confirm the current local time in both cities, especially around daylight saving time changes.