Find flights
Airlines

AED 275+ Cheap flights to Saudi Arabia

— JED
28 Oct — 4 Nov1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Flights to Saudi Arabia in 2026

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights to Saudi Arabia

Thu 8/1023:00 -
Nonstop1h 55m
Tue 13/1017:05 -
Nonstop2h 05m
Deal found 23/9AED 485
Thu 29/1021:35 -
Nonstop2h 10m
Sat 31/1002:30 -
1 stop6h 15m
Deal found 23/9AED 488
Thu 29/1016:15 -
Nonstop2h 10m
Sun 1/1115:50 -
Nonstop2h 00m
Deal found 27/9AED 492
Thu 8/1021:00 -
Nonstop1h 55m
Sun 11/1015:50 -
Nonstop2h 05m
Deal found 27/9AED 496
Tue 29/911:25 -
Nonstop1h 55m
Sat 3/1003:40 -
Nonstop2h 05m
Deal found 27/9AED 499
Thu 24/912:50 -
Nonstop2h 00m
Mon 28/919:00 -
1 stop6h 25m
Deal found 23/9AED 503

Find flights to Saudi Arabia

Explore Saudi Arabia
Flights to Jeddah
Flights to Medina
Flights to Riyadh
Flights to Dammam

Find flight deals to Saudi Arabia

Return from

AED 679

One-way from

AED 279

Popular in

May

Cheapest in

October

Average price

AED 940

Good round-trip deal

AED 785 or less

Good one-way deal

AED 448 or less
SAUDIA
  • SAUDIA
  • 16/10-17/10
  • 1 total stop
  • 8h 40m total
  • Dubai to Jeddah
Search Deals
flynas
  • flynas
  • 5/10-31/12
  • Nonstop
  • 1h 55m total
  • Dubai to Saudi Arabia
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 6% potential increase in price (AED 74 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease (AED 17 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for return flights in September 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Dubai Intl to Saudi Arabia.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Dubai Intl to Saudi Arabia.
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Use the filters below to find and compare flights to Saudi Arabia that are best for you.

Fly from

Route

Departure

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight

DubaiMedina

DXB Dubai Intl - MED Medina Mohammad Abdulaziz

DXBMED

Dubai Intl

Mon 2/11

12:50-19:00

1 stop7h 10m

Medina Mohammad Abdulaziz

Wed 31/12

00:00-01:00

Nonstop0h 00m

AED 316

DubaiRiyadh

DXB Dubai Intl - RUH Riyadh King Khaled Intl

DXBRUH

Dubai Intl

Wed 7/10

17:30-00:45

1 stop8h 15m

Riyadh King Khaled Intl

Wed 31/12

00:00-01:00

Nonstop0h 00m

AED 331

DubaiJeddah

DXB Dubai Intl - JED Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl

DXBJED

Dubai Intl

Fri 2/10

12:50-02:55

1 stop15h 05m

Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl

Wed 31/12

00:00-01:00

Nonstop0h 00m

AED 444

DubaiMedina

DXB Dubai Intl - MED Medina Mohammad Abdulaziz

DXBMED

Dubai Intl

Fri 23/10

12:50-22:50

1 stop11h 00m

Medina Mohammad Abdulaziz

Sun 25/10

09:10-20:25

1 stop10h 15m

AED 668

DubaiTaif

DXB Dubai Intl - TIF Taif

DXBTIF

Dubai Intl

Sat 7/11

00:01-09:45

1 stop10h 44m

Taif

Sun 15/11

07:35-14:30

1 stop5h 55m

AED 727

DubaiDammam

DXB Dubai Intl - DMM Dammam King Fahad Intl

DXBDMM

Dubai Intl

Sun 8/11

12:00-12:35

Nonstop1h 35m

Dammam King Fahad Intl

Sat 14/11

01:00-12:00

1 stop10h 00m

AED 727

DubaiRiyadh

DXB Dubai Intl - RUH Riyadh King Khaled Intl

DXBRUH

Dubai Intl

Thu 15/10

22:30-23:30

Nonstop2h 00m

Riyadh King Khaled Intl

Mon 19/10

08:00-16:00

1 stop7h 00m

AED 731

DubaiDammam

DXB Dubai Intl - DMM Dammam King Fahad Intl

DXBDMM

Dubai Intl

Mon 26/10

12:00-12:35

Nonstop1h 35m

Dammam King Fahad Intl

Mon 2/11

18:00-02:25

1 stop7h 25m

AED 731

DubaiDammam

DXB Dubai Intl - DMM Dammam King Fahad Intl

DXBDMM

Dubai Intl

Thu 1/10

23:00-10:25

1 stop12h 25m

Dammam King Fahad Intl

Sun 4/10

11:25-02:25

2 stops14h 00m

AED 746

DubaiJeddah

DXB Dubai Intl - JED Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl

DXBJED

Dubai Intl

Thu 1/10

21:00-02:30

1 stop6h 30m

Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl

Sun 4/10

23:59-06:45

1 stop5h 46m

AED 749

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 25/9

Showing 1-10 of 33 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3
4

Best time to book a flight to Saudi Arabia

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Saudi Arabia with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight to Saudi Arabia

How long is the flight to Saudi Arabia?

On average, a flight from Dubai to Saudi Arabia takes 3 hours 27 minutes. Flights to Saudi Arabia from other popular cities in United Arab Emirates will vary in length. Below are a few examples of popular routes and their flight times.

Weekly flight availability to Saudi Arabia

The most flights from Dubai to Saudi Arabia are scheduled on a Friday (41 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (24 on average).

What are the most popular airlines that fly to Saudi Arabia?

The most popular airlines flying from Dubai to Saudi Arabia are flynas, SAUDIA and flydubai.

flynas
flynas
From AED 342
SAUDIA
SAUDIA
From AED 400
flydubai
flydubai
From AED 273
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways
From AED 278

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to Saudi Arabia?

The cheapest airlines flying from Dubai to Saudi Arabia are Air Arabia, flydubai and Etihad Airways.

Rainfall in Saudi Arabia by month

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Saudi Arabia ranges from 0.0 - 20.0 mm per month. November is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 20.0 mm. February is typically the driest time to visit Saudi Arabia when rainfall is around 0.0 mm.

Temperature in Saudi Arabia by month

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Saudi Arabia, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 32.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 23.0 C).

When is the best time to book a flight to Saudi Arabia?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight to Saudi Arabia, you should look to book at least 42 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Saudi Arabia?

Users looking for the lowest fares to Saudi Arabia should consider flying on Saturday afternoons, when prices are typically cheapest. Budget-minded travellers will want to avoid Sunday afternoons, when prices are usually at their highest.

What are the most popular places to fly to in Saudi Arabia?

The most popular places in Saudi Arabia to fly to are Jeddah, Riyadh, Medina, Dammam and Taif.

Reviews of airlines servicing Saudi Arabia

Read through reviews of airlines serving Saudi Arabia, such as Emirates,SAUDIA, andflynas. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
SAUDIA
7.3
Good
683 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
flynas
7.0
Good
102 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
flydubai
6.5
Okay
147 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.

FAQs about flying to Saudi Arabia

  • Can I find cheaper flights to Saudi Arabia if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Saudi Arabia on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to Saudi Arabia?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Air Arabia is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Saudi Arabia.

  • What is the cheapest airport to fly to in Saudi Arabia?

    Al-Aqiq is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Saudi Arabia. One-way flights to Al-Aqiq typically cost AED 129, while return flights cost around AED 138.

  • How much is a return flight to Saudi Arabia?

    A return flight to Saudi Arabia will typically cost around AED 803, however they can be found for as little as AED 270.

  • Where does the fastest flight to Saudi Arabia depart from?

    For those looking to save time traveling to Saudi Arabia, Sharjah offers the quickest one-way flight (1 hour 20 minutes).

  • Does Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl have rental cars?

    Yes. Those touching down at Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl?

    Yes. Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Crom Airport Hotel is the closest property to Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl (0.0 km away from Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl).

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Find flights to Saudi Arabia

Flights to Jeddah
Flights to Riyadh
Flights to Medina
Flights to Dammam

Fly with Cheapflights

How does Cheapflights help users find flights to Saudi Arabia?

Deals for Saudi Arabia flights are sourced from 900+ travel sites when you use Cheapflights. When all flight results come back, Cheapflights lets you sort and filter flights using different criteria to choose to your preference, such as price, airport, cabin class, and plenty of other options.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to Saudi Arabia?

Cheapflights helps you find that perfect flight to Saudi Arabia by searching from hundreds of airlines and agencies you know and love. We are also free to use, in case you were wondering!

Can Cheapflights find flights to Saudi Arabia with no change fees?

Users can book flights with no change fees policies with our dedicated filters. Book flights to Saudi Arabia flexibly with Cheapflights today.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights to Saudi Arabia become cheaper?

Of course! You can track prices for flights to Saudi Arabia and get an alert from Cheapflights when they change. Have a valid email address ready and click the bell icon next to the flight deals to set up your price alerts.

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book With Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees.

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.