Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz brought 1500 people, a golden escalator and his own carpets on his historic, four-day state visit to Russia, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The 81-year-old leader of the Gulf kingdom exited his plane on Wednesday (Thursday Australia time) and stepped out onto the special escalator he travels with.

But something went wrong: It malfunctioned halfway down, leaving the king standing awkwardly for about 20 seconds before he decided to walk the rest of the way.

A cavalcade of cars sped the monarch to the centre of the city, flanked by Russian police escorts.