The most common mistake in family bookings is a simple one. Someone counts the seats, books accordingly, and then discovers at the arrivals kerb that the suitcases will not fit in the boot. The result is either a second car at the last minute or a bag on a child's lap for the whole drive. This guide walks you through the same questions our booking team asks every day, so you choose the right vehicle class the first time.
Count the luggage before you count the people
Before you send a booking request, put these four things on one note:
- Adults and children, including the ages of the little ones.
- Large checked suitcases and how many carry-on bags.
- Awkward items: a stroller, a wheelchair, Zamzam cartons, boxes of gifts.
- Length of the trip: an hour to Makkah is a very different ride from five hours to Madinah.
With those four answers we can recommend a vehicle class without any guesswork.
The three classes and who they suit
Sedan
Fine for a couple or a small family with moderate luggage. It is the cheapest option and the easiest to manoeuvre through Makkah's busy central streets. It fills up quickly, though, once you have more than two large suitcases or a bulky stroller.
Family SUV or van
What we recommend for most families of four or more, and for smaller families travelling heavy. The seats are roomier and the rear space takes the bags and the pushchair. On the long run between Makkah and Madinah, that extra room makes a real difference to how everyone feels on arrival.
VIP
For travellers who want a quieter, more comfortable ride — collecting elderly parents, hosting guests, or simply preferring a premium car on a long journey. Here the point is comfort rather than capacity.
What families pay on the busiest routes
Fares below are fixed per vehicle, not per passenger, and are starting prices. You pay on arrival.
| Route | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | 200 SAR | 350 SAR | 500 SAR |
| Makkah → Madinah | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 1,000 SAR |
| Jeddah → Madinah | 500 SAR | 700 SAR | 1,000 SAR |
| Makkah → Taif (round trip) | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
Notice that the step up from sedan to family vehicle on the airport run costs far less than a second car would if the first one turns out too small. Other routes are listed in our taxi fares guide.
Family situations worth planning for
The trip home is heavier than the trip in
Families arrive with their suitcases and leave with Zamzam, dates and gifts on top. If a sedan was a tight fit on arrival day, book a family vehicle for the return to the airport.
Babies and toddlers
If you need a child seat, say so clearly when you book and ask whether one can be provided — or bring your own if your child is used to it. An intercity highway is no place to hold an infant on your lap.
Elderly travellers and wheelchairs
Tell us if there is a wheelchair and whether it folds. A family vehicle leaves room for it and makes getting in and out much easier.
Long distances
Makkah and Madinah are roughly 450 km apart, about four and a half to five hours on the road. Over that distance a comfortable seat is not a luxury, particularly with children or grandparents on board. The airport-to-Makkah leg is closer to 100 km and usually takes an hour to an hour and a quarter.
A worked example
Take a family of five: two parents, a grandmother and two children aged four and nine. They are flying into Jeddah with five large suitcases, a folding stroller and hand luggage, spending a week in Makkah, then four days in Madinah before flying home from Jeddah.
- Airport to Makkah: five people and five big bags rule out a sedan straight away. A family vehicle is the right call.
- Makkah to Madinah: the same group on a drive of around five hours, with a grandmother on board. A family vehicle again — or VIP if comfort is the priority for the long stretch.
- Madinah back to Jeddah: by now there are Zamzam cartons and gifts in the mix. Definitely the family vehicle, and it is worth mentioning the extra items when booking.
Three legs, one message, and the family never has to stand at a kerb wondering whether the car will be big enough.
Tips from the booking desk
- Not sure how big your bags are? Send a quick photo. It saves a long back-and-forth.
- At Jeddah Airport your driver waits in arrivals with a name sign, we track your flight, and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. More on the Jeddah Airport taxi page.
- Put all your legs in one message — arrival, the intercity trip and the return to the airport — so each one gets the right vehicle class.
- Browse the fleet page to see the classes we offer before you decide.
Questions families often ask
We are four people with four large suitcases. Is a sedan enough?
Usually not. The seats are fine, but a sedan boot rarely takes four full-size suitcases. A family vehicle is the safe choice.
Does the price go up with more children?
No — the fare is per car, not per passenger. What may change is the vehicle class if your group or luggage outgrows the car.
Can we change the vehicle class after booking?
Yes. Let us know on WhatsApp as early as you can and we will confirm the updated fare before the trip.
How do we book?
Send your details to WhatsApp +966582918075 or use the booking page. We operate around the clock and normal bookings need no prepayment.