The last ten nights of Ramadan and the days of Eid al-Fitr bring a huge number of pilgrims, visitors and local families to the Hejaz all at once. What makes this period unusual is that traffic flows in every direction at the same time: pilgrims leaving Makkah after the Eid prayer, families heading to Taif or the Jeddah Corniche, and others moving on to Madinah for the rest of the holiday. This guide helps you plan your own movements around all that.
The hardest days, and when to move
From our experience on the road, the pressure builds at three points:
- Eid eve and Eid morning: everyone wants to reach the Haram for the Eid prayer, and roads around the central area are closed or diverted.
- Right after the Eid prayer: a big wave of departures from Makkah toward Jeddah, the airport and Madinah.
- Days two and three: outings to Taif and Jeddah, and pilgrims heading home.
If you have the choice, travel between cities two days before Eid or after the third day. If you must travel on the busy days, an early-morning start beats an afternoon departure every time.
How much longer do journeys take?
Distances stay the same; the clock does not. These are typical normal-day times. At Eid, add a noticeable margin, up to an hour on the long routes:
| Route | Approx. distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | about 100 km | 60 to 75 minutes |
| Jeddah to Makkah | about 80 km | about 1 hour |
| Makkah to Madinah | about 450 km | 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Jeddah to Madinah | about 420 km | around 4.5 hours |
| Makkah to Taif | about 90 km via Al Hada | around 1.5 hours |
Why booking ahead matters more at Eid
On a normal day you can usually find a car within an hour. At Eid, family-sized vehicles in particular get booked early. Because Mishwar Al Haramain fares are fixed per car and agreed when you book, you will not be surprised by a different price on the day, and you pay on arrival. Our fares for the most popular Eid routes:
| Route | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | 200 SAR | 350 SAR | 500 SAR |
| Makkah to Jeddah Airport | 190 SAR | 300 SAR | 500 SAR |
| Makkah to Madinah | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Madinah to Makkah | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
| Jeddah to Madinah | 500 SAR | 700 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Makkah to Taif (round trip) | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
Every other route is in our taxi fare guide.
What should you send on WhatsApp? Date and time, pickup point (hotel name or a location pin), destination, number of passengers and bags, and your flight number for airport pickups. At the airport the driver waits in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight, and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing.
Eid morning around the Holy Mosques
The Eid prayer at Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque is one of the busiest moments of the year. A few practical points:
- Go very early; the courtyards fill up long before the prayer.
- Do not expect the car to reach the mosque gates. Nearby roads are usually closed, and the driver will drop you at the closest permitted point.
- If you are with family, agree on a clear meeting point, as mobile signal can weaken in dense crowds.
- Do not book your departure to Madinah or the airport for straight after the prayer. Allow at least two hours to get clear of the central area.
Makkah, Madinah or Taif for the rest of the holiday?
Many families spend Eid in Makkah and then move to Madinah on day two or three, when pressure eases a little; see taxi from Makkah to Madinah for that route. If you want cooler air, Taif is close, but the Al Hada road gets busy at Eid, so leave before 8 am if you can. If you are flying out of Jeddah, our Jeddah Airport taxi page helps you time the trip to the airport.
Eid travel questions
How far ahead should I book for Eid?
The earlier the better, especially for family vehicles. We suggest a week ahead if you are travelling in the first three days.
Do you operate on Eid day itself?
Yes, around the clock. Movement near the Haram during the Eid prayer is limited by closures, though, so schedule pickups away from that window.
Is the train better than a car at Eid?
The train is fast, but Eid tickets sell out early, and you still need a car between your hotel and the station at both ends. For families, older travellers and lots of luggage, door-to-door is usually simpler.
When should I leave for the airport during Eid?
Add at least an extra hour to your usual plan, and send us your departure time so we can suggest when to set off.
Eid Mubarak
Leave the driving to Mishwar Al Haramain and enjoy the celebrations. Message us on WhatsApp +966582918075 or use the booking page.