A family trip to Saudi Arabia, whether for Umrah or for leisure, is a different exercise from travelling alone. Distances between cities are long, it is hot for much of the year, and both children and older relatives tire faster than everyone else. The good news is that sensible planning makes the trip comfortable for all ages. This guide follows the trip in stages, from planning to the day you fly home.
Stage one: sketch the route before you book
The most common family mistake is cramming several cities into a few days. Keep these approximate figures in mind:
| Route | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | 100 km | 60–75 min |
| Jeddah → Makkah | 80 km | about 1 hour |
| Makkah → Madinah | 450 km | 4.5–5 hours |
| Jeddah → Madinah | 420 km | about 4 hours |
| Makkah → Taif (via Al Hada) | 90 km | about 1.5 hours |
A practical rule with children: after the long Makkah–Madinah day, don't plan anything demanding. Keep the following day gentle.
Stage two: arrival day
After a long-haul flight, a pushchair, a pile of suitcases and sleepy children are a lot to manage in an arrivals hall. The simplest fix is having a driver waiting inside the hall with your family name on a sign, with 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. When booking, tell us how many children there are and their ages, plus the number of bags and pushchairs, so the right size of car turns up. More on that in our Jeddah airport taxi guide.
Stage three: the days in Makkah and Madinah
Choosing a hotel
With children and elders, being close to the Haram saves a great deal of effort every day. If your hotel is further out, plan car journeys for quieter times and avoid setting off just before the major prayers, when the roads leading to the mosque fill up.
Umrah with children
Pick a less crowded time for tawaf and sa'i, carry a small child in a front carrier rather than a pushchair in dense crowds, and agree a clear meeting point in case anyone gets separated. Wheelchairs are available at the Haram for older pilgrims; ask about them on site.
Ziyarat
A ziyarat tour in Madinah (Quba, Uhud, Qiblatayn) or Makkah works best with a private car that waits for you, so you can head back the moment the little ones flag. The fare is fixed for the whole car.
Stage four: a day in Taif
When Makkah or Jeddah is at its hottest, Taif's milder climate and the Al Hada mountain road make a welcome family outing. A driver used to the hairpin bends makes the climb safer, and if your children get car sick, just ask to stop when needed. Details on our Taif taxi page.
What family transport costs
Fares are fixed per car, not per person, which is exactly why a private car works out well for families. Prices in Saudi riyals for the family class (SUV or van), with the sedan for comparison:
| Route | Sedan | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | 200 | 350 |
| Makkah → Madinah | 400 | 600 |
| Madinah → Makkah | 400 | 600 |
| Makkah → Taif round trip | 400 | 600 |
| Madinah ziyarat + Wadi Al-Jinn | 200 | 350 |
Other routes are in the fare guide.
Choosing a car size
Two parents and two children with light luggage may fit a sedan. With three or more children, a pushchair, or a large suitcase per person, the family class is the right call. Compare the options on the fleet page.
When to travel as a family
The relatively cooler months, from late autumn to early spring, suit families best: walking across the mosque courtyards and between ziyarat sites is far easier. Summer is very hot in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah, so if you travel then, concentrate activity in the early morning and evening and spend midday in the hotel or other air-conditioned places. School holidays and Ramadan bring full hotels and busy roads, so booking accommodation and transport early saves a lot of stress.
What to keep in the car
On long intercity drives, keep a small bag within reach inside the cabin rather than in the boot: water and wet wipes, snacks, children's medicines and any daily medication for older relatives, a phone charger, a change of clothes for the youngest, and a bag in case of car sickness. Small things like these save a lot of unplanned stops.
Quick tips for parents
- Schedule long drives early in the morning or after Asr, and avoid midday heat in summer.
- Keep water and snacks in the car, and a light jumper for the children: indoor air conditioning is strong.
- Request a child seat in advance and give the child's age.
- Make sure every adult has a copy of the passports and the hotel address on their phone.
- Get a local SIM or eSIM on arrival so drivers and family members can reach each other.
Questions parents ask
Does the fare go up with more children?
No. The fare is per car; only a move to a larger class changes it.
Can we stop to feed a baby or take a break?
Yes, at any time. Reasonable short stops don't change the fare.
Is the car just for our family?
Yes. It is a private car with no other passengers.
Do we pay in advance?
No prepayment for normal bookings; you pay on arrival.
Send your itinerary and family size on WhatsApp +966582918075 and we can arrange all your transfers in one go.