A mental map before you book
Most visitors who come for Umrah or a visit to the Prophet's Mosque move around a single triangle: Jeddah on the coast, Makkah inland to the east, and Madinah to the north. Taif, in the highlands near Makkah, sometimes joins the list. Once you picture that triangle, planning gets simple. The short legs are between Jeddah, Makkah and Taif, and the long one is the run north to Madinah. Travel in Riyadh or the Eastern Province works differently, and we cover it at the end.
Approximate distances and drive times
| Route | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah – Makkah | about 80 km (100 km from the airport) | 60–75 min |
| Makkah – Madinah | about 450 km | 4.5–5 h |
| Jeddah – Madinah | about 420 km | about 4–4.5 h |
| Makkah – Taif | about 90 km via Al Hada | around 1.5 h |
| Riyadh – Dammam | about 400 km | around 4 h |
Treat these as planning figures, not timetables. What usually changes them is congestion at city entrances, especially around the two Holy Mosques in peak season, rather than the highway itself.
Three ways to travel, three kinds of traveller
Private car with driver
Hotel door to hotel door, leaving when it suits you, with room for all your luggage in one vehicle. It's the natural choice for families, elderly travellers, anyone with a lot of bags, and anyone who wants to stop at the miqat or a rest area.
The Haramain train
Fast and comfortable between its stations in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah. But the station isn't your hotel, so you need a ride before and after, and you need to book seats in good time, especially in busy seasons. Great for a solo traveller packing light.
Intercity coaches
The cheapest per person, but tied to fixed times and terminals. Suitable if you're travelling alone and not in a hurry.
If you want to combine train and car, we run transfers to and from the train stations in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
Fixed fares on the busiest routes
Prices are for the whole car, not per passenger, and you pay on arrival.
| Route | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah to Makkah | 200 SAR | 350 SAR | 600 SAR |
| Makkah to Jeddah | 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 |
| Madinah to Jeddah | 450 SAR | 700 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Makkah to Taif (round trip) | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
One-way Taif routes and the Riyadh and Dammam routes are quoted on request, and we confirm those fares on WhatsApp. The full list is in the taxi fare guide.
Makkah first or Madinah first?
There's no single right answer. Travellers landing in Jeddah intending Umrah usually do Makkah first, then go up to Madinah and fly home from there. Others prefer to start with Madinah, drive straight there from Jeddah, then come down to Makkah afterwards. In that case ihram is entered at the Dhul Hulayfah miqat (Abyar Ali) on the way out of Madinah, so tell the driver in advance and he'll stop there. That leg is covered on the Madinah to Makkah taxi page, and the opposite direction on the Makkah to Madinah taxi page.
Tips for the long legs
- Leaving after Fajr or in the evening avoids the worst of the heat and traffic.
- Agree on one or two service-station stops with the driver, especially with children or older passengers.
- Keep water, medication and documents in a hand bag rather than in the boot.
- Choose the car size by luggage first, passengers second. Compare categories on the fleet page.
- Share your exact hotel name and, if possible, a map pin. Hotels with similar names are common in both Holy Cities.
Beyond the Hijaz: Riyadh and the Eastern Province
We also cover journeys in Riyadh, Dammam and the surrounding area, including airports, hotels and business districts. Because those trips vary a lot with the details, we quote each one individually on WhatsApp.
Common questions
Does the fare include stops on the way?
Short stops for prayer or a rest are normal on long trips. If you want a longer side visit, mention it when booking so we can confirm the fare.
Can I book two or three legs at once?
Yes. Send the full itinerary with dates and we'll confirm each leg and its price.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Not for a normal booking. You pay on arrival.
Is the service available at night?
Yes, we operate 24/7.
To book, message Mishwar Al Haramain on WhatsApp +966582918075 or use the booking page.