After Umrah, nearly every visitor asks the same thing: what's the best way to get to Madinah? The honest answer is that no single option is best for everyone. A solo traveller with a backpack is in a very different position from a family of seven with suitcases and Zamzam containers. This article compares the three options on the things that actually matter, and leaves the decision to you.
The real difference: hotel door to hotel door
The usual comparison says the train takes about two and a half hours and a car four and a half to five. That's true on the track and the road, but your actual trip starts in your Makkah room and ends in your Madinah room:
| Stage | Train | Private car | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel to departure point | A ride to Makkah station, arriving early | None; the driver comes to the hotel | A ride to the bus station |
| The journey itself | About two and a half hours | About 4.5 to 5 hours | Usually longer than the car, with stops |
| Arrival point to hotel | A ride from Madinah station | None; drop-off at the hotel | A ride from the bus station |
| Luggage | You carry it through the stations | In the boot from start to finish | Checked in and collected at the station |
Once you add the extra rides and waiting, the gap between train and car shrinks a lot, and on busy days it can disappear.
When the train is the best choice
- You're travelling alone or as a pair with light bags.
- Your Madinah hotel is an easy hop from the station.
- Time matters most to you and you've booked early, because tickets sell out in Ramadan and peak seasons.
Ticket prices, timetables and luggage rules change, so check them on the official Haramain railway website or app before booking.
When a private car is the best choice
- Families: the fare is per car, not per person, so the more of you there are, the lower the cost per head.
- Lots of luggage and Zamzam: everything goes into the car once.
- Elderly travellers and wheelchairs: no station escalators and no long walks along platforms.
- Flexibility: you choose the departure time and stop for prayer or food whenever you like.
When the bus makes sense
The bus is the cheapest choice for an individual traveller who isn't in a hurry and doesn't mind stops and boarding times. Check schedules and fares directly with the operator.
What a private car costs on this route
A private car is priced per car, starting from 400 SAR in a sedan from hotel to hotel, and you pay on arrival. If you choose the train instead, we can also drive you to Makkah station. Class-by-class fares are on our Makkah to Madinah taxi page.
A quick worked example
A family of five: in a family car they pay 600 SAR for the whole trip, hotel door to hotel door. By train they pay five tickets plus a ride to the station and another from it. Compare the totals yourself using the ticket prices on your travel day, then factor in the effort of moving the bags.
Tips for going by car
- Leaving after Fajr or after Asr avoids the hottest part of the day.
- In the last ten nights of Ramadan and other peak times, some roads around the Haram close to cars, so the driver may ask to meet you at a point near your hotel.
- Send both hotel names and the number of large suitcases on WhatsApp so we send the right vehicle.
Going the other way, from Madinah to Makkah for Umrah, is a different trip because you enter ihram at Dhul Hulayfah; we cover it in a separate article.
Common questions
Is the car cheaper than the train?
For one person, usually not. For a family it can be similar or cheaper, especially once you add the station rides.
How many hours by car from Makkah to Madinah?
About four and a half to five hours for roughly 450 km, not counting long stops.
Can we visit Quba Mosque or Uhud after arriving?
Yes. Our Madinah ziyarat and Wadi Al-Jinn tour is 200 SAR by sedan. See our Madinah taxi page.
Do I pay in advance?
No. Normal bookings are paid on arrival.
To book, message Mishwar Al Haramain on WhatsApp at +966582918075 or use the booking page.