After days of Makkah's heat and crowds, many pilgrims long for one quiet day in cooler air. Taif is the obvious choice: a highland city roughly an hour and a half from Makkah, easy to reach in the morning and leave in the evening. This article helps you plan that day; for booking and vehicle details, see our Makkah to Taif taxi page.
The road: climbing Al Hada
The trip is about 90 km via the Al Hada road, a mountain route of tight switchbacks rising from the Makkah plain to the Sarawat peaks. The temperature drops noticeably as you climb, and on some days you will drive through fog. There is also the Al Sail Al Kabir road, longer and gentler, used when conditions call for it. Your driver will choose the better option on the day.
If anyone in your group gets carsick, tell the driver so he takes the bends gently, and eat something light before you leave.
A suggested one-day plan
- Leave your Makkah hotel in the morning after Fajr and breakfast, so you arrive while it is still pleasant.
- Al Hada: viewpoints over the escarpment and places to sit with a cup of tea.
- Al Shafa: higher still, known for its farms and cooler air, and popular with anyone seeking quiet.
- Central Taif: traditional markets and gardens, and a chance to buy seasonal fruit and rose products.
- Head back to Makkah in the late afternoon or after Maghrib.
Do not try to see everything in one day. Pick two or three areas and enjoy them at an easy pace.
If you are returning to Makkah for Umrah
If you leave Makkah for Taif and then come back intending Umrah, you enter ihram at the miqat on your return route: Qarn al-Manazil at Al Sail Al Kabir, or the point level with it on the Al Hada road (Wadi Muhrim). Keep your ihram clothes in the car and tell the driver in advance so he stops at the miqat. For rulings specific to your situation, ask a qualified scholar.
What does it cost?
The day trip, there and back, has a fixed price per car starting from 400 SAR in a sedan, paid on arrival with no prepayment. Family and VIP fares and booking are on our Makkah to Taif taxi page. A one-way ride is quoted on WhatsApp.
When to go
- Summer: the most popular season because the temperature difference from Makkah is so large, but also the busiest.
- Spring: Taif rose season, when the farms bloom and some distilleries welcome visitors.
- Winter: Taif gets cold, especially on the heights and after sunset, so pack warm layers.
What to bring
- A jacket or shawl; the temperature gap between Makkah and Taif can surprise you.
- Water and snacks for the road, especially with children.
- Comfortable shoes if you plan to walk in gardens or farms.
- A little cash for traditional markets and seasonal stalls.
- Ihram clothing if you will return intending Umrah.
Ending your trip in Taif?
Some visitors make Taif their last stop and go straight to Jeddah airport without returning to Makkah. That is possible, and the Taif to Jeddah airport fare is confirmed on WhatsApp. Allow plenty of time: the road descends the mountains and passes near Makkah before heading on to Jeddah, so leave a wide margin before your flight.
Tips for families
- A family vehicle is more comfortable on the mountain road if there are more than three of you.
- Bring light jackets for children even in summer; evenings at Al Shafa are cooler than you would expect.
- Agree the return time and any stops with the driver when you book, not halfway up the mountain.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive?
Usually about 75 to 90 minutes via Al Hada, longer in traffic or fog.
Can I stay in Taif and come back another day?
Yes. Book the outbound and return as separate rides; each fare is confirmed on WhatsApp.
Is the road safe at night?
It is a busy road, but the bends and occasional fog make daytime driving more comfortable. Our drivers take care either way.
Do you operate within Taif?
Yes, see taxi in Taif.
Book your Taif day
Send your Makkah hotel, number of travellers and preferred time to Mishwar Al Haramain on WhatsApp (+966582918075) or use the booking page.