Performing Umrah or visiting Saudi Arabia in a wheelchair is entirely possible, and both Holy Mosques are set up to receive people with disabilities and older pilgrims. But the trip needs more careful planning than usual, because one weak link, such as a car that is too small, a hotel too far away or an outing at the peak of the heat, can turn the day into an ordeal. This guide follows the trip in order, from before you fly to the journey home.
Before you travel: know your chair
Gather these details before booking anything; the airline, the hotel and your driver will all need them:
- Is the chair manual and folding, or powered?
- Its approximate dimensions and weight, and the battery type if powered, since airlines have specific battery rules.
- Can the user transfer from the chair to a car seat with a little help?
At the airport: request assistance in advance
Ask your airline for special assistance when you book or well before you fly. Distances inside Jeddah airport are long, and assistance normally covers the trip from the aircraft to the arrivals hall. There your driver will be waiting with a name sign. Tell us in advance about the chair, and bear in mind that airport assistance can take time, which is where the 60 minutes of free waiting after landing, together with flight tracking, comes in useful.
Choosing a car
- Folding manual chair, one or two travellers: a sedan is usually enough if there is little luggage.
- Folding chair plus a family and suitcases: a family car is the better fit, leaving room for the chair without crushing the bags.
- Non-folding powered chair: send its dimensions and weight on WhatsApp before booking so we can confirm whether we have a suitable vehicle for your date.
What matters is sending accurate details rather than assuming. The classes are listed on our fleet page.
Choosing a hotel
In Makkah and Madinah, every metre between hotel and mosque counts when you are pushing a wheelchair through crowds and heat. Hotels in the first rows around the Haram save a great deal of effort. Before booking, ask the hotel about lifts, ramps at the entrance, adapted rooms and the actual distance to the nearest mosque gate.
At the Grand Mosque: tawaf and sa'i
Al-Masjid al-Haram is set up for wheelchairs, with ramped entrances, dedicated wheelchair routes for tawaf and sa'i on certain levels, and wheelchairs and carts available for those who don't bring their own. These arrangements change from season to season, so check the official channels of the Two Holy Mosques authority or ask on site. Tawaf on the upper levels covers a longer distance but is less crowded, which makes it a common choice for wheelchair users.
If your hotel is further out, the driver drops you at the nearest permitted point. Short trips within Makkah have fixed fares too: to the Haram or between hotels costs 80 riyals by sedan and 150 by family car.
At the Prophet's Mosque
The courtyards of the Prophet's Mosque are wide and mostly level, which makes moving around in a wheelchair fairly easy. The marble does get very hot at midday in summer, though, so go early in the morning or in the evening.
Intercity journeys
Makkah to Madinah is about 450 km, roughly 4.5–5 hours, and someone seated for long periods needs more breaks. Ask to stop every 90 minutes to two hours to stretch and use the restroom, and note that facilities at some service stations are basic, so the larger ones are better.
| Route | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | 200 | 350 | 500 |
| Makkah → Madinah | 400 | 600 | 1000 |
| Madinah → Makkah | 400 | 600 | 800 |
| Makkah → Jeddah Airport | 190 | 300 | 500 |
Prices are in riyals, fixed per car, paid on arrival. Arrival details are on our Jeddah Airport to Makkah transfer page, and the intercity route on Makkah to Madinah taxi.
Timing your days
Heat is the biggest practical challenge for wheelchair users and their companions. In the warmer months, plan tawaf and sa'i for the night or the early hours before Fajr, when the floors are cooler and crowds often lighter, and keep the middle of the day for rest. Space out demanding days: a long drive one day, rites the next, ziyarat on a third.
Tips for companions
- Bring a light seat cover, plenty of water and a hat or umbrella.
- Check the chair's tyre pressure and brakes before you travel.
- Agree a pickup point with the driver that has a dropped kerb or ramp where possible.
- Don't hesitate to ask for help; people at the Holy Mosques are usually quick to lend a hand.
Frequently asked questions
Will the driver help load the chair?
Yes, the driver helps lift a folding chair and luggage into the car. The transfer to the seat itself is usually done with the companion's help.
Can I use the Haramain train in a wheelchair?
The train is generally accessible, but check booking details and designated spaces with the operator before you travel.
Does the wheelchair increase the fare?
No. The fare is per car; only needing a bigger class changes it.
Send your chair details and itinerary on WhatsApp +966582918075 and we will suggest the right car.