Your Umrah is done. Next stop, Madinah.
For most pilgrims, the ride north comes after the main purpose of the trip is complete. The Umrah is behind you, the bags are a little heavier than when you arrived, and the next few days are for visiting Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. A Makkah to Madinah taxi takes you from your hotel lobby in Makkah to your hotel in Madinah with nothing to arrange in between: no station transfers, no luggage limits, no waiting for other passengers.
This direction is simpler than the reverse in one respect: you do not need ihram to enter Madinah, so there is no miqat stop. The planning is mostly about when to leave Makkah and what to do when you arrive.
Fixed fares, Makkah to Madinah
| Car | Best for | Price per car |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Up to 4 passengers with normal luggage | 400 SAR |
| Family SUV / van | Up to 7, or families with lots of bags | 600 SAR |
| VIP | Up to 3, with extra comfort | 1000 SAR |
The price covers the whole journey of about 450 km, hotel to hotel. You pay the driver when you arrive in Madinah, and nothing is added at night or for normal luggage.
When to leave Makkah
The drive itself takes around four and a half to five hours. What changes is how the day feels:
| Departure | What to expect |
|---|---|
| After Fajr | Roads in Makkah are quiet and you reach Madinah around midday, in time to check in and rest before Asr. |
| Late morning | Gives time for a last prayer at the Haram and a relaxed check-out, arriving in the late afternoon. |
| After Isha | Cooler driving and a night arrival. This suits people who sleep easily in a car, but check that your Madinah hotel accepts late check-in. |
If you are staying close to the Haram, avoid a pickup just before or after Friday prayer, when the central streets are at their busiest.
Car or Haramain train?
People ask this a lot, and the answer depends on your situation. The train is fast, but it runs from Makkah station to Madinah station, and both are some distance from the Holy Mosques. You need a ride at each end, you move your bags several times, and you travel on the departures that are available. A private car leaves from your hotel door at the time you choose, carries whatever luggage and Zamzam you have, and stops wherever you like.
So a solo traveller with a small bag sometimes prefers the train, while families, elderly pilgrims and groups usually find the car easier, especially as the fare is per car rather than per passenger. If you do take the train, our sedan ride between your hotel and the station starts at 100 SAR in both Makkah and Madinah.
Getting out of a central Makkah hotel
Hotels around the Haram usually have a set pickup point, and some streets close to traffic at peak times. Send the hotel name when you book. The driver will tell you where to meet him and call when he arrives, so you do not drag your bags further than necessary. If you are in Al Aziziyah or another district outside the centre, he comes to the door.
Things worth packing within reach
- Zamzam water: many people take sealed bottles north. Tell us how many cartons you have so they fit alongside the suitcases.
- Food and water for the road. The driver will stop at a service station whenever you like, but it is nice to have something in the car.
- Hotel details in Madinah: name, booking reference and a location pin.
- Medication for elderly travellers, in a bag inside the car rather than in the boot.
When you arrive in Madinah
Most visitors stay in the central area around Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, and the driver drops you as close to your hotel entrance as traffic allows. A few things are useful to know for the days ahead:
- Visiting the Rawdah requires a permit booked through the Nusuk app, and slots can go quickly, so it is worth checking before you arrive.
- Ziyarat: a tour of Masjid Quba, Mount Uhud, Masjid al-Qiblatain and Wadi Al-Jinn is popular. With us it costs 200 SAR by sedan, 350 SAR by family car or 500 SAR VIP.
- Getting around Madinah for hotels, the train station or the airport: see our Madinah taxi page.
Flying home from Madinah or Jeddah
If your flight leaves from Madinah airport, a short ride from your hotel is all you need. If it leaves from Jeddah, we drive from Madinah to Jeddah airport for 450 SAR by sedan, 700 SAR by family car or 1000 SAR VIP. Send the flight time and we will suggest when to leave, with a good margin for the long drive.
Questions before you travel north
Do I need to stop at a miqat on the way to Madinah?
No. Ihram is for entering Makkah for Umrah or Hajj, so the drive north has no miqat stop.
Can I book for a family of eight?
The family car takes up to seven. For eight or more, we send two cars that travel together. Ask on WhatsApp and we will suggest the best combination.
And the reverse trip?
Coming back down from Madinah, with the stop at Dhul Hulayfah, is covered on Madinah to Makkah taxi. For travel within Makkah before you leave, see Makkah taxi.