Starting your Umrah from Taif
Coming down from Taif to Makkah is not just the reverse of a day trip. For most people who book a Taif to Makkah taxi, it is the start of an act of worship. Somewhere on the descent they pass the miqat, and they want to arrive at the Haram in ihram, rested and on time. This page is written for them: Taif residents heading for Umrah, families finishing a summer stay in the mountains, and travellers who flew into Taif and want to go straight to Makkah.
Who usually books this trip
Taif families going for Umrah
Makkah is close enough for people who live in Taif to perform Umrah and return the same day. We pick you up at home, stop at the miqat, take you to the Haram and, if you book the return too, bring you back to Taif after you finish. Tell us roughly how long you expect to stay so the timing works.
Visitors ending a stay in Taif
Pilgrims sometimes spend a few cooler days in Taif before or after their time in Makkah. When it is time to move, we collect you and your luggage from the hotel or flat and drive you to your hotel in Makkah, with the miqat stop on the way if you are about to perform Umrah.
Arrivals at Taif airport
If you fly into Taif International Airport, the driver can meet you there and go straight down to Makkah. Send the flight number so he follows the landing time.
Two roads down, each with its miqat
There are two routes from Taif to Makkah, and both pass a recognised miqat for people coming from this direction:
| Road | Miqat on the way | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hada road | Wadi Muhrim, near the top of the descent | Shorter and steep, with many hairpin bends; Makkah is about 90 km away |
| Al Sail road | Qarn al-Manazil at As-Sail al-Kabir | Longer and flatter; used when Al Hada is closed |
The driver chooses the road based on conditions on the day and will stop at the miqat on that route. Both have a mosque and facilities for washing and changing. Many people put on the ihram garments at home or in the hotel and simply make their intention at the miqat, which keeps the stop short.
What the fare depends on
We confirm the price of trips from Taif on WhatsApp rather than publishing one figure, because the pickup point matters. Taif is spread out, and a pickup in Al Hada is very different from one on the far side of the city. Send us:
- Your pickup location in Taif, or your flight number if you are landing at Taif airport.
- Where you are going in Makkah: hotel name, or the Haram itself.
- The number of passengers and bags.
- Whether you need the return trip to Taif the same day.
We reply with a fixed price for the car. You pay on arrival, with no deposit for normal bookings.
Arriving in Makkah in ihram
If you are going straight to the Haram, the driver takes you to the closest permitted drop-off point. Streets around the Haram close at busy times, especially before Friday prayer and during Ramadan, so the final stretch may be on foot. If you have luggage, it is easier to go to the hotel first and walk from there. Tell the driver which you prefer as you approach the city.
When to leave Taif
Many Taif families set off after Asr, reach the Haram around Maghrib, perform Umrah in the cooler evening and head home at night. Others leave at dawn to avoid the midday heat in Makkah. In Ramadan, and especially the last ten nights, the area around the Haram is extremely crowded, so allow extra time both for arriving and for getting out after your Umrah.
For the ride back to Taif, we agree a clear meeting point in advance, near the Haram or at a well-known hotel, because cars cannot wait in the closed streets. If you are running late, message the driver so he knows when to come back for you.
Choosing a car
For a couple or a small family the sedan (up to four) is enough. Larger families and anyone carrying a summer's worth of luggage should take the SUV or van (up to seven). The VIP class seats up to three. See all options on the fleet page.
Questions from travellers in Taif
Can I go for Umrah and come back to Taif the same day?
Yes. Book both legs together and give us an approximate time for the return. The driver will wait or come back for you, as agreed when you book.
Which miqat will we use?
It depends on the road. On the Al Hada road it is Wadi Muhrim; on the Al Sail road it is Qarn al-Manazil. Both are valid for people travelling from Taif.
How long is the trip?
Around an hour and a half via Al Hada, plus the miqat stop. Via Al Sail it takes longer.
What about going the other way?
For a day trip up from Makkah see Makkah to Taif taxi. For rides within Taif see Taif taxi.