Madinah is a calm city, and getting around it should be too
Many visitors describe Madinah as quieter and easier to move around than Makkah, and most of the time they are right. Even so, there are particular moments when you need a car: arriving from the airport or the station, the day you visit the ziyarat sites, and leaving for Makkah or Jeddah. Our Madinah taxi service is organised around those moments, with a private car, a fixed fare and a driver waiting at the agreed place and time.
Your stay in Madinah, start to finish
Day one: arriving
Most visitors come in through Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, on the Haramain train, or by road from Makkah or Jeddah. At the airport we meet you in arrivals with a name sign and follow your flight, so a late landing does not mean a missed driver. The drive from the airport to the central area around Masjid an-Nabawi is fairly short, and costs 100 SAR in a sedan to any hotel. Arriving by train instead? Send us the arrival time and we confirm the price and send a driver to the station.
If you are flying in, our page on Madinah Airport covers the arrival arrangements in more detail.
The days in between: hotel and the Prophet's Mosque
If your hotel is in the central area, Masjid an-Nabawi is a short walk and you will not need a car. Guests in hotels further out, or travelling with older relatives, find a taxi a real relief, especially for Fajr and in the midday heat. Rides within Madinah to your hotel or the mosque start at 80 SAR in a sedan.
Ziyarat day
Visiting the places linked to the Prophet's life is one of the highlights of a stay in Madinah. Our usual tour covers:
- Quba Mosque - the first mosque built in Islam, where praying is recommended.
- Mount Uhud and the Martyrs' Cemetery - the site of the battle, with the Archers' Hill opposite.
- Masjid al-Qiblatayn - where the change of qibla was revealed.
- The Seven Mosques - at the site of the Battle of the Trench.
- Wadi Al-Jinn - added for those who want it, northwest of the city.
The ziyarat tour including Wadi Al-Jinn is 200 SAR in a sedan, 350 SAR in a family car and 500 SAR for VIP. We suggest starting after Fajr or just after sunrise so you finish before Dhuhr.
Departure day
When your stay is over the driver collects you from the hotel door and takes you on to your next stop:
| From Madinah to | Sedan | Family car | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madinah train station | 100 SAR | 150 SAR | 300 SAR |
| Makkah | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
| Jeddah | 450 SAR | 700 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Jeddah Airport | 450 SAR | 700 SAR | 1000 SAR |
Fares are per car, paid on arrival, with nothing extra for night departures.
If you are heading to Makkah for Umrah
The miqat for people of Madinah and anyone passing through it is Dhul Hulayfah, known today as Abyar Ali, right on the road out of the city towards Makkah. The driver stops at the miqat mosque so you can enter ihram and pray, then you carry on. It is easier to change into ihram clothing at your hotel and make your intention at the miqat, because the mosque facilities get crowded in season. Makkah is about 450 km away, roughly four and a half to five hours; full details are on our Madinah to Makkah taxi page.
When does Madinah get busy?
The city's usual calm changes at predictable times: after Friday prayer, on Ramadan nights and especially the last ten, and during school holidays when many families from around the Kingdom visit. At those times the streets around the Prophet's Mosque fill with worshippers and getting out of the central area takes longer. If you are leaving on one of those days, book early, agree a meeting point with the driver outside the busiest streets, and allow an extra half hour if you have a flight or a train to catch.
Which car suits you in Madinah?
For short hops around the city a sedan for four is plenty. For the drive to Makkah or Jeddah with all your luggage, and perhaps Zamzam bottles and boxes of dates, a family car for up to seven is the better choice, so nobody spends hours with a bag at their feet. VIP is there for extra comfort on the long drives. Compare the classes on our fleet page.
Questions about taxis in Madinah
Can you arrange a car for Fajr every day?
Yes. If your hotel is some way from the Prophet's Mosque we can set up a daily ride at the same time. Tell us how many days and we confirm the arrangement and price.
How long does the ziyarat tour take?
Usually three to four hours, longer if you add Wadi Al-Jinn or linger at any of the sites.
Do you pick up from the train station?
Yes. Send us the train's arrival time and the driver will be waiting at the exit to take you to your hotel.