Getting to Taif, and getting around once you are there
Most people who ask us for a Taif taxi fall into one of three groups. Some are pilgrims in Makkah who want a cooler day in the mountains between their prayers at the Haram. Some land at Jeddah airport and head straight up to a summer flat or a family home in Taif. And some are already in Taif and need a car for the city, the mountain parks or the drive down to Makkah. This page covers all three, with the fares we can quote today and the practical details that make the trip easy.
Fixed fares for the main Taif routes
Every fare below is for the whole car, not per seat, and is paid on arrival. On round trips the driver either waits for you in Taif or comes back at a time you agree in advance.
| Route | Sedan (up to 4) | Family SUV / van (up to 7) | VIP (up to 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to Taif (one way) | 300 SAR | 500 SAR | 800 SAR |
| Jeddah Airport to Taif and back | 600 SAR | 800 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Jeddah city to Taif and back | 500 SAR | 700 SAR | 1000 SAR |
| Makkah to Taif and back | 400 SAR | 600 SAR | 800 SAR |
Trips that start in Taif (to Makkah, to Jeddah or Jeddah airport, hotel runs and sightseeing inside the city) are quoted individually: send us the pickup point, the destination and the time on WhatsApp and we confirm a fixed price before you commit. The Makkah leg in both directions has its own pages: Makkah to Taif and Taif to Makkah.
The road up the mountain
Taif sits high in the Sarawat range, and the usual way up from Makkah is the Al Hada road, a long series of hairpin bends cut into the escarpment. From Makkah it is about 90 km; from Jeddah you add the stretch to Makkah's outskirts, so plan for roughly two hours or a little more. The views are the point of the drive for many families, so tell your driver if you would like a short stop at one of the lookouts on the way.
The Al Hada road is occasionally closed for maintenance or slowed by fog. When that happens the driver takes the Al Sail road instead. It is longer but flatter, and the fare does not change.
Inside Taif: a car and driver for the day
Taif is spread out, and the places visitors want to see are far apart, so a private car is the easiest way to see them. Common requests include:
- Al Hada and Al Shafa: the high villages above the city, with fruit stalls, viewpoints and much cooler air in summer.
- Al Rudaf Park: granite boulders and shaded picnic spots, popular with families in the late afternoon.
- Rose farms: Taif's roses bloom in spring, and some farms welcome visitors during the harvest.
- The central souq: honey, dried fruit, rose water and perfume oils to take home.
Tell us which of these you want and roughly how long you plan to stay at each, and we will suggest a sensible order and confirm the price for the day.
Families spending the summer in Taif
If you are staying in Taif for a few weeks in summer, you will probably need more than one ride: the arrival from the airport, one or two trips down to Makkah for Umrah, and the drive back to the airport at the end of the holiday. Send us all the dates at once and we will book them all in; just reconfirm each trip with us the day before. Booking early helps most at the height of summer, when the larger family cars are in demand.
If you are travelling with elderly relatives, mention it. The driver will pick a quieter departure time and stop whenever they need a rest.
Flying into Taif instead of Jeddah
Some domestic flights go to Taif International Airport, which is outside the city. We can meet you there and take you to your hotel in Taif or straight on to Makkah. Send the flight number when you book so the driver can follow the arrival time, and the fare is confirmed on WhatsApp.
Pilgrims heading back to Makkah
If you go up to Taif and plan to perform Umrah when you come back down, remember that the road passes the miqat for people coming from Taif's direction. You enter ihram there before you continue to Makkah. Let the driver know when you book, and he will plan a stop long enough for you to change and pray.
What to send when you book
- Where you are starting from (airport and flight number, hotel name or a location pin).
- Where you are going in Taif, and whether you need the return leg.
- Date, time, number of passengers and roughly how many large bags.
- Any stops you want on the way: a lookout, the miqat, a meal.
We reply with the car type and the fixed fare. You can also see all our vehicles on the fleet page.
Questions travellers ask about Taif
Is a day trip from Makkah to Taif realistic?
Yes. The drive takes around an hour and a half each way, so a morning departure leaves you several hours in Taif and gets you back to Makkah in the evening. The round-trip fare covers the return leg; agree the return time when you book.
Which car is best for the mountain road?
All our cars handle the Al Hada road without trouble. For families with children and luggage, the SUV or van is more comfortable on the bends.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is the busiest season because Taif stays much cooler than Makkah and Jeddah. Spring is rose season. In winter the evenings can be cold up in Al Hada and Al Shafa, so bring a jacket.
Can you take us from Taif to Jeddah airport for a flight?
Yes. Send the flight time and we will suggest a pickup time with enough margin for the drive and check-in. The fare for that route is confirmed on WhatsApp.