Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Why fly into one airport and out of another?
Many pilgrims fly into Madinah and out of Jeddah, and others do the reverse, so they do not have to travel back to the first city at the end of the trip. That makes the Jeddah to Madinah airport transfer, or a hotel-to-airport ride at the far end, one of the legs worth planning with your flights.
Business travellers do the same between Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The rule is the same everywhere: book each road leg to match the flight times, and leave a buffer before the last one.
What does each leg cost?
Each leg has its own fixed one-way fare, per car, including fuel, tolls, the driver and meet-and-greet at airports. A 20% night surcharge applies at night (00:00–05:00).
| Leg | Distance | Time | Economy sedan | Family van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to a Makkah hotel | 102 km | 1 h 25 min | SAR 180 | SAR 330 |
| Makkah to Madinah, hotel to hotel | 450 km | 4 h 30 min | SAR 770 | SAR 1,440 |
| Madinah hotel to Madinah Airport | 18 km | 25 min | SAR 60 | SAR 120 |
| Madinah Airport to a Makkah hotel | 460 km | 5 h 25 min | SAR 790 | SAR 1,480 |
| Jeddah Airport to a Madinah hotel | 402 km | 5 h | SAR 690 | SAR 1,290 |
Into Jeddah, out of Madinah: how the trip runs
- Land at Jeddah. At Terminal 1 the driver waits in the arrivals hall at the exit gate after customs, with a name board.
- Drive to your Makkah hotel, about 1 h 25 min. If you are coming for Umrah, you should already be in Ihram from the plane.
- Stay in Makkah for Umrah and, if you like, a Ziyarat tour.
- Travel from Makkah to Madinah, hotel to hotel, about 4 h 30 min, with a rest stop at Al Faqih or Badr on the way.
- Stay in Madinah and visit the Ziyarat sites.
- On departure day, ride from your hotel to Madinah Airport, about 25 min.
Into Madinah, out of Jeddah: Ihram on the road
If you start in Madinah, you do Umrah after the drive to Makkah. Leaving Madinah, the driver stops at the Dhul Hulayfah Miqat on request so you can enter Ihram. Our article on the Miqat stop by car explains how it works.
At the end of the trip, Makkah to Jeddah Airport is 102 km, about 1 h 25 min. Peak traffic on Thursday and Friday evenings can add 20 to 30 minutes, and central Makkah roads close near prayer times, so leave a generous buffer.
Going straight from Jeddah Airport to Madinah
Some pilgrims land in Jeddah but want Madinah first. A direct Jeddah to Madinah airport transfer covers 402 km in about 5 h, from SAR 690 per car or SAR 1,290 in a family van. The road runs via Rabigh and Badr, a dual carriageway throughout, with a rest stop on the way.
After a long flight, another 5 h on the road is a lot for elderly travellers or young children. A night in Jeddah first, then an early start, can be kinder.
The Haramain train also runs from the station at Jeddah Airport Terminal 1 to Madinah. Check the operator for times and fares, and remember that you still need a car from Madinah station to your hotel.
How much time to leave for the last leg
Your airline sets the check-in and bag-drop deadlines, so check them first. Then work back: add the drive time from the table, plus a buffer for traffic, prayer-time road closures and loading luggage.
Driving from a Madinah hotel to Jeddah Airport for your flight home is the longest version of this leg, the same distance as the transfer above. Our guide to Madinah hotel to airport timing works through examples.
Booking all the legs in one go
Our Umrah transport package covers the airport, Makkah, Madinah and the return in one booking, with package pricing for 3 to 5 legs. Send your flight numbers and hotel names and we quote every leg at once.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup, and changes to time or vehicle are free whenever possible. A family van carries up to 11 people and 10 suitcases, which helps on the way home with Zamzam and shopping; check your airline's rules on Zamzam water before you pack it.