Getting picked up at the Clock Tower hotels in Makkah

Which hotels are in the Clock Tower complex?

Booking a Clock Tower Makkah taxi works a little differently from a pickup anywhere else in the city. The Abraj Al Bait complex, under the Clock Tower, stands directly opposite the Haram's southern plaza, and its hotels share one vehicle drop-off zone. Our hotel transfer pages cover these hotels in the complex:

• Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower
• Raffles Makkah Palace
• Swissôtel Makkah and Swissôtel Al Maqam Makkah
• Pullman ZamZam Makkah
• Mövenpick Hotel and Residences Hajar Tower Makkah
• Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana

How does pickup work at the Clock Tower?

Because the hotels share a vehicle drop-off zone, that is where your driver meets you. The day before, we send the driver's name and plate, and on the day he sends his live location when he sets off, so you can time your walk down.

At peak prayer times the roads closest to the Haram close. When that happens, the driver waits at the nearest open point and tells you where to find him. He helps with your luggage, and for heavy bags you can ask the hotel whether a porter can bring them down to the vehicle zone.

When to book your pickup

The most useful thing you can do is book your pickup between prayers. Just before a prayer, roads close as worshippers arrive; just after it, large crowds leave the Haram at once and traffic around the complex is slow.

Fridays are busier still around Jumu'ah, and Ramadan, above all the last ten nights, brings the largest crowds of the year. In those periods, book well ahead and allow a wider margin. Our guide to Ramadan transport in Makkah covers the closures.

Fares from the Clock Tower hotels

Fares are per car, fixed before the ride, and include fuel, tolls and help with luggage. Our fares depend on the trip and the vehicle, not on the tower, so every hotel in the complex pays the same. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 add a 20% night surcharge, shown in the quote.

Leaving for Jeddah Airport or Madinah

For a flight from Jeddah, the drive from the Clock Tower is 102 km, about 1 h 25 min in normal traffic. Check your airline's check-in cut-off, then work back: add the drive, a margin for Haram traffic and the time to check out and bring your bags down. Our Makkah to Jeddah Airport guide goes through it step by step.

For Madinah, the trip is 450 km, about 4 h 30 min, with a rest stop on the way. Leaving in the gap between two prayers gets you out of the central area faster.

Arriving at the Clock Tower

From Jeddah Airport, the driver meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and waits free for 60 minutes after landing. He drives you to the complex's vehicle zone and helps with your bags. Each hotel has its own transfer page, such as Jeddah Airport to the Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower.

If you arrive in Ihram, you can check in, leave your bags and walk across to the Haram for your Umrah. If your room is not ready yet, ask the hotel to hold your luggage.

Elderly and wheelchair users

The Clock Tower hotels keep the walk to the Haram short, which suits elderly and less mobile pilgrims. For a wheelchair user, book a wheelchair-accessible van with a rear ramp; it can drop at accessible Haram gates.

At peak times, when the nearest open point may be further away, allow extra time to cover the distance with a wheelchair. Our Makkah hotel areas guide compares access across the city.

Clock Tower pickup checklist

• Book on WhatsApp with your hotel name and the lead guest's name.
• Choose a pickup time between prayers, not just before or after one.
• Save the driver's number when it arrives the day before.
• Bring bags down early, or ask the hotel if a porter can help.
• If you are late, message the driver; city pickups include 15 minutes of free waiting.
• Allow extra time on Fridays and in Ramadan.
• Cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup if your plans change.