Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What are the ways to get from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?
King Abdulaziz International Airport is the main arrival airport for Umrah pilgrims, and most travellers want to go straight to their hotel near Masjid al-Haram. The trip from Jeddah Airport to Makkah is 102 km by road, mostly on the Haramain Expressway (Route 40). You have five realistic choices: a pre-booked taxi, the airport taxi rank, a ride-hailing app, the Haramain High-Speed Railway or an intercity bus.
The right choice depends on three things: how many people are travelling, how much luggage you carry and what time you land. A family with five suitcases landing at 2 am has very different needs from a solo traveller with a backpack at midday.
Taxi, train, bus or app: how do they compare?
Train, bus and app prices change, so check the operator's website or app on the day. Taxi fares on this site are per vehicle, not per person, and include fuel, tolls, the driver and meet-and-greet.
| Option | Door to door | How you pay | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | Yes, arrivals hall to your hotel | From SAR 180 per car, fixed in advance | All bags in the car | Families, night arrivals, elderly travellers |
| Airport taxi rank | Yes | Fare agreed at the rank | Depends on the car | Travellers without a booking |
| Ride-hailing app | Yes, from the app pickup area | Price shown in the app; changes with demand | Depends on the car you get | Light travellers who already use the app |
| Haramain train | No, station to station | Per person ticket | Limits per ticket | Solo travellers with light bags |
| Intercity bus | No, stop to stop | Per person ticket, lowest per person | Limited | Budget travellers with flexible timing |
How does a pre-booked taxi from Jeddah Airport work?
With a pre-booked taxi the price is fixed before you fly. You book on WhatsApp with your flight number, and we track the flight so the driver adjusts to the real landing time.
Rest and prayer stops are included if you need one on the way. Peak traffic on Thursday and Friday evenings can add 20 to 30 minutes to the drive.
- Send your flight number, hotel name, number of passengers and number of suitcases on WhatsApp.
- We confirm a fixed fare. The driver's name and plate number arrive the day before.
- After landing, the driver waits free for 60 minutes, holding a name board at the Terminal 1 arrivals exit after customs.
- He helps load your bags and drives you on the Haramain Expressway to Makkah.
- In Makkah he drops you at your hotel, or at the nearest open drop point when roads near the Haram close for prayers.
- Pay in cash (SAR) or by card in the car, or by bank transfer or the STC Bank app before the ride.
Taxi fares from Jeddah Airport to Makkah by vehicle
Fares are per car and fixed before the ride. A night surcharge of 20% applies between 00:00 and 05:00 and is shown in your quote.
For four to six people, a comfort MPV costs less than two sedans. For seven to eleven, one family van keeps everyone and the luggage together.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | Fare to Makkah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy sedan | 1 to 3 | 2 | SAR 180 |
| Standard sedan | 1 to 3 | 3 | SAR 210 |
| Comfort MPV | 4 to 6 | 5 | SAR 260 |
| SUV | 4 to 7 | 6 | SAR 360 |
| Family van | 7 to 11 | 10 | SAR 330 |
| Wheelchair-accessible van | 1 to 4 plus a wheelchair | 4 | SAR 360 |
Can you take the Haramain train from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?
Yes. The airport has its own Haramain High-Speed Railway station at Terminal 1, and trains run to Makkah station in Al Rusayfah. The train is smooth and avoids road traffic, which makes it a good choice for a solo traveller or a couple with light bags.
The catch is the last few kilometres. Makkah station is about 6 km from the Haram, so you still need a taxi or bus to your hotel. Tickets are per person and there are luggage limits per ticket. Timetables and fares change, so check the operator's website before you travel.
If you choose the train, you can still pre-book a taxi from Makkah Haramain station to your hotel. The driver meets you at the station exit.
What about the bus, the taxi rank and ride-hailing apps?
Intercity buses between Jeddah and Makkah are the cheapest option per person. They run to fixed departures and stop at bus stations rather than hotels, so they suit budget travellers who can be flexible. Check the operator for current routes, times and fares, including whether your service leaves from the airport or from the city.
Official taxis wait at the rank outside arrivals. You queue after landing and agree the fare there, which is fine for a single traveller but harder with a family or late at night. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem also operate in Jeddah: you request a car after landing and meet it at the app pickup area, and the price changes with demand. Check that the car has room for your luggage.
What should you know before you leave the airport?
- Only Muslims may enter Makkah. During Hajj season the Al Shumaisi checkpoint on this road checks entry permits, so keep your passport and any permit with you, not in the boot.
- Umrah needs a permit booked through the Nusuk app. Confirm the current rules on Nusuk or with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you fly.
- If you are coming for Umrah, you should already be in Ihram. Jeddah is inside the Miqat boundary, so air travellers usually enter Ihram before or as the plane passes the Miqat. Our guide to Miqat stops by car explains the details.
- Keep your hotel name and address on your phone, in English and Arabic if you can.
- Buy a local SIM or turn on roaming so the driver can reach you on WhatsApp.