Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How far is Taif from Jeddah Airport?
The trip from Jeddah Airport to Taif is about 184 km by road and takes around 2 h 30 min, depending on traffic and stops. Taif sits in the mountains east of Makkah, and the last part of the drive climbs into the highlands.
That climb is why Taif is known as the summer city: it is around 10 °C cooler than Makkah in summer. People visit for the cooler air, the parks and, in spring, the rose farms, and Taif is a common extension to an Umrah trip.
Which route does the driver take if you are not Muslim?
Entry to Makkah is for Muslims only. If anyone travelling with you is not Muslim, tell us when you book. The driver then plans a route that keeps out of Makkah, following the road signs that direct non-Muslim traffic around the city. It can take a little longer, and we confirm the timing with your quote.
For Muslim passengers, the usual route does not enter central Makkah either, so you go straight to Taif unless you ask for a stop.
Rest and prayer stops are included at no extra charge. The final climb into Taif can be winding, so tell the driver if anyone gets car-sick; a steady pace and a short stop help. Our Jeddah to Taif road guide covers the drive in more detail.
Taxi fares from Jeddah Airport to Taif
Fares are per car and fixed before you land, including fuel, tolls, the driver and meet-and-greet. A 20% night surcharge applies at night (00:00–05:00) and is shown in your quote.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | Jeddah Airport to Taif |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | 1–3 | 2 | SAR 320 |
| Standard Sedan | 1–3 | 3 | SAR 370 |
| Comfort MPV | 4–6 | 5 | SAR 460 |
| SUV | 4–7 | 6 | SAR 650 |
| Family Van | 7–11 | 10 | SAR 590 |
| Luxury / VIP | 1–4 | 3 | SAR 1,110 |
| Wheelchair Accessible Van | 1–4 + wheelchair | 4 | SAR 650 |
Should you fly into Taif Airport instead?
Taif has its own airport. Taif International Airport (TIF) is about 25 km from the city, around 30 min by car, and a taxi from there costs from SAR 60. It has far fewer flights than Jeddah, including some seasonal international services, so check the airlines for a route that fits.
If your international flight lands in Jeddah anyway, a connection to Taif means another check-in and another wait. The road from Jeddah Airport can be simpler, especially for families with luggage. Our Taif Airport guide covers flying in.
Planning Umrah and Taif on the same trip
If you are doing Umrah as well, one option is Makkah first and Taif afterwards. Makkah to Taif is 90 km, about 1 h 30 min, from SAR 160 per car; our article on the Makkah to Taif road describes it.
If you go to Taif first and do Umrah afterwards, the roads down to Makkah pass a Miqat: Qarn al-Manazil at As-Sail al-Kabir, or Wadi Muhrim on the Al Hada road. The driver stops there on request so you can enter Ihram. If you fly into Jeddah intending Umrah but plan to visit Taif first, ask a scholar you trust where you should enter Ihram.
What to see once you are in Taif
Taif's sights are spread out, so a driver by the hour suits a day of visits, from SAR 80 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. Hotels include Le Méridien Al Hada, InterContinental Taif and Ramada Al Hada.
- Al Hada cable car (Al Kar): a cable car and leisure village on the escarpment. Bring a light jacket.
- Shubra Palace: a historic palace in central Taif that once served as a royal summer residence. Check opening hours before you go.
- Al Rudaf Park: granite boulders and picnic spots, good on cool evenings.
- Taif rose farms: the harvest is in spring, around March and April, and many farms run small distilleries for rose water and oil.
- Al Shafa: terraced mountain villages south of Taif with fruit farms and cool air.
Before you land: checklist
- Send your flight number, the number of passengers and suitcases, and your Taif hotel or address on WhatsApp.
- Tell us if anyone in the car is not Muslim, so the driver plans the right route.
- At Terminal 1, look for your name board at the arrivals exit gate after customs. We track your flight, and the driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing.
- If your ticket shows the Hajj Terminal, send the flight number and we meet you there.
- Ask for child seats or a wheelchair-accessible van when you book.
- Pack a light layer: evenings in the mountains are cooler than on the coast.