Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How far is Madinah Airport from the Haram?
Getting from Madinah Airport to Haram hotels is a short trip: Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is about 18 km away, roughly 25 min by car. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) has a single terminal for international and domestic flights, so there is only one arrivals hall to find.
Many pilgrims fly into Madinah and out of Jeddah, or the other way round. Either way, the airport is the start or end of your time in Madinah, and every option into the city is by road.
What are your options from Madinah Airport to the Haram?
Public buses also run in Madinah. Routes, times and fares change, so ask at the airport or check the operator before relying on one. The Haramain train station in Madinah is a separate site about 15 km from the airport, so the train is not an option for this trip.
| Option | To your hotel door | How you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | Yes, to the hotel's assigned entrance | From SAR 60 per car, fixed in advance | Families, night arrivals, elderly travellers |
| Airport taxi rank | Yes | Fare agreed at the rank | Travellers without a booking |
| Ride-hailing app | Yes | Price shown in the app; changes with demand | Light travellers who already use the app |
| Hotel transfer | Yes, if your hotel offers one | Set by the hotel | Guests whose hotel runs airport pickups |
Where does a pre-booked driver meet you at Madinah Airport?
- Send your flight number, hotel name, passengers and bag count on WhatsApp; we confirm a fixed fare.
- You receive the driver's name and plate before you land, and we track the flight.
- After customs, walk out to the arrivals hall exit. The driver waits opposite the SIM card kiosks with a name board.
- The driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing, so a slow queue costs nothing.
- He loads your bags and drives you to your hotel.
Airport taxis and ride-hailing apps
Airport taxis wait at the rank outside arrivals. You queue, agree the fare and go, which works well for a solo traveller with light bags. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem also operate in Madinah. You request a car once you have your bags and meet it at the app pickup area. App prices change with demand and the car size depends on what is available, so a family with many suitcases may need two cars.
Arriving at your hotel near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
Central Madinah has controlled vehicle access around the mosque. Drivers drop at the hotel's assigned entrance and help with luggage, so check your hotel's address before you land. Hotels outside the central zone have easy car access and are a short drive from the mosque.
If you want to pray at the mosque straight away, drop your bags at the hotel first; central hotels are within walking distance. Our Madinah hotel areas guide explains the zones.
Fares from Madinah Airport by vehicle
Fares are per car, fixed before you fly, and include fuel, tolls, the driver and meet-and-greet. A 20% night surcharge applies between 00:00 and 05:00.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | Airport to central Madinah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy sedan | 1 to 3 | 2 | SAR 60 |
| Standard sedan | 1 to 3 | 3 | SAR 70 |
| Comfort MPV | 4 to 6 | 5 | SAR 90 |
| SUV | 4 to 7 | 6 | SAR 140 |
| Family van | 7 to 11 | 10 | SAR 120 |
| Wheelchair-accessible van | 1 to 4 plus a wheelchair | 4 | SAR 150 |
Going on from Madinah Airport to Makkah
If you land in Madinah and go straight to Makkah for Umrah, the drive is about 460 km and takes about 5 h 25 min, from SAR 790 per car. You enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), the Miqat for travellers from Madinah, and the driver stops there on request at no extra charge. Our Miqat guide for car travellers explains the stop.
Tips for your first trip to the Haram in Madinah
- A visit to the Rawdah is booked through the Nusuk app. Check the current rules there.
- Save your hotel name and address in English and Arabic.
- Buy a local SIM at the kiosks in arrivals if you need mobile data.
- Carry some SAR cash for small purchases; the taxi fare can be paid by card in the car.
- Book a Madinah Ziyarat tour for a morning after you have rested.