Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is a Taif Ziyarat?
A Taif Ziyarat is a day trip from Makkah to the mountain city of Taif, to visit places linked to early Islamic history and to enjoy the cooler air of the highlands. Taif is 90 km from Makkah by the Al Hada escarpment road, about 1 h 30 min each way, so it fits into one day.
Taif has a place in the Seerah. Before the Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺ travelled to Taif to call its people to Islam and was rejected. Later, his cousin Abdullah ibn Abbas, one of the great scholars among the companions, spent his last years in Taif and was buried there, and the mosque named after him is the main stop on a Taif Ziyarat. Like all Ziyarat, the trip is optional and is not part of Umrah.
Which places does a Taif Ziyarat cover?
These are the usual stops. Choose the ones you want and the driver plans the day around them.
- Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas: the mosque named after the Prophet's cousin and the centre of a Taif Ziyarat. Plan to arrive in time for a prayer.
- Al Hada Cable Car (Al Kar): a cable car and leisure village on the escarpment between Taif and the Makkah road. Weekends are busy in summer.
- Shubra Palace: a historic palace in central Taif that once served as a royal summer residence. Check opening hours before you go.
- Taif Rose Farms: fields of Taif roses harvested in spring for rose water and oil. Many farms run small distilleries you can visit.
- Al Rudaf Park: granite boulders and picnic spots on Taif's southern side, pleasant on summer evenings.
- Al Shafa: terraced mountain villages south of Taif with fruit farms, reached on winding roads.
How long does a Taif day trip take?
Plan a full day. The drive is about 1 h 30 min each way, and our Taif Ziyarat page suggests allowing about 8 h in and around Taif. The table shows the time to allow at each stop, from our Taif attraction pages.
| Stop | Time to allow | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas | Plan around a prayer time | Any day |
| Al Hada Cable Car (Al Kar) | About 2 hours | Spring and summer |
| Shubra Palace | About 1 hour | Year-round |
| Al Rudaf Park | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Spring and summer, evenings |
| Taif Rose Farms | About 2 hours | March to April |
| Al Shafa | About 3 hours | Summer |
The Al Hada road: what to expect
The road from Makkah climbs the Al Hada escarpment in a long series of steep, sharp bends, and drivers take it steady. If anyone in your group gets car-sick, say so when you book. The alternative road via Al Sail is about 20 km longer but flatter, and the driver can use it in one or both directions.
Taif is around 10 °C cooler than Makkah in summer, and winter nights in Taif are cold, so bring a light layer in any season. Our Makkah to Taif road guide compares the two roads in more detail.
Taif Ziyarat fare: what does the day cost?
Fares are per car, not per person, and fixed before you set off, with fuel and the driver included. You can book a return trip where the driver waits for you, or keep an hourly driver with you all day for extra stops.
| Option | Economy sedan | Family van (up to 11) |
|---|---|---|
| One way, Makkah to Taif | SAR 160 | SAR 290 |
| Return trip, driver waits | From SAR 320 | Ask for a quote |
| Hourly driver, 11 hours | SAR 880 | SAR 1,650 |
Return trip or hourly driver?
The return trip is the lowest price and suits a small group that wants the mosque and one or two nearby stops. The hourly option keeps the car and driver with you all day, which helps if you want to add the rose farms or Al Shafa, or if a large family moves slowly between stops.
Either way, plan to be back in Makkah before midnight. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote.
Coming back to Makkah: do you need Ihram?
You do not need Ihram to go from Makkah to Taif. If you plan to perform another Umrah when you come back, you must enter Ihram at the Miqat before you reach Makkah. For travellers from Taif this is Qarn al-Manazil: on the Al Sail road the Miqat mosque is at As-Sail al-Kabir, and on the Al Hada road it is at Wadi Muhrim. Tell the driver in advance; the stop is included at no extra charge.
If you are not sure what applies to you, ask your scholar or group leader before the trip. Our guide to Miqat locations explains each one.
When is the best time for a Taif Ziyarat?
- Spring: the rose harvest, usually March to April, with the Taif Rose Festival at the farms. The harvest season is short, so ask us about the dates when you book.
- Summer: Taif is the classic escape from the heat of Makkah. Expect busy weekends at the cable car and parks.
- Winter: days are mild and nights are cold. The trip still works well for the mosque and the old city.
- Fridays: plan the day around Jumu'ah prayer, or travel on another day.
Booking checklist
- Choose a return trip with waiting or a full-day hourly driver.
- Tell us which stops you want, so the driver can plan the order.
- Say if anyone gets car-sick, so the driver can take the Al Sail road.
- Tell us if you will enter Ihram on the way back.
- Pack water, a light layer and comfortable shoes.
- Book on WhatsApp or call +966 57 951 9804. The driver's name and plate arrive the day before, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.