60 articles
Travel guides
Reference guides on permits, Miqat points, airports, trains, hotel areas and road travel. Rules change, so each guide links to the official source.
Umrah rules
- How to get your Umrah permit on NusukHow to get an Umrah permit on Nusuk: book a time slot in the official app, then plan the 1 h 25 min taxi from Jeddah Airport to your Makkah hotel.
- Visiting the Rawdah in Madinah: booking and timingRawdah permit guide: book your Rawdah time slot on Nusuk, plan your Madinah days, and reach Al-Masjid an-Nabawi from the airport in about 25 min.
- The five Miqat points and which one your route passesMiqat locations explained: the five Miqat points, which road from Madinah, Riyadh or Taif passes each, and how a 30 to 45 minute Ihram stop by taxi works.
- Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa: what to knowUmrah tourist visa guide: what the Saudi eVisa allows, why Hajj is excluded, and how to plan the 1 h 25 min taxi from Jeddah Airport to Makkah.
- When the Umrah season opens and closes around HajjUmrah season guide: why international Umrah pauses around Hajj, how the Ministry announces the dates, and why Hajj moves about 11 days earlier each year.
- Taking Zamzam water home: airport rules and packingZamzam water airport rules: many airlines accept one sealed 5-litre container per passenger, some only if bought at the airport. Check your airline first.
- Saudi stopover visa: doing Umrah on a layoverSaudi stopover visa and Umrah: the free visa of up to 96 hours with Saudia or flynas, booking Nusuk, and Jeddah Airport to Makkah in about 1 h 25 min.
- Umrah step by step: how long each part takesUmrah steps in order: Ihram at the Miqat, seven circuits of Tawaf, Sa'i and the haircut, with rough timings and the 1 h 25 min airport drive.
- Umrah for women: travel, permits and transportUmrah for women: allowed without a mahram since 2021, visa conditions to check on Nusuk, and female-driver cars in 5 cities from SAR 90.
Airports
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) guide for pilgrimsJeddah airport guide for pilgrims: Terminal 1 and the Hajj Terminal, where your driver waits, and the 102 km taxi to Makkah in about 1 h 25 min.
- Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (Madinah) guideMadinah airport guide: one terminal, where your driver waits, and the 18 km taxi to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in about 25 min, from SAR 60 per car.
- Domestic flights in Saudi Arabia: airlines, airports and transfersDomestic flights in Saudi Arabia: the three airlines, the main airports, when to fly or drive, and airport taxis at both ends from SAR 60 per car.
- King Fahd International Airport (Dammam) guideDammam airport guide: the terminal, where your driver waits, gate passes for Jubail and Ras Tanura, and taxis to Dammam from SAR 70 per car.
- Taif International Airport: getting to Taif and MakkahTaif airport to Makkah: 111 km by road, about 1 h 20 min, with a Miqat stop for Ihram. Fixed taxi fares from SAR 190 per car.
- AlUla International Airport guide and transfersAlUla airport transfer guide: the boutique terminal, resort gate references, Hegra drop-offs and taxis to Old Town in 35 min, from SAR 60 per car.
- Abha International Airport guide and transfersAbha airport taxi guide: where your driver waits, fares to Abha, Khamis Mushait and the mountains, and summer booking tips. Abha from SAR 60 per car.
- Tabuk Airport guide: transfers to Tabuk, NEOM and the coastTabuk airport taxi guide: the meeting point, NEOM gate passes, Wadi Disah and coast transfers. Central Tabuk is 15 min away, from SAR 60 per car.
- Yanbu Airport guide and transfersYanbu airport taxi guide: the meeting point, Industrial City gates, Umluj boat trips and Madinah transfers. Central Yanbu is 15 min away, from SAR 60.
- Qassim Airport guide: Buraydah, Unaizah and Ar RassQassim airport taxi guide: the meeting point, fares to Buraydah, Unaizah and Ar Rass, the SAR train and the date season. Buraydah from SAR 60 per car.
- Jazan Airport guide and the Farasan ferryJazan airport taxi guide: the meeting point, fares across the region and how to reach the free Farasan ferry. The ferry pier is 20 min from the airport.
- Al Ahsa Airport guide: Hofuf and the oasisAl Ahsa airport taxi guide: the meeting point, fares to Hofuf, Dammam and Abqaiq, and touring the UNESCO oasis by the hour. Hofuf from SAR 60 per car.
- Jeddah Hajj Terminal: what pilgrims need to knowJeddah Hajj Terminal guide: which flights use it, how to meet your driver, Hajj-season rules and the drive to Makkah in about 1 h 25 min, from SAR 180.
Trains
- Haramain High-Speed Railway guide: stations and taxi connectionsHaramain train guide: the 5 stations from Makkah to Madinah, how far each is from the Haram or city centre, and taxi connections from SAR 60 per car.
- SAR trains: Riyadh to Dammam, Qassim, Ha'il and Al JoufSaudi railway guide: SAR's East Line to Dammam and North Line to Qassim, Ha'il and Al Jouf, the 10 stations, and taxi connections from SAR 60 per car.
Hotels
- Makkah hotel areas explained: Ajyad, Ibrahim Al Khalil and AziziyahMakkah hotel areas explained: walking distance, vehicle access and drop-off points for Clock Tower, Jabal Omar, Ajyad, Kudai and Aziziyah, taxis from SAR 60.
- Madinah hotel areas and where taxis can drop offMadinah hotels near the Haram: how controlled vehicle access in the central area works, where taxis drop off, and the 25 min ride from the airport.
- Makkah hotel shuttle buses: how they work and when a taxi is betterMakkah hotel shuttle buses: how Kudai and Aziziyah shuttles work, what to ask your hotel, and when a taxi from SAR 60 per car is the better choice.
- Hotel check-in and check-out times: planning your Umrah transfersMakkah hotel check in time is set by each hotel, often in the afternoon. Plan the 1 h 25 min airport drive, luggage storage and check-out around it.
Road travel
- Road travel in Saudi Arabia: checkpoints, ID and rest stopsSaudi road trip guide: carry your passport or Iqama for checkpoints, respect Saher cameras, use the Makkah bypass roads and plan stops on 400 km drives.
- Renting a car in Saudi Arabia as a visitor: what to knowRent a car in Saudi Arabia as a visitor: licence and permit checks, Saher cameras, Makkah bypass roads, and when a driver from SAR 80 per hour makes sense.
- Travelling at night on Saudi highways: what to expectNight travel on a Saudi highway: cooler and often quieter, but watch for camels and empty stretches. A 20% surcharge applies from 00:00 to 05:00.
- Sandstorms, fog and rain: road safety in Saudi ArabiaSandstorm driving in Saudi Arabia: how dust, flash floods and fog affect roads, where to get official warnings, and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Planning
- Saudi weather by month for travellersSaudi weather by month: hot, dry summers above 40 °C in Makkah and Riyadh, humid coasts, cooler highlands in Taif and Abha, and cold winter nights in AlUla.
- Planning transport for a 10-day Umrah, day by dayUmrah transport plan for 10 days: Jeddah Airport, Makkah Ziyarat, Makkah to Madinah in 4 h 30 min, Madinah Ziyarat and departure, with fixed fares per car.
- SIM cards and eSIMs for visitors to Saudi ArabiaSaudi SIM card for tourists: STC, Mobily and Zain, buying with your passport at the airport, eSIM options, and reaching a driver who waits 60 minutes free.
- Your first hours after landing in Saudi Arabia: a checklistArriving in Saudi Arabia: a checklist for immigration, money, SIM cards and meeting your driver, who waits 60 minutes free, with meeting points at 8 airports.
- Departure day after Umrah: Farewell Tawaf and getting to the airportUmrah departure day: fit the Farewell Tawaf and hotel check-out around your check-in time, then the 1 h 25 min drive to Jeddah Airport, from SAR 180.
- Friday prayer in Makkah and Madinah: travel timing and closuresFriday prayer in Makkah and Madinah: why roads near the mosques close early, when to leave, how to plan pickups, and taxis from SAR 60 per car.
- Umrah with children: transport, car seats and timingUmrah with kids: ask for child seats when you book, plan around naps and heat, and pick a roomy vehicle; Jeddah Airport to Makkah is about 1 h 25 min.
- How much Umrah transport costs: a budget by trip typeUmrah transport cost by trip type: from SAR 1,490 for a Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah trip by economy sedan, with van and group totals and extras.
- Umrah plus sightseeing: adding Taif, AlUla or JeddahUmrah and tour package by car: add Taif (1 h 30 min from Makkah), AlUla or a Jeddah day to your Umrah, with fixed fares per car and Miqat stops.
- Saudi Arabia in 7 days by road and air: a sample itinerarySaudi Arabia itinerary for 7 days: Riyadh and Diriyah, AlUla and Hegra, then Jeddah, flying the long legs and using drivers from SAR 80 per hour in each city.
- Travelling in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan: timing and transportRamadan travel in Saudi Arabia: the next Ramadan is expected around February 2027, subject to moon sighting. Shifted hours, busy roads and fixed fares.
- Tipping in Saudi Arabia: drivers, hotels and portersTipping in Saudi Arabia is optional and up to you. Our fares are all-inclusive, from SAR 60 for a city ride, so our drivers never expect a tip.
Getting around
- Getting around Makkah: taxis, buses, walking and road closuresGetting around Makkah: walking, Makkah Bus, hotel shuttles and taxis from SAR 60 per car, and how road closures near the Haram change your plans.
- Getting around Madinah: taxis, buses and walking to the mosqueGetting around Madinah: walking to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, buses, hotel shuttles and taxis from SAR 60 to Quba, Uhud and Qiblatayn, 4 to 5 km away.
- Getting around Riyadh: metro, buses, taxis and driversGetting around Riyadh: the metro, city buses, taxis and drivers compared, with city rides from SAR 60 and the 35 km airport run to the centre.
- Getting around Jeddah: taxis, buses and the CornicheGetting around Jeddah: taxis from SAR 60, buses, the Haramain train and Corniche drop-off points, plus Al-Balad and the airport, 20 km away.
- Getting around Dammam, Al Khobar and DhahranGetting around Dammam, Al Khobar and Dhahran: taxis from SAR 60, airport distances, Aramco gates, the SAR train and the Bahrain causeway.
- Getting around Taif: taxis, mountain roads and day tripsGetting around Taif: taxis from SAR 60, hourly drivers, the Al Hada and As-Sail roads, Al Shafa and the rose farms, and Makkah 90 km away.
- Getting around AlUla: distances between sites and transportGetting around AlUla: distances from town to Hegra (about 25 km), Elephant Rock and Dadan, tour rules, resort gates and drivers from SAR 80 per hour.
- Getting around Abha and the Asir highlandsGetting around Abha: taxis from SAR 60, Khamis Mushait 30 km away, Al Soudah, Rijal Alma, fog and mountain roads, and when to hire a driver.
- Riyadh Metro guide for visitors: lines, airport and taxisRiyadh Metro guide for visitors: six lines, the airport line, how to plan a trip in the official app, and when a taxi from SAR 60 is easier.
- Makkah Bus guide: routes to the Haram and how to use themMakkah Bus guide: how the public buses serve the Haram area, what to check before you ride, Hajj season changes, and when a taxi from SAR 60 is better.
- Intercity buses in Saudi Arabia: SAPTCO and other optionsSAPTCO bus guide: how intercity buses in Saudi Arabia work, booking and station tips, and when a car is better, such as Jeddah to Makkah from SAR 170.
Road trips
- Red Sea coast road trip: Jeddah to Yanbu, Umluj and Al WajhRed Sea road trip from Jeddah to Yanbu, Umluj and Al Wajh: 646 km on the coast road in legs of under 4 hours, with island boats and fixed fares.
- Asir mountain road trip: Abha, Rijal Alma and Al BahahAsir road trip over 5 or 6 days: Abha, Al Soudah and Rijal Alma, then north through the mountains to Al Bahah, 330 km by road, with fixed fares.
- Day trips from Dammam and Al KhobarDammam day trips by car: Al Ahsa Oasis (150 km away), Bahrain over the causeway, Tarout Island and Jubail, with fixed fares and hourly drivers.
- Northern heritage road trip: Ha'il, Jubbah and Al JoufHa'il and Jubbah road trip: rock art near Ha'il, then 389 km to Sakaka for Dumat Al Jandal and the Al Rajajil stones, with fixed fares.
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