Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is the Saudi stopover visa?
The Saudi stopover visa lets you break a journey in the Kingdom when you fly through it to another country, and Umrah is one of the things holders may do with it. Saudi Arabia announced the scheme in 2023: a free visa of up to 96 hours for travellers flying with Saudia or flynas.
Terms such as who is eligible, how to apply and how the time is counted are set by the authorities and the airlines, and they can change. Check them with your airline and on the official Saudi visa platform before you book. This guide covers planning your time and transport once you have the visa.
Can you perform Umrah on a stopover visa?
Yes. Holders of the stopover visa may perform Umrah, and like every pilgrim they book an Umrah time slot on Nusuk, the official platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Each pilgrim needs a slot of their own; our Nusuk permit guide explains how to book one.
Entry to Makkah is for Muslims only, whatever visa you hold. International Umrah also pauses for a period around Hajj each year, and the Ministry announces the dates, so check them if your stopover falls near the Hajj season.
How much fits into a stopover?
Your stopover city decides how much of your time goes on the road. The table shows the drive from three main airports to a Makkah hotel.
- From Jeddah, Umrah fits well into a stopover, with time to rest before and after.
- From Madinah, the drive is long, but you pass Dhul Hulayfah, where you can enter Ihram on the way.
- From Riyadh, the road takes most of a day each way, so check whether your ticket and visa terms allow a domestic flight to Jeddah.
| If you stop over at | Distance to Makkah | Typical drive | Taxi from (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport (JED) | 102 km | 1 h 25 min | SAR 180 |
| Madinah Airport (MED) | 460 km | 5 h 25 min | SAR 790 |
| Riyadh Airport (RUH) | 901 km | 10 h 35 min | SAR 1,540 |
A sample Umrah stopover in Jeddah
Count every leg against the visa's time limit and your onward flight, and leave a margin for delays. Keep the Madinah leg only if it fits easily.
| Stage | What happens | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Land at Jeddah, pass immigration and meet your driver at arrivals | Taxi to your Makkah hotel, about 1 h 25 min |
| Umrah | Rest, then perform Umrah at your Nusuk slot | Walk from a nearby hotel, or a short taxi ride |
| The next day | Prayers at the Haram and an optional Ziyarat morning | Hourly driver from SAR 80 per hour |
| Optional: Madinah | Only if your remaining time and visa terms allow | Makkah to Madinah about 4 h 30 min; Madinah to Jeddah Airport about 5 h |
| Departure | Farewell Tawaf, check out and drive back to the airport | About 1 h 25 min, plus your airline's check-in time |
Step by step: from booking to Umrah
- Book a Saudia or flynas ticket with a stopover in Saudi Arabia, and ask the airline how to request the stopover visa.
- Check the terms on the official Saudi visa platform, including eligibility and how the 96 hours are counted.
- Book your Umrah time slot on Nusuk once your arrival time is fixed.
- Plan your Ihram: flights into Jeddah cross a Miqat before landing, and most scholars advise entering Ihram before that point. Ask a scholar about your own case.
- Book your airport taxi with your flight number and hotel; the driver tracks the flight and waits free for 60 minutes after landing.
- Book the return ride to the airport for your onward flight at the same time.
What to pack for a short Umrah stopover
- Ihram clothes and unscented toiletries in your hand luggage, so you can change before the Miqat.
- Your passport and visa, kept on you; hotels and checkpoints ask for them.
- A phone with data or roaming for Nusuk and WhatsApp. Our guide to SIM cards and eSIMs compares the options.
- A small bag for the Haram, so you can leave your suitcase at the hotel.
- Any medicines in their original packs, with a copy of the prescription.
What to check before you rely on a stopover
- The current visa terms, with the airline and on the official visa platform.
- Whether your travel dates fall near the Hajj season pause.
- Nusuk slot availability for your dates.
- Your onward flight's check-in time at the stopover airport.
- Whether your checked bags travel through to your final destination or come off at the stopover.