Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Taif airport to Makkah: the basics
The road from Taif airport to Makkah is short enough to make Taif a real alternative to Jeddah for some pilgrims. Taif International Airport (TIF) has a single terminal, 25 km from Taif city. It receives domestic flights and seasonal international flights, so check with your airline which routes run on your dates.
Taif sits in the mountains above Makkah and is cooler, which makes it a popular base in summer. You can land, spend a few days in Taif and then drive down to Makkah, or go straight to your Makkah hotel.
Taif Airport at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport code | TIF |
| Terminals | Single terminal |
| Where your driver waits | Arrivals exit, main doors. |
| Flights | Domestic, plus seasonal international flights; check with your airline |
| To Taif city | 25 km, about 30 min |
| To Makkah | 111 km, about 1 h 20 min |
| To Jeddah | 197 km, about 2 h 15 min |
Taxi fares from Taif Airport
Fares are per car and fixed before the ride, including fuel, driver and meet-and-greet. Miqat, rest and prayer stops are included at no extra charge. Rides at night (00:00–05:00) add 20%, shown in your quote.
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive | Economy sedan | Family van | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Taif | 25 km | 30 min | SAR 60 | SAR 120 | SAR 140 |
| Makkah | 111 km | 1 h 20 min | SAR 190 | SAR 360 | SAR 390 |
| Al Bahah | 247 km | 2 h 50 min | SAR 420 | SAR 800 | SAR 870 |
| Jeddah | 197 km | 2 h 15 min | SAR 340 | SAR 640 | SAR 690 |
| Al Jumum | 131 km | 1 h 30 min | SAR 230 | SAR 420 | SAR 460 |
| Turabah | 134 km | 1 h 35 min | SAR 230 | SAR 430 | SAR 470 |
| Khulais | 228 km | 2 h 35 min | SAR 390 | SAR 730 | SAR 800 |
| Al Lith | 310 km | 3 h 55 min | SAR 530 | SAR 1,000 | SAR 1,090 |
| Al Khurmah | 204 km | 2 h 25 min | SAR 350 | SAR 660 | SAR 720 |
| Al Mandaq | 232 km | 2 h 55 min | SAR 400 | SAR 750 | SAR 820 |
Where do you enter Ihram on the way to Makkah?
Taif lies outside the Miqat boundary. Pilgrims who travel from Taif to Makkah for Umrah enter Ihram at Qarn al-Manazil, the Miqat for people coming from Najd and the Taif side. On the Al Hada road it is at Wadi Muhrim; on the flatter road through As-Sail it is at As-Sail al-Kabir. Both have mosques where you can wash, change and pray.
Tell us when you book that you need the Miqat stop, and the driver plans it; allow time to change and pray before you go on. If you are not sure whether you need Ihram on the flight itself, ask a scholar you trust. Our Miqat guide covers the other routes into Makkah.
Al Hada road or the As-Sail road?
Tell us your preference when you book. Between Taif and Makkah the Al Hada road is 90 km, about 1 h 30 min.
Makkah is for Muslims only. Non-Muslim travellers going from Taif to Jeddah use the signposted bypass roads, and the driver plans the route.
| Road | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hada road | Climbs the escarpment with many sharp bends; drivers take it steady | Most travellers; passes the Al Hada area and its cable car |
| As-Sail road | About 20 km longer but flatter | Passengers who get car-sick, and elderly travellers |
Staying in Taif first
A night or two in Taif before Makkah gives you time to see the town. These are the main sights, with approximate distances from central Taif.
- An hourly driver from SAR 80 per hour, with a 3-hour minimum, waits at each stop.
- The rose harvest season is short, so check the dates before you plan a farm visit.
- Mountain roads to Al Shafa wind a lot; allow extra time.
| Sight | From the town centre (approx.) | Typical visit | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Hada Cable Car (Al Kar) | 25 km | 2 h | Spring and summer |
| Shubra Palace | 2 km | 1 h | Year-round |
| Al Rudaf Park | 6 km | 1 h 30 min | Spring and summer, evenings |
| Taif Rose Farms | 25 km | 2 h | March to April |
| Al Shafa | 30 km | 3 h | Summer |
Flying out of Taif
Check your airline's check-in cut-off and work back. From a Makkah hotel the drive is about 1 h 20 min; from central Taif about 30 min. Central Makkah roads close near prayer times, so book a pickup away from a prayer if you can.
If you are leaving Makkah after Umrah, read our departure day guide on fitting in the Farewell Tawaf before the drive.