Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Can you perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes. Umrah on a tourist visa is allowed for holders of the Saudi tourist eVisa, as long as it is outside the Hajj season. The tourist visa does not allow Hajj, which needs its own visa and permit through the official Hajj channels.
Who can get a tourist eVisa depends on your nationality and other conditions, and the rules, fees and allowed length of stay change from time to time. Check all of this on the official Saudi visa platform before you book flights. Entry to Makkah is for Muslims only, whatever visa you hold.
Tourist eVisa or Umrah visa: what is the difference?
Both can be used for Umrah. The table shows the points that matter for planning; confirm every detail on the official sources.
| Point | Tourist eVisa | Umrah visa |
|---|---|---|
| Umrah allowed | Yes, outside the Hajj season | Yes |
| Hajj allowed | No | No; Hajj needs a Hajj visa |
| Umrah time slot on Nusuk | Needed | Needed |
| Sightseeing around the country | Yes, it is a tourist visa | Check the current conditions |
| Fees and length of stay | Check the official visa platform | Check the official source |
| Where to confirm | Official Saudi visa platform | Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Nusuk |
Step by step: planning Umrah on a tourist visa
- Check eligibility and apply on the official Saudi visa platform. Use only the official site.
- Check health requirements, such as vaccinations, on official sources for your travel dates.
- Book your flights, making sure your dates fall outside the Hajj season pause.
- Book your Umrah time slot on Nusuk once your arrival date is fixed.
- Plan your Ihram: on the plane before the Miqat if you fly to Jeddah, or at Dhul Hulayfah if you start in Madinah.
- Book your airport taxi with your flight number, hotel name and slot time.
- Keep your passport and visa with you; hotels and officials ask for them.
Why does the Hajj season matter for tourist visa holders?
International Umrah pauses for a period around Hajj, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces the exact dates each year. During the Hajj season, entry to Makkah is limited to people with Hajj permits and others with official permission, and the Al Shumaisi checkpoint on the Jeddah road checks entry permits.
Hajj follows the Hijri calendar and moves about 11 days earlier each year. In 2027 it is expected around mid-May, subject to moon sighting. If your trip is close to that period, check the Ministry's announced dates before you book anything. Our Umrah season guide explains the yearly cycle.
Getting from the airport to Makkah or Madinah
Your driver tracks the flight, waits with a name board at arrivals and waits free for 60 minutes after landing. Fares are per car, fixed before the ride, and include fuel, tolls, driver and meet-and-greet.
| Route | Distance | Typical drive | Economy sedan | Family van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | 102 km | 1 h 25 min | SAR 180 | SAR 330 |
| Jeddah Airport to Madinah | 402 km | 5 h | SAR 690 | SAR 1,290 |
| Madinah Airport to Madinah | 18 km | 25 min | SAR 60 | SAR 120 |
| Madinah Airport to Makkah | 460 km | 5 h 25 min | SAR 790 | SAR 1,480 |
Adding sightseeing to your trip
A tourist visa suits travellers who want to see more of the country before or after Umrah. These trips are common add-ons from the holy cities.
| Trip | Distance | Typical drive | Taxi from (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makkah to Taif | 90 km | 1 h 30 min | SAR 160 |
| Madinah to AlUla | 350 km | 3 h 30 min | SAR 600 |
| Madinah to Badr | 150 km | 1 h 30 min | SAR 260 |
| Makkah to Jeddah | 95 km | 1 h 15 min | SAR 170 |
Women travelling for Umrah
Rules on women travelling for Umrah without a mahram have changed in recent years. Check the current position with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the official visa platform before you book. On the ground, female-driver vehicles are available in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam, and every driver we use is licensed by the Transport General Authority.