How to Travel from Jeddah to Makkah for Umrah: 3 Easy Ways

So you’ve just landed at Jeddah Airport, ready to do Umrah. Now you need to get to Makkah. It’s usually the first big trip pilgrims make after arriving in Saudi Arabia.

We’re going to show you 3 ways to get from Jeddah to Makkah taxi, bus, and train. You’ll see what each one costs, how long it takes, and which makes the most sense for you. No complicated stuff, just what you actually need to know.

How Far Is It and How Long Does It Take?

Jeddah to Makkah is about 80 to 90 kilometers. Not far really. How long it takes depends on what transport you pick:

Taxi with us: Usually 50 minutes to an hour
Bus: Around 1.5 to 2 hours
Train: About an hour (but you’ll need taxis at both ends, so add more time)

Traffic’s the big variable. During Hajj or busy times, everything takes longer.

Your 3 Transport Options

Option 1: Private Taxi (What We Offer)

Who’s this for? Families, groups, anyone who wants to go straight from airport to hotel without hassle.

This is the simplest way. We pick you up right at Jeddah Airport arrivals. Your driver’s waiting with your name on a board. Then we drive you directly to your hotel door in Makkah. Done.

What you’ll pay:

Regular sedan: SAR 100 to 200
Van for families: SAR 200 to 300
SUV if you want more space: SAR 250 to 350
Bigger vehicle for large groups: SAR 300 and up

Exact price depends on which car you need and where your hotel is. Check our Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi page for what we’re charging right now.

How long: 50 minutes to an hour, sometimes quicker if roads are clear.

Why go with us:

Driver meets you inside arrivals holding your name
We help carry your bags
Straight to your hotel, no stops
Car’s clean and got working AC
Drivers speak English and Arabic
They know the route properly because they do it every day

Booking: Just go to our Jeddah Airport taxi service page or send us a WhatsApp. We’re around all day and night. You’ll get confirmation right back.

You can Book Your Taxi Here

Option 2: Bus

Who’s this for? People trying to save money who don’t mind spending extra time.

A few different buses go from Jeddah to Makkah.

Free Bus (But There’s Rules):
They started a free shuttle at King Abdulaziz International Airport back in September 2024. Sounds great, right? Here’s the catch you’ve got to be wearing Ihram already and show your documents (Saudi ID or your passport and Iqama if you’re not Saudi). Goes from Terminal 1 to the area around Haram in Makkah.

Buses You Pay For:

Northwest BUS: Runs regular trips, costs about SAR 25 to 33 for normal seats
SAPTCO: Similar deal, similar prices
Makkah Bus: That’s for getting around once you’re in Makkah

How long: Hour and a half to 2 hours. Makes stops along the way and traffic slows it down.

Things to know:

Got to get yourself to where the bus leaves from
Leaves when the schedule says, not when you’re ready
Takes longer because it stops for other passengers
Gets packed during busy pilgrimage times
You’ll probably still need a taxi from the Makkah bus stop to your actual hotel

Honest take: Works if you’re counting every riyal and traveling with just a small bag.

Option 3: Haramain Train

Who’s this for? One or two people traveling who like trains and want a quick ride.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway goes from Jeddah Airport area to Makkah. It’s new, fast, modern.

Cost:

Economy seats: Around SAR 60 to 70
Fancier classes cost more

Travel time: Takes about 54 minutes from the Jeddah Airport station to Makkah station.

Here’s what nobody tells you: The train stations aren’t where you actually need to be. So you’re really paying for:

Taxi from airport arrivals to get to the train station (unless you’re already there)
The train ticket itself
Another taxi from Makkah train station to your hotel

Add it all up and sometimes it costs nearly the same as just getting a direct taxi from us. Plus more hassle dragging bags on and off.

Getting tickets:
Try to book a few days ahead, especially if you’re coming during Umrah or Hajj peak times. They do sell tickets same day at the station sometimes, but they run out when it’s busy.

Real talk:

Train’s quick and comfortable
Got air conditioning
Makes sense if your hotel’s really close to Makkah station
Annoying if you’ve got lots of luggage
That extra taxi cost on both ends adds up

What’s Actually the Cheapest Way?

If you’ve somehow got your own car, driving costs maybe SAR 15 to 25 in petrol. But most people flying into Jeddah don’t have a car waiting.

For everyone else, that free shuttle is cheapest if you qualify – meaning you’re in Ihram with proper papers. Otherwise, the paid buses at SAR 25 to 33 win on price.

But cheap doesn’t mean best. Buses take way longer and you’re still sorting out transport at both ends. Sometimes paying a bit more makes your whole trip easier.

What Gets You There Fastest?

Our taxi service is usually quickest – 50 minutes and you’re at your hotel door.

Yeah, the train only takes 54 minutes. But then add:

Time getting to the train station at Jeddah
Waiting around for your train to leave
Getting from Makkah station to wherever you’re actually staying

Whole thing often ends up taking over an hour and a half, sometimes more.

What About Uber and Careem?

Uber and Careem work in Saudi Arabia. From Jeddah to Makkah they usually charge SAR 100 to 300-something. Pretty similar to what we charge.

Problems with them for airport trips:

Surge pricing when lots of people need rides price doubles or triples
Might not be cars available right when you land
Drivers don’t always know the pilgrim routes as well
No one’s guaranteed to meet you
Can’t really book ahead and guarantee it

With us you get a set price that you book before you even fly. No surprises. No standing around the airport tired trying to get a ride.

Should You Book Before You Travel?

Yeah, book ahead. Here’s why it matters:

Normal times:

You know exactly what you’re paying
Driver’s there when you walk out of arrivals
One less thing to stress about after flying

Hajj and Ramadan:

Everything gets crazy busy
Prices shoot up if you wait
Taxis and buses sell out
You could literally be stuck at the airport for hours

We’d say book at least a few days before you fly. Peak seasons? Book even earlier, like a week or two.

Message us on WhatsApp or book through our Umrah taxi Vip takes maybe 5 minutes.

Getting from Jeddah to Makkah Without Your Own Car

Don’t have a car? Join the club most international pilgrims don’t.

Your choices:

Taxi from us: easiest by far
Haramain train: quick but you need taxis anyway at both stations
Bus: saves money but takes longer

All three get you there. Just pick based on how much money you want to spend, how much time you’ve got, and how many bags you’re lugging around.

How Long’s the Actual Journey?

Short answer: Anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending what you take.

Here’s the breakdown:

Transport	Just the Ride	Total Time with Everything
Our taxi	50-60 minutes	50-60 minutes (door to door)
Train	54 minutes	1.5-2 hours (with taxis added)
Bus	1.5-2 hours	1.5-2 hours (plus getting to hotel)

Peak times or Hajj season? Add another 15-30 minutes to whatever you pick.

Can You Just Drive Yourself?

Sure, if you’ve got a car and your license works in Saudi Arabia. It’s about 81 kilometers, takes roughly 50 minutes.

But here’s the thing most pilgrims flying in internationally don’t have cars. Renting one just for this one trip doesn’t usually make sense when taxis are pretty reasonable.

Which One Should You Actually Pick for Umrah?

Go with our taxi if:

You’re with family or friends
You’ve got multiple suitcases
You just want easy and stress-free
You’re landing after a long flight and you’re tired
You’re not pinching every penny

Take the bus if:

Money’s really tight
You’re by yourself with one small bag
You can use that free pilgrim shuttle
You’ve got time to spare

Try the train if:

Just you or you and one other person
You actually like trains
Your Makkah hotel’s close to the train station
You want to ride the Haramain Railway

What we actually think: For most pilgrims, especially families, our taxi makes the most sense. Good mix of comfort, speed, and value. After you’ve been on a plane for hours, the last thing you want is figuring out train times or dragging bags onto buses.

Booking Your Taxi from Jeddah to Makkah

Step 1: Head to Umrah Taxi VIP or send us a WhatsApp message

Step 2: Give us your details:

What flight you’re on and when it lands
How many people
How many bags
Which hotel in Makkah

Step 3: We’ll tell you the exact price

Step 4: Book it and pay (we take cards and online payments)

Step 5: Before you land, we’ll send you your driver’s details

Step 6: Driver meets you at arrivals holding a sign with your name

That’s literally it. Nothing complicated.

Stuff to Know Before You Go

Before you fly:

Book your transport 2-3 days ahead minimum
Hajj or Ramadan coming? Book 1-2 weeks early
Save our WhatsApp number in your contacts
Get offline maps downloaded just in case

When you land at Jeddah:

Charge your phone on the plane
Have your hotel address written in Arabic
If you’re getting a random taxi, agree on price before you get in (or just book with us and it’s already set)
Don’t trust random guys at the airport offering rides

During the ride:

Keep your Umrah visa papers where you can grab them
Wear whatever’s comfortable (you can put on Ihram at your hotel or stop at Miqat)
Bring a water bottle
Tell the driver if you need a bathroom stop

From Jeddah to Your Spiritual Journey

Once you get to Makkah, the real purpose of your trip starts. You’ll do Tawaf around the Kaaba, walk between Safa and Marwah, and complete your Umrah rituals at the Haram.

Lots of pilgrims go to Madinah after Makkah too. We do that route as well look at our regular Makkah to Madinah service for comfortable rides between both holy cities.

You might want to see the Ziyarat sites in both cities. Our drivers know where everything is and can take you on proper Makkah Ziyarat and Madinah Ziyarat tours.

Questions People Keep Asking

What’s honestly the best way to get from Jeddah to Mecca?

For most people, a private taxi. Goes door-to-door, takes about an hour, costs SAR 100 to 300 depending on what size car you need. Super tight on money? Bus is SAR 25 to 33 but you’ll be on it longer.

Is that free shuttle from Jeddah to Makkah real?

Yeah, but only if you’re already in Ihram and you’ve got the right documents. Started in September 2024 from Terminal 1. Everyone else pays for transport.

How much does a taxi actually cost from Jeddah to Makkah?

SAR 100 to 300 and up, depends on the car type. Regular sedans are cheapest. Vans and SUVs cost more. Book with us and you get the exact price upfront, no games.

What about the train fare from Jeddah to Makkah?

About SAR 60 to 70 for the cheap seats on the Haramain train. Takes 54 minutes. But remember you’re paying for taxis to get to the station and from the station to your hotel too.

Is Uber actually cheaper than a regular taxi?

Not really. Uber’s usually SAR 100 to 300-ish, same as us. But they do surge pricing when it’s busy price can double. Our price stays the same no matter what.

Should I book ahead or just get a taxi when I land?

Book ahead, trust me. Especially Hajj and Ramadan times. You’ll know the price, your ride’s guaranteed, no stress after flying. At the airport, prices go up and you might wait ages.

How long’s the drive from Jeddah to Makkah really take?

About 50 minutes to an hour normally. Distance is roughly 80 kilometers. Busy times or Hajj? Add another 15-30 minutes at least.

Can I get from Jeddah to Makkah without a car?

Course you can. Take a taxi, bus, or train. Most pilgrims from other countries don’t have cars anyway. Our taxi service is easiest.

What’s the exact distance from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?

About 80 to 90 kilometers depending which part of Makkah you’re going to. Most hotels sit around 85 kilometers from the airport.

How much is the bus from Jeddah to Makkah?

Northwest BUS is around SAR 25 to 33. SAPTCO’s similar. There’s that free shuttle too if you’re in Ihram with proper documents.

Ready to Book Your Ride?

Don’t mess around with your Umrah transport. Book a proper taxi with us now and go straight from Jeddah Airport to your Makkah hotel in comfort.

We’re Here 24/7 | Price Set Upfront | We Meet You at Arrivals | Drivers Know What They’re Doing

Book right now or WhatsApp us and we’ll confirm it instantly.

May Allah accept your Umrah.