Want to see where the Kaaba’s black cloth covering (Kiswa)  gets made? The Kiswa Factory in Makkah lets visitors watch this amazing process. But getting there needs some planning – both for your taxi and your factory appointment.

We’re going to walk you through booking a taxi to Kiswa Factory online, what it costs, how to get your factory appointment, and everything else you need for this special visit.

Kiswa Factory Taxi Booking Online

You can book a taxi to Kiswa Factory in Makkah through online booking services or taxi apps. The factory sits about 10 kilometers from Masjid al-Haram in the Umm Al-Joud area. Taxi fare typically costs SAR 30-50 one way, and the journey takes 20-25 minutes.

Key Information:

• Location: Umm Al-Joud area, Makkah
• Distance from Haram: 10 kilometers
• Taxi Fare: SAR 30-50 (one way), SAR 60-100 (round trip with waiting)
• Travel Time: 20-25 minutes
• Visit Timings: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Appointment: Required – book in advance
• What to See: How the Kaaba’s covering (Kiswa) is made with gold and silver thread

Best Way to Visit: Book a private taxi with appointment confirmation. The factory requires advance booking, and having reliable transport arranged makes your visit stress-free.

Kiswa Factory Visit Appointment: How to Book

Big thing to know: You can’t just show up at Kiswa Factory. Need an appointment booked ahead.

How to Get Your Factory Appointment

Method 1: Through tour operators in Makkah

Loads of tour companies include Kiswa Factory in their Makkah Ziyarat packages. They handle the appointment for you.

Benefits:

• They sort the paperwork
• Transport included usually
• Guide explains everything
• Group tours available
• Easy for first-timers

Check our Makkah Ziyarat Taxi service for packages including Kiswa Factory.

Method 2: Contact the factory directly

You can try reaching out yourself:

• Call their office (number available through Saudi tourism info)
• Explain you want to visit
• Give your details
• Pick a date and time slot
• Get confirmation

Reality: This method works but takes effort. Language barriers happen. Tour operators are easier.

Method 3: Through your hotel

Some hotels near Haram have contacts at the factory. Ask your concierge. They might arrange it for you.

When to book:

• At least 3-5 days before you want to visit
• During Ramadan or Hajj season? Book 1-2 weeks ahead
• Peak times fill up fast

What you’ll need:

• Your passport copy
• Iqama (if you’re a resident)
• Number of visitors in your group
• Preferred date and time
• Contact number

What Is the Kiswa Factory and Why Visit?

The Kiswa Factory makes the black silk cloth that covers the Kaaba. Every year, workers create a brand new Kiswa using traditional methods – silk weaving, gold and silver thread embroidery, hand-stitching Quranic verses.

What’s Kiswa? It’s the black covering you see on the Kaaba. Called “Ghilaf e Kaaba” too. Workers embroider Quranic verses onto it using real gold and silver thread. Takes months to complete.

Why people visit:

• See skilled craftsmen doing hand embroidery
• Watch traditional Islamic calligraphy work
• Learn about the manufacturing process
• Understand the history behind it
• Get close to an important part of Hajj and Umrah

Thousands visit yearly. It’s become part of Makkah tours for many pilgrims and tourists.

Where’s the Kiswa Factory Located?

Address: Umm Al-Joud area, Makkah

Distance from Masjid al-Haram: About 10 kilometers

How to get there: Taxi or private car – no walking or public bus goes directly there

The factory isn’t near the Grand Mosque. You’ll need transport sorted out before you go.

Kiswa Factory Taxi Booking Online: How It Works

Booking a Taxi Online

Option 1: Book with us (Umrah Taxi VIP)

We do Kiswa Factory trips regularly. Here’s how it works:

1. Go to our booking page or message us on WhatsApp
2. Tell us:
   • Your pickup location (hotel near Haram or wherever you’re staying)
   • What date and time you want to go
   • If you want round trip (we wait and bring you back)
   • How many passengers
3. We send you the exact price
4. Book and pay
5. Get driver details before your visit
6. Driver picks you up on time

Our pricing:

• One way: SAR 30-50
• Round trip with 2-hour waiting: SAR 80-120
• Round trip with 3-hour waiting: SAR 100-150

Why the waiting time matters: Factory tours take 1-2 hours. Having your driver wait means you don’t scramble finding a taxi back in an area with fewer cars around.

Option 2: Taxi booking apps

Apps work in Makkah but here’s the catch with Kiswa Factory trips:

• Umm Al-Joud area has fewer taxis hanging around
• Getting a return ride can be tricky
• Surge pricing might kick in
• Not all drivers know the factory location well

Option 3: Street taxis

You can grab a taxi outside your hotel or near Haram. Things to know:

• Agree on price before getting in (SAR 40-60 one way usually)
• Many drivers know “Kiswa Factory” or “Ghilaf e Kaaba Factory”
• Confirm they’ll wait or arrange pickup time for return
• Carry cash – not all take cards

Our honest take: Book with us or another reliable service. The factory’s location isn’t super central, and you don’t want transport headaches ruining your visit.

Book Your Kiswa Factory Taxi Now

Planning your Kiswa Factory visit? Sort your transport first.

✅ Fixed pricing – SAR 30-50 one way, SAR 80-150 round trip
✅ Driver waits for you – No stress finding return transport
✅ Pickup from anywhere in Makkah
✅ Professional drivers who know the location
✅ Available all days – Book when you need
✅ Online booking – Quick and confirmed

Book Your Kiswa Factory Taxi or WhatsApp us now.

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Holy Kaaba Kiswa Factory Taxi Booking Price

Here’s what taxis actually cost for Kiswa Factory trips:

Price depends on:

• One way vs round trip
• How long driver waits
• Vehicle size you need
• Which service you book with
• Time of day (early morning vs afternoon)

What’s included:

• Pickup from your location
• Drop at factory entrance
• Return journey (if booked round trip)
• Waiting time (if arranged)
• All fuel and tolls

Not included:

• Factory appointment (you book that separately)
• Entry fee (it’s free anyway)
• Tips (optional but appreciated)

Kiswa Factory Appointment App & Permit

Is there an official app?

Not exactly. There’s no dedicated “Kiswa Factory Booking App” like you’d find for restaurants.

How appointments work:

• Through tour operators (most common)
• Direct factory contact
• Hotel arrangements
• Tourism offices

About permits:

You don’t need a special “Kiswa Factory permit” separate from your appointment. The appointment confirmation IS your permission to enter.

What to bring on visit day:

• Your appointment confirmation (email or message)
• Passport or ID
• Modest clothing (covered arms and legs)
• Camera (photography usually allowed in certain areas)

Kiswa Factory Timings & Visit Rules

When the factory’s open for visitors:

Days: Monday to Thursday only

Times: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Closed:

• Fridays
• Saturdays
• Sundays
• Public holidays
• Sometimes during Hajj season preparations

Best time to visit: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 9 AM – less crowded than Mondays.

How long visits take: Usually 1 to 2 hours for the full tour

What happens during the tour:

• Introduction to Kiswa history
• Walk through different workshop areas
• See weaving machines
• Watch embroidery work
• Observe gold and silver thread stitching
• Q&A with staff
• Sometimes watch actual production (depends on schedule)

Is There Entry Fee for Kiswa Factory?

Nope. Kiswa Factory entry is free. No charge.

You pay for:

• Your taxi/transport there
• Tour operator fees (if you book through one)

You don’t pay for:

• Factory entrance
• The guided tour
• Looking around

How Much Does the Kiswa Cost to Make?

The actual Kiswa they put on the Kaaba costs about 25 million Saudi Riyals annually. That’s roughly $6.5-7 million USD.

What that money covers:

• Imported silk (black-dyed)
• Real gold and silver thread
• Skilled workers’ wages
• Embroidery work (done by hand)
• Calligraphy (Quranic verses)
• Production time (takes months)
• Quality inspection
• Transportation to Kaaba
• Changing ceremony

Each year they make a fresh one. Old Kiswa gets cut into pieces – some stored, some gifted to museums and officials.

What You’ll See Inside Kiswa Factory

Weaving Section:
Electronic looms creating long panels of black silk. Machines help but workers still oversee everything.

Dyeing Area:
Where white silk gets dyed black. Traditional process mixed with modern techniques.

Embroidery Workshop:
This is the coolest part. Workers sitting at stations, hand-stitching Quranic verses using gold and silver thread. Takes incredible skill.

Calligraphy Room:
Designers plan the Arabic calligraphy that goes on the Kiswa. Computers help with measurements but final approval is always by expert calligraphers.

Assembly Section:
Where individual panels get sewn together to form the complete Kiswa. Has to match Kaaba’s exact dimensions.

Quality Inspection:
Team checks every centimeter. One mistake means redoing that section.

Exhibition Area:
Usually shows old Kiswa pieces, historical photos, tools used in the past vs now.

Kiswa Factory Distance From Makkah & Travel Time

From Masjid al-Haram to Kiswa Factory:

• Distance: 10 kilometers (about 6 miles)
• By taxi: 20-25 minutes normally
• During peak traffic: 30-40 minutes

Route:
Heads out from the Haram area through Makkah roads toward Umm Al-Joud district. Not complicated but you need a driver who knows it.

Traffic conditions:

• Mornings (8-9 AM): Light traffic
• After Dhuhr: Gets busier
• Friday: Roads are packed
• Hajj season: Really heavy

Going for an 8 AM or 9 AM appointment means easier journey.

Combining Kiswa Factory with Other Makkah Sites

Lots of visitors combine Kiswa Factory with other important Makkah locations in one trip.

Popular combinations:

Half-day Makkah tour:

• Kiswa Factory (2 hours)
• Jabal Noor/Cave of Hira (1 hour)
• Jannat al-Mu’alla cemetery (30 minutes)

Total time: 4-5 hours
Taxi cost with us: SAR 200-300

Full-day Makkah Ziyarat:

• Kiswa Factory
• Jabal Noor
• Jabal Thawr
• Masjid al-Jinn
• Jannat al-Mu’alla
• Other sites

Total time: 6-8 hours
Package cost: SAR 300-500

Check our Makkah Ziyarat Taxi page for complete tour options.

Other Transport You Might Need in Makkah

Going to Jeddah Airport after your Makkah visit?

We do airport transfers too. See our Makkah to Jeddah Airport taxi service for pricing and booking.

Traveling to Madinah?

Check our Makkah to Madinah taxi service for comfortable rides between the two holy cities.

Tips for Your Kiswa Factory Visit

Before you go:

• Book appointment 3-5 days ahead – Don’t leave it last minute
• Arrange taxi with waiting time – Easier than finding return transport
• Wear modest clothing – Covered arms, long pants/skirt
• Bring ID/passport – They check at entrance
• Charge your phone – You’ll want photos
• Go on Tuesday or Wednesday – Less crowded than Monday
• Aim for 9 AM appointment – Traffic’s lighter, factory’s not packed yet

During your visit:

• Listen to the guide – They explain the whole process
• Ask questions – Staff are usually happy to answer
• Watch the embroidery workers – Incredible skill to see
• Photography – Usually allowed but ask first in certain areas
• Respect the work – These folks are making something sacred
• Don’t touch materials – Look but don’t handle

 After your visit

• Head back before factory closes – Tours end by 11 AM
• Your driver should be waiting – If you booked round trip with us
• Combine with other sites – If you’ve got time

History of Kiswa Making

Before 1927:
Egypt made the Kiswa. Sent it to Makkah by caravan or ship. Sometimes the cloth got damaged during the long journey.

1927:
King Abdulaziz decided to make Kiswa inside Saudi Arabia. First factory opened in Makkah. Small operation, just a handful of skilled workers.

1977:
Current Kiswa Factory opened in Umm Al-Joud. Much bigger space, modern equipment, more workers. This is the facility you visit today.

Now:
Over 200 workers involved. Mix of traditional handwork and modern machines. Takes about 8-10 months to complete one Kiswa.

When the Kiswa Gets Changed

Changing day: 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafat)

Time: Early morning before Fajr prayer

How it happens:

• Team of workers prepares everything night before
• Old Kiswa carefully removed
• New Kiswa placed on Kaaba
• Secured properly
• Old one cut into pieces later

Why Kiswa gets raised during Hajj:
Bottom part gets lifted up during Hajj season. White cloth placed underneath. Protects the Kiswa from damage from huge crowds touching and pressing against it.

Can Foreigners Visit Kiswa Factory?

Yeah, foreigners are welcome. Visitors from all countries can request appointments.

What you need:

• Valid passport
• Tourist visa or Umrah visa
• Appointment confirmation
• That’s it

No special permissions or extra paperwork for foreigners specifically.

Comparison: Kiswa Factory Visit Options

Our recommendation: Tour package for first-timers. Our taxi service if you’ve already got your appointment sorted.

Checklist Before Visiting Kiswa Factory

•  Factory appointment booked and confirmed
•  Taxi arranged (round trip recommended)
•  Appointment confirmation saved on phone
•  Passport/ID ready
•  Modest clothing worn
•  Phone charged for photos
•  Went on Monday-Thursday (factory’s open days)
•  Planned for 8-11 AM time slot
•  Know your pickup location for taxi
•  Driver’s contact number saved
•  Small bag for belongings (leave big bags at hotel)
•  Comfortable shoes (you’ll walk around factory)

Kiswa Factory Taxi Booking: Your Questions Answered

How to book an appointment for Kiswa Factory? Contact tour operators in Makkah – easiest way. They handle the appointment paperwork for you. Or try reaching the factory directly through their office number (available via Saudi tourism info). Hotels near Haram sometimes help guests book too. Need to do it 3-5 days ahead minimum. During busy seasons, book even earlier. Is there entry fee for Kiswa factory? No entry fee at all. Kiswa Factory visit is completely free. You just pay for your transport getting there and back. If you book through a tour operator, their package fee covers their service and transport, but the factory entrance itself charges nothing. How much does the Kiswa cost? The actual Kiswa that covers the Kaaba costs about 25 million Saudi Riyals to make each year. That’s roughly 6.5 to 7 million US dollars. Covers imported silk, real gold and silver thread, months of skilled labor, hand embroidery, calligraphy work, and all production costs. How to take part in Ghilaf e Kaaba stitching? You can’t volunteer or participate in the actual Kiswa making. It’s done by trained professionals who’ve spent years learning the craft. What you can do is visit the factory and watch them work. The tour lets you see the embroidery and stitching process up close.

Can I buy a piece of the Kiswa? Not directly. When the old Kiswa gets removed, it’s cut into pieces. These pieces go to Saudi officials, museums, and sometimes gifted to visiting dignitaries. Regular visitors can’t purchase pieces. Very occasionally, authorized sellers might have small authenticated pieces, but it’s rare and expensive. How to make an appointment for Rawdah? That’s a different thing – Rawdah is in Masjid Nabawi in Madinah, not related to Kiswa Factory. For Rawdah appointments, you use the Nusuk app in Saudi Arabia. Completely separate booking system from Kiswa Factory visits. What’s the best day to visit Kiswa Factory? Tuesday or Wednesday mornings work best. Mondays get busier since it’s the first day after the weekend. Thursdays are fine but it’s the last working day so sometimes staff are rushed. Go for 9 AM appointments – factory’s less crowded, traffic’s lighter getting there. Do I need a permit for Kiswa Factory? Your appointment confirmation serves as your permission to enter. No separate permit needed. Just bring your appointment confirmation (email or message) and your passport/ID when you visit.

Book Your Kiswa Factory Visit Transport Today

Ready to visit the place where the Kaaba’s covering gets made? Don’t let transport stress ruin it.

Book with Umrah Taxi VIP:

✅ Fixed pricing: SAR 30-50 one way, SAR 80-150 round trip
✅ Driver waits while you tour the factory
✅ Pickup from anywhere in Makkah
✅ Professional drivers who know Umm Al-Joud area
✅ Clean, comfortable vehicles
✅ Available all days
✅ Easy online booking
✅ Can combine with other Makkah Ziyarat sites

Book Kiswa Factory Taxi Now

Or WhatsApp us for instant confirmation.

Make your Makkah visit complete with this special experience.