Central Jeddah and Makkah are only about 80 km apart, making this one of the shortest intercity trips in the Kingdom — and one of the busiest. Jeddah residents make it for Umrah or to pray at the Haram; visitors who spent a few days in Jeddah first make it; so do people arriving by sea or from other cities. This guide is for anyone setting off from inside Jeddah itself, and walks through the trip stage by stage.
Before you leave: three things to settle
Are you performing Umrah on arrival?
If so, remember that anyone residing or staying in Jeddah enters ihram from where they are, since Jeddah lies inside the miqat boundaries. You can put on your ihram at your hotel or home before setting off. Travellers who flew in from abroad with the intention of Umrah would normally have entered ihram on the plane before passing the miqat. If your situation is unusual, ask a qualified scholar.
Do you have your Umrah permit?
Performing Umrah requires booking a slot and permit through the Nusuk app. Check the current requirements in the official app before leaving, as they are updated from time to time.
Exactly where in Makkah?
The hotel name matters more than the city name. Hotels right next to the Haram are approached very differently from those in Aziziyah or Shawqiyah, and some streets near the Haram close to traffic at busy times.
The journey itself
- Getting out of Jeddah. Sometimes the slowest part. Leaving central or northern Jeddah at rush hour can take longer than the expressway itself.
- The expressway. Wide and multi-lane; under normal conditions most of the distance is covered in under an hour.
- Checkpoints at the Makkah approaches. There are control points on the roads into Makkah, and non-Muslims are directed to alternative routes because entry to Makkah is restricted to Muslims. In peak seasons, extra vehicle arrangements may apply.
- Reaching your hotel. The driver takes you to the closest permitted point to your hotel; if a road is closed, you agree together on the best drop-off spot.
All told, allow an hour to an hour and a quarter in normal conditions, and more on Ramadan nights and weekends.
Good times to set off
- After Fajr or early morning: lighter roads and cooler temperatures.
- Late at night: suits anyone who wants to perform Umrah when crowds are often thinner.
- Avoid if you can: the hour before Friday prayer at the Haram, and the last ten nights of Ramadan if you are short on time.
Fares from Jeddah to Makkah
Fares are fixed per car, not per passenger, and paid on arrival:
| Vehicle class | Fare from |
|---|---|
| Sedan | 200 SAR |
| Family SUV / van | 350 SAR |
| VIP | 600 SAR |
In the other direction, Makkah to Jeddah starts from 190 SAR in a sedan. For full service details and booking, see the taxi from Jeddah to Makkah page. If your trip starts at the airport rather than in the city, the dedicated page is Jeddah Airport to Makkah transfer.
Is the train a good alternative?
The Haramain train connects Jeddah and Makkah. Its Jeddah station is in the Sulaimaniyah area, and the Makkah station sits outside the central area. It is quick and comfortable if you live near the station and travel light, but you will need a ride to the station in Jeddah and another from the Makkah station to your hotel. If you live in a district far from the station, or travel as a family with luggage, a door-to-door car spares you the changes. If you do choose the train, we can handle the link: Jeddah to Jeddah train station starts from 100 SAR in a sedan, and the fare from the Makkah station to your hotel is confirmed on WhatsApp.
Umrah as a day trip from Jeddah
Many Jeddah residents go for Umrah and come back the same day. The easiest way is to book two separate legs: the outbound trip, then a return at a time you confirm once you are nearly finished — just send a WhatsApp message as you wrap up. That works better than having a driver wait for hours, since how long Umrah takes varies a lot with the crowds.
Travelling with family
Because the trip is short, families sometimes squeeze into a sedan. If you have more than two large bags, a stroller, or older relatives who need room to get in and out comfortably, the family class is worth it. And if you are heading to Makkah for a longer stay rather than a day visit, remember you will likely leave with more luggage than you arrived with.
What to send on WhatsApp
- Your location in Jeddah (a map pin is enough).
- Your hotel in Makkah, or "the Haram" for a direct visit.
- Time, number of passengers and bags.
- Whether you also need a return trip.
Message +966551796487 or use the booking page. For rides within Jeddah itself, see Jeddah taxi.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Jeddah. Where do I enter ihram?
From where you are in Jeddah, since the city is inside the miqat boundaries. You can put on your ihram before getting into the car.
Can the driver drop us right at the Haram gates?
He will take you to the closest point traffic rules allow at that moment, which at busy times may be a short walk from the courtyards.
How long does it take during Ramadan?
It can be much longer before iftar and on the last ten nights. Leave a generous margin.
Is the fare higher at night?
No, the same fixed fare applies around the clock.