Most Umrah journeys include both Holy Cities. After the intense days of Umrah in Makkah, many pilgrims long for the peace of Madinah, or the other way round. The trip is about 450 km, so how you travel matters for your comfort, your budget and your energy for worship.

Here is a simple comparison of the three main options: private taxi, the Haramain High Speed Railway and buses. We also explain the miqat if you are going from Madinah to Makkah for Umrah.

Distance and time

By road, Makkah to Madinah is roughly 420 to 450 km on a good highway. A private car usually takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours, including a short rest stop. The Haramain train covers the journey in about 2 to 2.5 hours of travel time, but you also need to get to and from the stations, which are outside the central areas of both cities. Buses usually take 5 to 7 hours.

	Private taxi	Haramain train	Bus
Travel time	4.5–5.5 hours	2–2.5 hours + transfers	5–7 hours
Door to door	Yes	No	No
Price basis	Per vehicle	Per person	Per person
Luggage	Flexible	Limits apply	Limits apply
Miqat stop	On request	Pass it on board	No

Option 1: Private taxi

• Door to door: from your Makkah hotel to your Madinah hotel, no transfers.
• Your timing: leave after Fajr, after Dhuhr or at night; stop for prayer, food or rest whenever you want.
• Luggage: no strict limits; useful after shopping for Zamzam, dates and gifts (check rules for Zamzam on flights).
• Group price: one price per vehicle. For 4 to 7 people it often costs less per person than the train.
• Miqat stop: on the way from Madinah to Makkah, the driver can stop at Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali) to put on Ihram.

Zikr Cabs Makkah to Madinah taxi fares start from SAR 440 for a sedan; family vans and GMCs cost more. See the return trip on our Madinah to Makkah page.

Option 2: Haramain High Speed Railway

• Fast and modern: trains can reach about 300 km/h.
• Per-person tickets: Economy and Business classes; prices vary by date and demand. Book on hhr.sa.
• Stations: Makkah station is in Rusaifah and Madinah station is in the Knowledge Economic City area, both several kilometres from the Haram, so you need a taxi at each end.
• Luggage limits: check the allowance before you travel.
• Sold-out risk: in Ramadan and peak seasons, trains can sell out days in advance.

If you take the train, book a Haramain station taxi for the last part of your journey.

Option 3: Bus

Buses (such as SAPTCO) and Umrah group buses are the cheapest per person. They are fine for young travellers with time, but long hours, fixed timings and less comfort make them harder for elderly pilgrims and children.

Cost comparison for a family

Imagine a family of five with eight suitcases. On the train they buy five tickets, plus a taxi from their hotel to the station and from the destination station to their new hotel, and they must manage the bags on platforms. In a private H1, Staria or GMC they pay one fixed fare, and the bags go from hotel door to hotel door. For many families the private taxi ends up similar in total cost and much easier. For one or two people with light bags, the train is usually cheaper and faster.

Madinah to Makkah: don’t forget Ihram

If you are going from Madinah to Makkah to perform Umrah, you must enter Ihram at Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali), just outside Madinah. By taxi, simply ask your driver to stop there; there are washrooms and changing areas. By train, wear your Ihram clothes before boarding and make the intention before the train passes the miqat. Read our Miqat guide.

Tips for a comfortable road trip

• Leave after Fajr to arrive before the hottest part of the day, or travel at night.
• Carry water, dates and light snacks.
• Children and elderly travellers should take a rest every two hours.
• Keep your Nusuk permits and hotel details ready on your phone.
• Ask your driver about a stop at Badr if you would like to see the battlefield; it can be added to some routes by arrangement.

Booking tips for the intercity journey

• Book a day or two ahead in normal seasons and earlier in Ramadan and school holidays.
• Tell the driver the exact hotel names at both ends and the number of suitcases.
• Mention any child seats or wheelchair needs when booking.
• Agree the pickup time with your hotel check-out time in mind.
• Save the driver’s WhatsApp number and share your live location if he is waiting outside.

If you are travelling from Madinah to Makkah for Umrah, tell the driver at booking that you need the Dhul Hulaifah stop, so the timing is planned. Also book your Umrah permit in Nusuk for a time after your expected arrival, leaving a margin for traffic.

What to expect on the road

The highway between the two cities is modern and well maintained, with petrol stations, small mosques and restaurants along the way. Mobile signal is good on most of the route. In summer, the desert is very hot, so make sure the car’s air conditioning is working well before you set off. Most drivers stop once for prayer and refreshments around the halfway point.

Which is best for you?

• Families and groups: private taxi.
• Elderly or wheelchair users: private taxi.
• Solo traveller, light luggage: train.
• Lowest budget: bus.

Final thoughts

For one or two travellers with light bags, the train is quick and comfortable. For families, older parents and groups with luggage, a private taxi from hotel to hotel is often similar in total cost and much easier. Choose what keeps your energy for worship.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides and services

• Makkah to Madinah taxi
• Madinah to Makkah taxi with Miqat stop
• Jeddah Airport to Madinah taxi
• Haramain train station taxi
• All routes and fixed prices

Sources and further reading

• Haramain High Speed Railway (official)
• Nusuk – official platform for Umrah, Hajj and Rawdah
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1524 – the miqats (sunnah.com)

This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.

Written by the Zikr Cabs team: we drive pilgrims between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Taif. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.

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