Jeddah to Makkah is about 84 km by road from the city and roughly 100 km from the airport to the Haram. Most people finish the trip in 35 minutes to 1.5 hours. The time depends on whether you take the train, a bus or a car.
Here’s the thing though. The fastest ticket isn’t always the fastest trip. Stations sit away from the Haram, and bags slow everyone down.
Our drivers cover this road every day, so we know where each option helps and where it lets you down. This guide shows what each one usually costs, where it drops you, and who it suits. Prices and timetables change, so check the official links before you book.
Transport from Jeddah to Makkah: All Options Compared
You have four real choices. Here is how they stack up.
| Option | Time | Typical cost | Drops you at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haramain train | 35 to 55 minutes | SAR 40 to SAR 110 per person | Makkah station in Ar Rusayfah | Solo travelers with light bags |
| Northwest Bus | 1.25 to 1.5 hours | SAR 20 to SAR 45 per person | Jarwal bus station | Tight budgets |
| Uber or Careem | 60 to 90 minutes | Shown in the app | Your hotel | Short notice trips |
| Private taxi | 60 to 90 minutes | SAR 180 to SAR 450 per car from the airport | Your hotel door | Families and heavy bags |
Train and bus fares come from public sources and vary by date and class. Taxi fares are our own rates.
In short: the train wins on speed, the bus wins on price, and a private taxi wins on comfort.
Jeddah to Makkah Distance
Distance depends on where you start. These are the numbers we use.
From Jeddah City
Google Maps shows about 84 km and one hour by car via Route 40, while other sites list 79 to 80 km because the map pin sits in a different spot. For a quick answer, say 80 to 85 km.
You may also see this written as the Jeddah to Mecca distance. It’s the same road. If you want the distance from Jeddah to Makkah to a specific hotel, add a few kilometers for city streets.
From Jeddah Airport (KAIA)
King Abdulaziz International Airport sits north of the city, and that adds extra distance. The Jeddah airport to Makkah distance is about 100 km to the Haram.
Plan 75 to 90 minutes by car outside peak times.
Drive Time and Road
Jeddah to Makkah by road is simple. You take Route 40, a modern highway. Then you reach the Al Shumaisi checkpoint near Makkah.
Traffic is the main risk, because Fridays, Ramadan nights and the days around Hajj are noticeably slower than a normal weekday. Look, I’ll be straight with you. A one hour drive can turn into two if you leave at the wrong time. Jeddah to Makkah by car is easy, but Jeddah to Makkah by car at 6pm on a Friday is not.
Jeddah to Makkah Distance by Train
The Haramain High Speed Railway is the fastest way between the two cities, with trains that run at up to 300 km/h. The catch is where the stations are.
Stations and Journey Time
Two Jeddah stations serve this route. One sits inside King Abdulaziz Airport, and the other is Al Sulaimaniyah, which is about 20 km from the airport in the city.
A train from Jeddah to Makkah takes roughly 35 to 55 minutes. From Al Sulaimaniyah it’s usually shorter. From the airport station it’s usually closer to 55 minutes. People searching for Jeddah to Mecca by train get the same service.
Tickets and Classes
There are two classes, Economy and Business. Most fare guides show Economy at about SAR 40 to SAR 70 and Business at about SAR 80 to SAR 110. The airport station costs more than Al Sulaimaniyah. Children usually get about half off in Economy.
These figures come from third party fare guides, so don’t treat them as a quote. Book on sar.hhr.sa, the official site. Tickets can sell out around Ramadan, Hajj and school holidays, so book early.
Luggage Rules
The railway publishes a Baggage Guide on its website. Most guides mention about 25 kg per bag in Economy, but sources disagree on how many bags you can bring. Check the official guide before you travel, especially if you carry extra Zamzam or shopping.
Four people with six bags is a real problem on a train. It’s rarely a problem in a car.
The Last Mile to the Haram
Makkah station is in Ar Rusayfah, about 3.5 km from the Haram, so you can’t realistically walk it with luggage. You will need a shuttle bus, a taxi or a ride hailing car to finish the trip.
Budget another 15 to 30 minutes and a second fare. Many pilgrims forget this and think the train is a door to door service. It isn’t.
One more point. Non Muslim passengers can’t use train routes that end in or pass through Makkah. Check this first if your group is mixed.
Jeddah to Makkah Bus
The bus is the cheapest way in. It’s also the one with the most moving parts.
Which Buses Run This Route
Northwest Bus runs the main services. Route NW13 leaves from Jeddah Train Station, Al Balad and Kilo 10, while route NW28 runs from Jeddah Airport North Terminal and Terminal 1. Both end at Jarwal bus station in Makkah.
If you want a bus from Jeddah to Makkah, check the current timetable on nwbus.sa. Routes and times change by season. SAPTCO and SAT also appear in older guides, so expect some mixed information online.
Jeddah to Makkah Distance by Bus and Travel Time
Most guides give about 1.25 to 1.5 hours. So, Jeddah to Makkah by bus how many hours? Plan on 1.5, and add waiting time. The Jeddah to Makkah bus time on the timetable is not the same as your real door to door time.
Jarwal is closer to the Haram than the train station is. But it isn’t your hotel. You may still need a short taxi.
Ticket Price and Free Bus Service
The Jeddah to Makkah bus ticket price is usually between SAR 20 and SAR 45 per person. It changes with season and service class. Always check the live fare on the operator’s site.
A free shuttle from Jeddah to Makkah has been reported at Terminal 1 in the past. We can’t confirm it runs today. Ask at the airport information desk before you count on a free bus service.
Jeddah to Makkah by Taxi or Uber
A car is the only option that takes you from the arrivals hall to your hotel in one go.
Uber and Careem
Both apps work at Jeddah Airport and show a price before you book, which helps. Fares are often reported between SAR 120 and SAR 300 depending on car type and demand, and prices jump when several flights land together.
Private Taxi
Our private taxi from Jeddah Airport to Makkah costs SAR 180 to SAR 450 per vehicle. The price depends on the car. A Camry or Sonata seats four. A Hyundai Staria seats seven. A Toyota Hiace seats ten. A GMC Yukon XL seats seven. A Toyota Coaster seats sixteen. You’ll find the full fare list on our Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi page.
Starting from a hotel in Jeddah city instead of the airport? Other Makkah taxi companies usually quote about SAR 230 to SAR 300 for a sedan on that run. Treat that as a market estimate, not our quote. Message us on WhatsApp for the exact fare.
Here’s what you get:
- Fixed fare agreed on WhatsApp before you travel
- Nusuk registered vehicles
- Free waiting at the airport, however long your flight takes
- No cancellation or no show fees
- Driver details shared 24 hours before pickup
- Booking and support 24/7
Is it dearer than the train? For one person, yes. For a family, usually not, once you add the second taxi leg. We’ll go through that next.
Look, I’ll be straight with you about scam quotes. Some drivers see a tired pilgrim at arrivals and double the price. Agree the fare before you get in, or book ahead.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Here’s the short version.
- Solo or light bags: take the train. It’s fast. Just plan the last mile.
- Tight budget: take the bus. It’s cheap, but it adds waiting time.
- Families, elderly parents or heavy bags: take a private taxi. It’s one ride, one fare and no transfers.
- Late night arrival: book a taxi ahead. Public options thin out after midnight.
Try this quick sum for a family of five. Multiply the train ticket by five. Add a taxi from Makkah station to your hotel. Compare the total with SAR 200 for a Staria that seats seven, from our airport rate list. That one comparison usually settles it.
We believe the train is great for the right person. We also believe it’s oversold to families. Pick what suits your group, not what looks cheapest on a screen.
If you’re also moving on to Madinah, see our Makkah to Madinah taxi page.
Before You Travel: Ihram, Permits and Checkpoints
A few rules matter more than the ticket price.
Ihram. The Prophet (peace be upon him) fixed the miqat points, and they apply to people who pass them intending Hajj or Umrah. You can read the narration in Sahih al Bukhari 1524. Pilgrims flying in for Umrah usually enter ihram on the plane before the miqat, as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advises. Ask your airline crew, tour operator or scholar if you’re unsure.
Permits. For Umrah you need your visa and a booked permit on the Nusuk platform. Keep both on your phone.
Checkpoints. Al Shumaisi is the main checkpoint on the road. Officers check who enters Makkah. Rules get stricter in Hajj season. In most cases, travelers without the right permit are turned back.
Rules change often. Confirm them on Nusuk before you travel from Jeddah to Makkah. Good transportation from Jeddah to Makkah starts with the right papers.
Timing matters too. Our best time to perform Umrah guide covers crowds and seasons.
Makkah to Jeddah Airport Distance (Return Trip)
The return leg is about 100 km, the same road. Plan 75 to 90 minutes by car. Makkah to Jeddah distance also depends on your hotel, so check it from your own address.
Leave earlier than you think. Allow time for traffic, the checkpoint and airport check in. For an international flight, many travelers leave Makkah about five hours ahead, but your airline’s check in rules come first.
You can book both rides at once. See our Makkah to Jeddah Airport taxi page for the return fares. Our Jeddah Airport taxi service page lists every airport route in one place.
Jeddah to Makkah FAQs
How far is Jeddah from Mecca?
Jeddah is about 80 to 85 km from Mecca by road, which takes roughly one hour by car. From Jeddah airport to the Haram it is closer to 100 km. The exact number changes a little with your start point and route.
How long from Jeddah to Makkah?
It takes about 35 to 55 minutes by train, 60 to 90 minutes by car or taxi, and around 1.5 hours by bus. Traffic, checkpoints and the transfer from the station can add time. Fridays and Ramadan nights are slower.
How long is the drive from Jeddah to Makkah?
The drive usually takes about one hour from Jeddah city and 75 to 90 minutes from the airport. Route 40 is a highway, so traffic is the main risk. Leave extra time on Fridays, in Ramadan and during Hajj season.
How to travel from Jeddah to Makkah?
You can take the Haramain train, a Northwest Bus, an Uber or Careem, or a private taxi. The train is fastest between stations, the bus is cheapest, and a private taxi takes you to the hotel door. Choose by group size and bags.
Can I take the train straight from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?
Yes. The Haramain train has a station inside King Abdulaziz Airport and reaches Makkah station in about 54 minutes. You still need a taxi or shuttle from that station to your hotel. Check the timetable on sar.hhr.sa for your date.
How much is the bus from Jeddah to Makkah?
Most guides list fares at roughly SAR 20 to SAR 45 per person. Prices vary by season and service class. Check nwbus.sa for the live fare, and add a taxi if your hotel is far from Jarwal station.
Is a taxi better than the train for families?
In most cases, yes. A family of four or five pays for several train tickets plus a taxi from the station, while one car carries everyone and the bags to the hotel door. A solo traveler with one bag may still prefer the train.
Should I wear ihram before leaving Jeddah Airport?
If you plan Umrah right away, pilgrims flying in usually enter ihram on the plane before the miqat, as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advises. Ask your airline crew or tour operator. If you’re unsure, check with your scholar before landing.
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