King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is the main entry point to the Western Region, and for Makkah it is the only one that matters: Makkah has no commercial airport. Pilgrims, tourists and Jeddah residents all use it, and the first decision after landing is where the road goes next: Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah itself or Taif. This page explains how pickups and drop-offs work and what to tell us.
Arrival pickups
Send us your flight number, the date, the number of passengers and bags, and where you are going. We use the flight number to see your scheduled arrival, so the driver is arranged around the flight rather than a fixed time. If it is delayed or early, message us and we will adjust.
You do not need to know your terminal in advance. The airport has more than one terminal, and your airline decides which you use. Pilgrim flights may use a different terminal from other flights, so check with your airline if you want to know where you will arrive.
How long before you are out
Immigration and baggage collection can take from under an hour to several hours depending on how many flights land together. That is why the pickup follows your actual arrival and not the schedule. Message us when you have landed and when your bags are on the belt.
Night and early-morning landings
Many flights land through the night. Our booking line is open at all hours, so a pickup at any time is possible. Give us the flight number and keep your phone on after you land.
Send your pickup, destination, date and passengers and we will confirm the vehicle and price.
Inside King Abdulaziz International Airport
Check-in hall at Jeddah Airport
Terminal hall at Jeddah Airport
Patterned ceiling at Jeddah Airport
Silver sphere sculpture at Jeddah Airport
Duty-free hall at Jeddah Airport
Perfume counters at Jeddah Airport
Gate signs at Jeddah Airport
Food court near the gates at Jeddah Airport
Where passengers go from Jeddah Airport
To Makkah
Most Umrah pilgrims go straight to Makkah, about 100 km away. It usually takes one to one and a half hours, longer on Fridays and in the Umrah and Hajj seasons. See Jeddah Airport to Makkah for the hotel drop-off and what to expect near the Haram.
To Madinah
Madinah is about 430 km and four to five hours away. After a flight it is a hard drive, so plan the stops and think about whether to rest first. See Jeddah Airport to Madinah. If you are going to Madinah first, remember the airport there as an alternative: Madinah Airport.
To Jeddah hotels and addresses
The airport is on the northern side of the city, so a hotel on the Corniche or in Al-Balad is a drive across Jeddah. Give us the hotel or address. See Jeddah taxi service for city travel and business travel in Jeddah.
To Taif
Visitors going up to the mountains can go directly from the airport. The journey is about 170 km. See Jeddah to Taif.
Departures to Jeddah Airport
For a flight out, tell us the flight number, the departure time and where you are staying. We work back from your airline's check-in rules and add the driving time. From Makkah allow for the one to one and a half hour drive and the traffic near your hotel: see Makkah to Jeddah Airport. From Madinah the drive is four to four and a half hours: see Madinah to Jeddah.
Luggage and group size
A Luxury Van takes eight passengers and six bags and a Premium SUV five passengers and four bags. Pilgrims often have more luggage on the way home, with gifts and Zamzam water, so count the bags for the return too. For groups bigger than a van, we can plan more than one vehicle. See the fleet.
Train or car from the airport
The Haramain high-speed railway has a station at the airport, with services to Makkah and Madinah. A private car suits families, older passengers and anyone with a lot of luggage who would rather not change at a station. Both are legitimate choices.
What to send when you book
The more you send before you land, the fewer messages are needed later.
- Flight number, date and arrival time
- Number of passengers and pieces of luggage
- The hotel name or address
- Whether you need a child seat or a larger vehicle
- Whether you will be in ihram or stopping on the way
