Taif International Airport (TIF) serves the highland city of Taif, up in the Sarawat mountains east of Makkah. Visitors using it are usually going to Taif itself, for the cool weather, or going down to Makkah. It is a smaller airport than Jeddah, so it is worth checking that your route has a flight here. This page covers pickups, drop-offs and what the mountain roads mean for planning.
Arriving in Taif
Taif is much cooler than Makkah or Jeddah, especially in summer, which is why many Gulf and Saudi visitors come. Hotels and resorts can be some distance from the main roads, so give us the hotel name and, if you have it, a location pin. The pickup is arranged around your flight number.
In summer and on school holidays the city and the roads up to it are busy. Book early for those dates.
What to see near Taif
If you want a driver for a day, the places people ask for most are Al Hada and its views, Al Shafa, Shubra Palace and the rose farms in spring. See Taif taxi service for getting around the city.
Send your pickup, destination, date and passengers and we will confirm the vehicle and price.
Arriving at Taif International Airport
Entrance gatehouse at Taif Airport
Welcome gantry on the road to Taif Airport
Palm trees on the approach to Taif Airport
Terminal exit at Taif Airport
Apron bus and terminal at Taif Airport
Down to Makkah
The road to Makkah drops from the highlands through steep, winding sections. It is about 100 km and takes one and a half to two hours. If you are going for Umrah, travellers on this road commonly stop at Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir) to enter ihram, and we can plan the stop. See Taif Airport to Makkah for the whole journey.
Down to Jeddah
Travellers connecting to flights or going to the coast can go to Jeddah, about 170 km and two to two and a half hours away. Allow a generous buffer if you have a flight. See Taif to Jeddah and the Jeddah Airport page.
Departures from Taif
Give us the flight number, the time and your hotel. Allow for your airline's check-in rules and for the road from your hotel to the airport, which may include mountain driving.
What to send when you book
To arrange your transfer, please share:
- Flight number, date and arrival time
- Number of passengers and pieces of luggage
- Hotel, resort or address in Taif, or your onward destination
- Whether you need a stop at the miqat on the way to Makkah
What to expect from a smaller terminal
A smaller airport is usually calmer than Jeddah, with fewer people at immigration and shorter walks to the exit. Services around the terminal are more limited, so bring water, any medicines and a charger in hand luggage, and do not rely on finding a shop open at an odd hour. If you have to wait, the arrivals area is a pleasant place to sit rather than a crowded hall.
Because there are fewer flights, schedule changes can be sudden. Check your airline's status on the morning you fly and message us if anything has moved.
A long stay or a short one
Visitors flying to Taif fall into two groups: those who plan to stay in the highlands and those who treat it as a gateway to Makkah. The first group will want local rides and perhaps a driver for the day. The second wants a road transfer as soon as they land. Telling us which group you are in lets us plan around it, and we can add or change legs later.
Luggage that travelled with a family
Families flying into a small airport sometimes bring more luggage than they planned, including baby equipment, shopping and gifts. Count the pieces at the baggage belt, send us the final number and we will check that the vehicle has room before we set off. Items on a seat or on laps are not safe on mountain roads.
Meeting a friend or relative arriving in Taif
Families who live in Taif often send a car for guests arriving from abroad. If you are the host, send us the guest's name, flight and phone number, and the address where they are staying. We can follow the flight and tell you when the car leaves the airport, so that dinner is ready on time. A guest who has not visited before may like a short message from you as well, so that they know whom to look for.