Some pilgrims land in Jeddah and go to Madinah first, to visit the Prophet's Mosque before Makkah. That means a 430 km drive straight after a flight. This page is about making that journey tolerable: how long it takes, when to stop, and how to arrive at a Madinah hotel in the central area.
Why people choose Madinah first
Some group itineraries and personal plans begin in Madinah, then move to Makkah for Umrah later. Arriving at Jeddah Airport is the usual route even then, because Madinah's own airport may not have a flight from your home country. The alternative is a direct flight to Madinah Airport, if one exists for your route.
Jeddah Airport before the road to Madinah
Aircraft at a gate at Jeddah Airport
Escalator and atrium at Jeddah Airport
The road, and how to plan it
The drive is roughly 430 km and takes about four to five hours without long stops. After a flight, with the time spent clearing immigration and collecting luggage, a night flight can mean a very long day, so be honest about how much driving your group can take.
Stops
Plan at least one break. Prayer times, a meal and a rest stop all add up, so allow for them in your arrival time at the hotel. Tell us which stops matter to you and we will fit them into the plan.
Night arrivals
If your flight lands late, you can drive through the night or rest near Jeddah and set off in the morning. We take bookings around the clock, so we can plan either. Ask us to quote both if you are unsure.
Send your pickup, destination, date and passengers and we will confirm the vehicle and price.
Arriving at a Madinah hotel
Many hotels are in the central area around Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Roads there are restricted and busy, so the car may stop a short walk from the door. Send us the hotel name before you set off so the driver knows where to go. If an older passenger will find the walk hard, tell us and we will look for the nearest practical stop.
Train, private car, or a mix
The Haramain railway has a station at King Abdulaziz Airport and one in Madinah. A private car suits people who do not want to change from a terminal to a train station, want to stop on the way, or are moving a family with a lot of bags. Some travellers take the train and book a car for the Madinah end only.
Who chooses to land in Jeddah and drive to Madinah
Madinah has its own airport, so this route is a deliberate choice. It tends to suit travellers whose airline or package flies only into Jeddah, groups who begin with Umrah in Makkah and move on afterwards, and families who simply found a better fare. It also suits anyone who wants one driver for the long journey after a flight, instead of splitting it between a bus, a train and a taxi.
If you are making the trip after Umrah, see Makkah to Madinah instead. This page is for people who go to the Prophet's city first and will return to Makkah later.
Planning the first evening in Madinah
A four-to-five-hour road journey after a flight often means arriving in Madinah in the evening or at night. Check when your hotel closes its front desk, whether dinner is available and how far the walk to the Prophet's Mosque is. Entry to the Rawdah is managed through an official appointment system, so look at the current rules before you travel rather than hoping to arrange it on the day.
Reading your airline's arrival information
Pilgrim and regular flights can use different terminals at Jeddah. Your airline will say where you arrive, and your boarding documents may too. If you cannot tell, send us the flight number and we will describe the usual meeting point and how to find the driver. A quick message after you land, once you are through immigration, tells us exactly when to start moving.