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Jeddah Airport sits about 94 km from Makkah. You have three main ways to cover that distance: the Haramain High-Speed Train, an airport taxi or app-based ride, or a private transfer booked before you fly. Each one works. They just suit different travellers.
Quick answer: the Haramain High-Speed Train is the fastest and cheapest way from Jeddah Airport to Makkah, with a station built into the airport terminal. A taxi or Uber/Careem ride is the most flexible option if you land late or want a direct door-to-door trip. A pre-booked private transfer is the most stress-free choice, especially for families or anyone travelling in Ihram with a lot of luggage.
This guide covers all three, with real prices and booking tips, so you can decide before you land.
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is busy, especially during Umrah season. Expect queues at immigration, a walk to baggage claim, and signage in both Arabic and English. It can feel disorienting after a long flight, particularly if this is your first time travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Give yourself time. Immigration and baggage collection alone can take an hour or more at busy periods. Ground transport, including the Haramain train station, taxis and pick-up points, is reachable from the arrivals area once you clear customs.
Many UK pilgrims land already in Ihram, having changed before their flight or at a designated point along the route. Keep your passport, boarding pass and any printed permits somewhere easy to reach, since digging through bags in Ihram is awkward.
Luggage trolleys are available in the baggage hall. If you're catching the train, remember you'll need to carry or wheel your own bags to the station within the terminal, so pack with that short walk in mind.
The Haramain High-Speed Train is the quickest way from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. It runs on electric rail at an operational speed of up to 300 km/h, covering the roughly 94 km route between the airport station and Makkah, according to Saudi Arabian Railways' official information.
The Haramain station is built into the airport's main terminal building, sometimes referred to as Terminal 1, and functions as a transport hub with connections to buses, shuttles and parking as well as the railway, per the official SAR station page. Follow the railway signage from arrivals rather than assuming it's a separate building outside the terminal.
Journey time between Jeddah Airport and Makkah generally runs well under an hour, though SAR doesn't publish one single fixed duration for every service, so check the exact time for your chosen train when you book. The station operates daily from 06:30 to 00:30.
Book through the official Haramain High Speed Railway portal or the HHR Train app before you travel, choose Economy or Business class, and arrive at least 30 minutes early for the security and baggage check. Fares vary by class, date and demand, so confirm the live price on the official portal rather than relying on a third-party figure.
Yes, Uber operates 24/7 pickups at Jeddah Airport, offering UberX, Comfort, Black and XL options, according to Uber's own airport information. Careem, a widely used regional ride-hailing app, also operates across Jeddah and Makkah. Both apps let you see your driver's name, car and licence plate before you get in, which adds a layer of reassurance over an unmarked taxi.
You'll need a working SIM, eSIM or airport WiFi to request a ride. Standard airport taxis are also available at the official rank outside arrivals.
Taxi and app-ride prices from Jeddah Airport to Makkah vary a lot depending on the operator, time of day and demand, and no single official fixed fare applies to every ride. Treat any quote you see online as a rough guide rather than a guaranteed price, and always confirm the fare, or check the app's estimate, before you set off.
Unofficial touts sometimes approach arriving passengers inside the terminal offering rides at inflated prices. GOV.UK's pilgrimage guidance specifically warns that criminal groups target pilgrims, so stick to the official taxi rank, a booked app ride, or a pre-arranged transfer, and avoid anyone approaching you unprompted in the arrivals hall.
A pre-booked private transfer means a driver is waiting for you by name, with your fare already agreed, so there's nothing to negotiate after a long flight. This removes the two biggest arrival worries for UK pilgrims: unpredictable taxi costs and finding transport while still in Ihram with heavy luggage.
As an example of typical private transfer pricing, one UK-based Umrah transport specialist, Taqwa Tours, publishes rates from around 269 SAR for a sedan up to 899 SAR for a full coach, depending on vehicle size and group numbers. Prices like these vary between operators, so always check the current rate before booking.
This option suits families with children, anyone carrying a lot of luggage, larger groups travelling together, or simply anyone who'd rather land, collect their bags, and get straight into a waiting car.
| Option | Best for | Typical journey time | Cost |
| Haramain High-Speed Train | Solo travellers and budget-conscious pilgrims comfortable managing their own bags | Well under an hour | Lowest, varies by class |
| Taxi or Uber/Careem | Flexible, late arrivals, or a direct door-to-door trip | Around an hour, traffic dependent | Mid-range, varies by provider |
| Pre-booked private transfer | Families, groups, and anyone wanting zero arrival stress | Around an hour, traffic dependent | Higher, but fixed and agreed in advance |
Landing in a new country while managing luggage, documents and Ihram is a lot to think about at once. TravelApp's all-inclusive Umrah packages from the UK include transfers alongside your flights, visa and hotel, so your journey from Jeddah Airport to your hotel in Makkah is already arranged before you leave home.
Ready to book? Compare our Umrah packages from the UK, including Ramadan Umrah packages, or book your flights to Saudi Arabia separately if you're arranging transport yourself. Whichever route you choose, always check the latest entry and travel advice on GOV.UK before you fly.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
Around 94 km by rail, according to official Saudi Arabian Railways station data. Road distance is broadly similar, though it can vary slightly depending on your exact route.
Book through the official Nusuk website, the SAR portal, or the HHR Train app before you travel where possible. Availability at the station itself can be limited during busy periods, so booking ahead is the more reliable option.
There's no single fixed fare, so prices vary by operator and demand. Always confirm the price in Saudi riyals before you set off, or check the fare shown in your ride-hailing app, rather than relying on a fixed pound estimate.
Yes. Uber confirms 24/7 pickups at Jeddah Airport, and Careem operates widely across the region too. Both apps show your driver's name, vehicle and licence plate before pickup, which adds a useful safety check over an unmarked taxi.
For families with children or a lot of luggage, a pre-booked private transfer is usually easier, since it avoids carrying bags through the station and gives you a fixed, agreed price with a driver waiting by name.
