Madinah Transportation Guide & Travel Expenses

Transportation Guide

• By Air
  • Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED): The main airport in Madinah is Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport. It serves both domestic and international flights, with direct flights offered by many airlines, particularly during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
  • From the airport to the city: The airport is located approximately 15 km away from the city center. Transportation options such as taxis, car rentals, or pre-arranged hotel shuttles are available for travelers to reach their destinations from the airport.
• By Train
  • Haramain High-Speed Rail: The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Makkah to Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). This provides a convenient and efficient transportation option, particularly for travelers coming from Makkah.
    The cost of a single journey ticket between Jeddah and Madinah ranges from SAR 20 to SAR 75 and takes about 30 – 35 mins to reach.
    How to book the ticket? Either you can visit their official website, or they have dedicated counters at the train station.
    The cost of a single journey ticket between Makkah to Madinah ranges from SAR 85 to SAR 90 and takes about 2.5 hrs to reach.
• By Road
  • From Makkah: Madinah is located approximately 450 kilometers to the north of Makkah. It is accessible by car or bus, with travel times typically ranging from 4 to 5 hours depending on the transportation method and road conditions.
  • From Riyadh: Madinah is located approximately 850 km from the capital city, which can be reached by an 8-10 hour drive.
  • Bus Services: Various transportation companies, such as the Saudi Public Transport Company, offer regular bus services that connect Madinah with different cities across Saudi Arabia. These buses provide a comfortable and cost-effective means of travel.
  • From GCC countries: If you are a resident or citizen of the GCC countries and possess the appropriate visa, you have the option to embark on an exhilarating road trip to Madinah. Prior to entering Saudi Arabia, it is highly recommended by this transportation guide that you thoroughly inspect your vehicle and ensure all necessary documentation is completed.
    Read all about the different types of Saudi visa and how to obtain one here.

Travel within the city

• Rent a car: Many car rental agencies, both local and international, offer their services in Saudi Arabia. If you choose to drive, you have the option to rent a vehicle from either the airport or the city center.
  To rent any car in Saudi Arabia, you will need to be prepared with your driver’s license, an international driving permit, your passport, visa, and a local phone number. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the local driving regulations of the country.
• Local Transport: Within Madinah, taxis are widely available. There’s also the option of using ride-hailing apps, such as Careem and Uber, which operate in the city. 

Costs

Let’s break down the travel expenses in Madinah, providing a rough budget for a smoother travel experience.

Accommodation

1. Luxury Hotels: Expect to pay anywhere from SAR 700 to SAR 1,500 per night for five-star accommodations near the Prophet’s Mosque. E.g.: The Oberoi Madina
2. 3 to 4-star Hotels: A comfortable stay would range between SAR 250 to SAR 700.
3. Budget Hotels: For those on a tight budget, accommodation starts as low as SAR 100 to SAR 250.
   
   Savings tip: 

• • Avoid booking during peak seasons to avoid sharply increased travel expenses 
  • Hotels in proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque tend to be pricier. Consider staying a bit further away and utilizing public transportation
  • Take advantage of sale periods or compare prices with 3rd party sites. Get in touch with us for a tailored plan.

Food & Dining

Most hotels in Madinah provide a range of dining packages to cater to various guest preferences:

• Breakfast Included: Only breakfast is provided.
  Half-Board: This includes breakfast and one main meal, either lunch or dinner.
  Full-Board: Guests are offered three main meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  All-Inclusive: This encompasses all three main meals, supplemented with beverages and snacks throughout the day.
  

For those visiting during peak seasons, it’s advisable to choose the full-board or all-inclusive options. These not only offer value for money but also save guests the hassle of searching for meals during busy times.

1. Fine-dining restaurants: Meals range from SAR 100 to SAR 300.
   Example: Arabesque Restaurant – A three-course meal here can set you back around SAR 250.
2. Mid-range restaurants: A meal can cost between SAR 30 to SAR 100.
   Example: Al Baik – Known for its fried chicken, Al Baik is a favorite among the locals and a must-try.
   
3. Local eateries: Dishes for SAR 10 to SAR 30.
   Example: A shawarma at a local street vendor could be around SAR 15.

Shopping

Madinah offers a unique shopping experience, blending traditional Islamic items with modern goods. From delectable dates, and beautiful prayer mats, to fragrant Arabic perfumes, there are plenty of options you can shop. There is something special for everyone in this city.

Here is a list of the top 7 things to shop in Madinah:

1. Dates – The local date market in Madinah offers over 150 different varieties of dates, including the highly favorable Ajwa and Anbara dates, with the Ajwa date being particularly sought after due to its reported health benefits and religious importance.
   
2. Prayer mats – You can find colorful prayer rugs with a variety of styles, designs, and materials. Each prayer mat is priced differently. You can choose the right prayer mat according to your liking and budget.
   
3. Miswak –  Miswak, a natural toothbrush made from the Salvadora Persica tree, plays a significant role in Islamic history. It is highly recommended to use them on a daily basis to clean the teeth to prevent plaque and cavities.
   Miswak is known to contain several medicinal and healing properties. Make sure to add Miswak to your shopping list and buy a bunch of them for your family and friends.
   
4. Oud and Bakhoor – Oud or Oudh is an Arabic term that refers to a type of fragrant oil derived from the heart of the Agar tree. The perfume has a warm, woody scent and is very popular in the Middle East. Ouds range in price from the most affordable to the most expensive. You can find many shops in Madinah selling them.
   You can enjoy Oudh in a more subtle way by purchasing Bakhoor. These are agarwood chips soaked in perfume oils and sold by weight. Once you’ve bought Bakhoor, put them over a small piece of charcoal or an electric burner to release its fragrant fumes.
   
5. Mus’haf (Copy of Qur’an) – Mus’haf is another Arabic term for the ‘copy of the Quran’. It contains the same chapters as in the Quran. You can find a wide variety of Mus’hafs of different sizes and languages.
   
6. Traditional clothes – From Kandoras and Abayas to Ghatra sets, you can find elaborate traditional clothes to shop for. Make sure to buy the entire set for both men and women to complete the Arabic attire.
   
7. Souvenirs – Madinah has plenty of souvenirs to take back home, such as fridge magnets, Arabic tea sets, traditional cooking sets, and more. Visit the city’s streets to find unique gifts for your family and friends.
8. Tasbih – Handcrafted beads made of various materials, like wood, pearls, or gemstones, are used by Muslims to do dhikr (Remembrance of Allah). These make a good souvenir to bring back home.