Jeddah Airport to Makkah and Madinah: Umrah Transfers

In short: most Umrah trips from the UK need three transfers: from Jeddah or Madinah airport to your first hotel, between Makkah and Madinah, and back to the airport at the end. A pre-booked car takes you door to door with your luggage. The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah, Jeddah airport and Madinah, but you still need a short onward journey from each station to your hotel.

Railway details checked on 29 September 2026 against the official Haramain High Speed Railway website. Timetables, fares and rules can change, so check there before you travel.

What an Umrah transfer means

An Umrah transfer is any journey between the airport, your hotel in Makkah and your hotel in Madinah. They are easy to leave until last, yet they shape the first and last hours of your trip, so it is worth deciding on each one before you fly.

For most people flying from the UK, the three legs look like this:

Arrival: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (for Makkah) or Madinah airport, to your first hotel.
Between the cities: Makkah to Madinah, or the other way round, depending on where you start.
Departure: your last hotel back to the airport for your flight home.

Your options at a glance

	Pre-booked private car	Haramain High Speed Railway	Taxi on arrival
Door to door	Yes	No: station to station, then an onward journey	Yes
Luggage	Depends on the vehicle you book	One large bag (up to 25 kg) and one hand item per passenger	Depends on the car
When you book	In advance, online	In advance, on the website, the app or at a station ticket office	When you arrive
Price	Shown before you pay	Shown before you pay	Agreed or metered on the day
Suits	Families, older travellers, heavy luggage, late arrivals	Light luggage and travelling between the cities	Short, simple journeys

Pre-booked private transfers

A pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to handle arrival and departure. You book online before you travel, see the price before you pay, and a driver takes you from the airport to your hotel door. That matters most when you land tired, travel with children or older relatives, or carry more luggage than the train allows.

In the transfers step of our DIY Umrah Planner you can book each leg with Kiwitaxi, a transfer booking service. When you book, check three things: the pick-up point at the airport, how many bags the vehicle takes, and what happens if your flight is delayed. You book directly with Kiwitaxi, on its terms, and TravAir may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Our transfers page lists more routes, including between Makkah and Madinah.

The Haramain High Speed Railway

The Haramain High Speed Railway is an electric railway with an operating speed of 300 km/h. It has five stations: Makkah, Jeddah (Al-Sulimaniyah), King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Abdullah Economic City and Madinah. Trains have Business and Economy seats.

Booking a ticket

You can book on the official website, in the official app, or at the ticket office in each station. Book ahead for busy periods such as Ramadan, and keep your ticket on your phone.

Luggage

The railway's baggage rules allow each passenger one large piece of luggage of up to 25 kg, no bigger than 65 x 55 x 35 cm, plus one hand item such as a backpack or handbag. If your family is travelling with extra bags or large boxes, a private transfer is usually easier.

Getting from the station to your hotel

Neither Makkah nor Madinah station is next to the Haram. The railway lists shuttle buses to Al-Haram from both stations, and taxis are another option. Stations also offer wheelchairs for people with special needs, prayer rooms and luggage trolleys.

How to choose for each leg

Arrival: many people arrive tired and, if heading straight to Makkah for Umrah, already in ihram. A pre-booked car to your hotel door keeps it simple.
Makkah to Madinah: the train is a good choice if your luggage fits the allowance. Add the onward journey from the station to your hotel when you plan your day.
Departure: book the return leg in advance and allow plenty of time for traffic and airport checks.

Common mistakes to avoid

Forgetting the onward journey from the station to your hotel when you plan around the train.
Booking a car that is too small for your group's luggage.
Leaving the departure transfer until the last day, when it is harder to arrange.
Not saving your booking confirmations offline in case you have no signal on arrival. An eSIM for Saudi Arabia helps here.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Jeddah airport to Makkah?

By pre-booked private car, by taxi, or by the Haramain High Speed Railway from the King Abdulaziz International Airport station to Makkah station, followed by a short onward journey to your hotel.

Is there a train from Makkah to Madinah?

Yes. The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah and Madinah, with stops including Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport. Book on the official website, in the app or at a station ticket office.

How much luggage can I take on the Haramain train?

One large piece of luggage per passenger, up to 25 kg and no bigger than 65 x 55 x 35 cm, plus one hand item such as a backpack or handbag, according to the railway's baggage rules.

Does the Haramain train go to the Haram?

No. Makkah and Madinah stations are away from the Haram. The railway lists shuttle buses to Al-Haram from both stations, or you can take a taxi.

Should I book my Umrah transfers in advance?

For arrival and departure, yes: booking ahead means your car is arranged before you land or check out. For the train, book ahead for busy periods such as Ramadan.

Plan the rest of your trip

Transfers are step four of planning your own Umrah from the UK. The DIY Umrah Planner takes you through every step in order, and if you would rather have help, ask TravAir: we can advise, send a quote or book your transfers for you.

Sources: Haramain High Speed Railway: about us, station services and baggage rules, checked 29 September 2026. Cover photo: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.