Travelling between Makkah and Madinah is one of the biggest decisions in any Umrah itinerary. You have two good options: the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which covers the journey in about two and a half hours, or a private taxi, which takes four to five hours but goes door to door. Which one is right depends on how many of you are travelling, how much luggage you have and whether you need to stop at the Miqat.
The quick answer
Take the train if you are one or two adults travelling light, your hotel is close to the Haram and you are happy to manage station transfers. Take a private taxi if you are a family or group of three or more, travelling with elderly parents or young children, carrying more than one large suitcase each, or going from Madinah to Makkah and want to stop at the Miqat to enter Ihram.
Train vs taxi: side-by-side comparison
| Haramain train | Private taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 2 h 20 min station to station | 4–5 hours hotel to hotel |
| Total door-to-door time | 4–5 hours including station transfers, security and waiting | 4–5 hours, no changes |
| Price | Per person, roughly SAR 120–250 one way in economy depending on date | Per vehicle: from SAR 402 for up to 4 passengers |
| Luggage | One checked bag up to 25 kg plus one small cabin bag per passenger | All your luggage; larger vehicles for big families |
| Pickup | From the station (Makkah station is in Rusaifah, about 4 km from the Haram) | From your hotel lobby |
| Miqat stop | Not possible — enter Ihram before boarding | Stop at Masjid Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) |
| Breaks | None needed | Stop for prayer, food or the bathroom whenever you like |
| Availability | Fixed timetable; peak dates sell out | Any time, 24/7 |
The real cost for families and groups
The train ticket price is only part of the cost. You also need a taxi from your hotel to the station, and another from the station to your hotel at the other end. With luggage, and during busy periods around prayer times, those short rides can cost SAR 30–70 each.
Because a private taxi is priced per vehicle, the more of you there are, the cheaper it gets per person:
| Group | Train (estimate) | Private taxi (fixed) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults | ≈ SAR 300–500 + two station taxis | SAR 402 (Toyota Camry) |
| Family of 5 | ≈ SAR 750–1,250 + two station taxis | SAR 402 (Toyota Innova) |
| 7 passengers | ≈ SAR 1,050–1,750 + two station taxis | SAR 460 (Hyundai Staria) |
| 12 passengers | ≈ SAR 1,800–3,000 + several station taxis | SAR 575 (Toyota HiAce) |
Train figures are estimates based on typical economy fares; check the official Haramain railway website for the price on your date. Taxi prices are our fixed fares — see the full Makkah to Madinah taxi page for every vehicle.
When the train is the better choice
- You are travelling solo or as a couple with one suitcase each.
- Your hotel is walking distance from the station, or you are comfortable arranging station taxis.
- You want the fastest time on the move — the train is the quickest way to cover the 400+ km between the two cities.
- You booked tickets early. Trains around Ramadan, Eid and school holidays fill up quickly, and last-minute fares are higher.
Tip: arrive at the station at least 45–60 minutes before departure. Security and boarding gates close before the train leaves, and missed trains are not refunded.
When a private taxi is the better choice
- Families and groups of three or more — one price for the whole vehicle usually works out cheaper than tickets plus station transfers.
- Elderly or less mobile pilgrims — no station walking, escalators or platform crowds. You get in at your hotel and get out at your next hotel.
- Lots of luggage — especially on the way home, when bags are full of dates, Zamzam and gifts.
- Travelling with children — stop whenever you need to, and keep everyone together.
- Late-night or early-morning travel — leave when it suits you, not when the timetable says.
- Madinah to Makkah for Umrah — stop at the Miqat to change into Ihram properly (see below).
Going to Makkah? Don't forget the Miqat
If you are travelling from Madinah to Makkah to perform Umrah, you must enter Ihram before passing the Miqat. For pilgrims coming from Madinah, this is Dhul Hulayfah, at Masjid Abyar Ali on the edge of the city.
By taxi, your driver stops at the mosque so you can do ghusl, change into Ihram, pray two rak'ahs and make your intention. On the train there is no stop, so you need to be in Ihram before you board — something many first-time pilgrims find difficult in a busy station.
Book a private Makkah ↔ Madinah transfer
Fixed prices from SAR 402, hotel-to-hotel, with a Miqat stop on request. Book on WhatsApp 24/7 — see Makkah to Madinah or Madinah to Makkah.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Haramain train from Makkah to Madinah?
About 2 hours 20 minutes station to station. Add time for getting to the station, security and the transfer at the other end, and the total is usually 4–5 hours.
How long does a taxi take from Makkah to Madinah?
Around 4–5 hours for roughly 420 km on the highway, including a short rest stop. Your driver picks you up from your hotel and drops you at your hotel.
Is the train cheaper than a taxi?
For one or two people travelling light, the train is often cheaper. For three or more people, a private taxi is usually cheaper once you add station transfers, because the taxi price is per vehicle, not per person.
Can I take a lot of luggage on the Haramain train?
Each passenger is allowed one checked bag up to 25 kg and one small cabin bag. Extra or oversized luggage can be a problem, so families with many bags usually prefer a taxi.
Can I put on Ihram on the train?
The train does not stop at the Miqat, so you should be in Ihram before boarding. If you want to change at the Miqat mosque, a taxi is the easier option.
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