How far is Makkah from Madinah? The answer is about 450 kilometres (around 280 miles) by road. How long it takes depends on how you travel: roughly four and a half to five hours by private taxi, under two and a half hours on the Haramain high-speed train, and longer by bus. This guide gives the distance, the real travel time for each option and what each one costs.
How far is Makkah from Madinah?
By road the two holy cities are about 450 kilometres apart, which is roughly 280 miles. Different sources quote slightly different figures, from about 450 km to around 470 km or more, because the exact length depends on where in each city you start and finish and which route you take. The Haramain high-speed railway covers a similar distance of about 450 km between its Makkah and Madinah stations.
How long does it take to travel from Makkah to Madinah?
Travel time depends on the mode of transport. These are typical figures for planning:
| How you travel | Typical time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private taxi or car | About 4.5 to 5 hours | Hotel to hotel, flexible stops, easiest with luggage |
| Haramain high-speed train | Under 2.5 hours on the train | Stations are outside the centres, so add taxi transfers at both ends |
| Bus | About 5 to 7 hours | Cheapest per person, fixed timetable and stops |
| Flight | About 1 hour in the air | Airport procedures make the full trip much longer |
How long does it take to drive from Makkah to Madinah?
Plan on four and a half to five hours by car, including one short stop for prayer or food. Traffic, checkpoints and weather can add time, and the road is busiest during Ramadan, Fridays and school holidays. Leaving in the morning means you arrive in Madinah in the afternoon with time to rest before Maghrib.
How far are the other main Umrah journeys?
Most pilgrims also travel between the airports and their hotels. These are the usual distances and times:
| Journey | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah airport to Makkah | About 85 to 95 km (53 to 59 miles) | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Jeddah airport to Madinah | About 420 km (260 miles) | 4 to 4.5 hours |
| Madinah airport to Madinah hotel | About 15 to 20 km (10 to 12 miles) | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Madinah to Badr and back | About 300 km round trip | 5 to 6 hours |
| Makkah to Madinah via Badr | About 480 km | 5.5 to 6.5 hours with the visit |
Is there a train from Makkah to Madinah?
Yes. The Haramain high-speed railway runs about 450 km and links Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz Airport, King Abdullah Economic City and Madinah, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. Makkah to Madinah takes under two and a half hours on board. Economy fares have been reported at around SAR 150 for Makkah to Madinah, but fares and timetables change, so check the official booking site before you travel.
The Makkah station is about 3.5 km from Masjid al-Haram, so you still need a vehicle to and from the station. We run fixed-price taxis to both Makkah train station and Madinah train station.
How much is a taxi from Makkah to Madinah?
Our private taxi from Makkah to Madinah costs SAR 380 for a sedan (up to 3 passengers), SAR 400 for a Hyundai Staria (up to 7), SAR 500 for a Toyota Hiace (up to 10), SAR 800 for a GMC Yukon XL (up to 5) and SAR 775 for a Toyota Coaster (up to 18). The price is per vehicle, so seven people in a Staria pay about SAR 57 each. You pay when you reach your destination, with no prepayment.
Which option is best for families and elderly pilgrims?
For families, elderly parents and anyone with heavy luggage, a private taxi is usually the most comfortable choice. You are collected at your hotel, load the bags once, can stop for prayer or rest, and are dropped at the door in Madinah. The train is faster on the track, but the station transfers, security and boarding take effort. If you want to see the Badr battlefield on the way, only a private car makes that practical. Our via Badr transfer adds the visit to your journey.
Travelling from Madinah to Makkah for Umrah
If you travel the other way and plan to enter ihram on the road, the Miqat for people coming from Madinah is Masjid Dhul Hulayfah, also called Abyar Ali. Tell your driver when you book so the stop is planned. Our guide to the Miqat for Umrah explains where each pilgrim should put on ihram.