Makkah to Madinah: 3 Best Travel Options , Car, VIP Bus & Haramain Train
A private taxi from Makkah to Madinah costs a fixed 500 SAR for a 4-seat sedan, covers 435 km, and takes 4.5 to 5 hours by road. The Haramain train covers the same route in 2 hours 20 minutes at a per-person fare of roughly SAR 49–250. For a solo traveller the train usually wins; for a family or group, the maths often favours the car.
The Short Version
| Option | Price basis | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car | Fixed 500–900 SAR per vehicle | 4.5–5 hrs | Families, groups, anyone with significant luggage |
| Haramain train | Per person, SAR 49–250 | 2 hrs 20 min | Solo travellers or couples prioritising speed |
| VIP/shared bus | Per person, generally lower cost, longer duration | Comparable to or longer than private car | Budget travellers comfortable with a shared vehicle |
Makkah to Madinah Private Car Fares by Vehicle
| Vehicle | Fare (Makkah → Madinah) |
|---|---|
| Toyota Premium / Hyundai Sonata (4-seat) | 500 SAR |
| Hyundai Starex H1 / Staria (7-seat) | 550 SAR |
| Hiace Premium (11-seat) | 650 SAR |
| Coaster Premium (19-seat) | 900 SAR |
For travellers comparing Makkah to Madinah transport options, the fixed per-vehicle fare becomes more attractive as the group size increases.
Need a Private Transfer for Your Group?
The Per-Person Maths, Worked Out
This is where the decision actually gets made, so here it is worked out rather than left vague
| Group size | Private sedan/van total | Per person (car) | Train (est. per person) | Train total for the group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (solo) | 500 SAR | 500 SAR | ~49–250 SAR | ~49–250 SAR |
| 2 (couple) | 500 SAR | 250 SAR | ~49–250 SAR each | ~98–500 SAR |
| 4 (family) | 550 SAR (7-seat) | ~138 SAR | ~49–250 SAR each | ~196–1,000 SAR |
| 7 (group) | 650 SAR (11-seat) | ~93 SAR | ~49–250 SAR each | ~343–1,750 SAR |
At the upper end of train pricing, a family of four or a group of seven can end up paying more in total for train tickets than for a single private vehicle, and that’s before adding the cost and hassle of getting from your Makkah hotel to the station and from the Madinah station to your Madinah hotel.
What the Train Doesn’t Include
The 2 hours 20 minutes is train time only. Add getting from your Makkah hotel to the Haramain station, checking in, the transfer at the Madinah station to your hotel, and managing luggage through two stations rather than one continuous door-to-door trip. For a solo traveller with one bag, this is a minor addition. For a family with children, elderly parents, or more than a couple of suitcases each, it adds real friction that a private car simply doesn’t have. The right choice for Makkah to Madinah depends on whether your priority is the lowest individual fare, the shortest travel time, or door-to-door convenience.
Prefer a Direct Door-to-Door Journey?
The Miqat Consideration
If you’re travelling from Madinah to Makkah rather than the other direction, a private car includes a stop at the Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) Miqat, so you can enter Ihram before continuing, something the train route doesn’t accommodate in the same way, since you’d need to handle the Miqat stop separately.
What This Means for Your Trip
Couple: close to a wash on cost; the train wins on speed, the car wins on door-to-door convenience and not managing two station transfers.
Family of four or more: the private car is very often cheaper in total, always simpler logistically, and keeps everyone together in one vehicle rather than coordinating tickets and platforms.
Elderly parents or anyone needing extra time and comfort: a private car with a rest stop included is the more comfortable option regardless of the cost comparison.
Group of 7+: a single 11-seat or 19-seat vehicle is both cheaper and dramatically simpler than coordinating a group through train booking and two station transfers.
What’s the actual distance between Makkah and Madinah?
435 km by road.
How long does the drive between Makkah and Madinah take?
4.5 to 5 hours, including a rest stop.
How much is the Haramain train between Makkah and Madinah?
Roughly SAR 49–250 per person, depending on class and how far ahead you book
Is the private car fare per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. A 4-seat sedan at 500 SAR is the same price whether one or four people travel in it
Does the private car stop at the Miqat?
Yes, travelling from Madinah to Makkah, the route includes a stop at the Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) Miqat at no extra charge.
Which is faster overall, door to door — car or train?
The train is faster in pure travel time (2h20m vs 4.5–5 hrs), but once you add transfers to and from both Haramain stations, the door-to-door time gap narrows meaningfully, especially for groups
Can I book the Haramain train and a private car for different legs of my trip?
Yes, many pilgrims mix the two, for example, taking the train one way and a private car the other, depending on group size and schedule for each leg