Practical Guide

Traveling to Saudi Arabia 12 min read Getting to Madinah The fastest way of getting to Madinah from Makkah is the Haramain high-speed train, covering the 450 km route in about 2 hours 20… Traveling to Saudi Arabia 13 min read The Haramain High-Speed Railway The Haramain railway links Makkah, Jeddah city, Jeddah airport (KAIA), KAEC and Madinah at up to 300 km/h, covering Makkah-Madinah in about 2h20-2h35 and… Traveling to Saudi Arabia 12 min read Using Taxis, Uber, and Careem Careem, Uber and the local app Jeeny all operate in Makkah and Madinah as of mid-2026, with short city rides typically SAR 15-35 and… Traveling to Saudi Arabia 13 min read Performing Umrah Soon After Arrival There is no fiqh requirement to perform Umrah immediately after arrival - you simply remain in ihram, and sleeping, showering with unscented soap and… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 15 min read First Arrival in Makkah When arriving in Makkah, go to your hotel first: check in, rest and eat while keeping your ihram restrictions, then perform Umrah in a… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 12 min read Understanding the Haram Area The Haram is the sacred zone around the Kaaba, not just the mosque. Its boundary markers stand on every approach road — nearest at… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 13 min read Hotel Distances Explained Makkah hotel distances are usually measured in a straight line to the mosque’s outer perimeter, not the walking route to a usable gate. As… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 12 min read Navigating Around the Haram To find your way around Masjid al-Haram, anchor everything to your gate number (the system runs around the perimeter: King Abdulaziz Gate 1, King… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 13 min read Finding Food and Essentials Food in Makkah runs on a simple rule: the further from the Haram, the cheaper the meal. Cafeterias in Ajyad and Misfalah serve full… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 13 min read Shopping in Makkah Shopping in Makkah rewards those who leave the tower malls: the Clock Tower shops are tourist-priced, while the Aziziyah and Al Utaibiyyah markets sell… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 12 min read Using Public Restrooms in the Haram Areas Toilets at Masjid al-Haram sit mostly in large underground complexes beneath the courtyards, with numbered, signed entrances near the major gates — not inside… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 12 min read Finding Quiet Places for Worship The quietest times at Masjid al-Haram are from about an hour after Fajr until late morning, and between roughly 1am and 3am. For quiet… Understanding Makkah and Madinah 12 min read Safety Around the Haram and Avoiding Scams Makkah and Madinah are very safe, but pilgrims should know the common scams: unlicensed wheelchair pushers who triple the price mid-service, sellers of “special…