Getting between Makkah and Madinah is the one journey every Umrah and Hajj pilgrim makes, and in 2026 you have three real options. The Haramain high-speed train is fastest (~2 hours 20 minutes). The SAPTCO/NW bus is the cheapest. A private car is the best value for families, groups and anyone with luggage, because you pay per vehicle, door to door. Here is the honest comparison — real times, real fares, and the one thing most guides leave out: the station-to-Haram “last mile”.
How far is Makkah from Madinah — and how long does it take?
Makkah and Madinah are about 436 km apart by road (roughly 4 hours 18 minutes of driving). The Haramain railway covers a 453 km line and does it in about 2 hours 20 minutes. The honest side-by-side:
| Option | Time | Rough cost (per person / per vehicle) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haramain train | ~2 h 20 m | ~105–150 SAR economy, ~190–260 SAR business (verify on sar.hhr.sa) | Solo travellers, couples, light luggage |
| SAPTCO / NW bus | ~6 h 55 m – 7 h 25 m | ~50–170 SAR | Tightest budgets, flexible dates |
| Private car | ~4.5 h | from 400 SAR per vehicle (not per person) | Families, groups, elderly, heavy luggage |
Distances and drive time: Rome2Rio (Makkah–Madinah, verified 23 Sep 2026). Train and bus times: Rome2Rio / Arabian Trains (verified 23 Sep 2026).
Haramain high-speed train: times, stations and ticket prices
The Haramain High Speed Railway (HHR) is the fastest way between the holy cities: a 453 km line running at up to 300 km/h, opened in October 2018 and operated by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). It has five stations — Makkah (Rusaiyfah), Jeddah (Al-Sulimaniyah), Jeddah Airport (King Abdulaziz International), King Abdullah Economic City (Rabigh) and Madinah (Al Hadra).
- Journey time Makkah ↔ Madinah: about 2 h 20 m – 2 h 35 m, with roughly 5 departures a day.
- Tickets: economy is usually around 105–150 SAR and business around 190–260 SAR, depending on how early you book and the day. (Fares move — confirm the live price at sar.hhr.sa or the official HHR Train app.)
- Book direct: sar.hhr.sa or the official HHR Train app. Third-party resellers add a markup, so compare before paying.
- Luggage: carry-on sized bags are straightforward; check the current baggage rules on the official site before travel.
- The last mile matters: Makkah Haramain station sits about 2.8 km (6–8 minutes) from Masjid al-Haram, and Madinah station is a short drive from Masjid an-Nabawi. You will still need a car at each end.
If you need the final hop from the station, see our Makkah Haramain station transfer and Madinah Haramain station transfer pages — fixed fares, no meter.
Makkah to Madinah by bus (SAPTCO & NW Bus)
The bus is the cheapest option. Intercity services (SAPTCO and NW Bus among them) run from Jarwal Bus Station in Makkah to Madinah Bus Station, roughly five times a day, taking about 6 hours 55 minutes to 7 hours 25 minutes.
- Cost: roughly 50–170 SAR depending on operator and class — SAPTCO economy sits at the low end. Confirm the live fare with SAPTCO or NW Bus before you travel.
- Comfort: air-conditioned coaches, but with scheduled stops and no privacy; it is a long day.
- Best for: solo travellers on a tight budget who are not time-pressed.
Operator, frequency and fare: Rome2Rio (Makkah–Madinah bus, verified 23 Sep 2026). Check live departures with SAPTCO or NW Bus.
Private car from Makkah to Madinah — fixed fares
A private car is the option most families choose, and it is where we compete. You pay per vehicle, not per person, the driver collects you from your hotel and drops you at your next hotel, and you stop when you want. Our Makkah → Madinah fares are fixed and published:
| Vehicle | Capacity | Makkah → Madinah (fixed) |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Camry / Sonata) | up to 4 | 400 SAR |
| Staria van | up to 7 | 550 SAR |
| Toyota Hiace | up to 11 | 600 SAR |
| GMC Yukon | up to 4 | 1,000 SAR |
| GMC XL | up to 7 | 1,200 SAR |
| Toyota Coaster | up to 19 | 1,200 SAR |
How that compares: a top-ranking competitor (UmrahTransit) publishes Camry 600 / Staria 700 / GMC Yukon XL 1,200 SAR for the same Makkah → Madinah run — so our sedan is 200 SAR cheaper for the identical door-to-door trip, and a family of four travelling by train (≈4 × 105–150 SAR, plus two station taxis) often pays more than one private car. Full details and the return direction: Makkah to Madinah and Madinah to Makkah.
Travelling with a group or wanting a ziyarat stop on the way? The Makkah to Madinah via Badr route adds the Battle of Badr sites to the same corridor.
Train vs bus vs private car — which is best?
| Haramain train | SAPTCO / NW bus | Private car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | ~2 h 20 m | ~7 h | ~4.5 h |
| Price | ~105–260 SAR pp | ~50–170 SAR pp | from 400 SAR per car |
| Luggage | carry-on; you handle it | you handle it | driver handles it |
| Door-to-door | no — car at both ends | no | yes |
| Family/group | per person (adds up) | per person | per vehicle |
| Flexibility | fixed departures | fixed departures | leave when you like |
Choose the train for speed, if you are travelling alone or as a couple with light bags. Choose the bus if cost is everything. Choose a private car if you are 3+ people, travelling with elderly parents or young children, carrying luggage, or want a single door-to-door ride.
How to book your Makkah–Madinah transport
- Message us on WhatsApp +966563854175 or use the booking form.
- Tell us your dates, direction, group size and luggage.
- We confirm a fixed price for the whole car.
- Pay the driver on arrival. No deposit, no meter, no surge.
Planning the whole trip? Start with the Umrah & Hajj Transport Guide and the Umrah Taxi hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Haramain train cheaper than a private car from Makkah to Madinah? For one or two people, yes — train tickets are roughly 105–150 SAR each. For three or more, a private car is usually cheaper because you pay per vehicle: our sedan is a fixed 400 SAR for the whole car.
How long is the drive from Makkah to Madinah? About 4.5 hours on the highway (≈436 km), with rest stops available.
How long does the Haramain train take from Makkah to Madinah? About 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, with roughly five departures a day.
How much is a Makkah to Madinah bus ticket? Roughly 50–170 SAR depending on operator and class — the cheapest option — but the journey takes about 7 hours.
Where do the Makkah and Madinah train stations sit? Makkah station is in Rusaiyfah, about 2.8 km (6–8 minutes) from Masjid al-Haram; Madinah station is a short drive from Masjid an-Nabawi. You need a car at each end.
Can I add a ziyarat stop between Makkah and Madinah? Yes — the via Badr route adds the Battle of Badr sites on the same leg.
Sources & last verified (23 Sep 2026): Haramain High Speed Railway (Wikipedia; sar.hhr.sa); Makkah–Madinah train/bus times and fares (Rome2Rio; arabiantrains.com); Makkah station–Haram distance (internal research, 14 Sep 2026). Our fares are owner-approved and fixed.