People visiting KIAJ (JED) in Jeddah airport usually proceed to the holy site, Holy Mosque in Makkah (Al-Haram) that forms the core of Islamic haj. If you are visiting KSA for hajj or umrah, or have any religious or business concern in Makkah, Handy guide will assist you to understand the fare structure of the taxi from Jedda airport to Haram. There is often a question about the expected fares, factors, which affect the taxi price and recommendations of a.advanced travel in the article.
Taxi Fare Overview: Jeddah Airport to Haram
The distance from KZA to Al-Haram which encompasses Makkah’s Grand Mosque is approximately 80 to 100km (50-62mls). The trip usually lasts from 1 to 1.5 hours excluding traffic congestion on particular roads. The rate may cost between 150SAR to 250SAR, which is equivalent to 40USD- 67 USD. Possible additional charges include the time of day, traffic and the type of car which is being hired.
Factors Affecting the Fare
Distance and Route:
When taking a driver, then the distance covered by him or her determines the total fare. The shortest would be most probably along Mekkah-Jeddah Highway also known as Route 5. Nevertheless, when there is either a lot of traffic, or any other conditions that hinder a fast movement, one has to take a longer route or even go round a given area.
Traffic Conditions: Such congestions can cause the cost to shoot up especially when the driver picks passengers from certain areas during rush hour or any other period of high passenger traffic such as during the Hajj season or even during Ramadam. Be prepared for longer time in vehicles, turbulence and probably, higher prices.
Time of Day: If you travel during the daytime and especially at peak hours of the day which include morning and evening rush hours, the travel time will likely increase, thus the fare, and arrival at the destination. Prices may be a teensy bit lower during night ride or during the wee hours of the morning.
Type of Taxi: For this journey, hence there are various types of taxis available for use. The normal taxis are cheaper than the phantoms and coming as a personal car hailer or a limousine which comes with its expensive charges. Te Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Careem also offer readily understandable price estimates that vary depending on the supply and demand and the prevailing circumstances.
- Taxi Services: What They Offer
Regular Taxis: These are the most popular in case one wishes to hire means from Jeddah Airport to Haram. Local taxis are easily identified at the airport taxi ranks and their drivers can charge either per the meter or a fixed price. The fare commonly floats between 150 SAR and 200 SAR, depending on flow and selected path.
Private Limousine Services: For those individuals who want to travel in a little more luxury and in the comfort of a private car, then limousine only is the best option. These may be ordered in advance from specialized companies. Though still expensive it is well understood that the fare for a premium service may lie between SAR 250 and SAR 400.
Estimating the Taxi Fare: What to Expect
Standard Taxi: The cost of a normal Taxi ranges from SAR 150 – SAR 200 depending on traffic, waiting time and the distance traveled. The fare is usually based on some kind of a metering system, however it is advisable that one should negotiate with the driver on the fare charge before embarking on the journey.
Private Limousine: Another luxurious car will cost between SAR 250 SAR 400 depending on the quality of the ride. These services provide comfortable chairs and can be equipped with such additional services as Internet connection or snacks.
Additional Considerations
Surge Pricing: This means that at certain times such as; during the hajj season, ramadan, or during the long weekends, your fare can be a bit higher than usual. Some of the ride-hailing services such as Uber and Careem use the surge pricing option that makes your fare to be very high.
Luggage Fees: Certain companies may have an additional charges for items considered large or extra luggage they carry in the taxi. If you are bringing more than one piece of luggage or any equipment, this is probably the right time to discuss the charges with the driver.
Payment Methods: Even today, most of the taxi services in Saudi Arabia use cash payments but using Uber or Careem services – credit card payments or in-app payments are possible. In normal taxi, it is expected that you should have cash preferably in Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR).
Traveling During Hajj and Ramadan: If you are to travel during hajj or ramadan you expect to experience time delay and long distance journey because of the large number of pilgrims. Taxis in KSA can be hired through a taxi meter or by fixing a fee, however, the streets of Jeddah and Makkah are most often crowded especially during the Hajj season; hence, taxi owners sometimes charge more during this period.
Agree on the Fare: In case of taking a normal taxi, it is advisable to discuss the fare charge with the driver before he/she starts driving. In general it is always wise to discuss or ask for a fare estimate before hiring a taxi.
fares which are fixed in advance. It is generally faster and safer than standard taxi since it can easily get information regarding the location in the regional language.
Leave Extra Time: Makkah and Jeddah are two of the most populated regions in the kingdom, especially during the holly months. This is because it will also be better to count additional time for some reasons such as sticking in traffic or any other related issue on the road.
Conclusion
The cost of a taxi from Jeddah Airport to haram can cost between SAR 150 to SAR 250 in essence the cost depend on type of taxi used, traffic, time of the day among others. If you want more comfort or some kind of a luxurious car, you can always make use of the private cars for rent and the charges ranges from SAR 250, 300 and 400for some of these cars. For clear prices, I recommend booking Uber or Careem and remember that you usually need to add extra time for traffic. Whether its for Hajj, Umrah or vacation visiting the holy land is not cheap so it is good to know the cost implication of the journey and plan ahead so that the exercise from Jedda airport to Haram can be as comfortable and hussle free as possible.
