Umrah from Madinah: Ihram at Abyar Ali and the Drive to Makkah
If you begin your trip in Madinah and travel on to Makkah for Umrah, you enter ihram at the miqat of Dhul Hulayfah, known as Abyar Ali, on the southern side of the city. By car the order is simple: hotel, a stop at the Miqat Mosque to wash, change and make your intention, then about 430 kilometres south to Makkah, usually four and a half to five and a half hours with a rest stop. A pre booked chauffeur waits at the miqat, carries the luggage once and drops you at your Makkah hotel. Madinah to Makkah is quoted per route and fixed in writing.
Many pilgrims now start in Madinah. They fly into Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, spend a few days near the Prophet's Mosque, and only then travel to Makkah to perform Umrah. It is a calmer way to begin, but it changes one important detail: your ihram starts in Madinah, not on arrival in Jeddah.
This guide walks through that day from the hotel door to the Makkah hotel: when to leave, what happens at Abyar Ali, how the drive south works, and how to plan it for a family or a group. It is the practical companion to our Makkah to Madinah by road guide and our Madinah airport to the Haram guide, and it assumes the religious rulings come from your own scholar or group leader. We cover the logistics.
The Day in Brief
| Miqat | Dhul Hulayfah, also called Abyar Ali, on the southern side of Madinah |
| From central hotels | Usually a short drive, often 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic |
| Time at the miqat | Allow 30 to 45 minutes to wash, change, pray and make your intention |
| Madinah to Makkah | About 430 kilometres by road |
| Driving time | Usually four and a half to five and a half hours with one rest stop |
| Luggage | Loaded once at the Madinah hotel, unloaded once at the Makkah hotel |
| Price | Madinah to Makkah quoted per route and fixed in writing before travel |
Why Starting in Madinah Changes the Plan
Pilgrims who fly into Jeddah from abroad usually pass their miqat in the air and enter ihram before landing. Pilgrims who start in Madinah do it on the ground, at the miqat appointed for the people of Madinah. Dhul Hulayfah is the farthest miqat from Makkah, which is why the onward journey is a long one.
In practice this means three things. You need clean ihram garments packed where you can reach them, not at the bottom of a suitcase. You need time at the mosque that is not rushed by a train departure or a waiting coach. And once you are in ihram, the restrictions apply for the whole drive, so the vehicle, the stops and the arrival at the Makkah hotel should all be settled before you leave Madinah.
Leaving the Madinah Hotel
Choosing the Departure Time
Work backwards from when you want to begin Umrah in Makkah. Many families prefer to arrive in the evening or late at night, rest briefly at the hotel, and perform Umrah when the Haram is cooler and calmer. Others leave after Fajr to arrive in the afternoon. Add roughly six to seven hours from hotel door to hotel door: the short drive to the miqat, time at the mosque, the main drive and one proper stop. Plan around the five daily prayers, which the chauffeur will stop for.
What to Have Ready
- Ihram garments, unscented toiletries and sandals in a small bag that travels in the cabin, not in the boot.
- Passports, hotel confirmations and your Nusuk permit details if your group uses them.
- Water, dates and any medication for the journey.
- A phone charger; the car can charge devices on the way.
Check out after the chauffeur confirms arrival at the lobby. The bags are counted and loaded once, and they stay in the vehicle at the miqat.
At Abyar Ali
The Miqat Mosque at Dhul Hulayfah, also known as Masjid al Shajarah, is a large mosque with washing and changing facilities and plenty of space for families. The chauffeur sets you down near the entrance and waits in the parking area, so you are not watching a clock.
Washing and Changing
Men change into the two white garments of ihram; women wear their usual modest clothing. Many pilgrims take a ritual bath at the hotel before leaving, which shortens the time needed at the mosque. Follow the guidance of your scholar or group leader on the details.
Prayer and Intention
Pilgrims commonly pray at the mosque, then make the intention for Umrah and begin the talbiyah before setting off. Once you return to the car you are in ihram, and the journey to Makkah begins.
Busy Times
The mosque is busiest when large groups leave together, often after the main prayers and on weekends. A private car lets you choose a quieter window rather than moving with a coach timetable.
The Drive South to Makkah
From Abyar Ali the route runs south on the main highway towards Makkah, about 430 kilometres in all. On a clear day it takes four and a half to five and a half hours including one rest stop. The road is wide and well served by fuel stations and prayer areas.
Stops on the Way
Most travellers stop once, roughly halfway, for prayer, refreshments and a short walk. Families with young children or elderly parents often stop twice. Tell the chauffeur in advance and the stops are planned around the prayer times.
Arriving in Makkah
Hotels near Masjid al Haram sit inside a busy central zone, and access can be managed at peak times. Your chauffeur takes you to the nearest permitted drop point for your hotel and helps with the bags. If you would like to rest before Umrah, ask the hotel in advance about early check in.
Car or Train for This Journey
The Haramain train is faster on the long leg, and for a light traveller it is a good choice. Pilgrims usually change into ihram before boarding, then ride to Makkah station, which is about 3.5 kilometres from the Haram, and take a taxi or shuttle for the last part. For families, heavy luggage or elderly travellers, a car that stops at the miqat and goes straight to the hotel removes two changes and two luggage handovers. Our Haramain train or chauffeur guide compares the two in detail.
Planning for Families and Groups
Size the vehicle to the bags as well as the passengers. A family with a week of luggage and Zamzam on the way home needs more space than the seat count suggests. Our fleet page has full specifications, and group transport covers coaches for larger parties. Our guide to Umrah group vehicles explains how to choose for each group size.
| Party | Suggested vehicle |
|---|---|
| One to three travellers | Lexus ES, BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S Class |
| Family of four to six with full luggage | GMC Yukon or Mercedes V Class |
| Seven to eleven people | Hyundai Staria, Hyundai H1, Toyota Hiace or Mercedes Sprinter |
| Groups up to 21 | Toyota Coaster |
| Larger groups | 34 or 47 seat coach |
For elderly parents or anyone who tires easily, the private car is the simplest option because nobody leaves the vehicle between the miqat and the hotel except at the stops you choose. Our guide to Umrah with elderly parents has more on pacing the day.
Before and After: Ziyarat and the Return
Many pilgrims spend the days before the drive visiting the sites of Madinah, such as Quba Mosque and Mount Uhud, with a full day chauffeur. Our Ziyarat planning guide lists the main sites in both cities. After Umrah, the same chauffeur arrangement covers the way home: our departure guide explains timing for the Makkah to Jeddah airport departure, and pilgrims returning to Madinah can use our Makkah to Madinah road guide.
What It Costs
Madinah to Makkah, with the stop at Abyar Ali included, is quoted per route for every vehicle and fixed in writing before you travel. Distance, vehicle class, waiting time and the number of stops all go into the figure. If you also plan a day in Jeddah, the published Jeddah full day rates below apply. All figures are in SAR from our pricing page.
| Vehicle | Seats | Madinah to Makkah | Jeddah 12 hour day | Extra hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Fortuner | 6 | Quoted per route | 1,380 | 115 |
| Ford Taurus sedan | 3 | Quoted per route | 1,725 | 140 |
| Lexus ES | 3 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| Hyundai H1 | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| GMC Yukon | 6 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 185 |
| Toyota Hiace | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| Hyundai Staria | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,300 | 210 |
| Toyota Coaster | 21 | Quoted per route | 2,300 | 210 |
| Mercedes V Class | 5 | Quoted per route | 4,025 | 370 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 7 | Quoted per route | 4,370 | 405 |
| BMW 7 Series | 3 | Quoted per route | 4,600 | 440 |
| Mercedes S Class | 3 | Quoted per route | 4,830 | 460 |
Corporate accounts and group programmes are quoted separately.
How Booking Works
Send the Madinah hotel, the Makkah hotel, the passenger count, the number of bags and your preferred departure time. We confirm the vehicle, the miqat stop, the collection time and the fixed price in writing. The evening before, you receive the chauffeur's name and number. We operate in Madinah and Makkah every day, and our airport transfers page explains the meeting points if you are arriving by air.
Planning Tips
- Pack ihram garments in a cabin bag, not in the main luggage.
- Take a ritual bath at the hotel to shorten the time at the mosque.
- Leave a margin of at least 30 to 45 minutes for the miqat.
- Agree the rest stops and prayer stops with the chauffeur before you set off.
- Ask your Makkah hotel about early check in if you will arrive before the usual time.
- Check the latest travel advisories on the morning of travel, as conditions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the miqat for pilgrims travelling from Madinah to Makkah?
At Dhul Hulayfah, known as Abyar Ali, on the southern side of Madinah. The Miqat Mosque there is also called Masjid al Shajarah.
Can the chauffeur stop at Abyar Ali on the way to Makkah?
Yes. The stop is planned into every Madinah to Makkah transfer. The chauffeur waits in the parking area while you wash, change, pray and make your intention.
How long should I allow at the miqat?
Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Families and groups usually need the longer end, and a ritual bath at the hotel beforehand saves time.
How long is the drive from Abyar Ali to Makkah?
About 430 kilometres from Madinah, usually four and a half to five and a half hours with one rest stop.
Is the train or a car better for Umrah from Madinah?
The train is faster for light travellers who change into ihram before boarding. A car is simpler for families, heavy luggage and elderly travellers because it stops at the miqat and goes straight to the hotel.
How much is a chauffeur from Madinah to Makkah?
Madinah to Makkah is quoted per route and fixed in writing before you travel. Send your hotels, passengers and bags to +966 56 644 0190 for an exact figure.
Planning to start your Umrah in Madinah? Email info@roarkchauffeur.com or call +966 56 644 0190. Our published rates are the starting point for every quote.
