Most first-time pilgrims spend time in both Makkah and Madinah. The journey between the two cities is a few hours by road or rail, and for many people it becomes a quiet pause between two very different parts of the trip. This guide covers the practical side so the travel day feels calm rather than rushed.
If you live in Makkah, see our resident’s guide to the Haramain train from Makkah station.
Know which way you are going, and why it matters
The direction of your journey changes one important thing: ihram.
Arriving in Madinah? Our guide to getting from Madinah station or the airport into the city covers the last leg.
- Madinah to Makkah for Umrah. If you are travelling to Makkah to perform Umrah, you will need to be in ihram before you pass the miqat on your route. Your group leader will tell you where and when the group will make its intention. Many pilgrims prepare their ihram clothes and take a bath before they leave Madinah so the change on the way is simple.
- Makkah to Madinah. No ihram is needed to travel to Madinah. Madinah is not entered in ihram.
If you are unsure whether you need ihram on your journey, ask your group leader or the scholar with your group before the travel day, not on the road. For the clothes and the things to avoid, see our guide to entering ihram.
The day before you travel
A little preparation the night before saves stress in the morning.
- Pack the night before. Keep one small bag with everything you will need during the journey, and let the rest go in the main luggage.
- Check your departure time with your group or with your own transport, and confirm it again in the morning. Times sometimes move.
- Charge your phone and any power bank.
- Settle anything left in the city you are leaving: lost items, laundry, and any visits you still wanted to make.
- Sleep properly if you can. Long travel days are much harder when you are already tired.
What to keep in your travel bag
Keep this bag with you, not in the luggage hold:
- Your passport and any documents your group or the authorities have asked you to carry.
- Medicine you already take, with enough for the whole day.
- Water and a light snack.
- A small prayer mat or a clean cloth, if you like to have one.
- Your ihram clothes, if you will need them on the way.
- A light layer. Air-conditioned vehicles and carriages can feel cold after the heat outside.
- Your phone, charger, and the contact number of your group leader written on paper as well.
Prayer on the road
Travel often crosses a prayer time. A traveller has concessions in prayer, such as shortening and combining certain prayers, and the details differ between schools. Ask the scholar with your group how they recommend you pray on the travel day, and follow their guidance. Make wudu before you leave so you are ready.
Use the time well
A few hours of travel can be one of the most peaceful parts of the trip.
- Rest. Many pilgrims have been walking for days. Sleeping on the way is not wasted time.
- Remember Allah. Simple dhikr such as SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar can be said quietly at any time.
- Read a little Quran if you are comfortable reading while moving.
- If you are heading to Makkah in ihram, say the talbiyah often, as you were taught.
- Look out of the window. The landscape between the two cities has its own quiet beauty.
Travelling with elderly family or children
- Seat older family members near the aisle or the door so they can stand and stretch.
- Remind them to drink water, even if they do not feel thirsty.
- Keep children’s snacks, a change of clothes, and something to keep them busy in your travel bag.
- Plan bathroom breaks. On a road journey, use stops when they are offered, even if no one asks.
Arriving
Arrival is often the most tiring part: luggage, crowds, and finding your room.
- Stay with your group until everyone is together. Count heads before you leave the vehicle or the station.
- Check your luggage against your list before you walk away.
- Rest before the mosque. If you arrive in Makkah in ihram, it is natural to want to go straight to the Haram. If you are exhausted, ask your group leader whether there is time to rest, eat, and make wudu first. Umrah performed calmly is better than Umrah performed in a daze.
- In Madinah, take your time before your first visit to the Prophet’s Mosque. See our guide to visiting it for the first time.
A note on official rules
Rules for travel within the Kingdom, including any documents you must carry, are set by the Saudi authorities and can change. Follow your group’s instructions, and check official sources for the latest guidance.
Keep it simple
The journey between Makkah and Madinah is not a test. Prepare one small bag, ask your questions about ihram and prayer in advance, drink water, and rest. You will arrive ready for the next part of your trip.
Source: Practical arrangements change. Check the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk, and the official Saudi visa site for current entry rules.
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