Jeddah to Makkah Distance: How Far Is It and How Long Does It Take?
Quick answer
Driving distance
Roughly 85–95 km by road
Driving time
Typically 60–90 minutes
Straight-line (great-circle) distance
About 68 km as the crow flies
The driving distance depends heavily on your exact start point — from King Abdulaziz International Airport it's closer to 85 km, while from central Jeddah it can run to 95 km or more. Straight-line distance is not usable for travel planning; it's included only for reference.
Jeddah to Makkah: distance in detail
Jeddah to Makkah is one of the shortest and most heavily travelled city-pairs in Saudi Arabia, but published distance figures genuinely vary — from around 82 km to roughly 95 km, depending on which point in each city is used as the start and end. A pickup from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), on Jeddah's north side, is closer to Makkah than a pickup from central or southern Jeddah.
The road distance and the straight-line (great-circle) distance are two different numbers and shouldn't be confused: the straight-line distance between the two cities is around 68 km, but no road runs in a straight line, so that figure isn't useful for planning an actual trip.
Travel time
Under normal conditions, the drive takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes on Highway 40, the controlled-access motorway connecting the two cities. This is the single most common intercity journey in the Kingdom, since most pilgrims arriving by air land in Jeddah and continue directly to Makkah.
Travel time extends during Ramadan and the Hajj season, when both the highway and the roads immediately around Makkah carry significantly higher volume, and some sources cite a realistic range of 90 to 120 minutes during these peak periods rather than the off-peak 60–90 minute figure.
Fastest option
Private car or taxi, door to door in under 90 minutes off-peak
Most budget-friendly
SAPTCO intercity bus
Key fact
Makkah has no airport of its own — Jeddah (JED) is the nearest, about 97 km away
How to travel from Jeddah to Makkah
Private car / taxi
Duration: 60–90 minutes (longer in peak season)
Best for: Most travellers, especially those arriving with luggage or as a family or group
Advantages: Door-to-door, no transfers, flexible timing, direct from the airport terminal
Limitations: Subject to road traffic, particularly around Makkah during Ramadan and Hajj
Haramain High-Speed Railway
Duration: Part of the wider Jeddah–Makkah–Madinah line, running at up to 300 km/h
Best for: Travellers comfortable managing their own luggage between the airport, train station, and hotel
Advantages: Fast, fixed schedule, avoids road traffic entirely
Limitations: The Makkah station sits in the Al Rusaifah district, about 3–4 km from the Haram, so a further local transfer is needed to reach central Makkah or a Haram-area hotel
SAPTCO intercity bus
Duration: Longer than a direct drive, subject to the bus schedule
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers without heavy luggage
Advantages: Lower cost, part of a nationwide network connecting all major Saudi cities
Limitations: Fixed departure times and a shared vehicle, less flexible than a private transfer
Arriving in Jeddah and continuing to Makkah
Makkah itself has no airport — air travel access to Makkah is not possible, since no aircraft are permitted to fly over the city for religious reasons. Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, about 97 km from central Makkah, is the closest and by far the most commonly used gateway; Taif Regional Airport, roughly 109 km away on the other side of Makkah, is a secondary option some travellers use.
Because Makkah has no airport of its own, every visitor arriving by air — the large majority of pilgrims — makes this exact Jeddah-to-Makkah leg by road or by the Haramain train, which is part of why it's one of the busiest short-haul intercity routes in the country.
Planning to make this journey by private vehicle? See our Jeddah to Makkah transfer service for fixed-price private transfers, vehicle options, and booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Jeddah Airport from Makkah?
About 85 km by road from King Abdulaziz International Airport, though this varies depending on the exact area of Makkah you're travelling to.
How many kilometres is Jeddah from Makkah in total?
Road distance is generally cited between 82 and 95 km depending on the exact start and end points used; the straight-line distance is about 68 km.
Is there a train between Jeddah and Makkah?
Yes — the Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Jeddah (both the King Abdulaziz Airport station and the central Al Sulaymaniyah station) to Makkah, though the Makkah station itself is a few kilometres from the Haram, requiring a further local transfer.
Does travel time change during Ramadan or Hajj?
Yes, both road and general travel times increase during these peak periods due to significantly higher traffic volume on the approach to Makkah.
Is a private car practical for this journey?
Yes — at under 90 minutes off-peak, it's the most common way pilgrims and visitors make this trip, particularly with luggage or as a family group.
Sources
- Distance between Jeddah and Makkah (distancebetween2.com)
- Jeddah to Mecca driving distance (travelmath.com)
- Haramain High-Speed Railway overview (Visit Saudi)
- Why there is no airport in Makkah, and the nearest airports (hotelsplatform.com)
- SAPTCO — Saudi Public Transport Company overview (Wikipedia)
Distances and travel times are approximate and can vary by exact starting point, route taken, and traffic or seasonal conditions. Last checked 2026-08-23.