Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) is about 15–20 km from Masjid al-Nabawi, a 20–30 minute drive. It is smaller and calmer than Jeddah, which is why many pilgrims prefer to arrive here first.
Madinah first, then Makkah
Arriving in Madinah means no ihram on the flight. When you travel to Makkah, the miqat is Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali), just outside Madinah, where buses and taxis stop for pilgrims to enter ihram. The Haramain train from Madinah station reaches Makkah in roughly two to two and a half hours; by road it is about 4–5 hours.
Nonstop flights from Pakistan
Madinah has nonstop services from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi on various carriers (see the route pages). Many groups fly into Madinah and out of Jeddah, or the reverse, to avoid backtracking.
Practical notes
- Immigration is usually quick; keep the Nusuk hotel confirmation handy.
- Hotels near the Haram in Madinah are generally closer and cheaper than the equivalent in Makkah.
- Ziyarat sites (Quba, Uhud, Qiblatain) are best visited by the operator's bus in the morning.