Getting Around Madinah
Madinah is open to everyone, including non-Muslims, and getting around the city is generally straightforward. Most visitors base themselves near the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), and the practical options for moving between the mosque, the city's other religious landmarks, and the airport are taxis, ride-hailing apps, buses, a shuttle, and rental bikes or scooters. Walking is also a real option in the central area, with some caveats.
By Rail
Madinah is linked to Jeddah and Mecca by high-speed railway, which makes it easy to combine a visit to Madinah with other parts of western Saudi Arabia. Services are frequent, and the journey is quick: just under two hours from Jeddah and about two and a half hours from Mecca. The railway station sits on King Abdul Aziz Road, east of the city centre.
Buses and Public Transport
A new bus network debuted in Madinah in mid-2025. Routes are published on the official app and are also visible on Google Maps, so you can plan a trip from your phone. Payment is by tapping a card, though as of mid-2025 the card readers were not working reliably and drivers often let passengers board without paying. If you are relying on the bus, it is worth checking the app for current routes and payment status before you set out.
For travel between cities, the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) runs comfortable buses several times daily to and from most parts of the country at cheap rates, and there are privately run buses as well. Note that the SAPTCO terminal is off-limits to non-Muslims.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are widely available, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber are a useful way to establish a baseline price before you agree to anything. Along the roadside you may also be offered rides by locals who are not officially taxis; if you take one of these, negotiate the price up front. Be cautious with both official and unofficial drivers, as some will ask for prices well in excess of the going rate. Using the app price as your maximum is a simple way to avoid overpaying.
Shuttle Between the Prophet's Mosque and Quba Mosque
A shuttle that looks like a train of golf carts runs along Qiba Road between the Prophet's Mosque and the Quba Mosque. You pay the driver in cash, and you can hop on anywhere along the route, though the fare is the same regardless of where you board. This is a convenient option for visiting the Quba Mosque, the oldest mosque in Islam.
Bicycles and Scooters
Careem operates bicycles and scooters that you can rent through the app, giving you a flexible way to cover shorter distances at your own pace.
Walking
Walking works well in the immediate area around the Prophet's Mosque, but there are practical limits. Baggage is not allowed inside the area around the mosque, so if you are arriving with luggage and your hotel is to the south of the mosque, you may need to walk around its western perimeter. Walking around the east side of the mosque is not easy, as it is a busy road with no walking paths.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) receives direct flights from around the Middle East and is accessible to non-Muslims. The terminal is small and can get crowded, particularly at the baggage carousels and check-in areas, so allow extra time and keep an eye on your belongings.
To reach the city from the airport you have three main options: taxi, Uber, or the public bus.
- Bus: The cheapest option and perfectly serviceable. The stop for route 400 is outside, at the rightmost edge after you exit the building from baggage claim. You can pay by credit card — the driver comes around with a card reader before departing — and there are ATMs and currency exchange booths inside the terminal if you prefer cash. The bus has only one stop, about a ten-minute walk north of the Prophet's Mosque. From there you can walk or hail a taxi to your hotel.
- Taxi: Available at the airport for a direct ride to your accommodation.
- Uber: Also available, and useful for setting a baseline fare before agreeing to any taxi price.
If your hotel is south of the Prophet's Mosque and you arrive by bus, remember that baggage is not allowed inside the mosque area, so you may need to walk around the western perimeter to reach it.