Visiting Guide to the Holy City of Madinah Al Munawwarah (Part I)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين و حبيب رب العلمين

Naat Couplet by Hazrat Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan 

Reaching There: 

By Air:
Madinah Al Munawwarah has an international airport. However only limited flights are scheduled. Most people arrive at Jeddah International Airport, perform Umrah and then go to Madinah Al Munawwarah. Many prefer to return back home directly from Madinah Al Munawwarah.

From Jeddah, a local flight is the fastest way to reach Madinah (takes about 30 - 45 minutes). Airlines that travel to Madinah are Saudi Arabian Airlines, Nas Air, Emirates, Fly Dubai and Air Arabia.

For further information please visit:

http://www.skyscanner.net/flights-to/med/airlines-that-fly-to-madinah-airport.html

By Taxi

Taxis can be taken either from airport in Jeddah or from Makkah, it take about 4 hours to reach Madnah Al Munawwarah.

For further information visit:

http://www.yadig.com/search/Jeddah/Transportation/Taxis_$_Vehicle_Reservation/ 

http://www.saudiayp.com/category/Taxis/city:Jeddah

By Bus

From Jeddah, local intercity buses like SAPTCO are the most economical means to reach the holy cities (SR 50 per person for Madinah Al Munawwarah and SR 10 for Makkah Al Mukarramah).  SAPTCO bus stations are directly next to the Holy Mosque (al Haram) in Madinah. 
 In Jeddah, the bus station is at the seaport in Balad. A SAPTCO bus leaves every two hours for Madinah and it takes about 5-6 hours to reach. It is important to carry passport and visa to buy the ticket.  There are other local buses that charge even lesser i.e. 35 per person. These are often located outside the bus stand in balad or in aziziyah area, vendors calling out Madinah… Madinah.  

For further information visit:

http://www.saptco.com.sa/bus_en.html

Rental Cars (with or without chauffeur)

Near the exit of the airport, Car Rental booths have been setup these include major companies with offices in many places (like Budget and Sahary Rent A Car). Cars with drivers can also be hired for the entire trip (Jeddah – Makkah – Madinah – Jeddah). 

For more information visit:

http://www.shary.com.sa

http://www.budgetsaudi.com/car-rental/car-rental-saudi-arabia.htm

http://www.saudiviplimo.com/car-rental-jeddah.html

By Train (Available in 2014)

InshaAllah, by 2014 the Haramain high-speed railway line between Makkah and Madinah Al Munawwarah will be completed and the train will be available for passenger convenience. 

Coming Next : Upon Reaching the Holy City (Part II)