Taking a taxi Madinah
The easiest way to get around the sprawling and busy city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia is to take a taxi. As one of the holiest cities in the world, a taxi means you can avoid public buses which are often swelling with pilgrims. You can hail a taxi in the street, walk to one of the taxi ranks located around the city, message a local company for a pickup, or pre-book a private taxi at a comparable cost.
Public taxis are usually an aqua-green color with room for up to four passengers. Furthermore, a taxi in Madinah should be air-conditioned, non-smoking, and not more than 5 years old. Each taxi should be equipped with a digital taximeter to determine the price unless you negotiate an upfront fee in advance.
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How much does a taxi cost?
Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
FROM THE AIRPORT TO MADINAH CITY CENTER (HARAM) | 15 € | 15 € | 25 MIN |
FROM MEDINA TRAIN STATION TO PROPHET'S MOSQUE | 12.5 € | 12.5 € | 20 MIN |
FROM QIBLATAIN MOSQUE TO THE OUTLET MALL | 17 € | 17 € | 20 MIN |
FROM THE CITY CENTER TO MECCA | 130 € | 130 € | 4 HR 20 MIN |
FROM THE BUS STATION TO PROPHET'S MOSQUE | 9 € | 9 € | 12 MIN |

Taxi prices in Madinah
In recent years, public taxis in Madinah have adopted digital taximeters to calculate each ride fare, based on rates set by the municipal council. This means that your Madinah taxi price will depend on the distance you’re traveling and any waiting time, which is measured when the taxi’s speed drops below 10 kilometers an hour.
Since there are several taxi companies operating in the city, each may choose to charge a lower rate than the one set by the council. On average, you can expect the following rates:
Base fare: €5 (SAR 20)
Price per km: €0.50 (SAR 2)
Waiting one hour: €12.60 (SAR 50)
Madinah taxi rates apply whether traveling at night, during the day, or on weekends; however, prices may increase during major holidays. In these instances, you may prefer to negotiate a fixed fare rate with your driver. Also, note that any road tolls will be added to the final fare.
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How to get a taxi in Madinah
With thousands of taxis cruising the streets of Madinah, a ride is never too far away. Regular green taxis can be hailed from the street so long as it isn’t within a 500-meter distance of a taxi stand. Vehicles usually have a “TAXI” sign on the roof or in its place you may find a digital advertisement. You can flag one down by waving your arm; official taxi drivers should be wearing a uniform and have their driver registration details on display.
You can also pick up a cab by walking to the nearest designated taxi stand. Stands are usually found outside shopping malls, public parks, and food markets, as well as major transport hubs like Haramain Station. The vehicle registration details along with a current price list should be displayed on the window, and the phrase “in the event that the transport fare meter is not activated, the trip is considered free” needs to be visible to the passenger.
How to get a taxi from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
Finding a Madinah Airport taxi is easy. The official stand is located outside the Arrivals Hall on the upper level which is clearly sign-posted throughout the terminal. No bookings are necessary, however, there can often be a long queue, especially during Ramadan.
How to get a taxi from Haramain High-Speed Railway Station (Madinah Station)
If you’re arriving from Mecca on board the Middle East’s only high-speed train, you’ll disembark at Haramain/Madinah Station. From the platform, make your way to the main entrance/exit and walk towards the main road, King Abdul Aziz Road. Adjacent to the road, you’ll find a row of taxis lined up waiting for passengers.
How to get a taxi from the Prophet’s Mosque
Taxis line up outside the gates of the mosque 24/7. Just be sure that the meter is turned on before starting your ride.
How to get a taxi from the North West Bus Terminal
Madinah’s main bus station is located a little on the outskirts of the city center so catching a taxi will be your easiest way back to your hotel. Taxis can be found lined up outside the entrance to the station, towards the main road.
Most popular taxi apps in Madinah
If you plan on exploring somewhere a little off the beaten track or find yourself out late at night, you may need to request that a driver come to you. Using a taxi app in Madinah allows you to book a ride without worrying about the language barrier for an upfront cost. Some popular ride-hailing apps include home-grown Kaiian, as well as Careem, Uber, Bolt, and Ego.
Since drivers may not always be available, wait times can often be lengthy. For extra assurance for your ride to and from the airport, we recommend pre-booking your ride with Welcome Pickups. This way you’ll secure a competitive fixed fare rate with an English-speaking driver, at a time and place of your choosing.
Useful taxi numbers in Madinah
If you’re unsure whether you’ll have access to WiFi or prefer not to download an app, you can contact a taxi directly by using a local Madinah taxi number. Some of the larger local Madinah taxi services operating in the city include:
- Umrah Taxi Service: +966 59 670 4817
- Medinah Taxi: +966 54 435 9068
- Madinah Cabs: +966 50 607 5525
Rather than calling the local Madinah taxi numbers, you can also send them an SMS or WhatsApp message. Moreover, your hotel can phone and arrange one on your behalf.
Benefits of booking a Madinah Airport taxi to your hotel
With so many unlicensed taxis in Madinah, knowing who to travel with can be a stressful experience. If you want to avoid any issues and travel with complete peace of mind, we recommend pre-booking your journey from Madinah Airport and around the city with Welcome Pickups. All of our drivers are fully licensed, speak fluent English, and offer fully personalized services. At Welcome, we also have guaranteed on-time pick-ups, competitive fixed rate fares, and a dedicated 24-hour customer service team, should you ever need us.
Madinah taxi tips
- Some taxis may also be white with a "TAXI" roof sign.
- When taking a taxi in Madinah, it’s important to only travel in vehicles with the taxi number and driver’s ID on display.
- Ensure that the taximeter has been reset to the base fare before you begin your journey to avoid being overcharged.
- Large items or luggage that can fit in the taxi’s trunk can be transported without an extra charge.
- Many addresses in Madinah have the same street name, so be sure to show your driver your destination on Google Maps to avoid any confusion or extra charges.
- During Ramadan and the Hajj season expect fares to be up to three times higher than normal.
- If you require a vehicle with more than three or four seats it is best to pre-book your taxi with a company like Welcome to ensure one is available when you need one.
- All taxis are required to accept credit and debit card payments
- If the taximeter isn’t turned on at the start of your ride, you don’t have to pay.
- Request a receipt at the end of your ride in case you leave anything behind. Drivers are obligated to return lost items within 3 days.
- You will need to bring change in the local currency of Saudi riyal if you plan on paying for your ride with cash.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Madinah
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Madinah, you’ll need to pre-book your ride with a private company like Welcome. A regular Madinah taxi service won’t have a ramp or hydraulic lift fitted, however, there may be room to store a foldable wheelchair in the trunk. In this instance, drivers are obligated to assist passengers with getting in and out of the taxi.
Madinah taxi safety and complaints
Taking a local taxi in Madinah can be hit or miss when it comes to safety. As many unlicensed taxi drivers are operating in the city, it can be difficult to know who to travel with. Some of the things you want to look out for are a company logo and phone number on the side of the car, a clear driver’s ID matching the person driving, and a working taximeter. If you encounter any issues, each company is legally required to follow up on any complaints, or if you’ve used a taxi service from the airport, you can contact Airport Operations Management at +966 14 813 8444.
Alternatively, for assurance of safety and a reliable, trained driver, you can pre-book a ride online.