ARRIVING AT
MEDINALeaving Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz: transport guide
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz · Saudi Arabia
Medium riskHigh confidence Updated June 2026Exit score 66/100
Careem and Uber operate but Hajj/Umrah surge pricing and unlicensed drivers common.
TL;DR
MED (Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz) serves Medina, Saudi Arabia. The recommended way out is Order Careem or Uber from designated pickup lane (~SAR 45–80, 25–40 min). Pickup: Ride-hail lane outside T1 arrivals.
Fare reality · MED → Al Haram
- SAR 45–80ExpectedWhat locals pay
- SAR 150+ConcerningAsk for the meter
- SAR 250+ during HajjScamWalk away
Currency · SAR
SAR 45–80
Tipping
Not expected
Cash · Card
Uber/Careem card-on-file; cash for street taxis
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Order Careem or Uber from designated pickup lane
- Typical fare
- SAR 45–80
- Journey time
- 25–40 min
- Pickup
- Ride-hail lane outside T1 arrivals
WARNING · Reject any tout offering fixed rate to Haram
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Every way out, ranked
- 1
Careem
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- SAR 45–SAR 80
- Journey
- 25–40 min
- Wait
- 5–10 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Tracked
- Fair
Cons- Surge in Hajj
- 2
Uber
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- SAR 50–SAR 90
- Journey
- 25–40 min
- Wait
- 5–15 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card
Pros- Tracked
Cons- Surge
- 3
Official airport taxi
- Cost
- SAR 80–SAR 150
- Journey
- 25–40 min
- Wait
- Immediate
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Regulated
Cons- Pricey
- 4
Haramain High Speed Rail
- Cost
- SAR 40–SAR 150
- Journey
- 2h to Makkah
- Wait
- Every 30–60 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Fast to Makkah
Cons- Not city centre
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From gate to city
- 1Clear immigration
- 2Collect bags
- 3Exit to ride-hail lane
- 4Confirm Careem plate
- 5Ride to Haram in ~30 min
Before you leave the terminal
- Careem or Uber
- SAR cash
- Hotel name in Arabic
- Modest dress
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Common scams & payment traps
- Card widely accepted; SAR cash for small vendors
Umrah price gouge
High riskFixed SAR 200+ quote to Haram during pilgrimage
HOW TO AVOID · Use Careem/Uber only
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What locals & travellers say
MED·Medina
“HHR train direct to Makkah takes ~2h and beats road traffic during Umrah.”
Official AirportHaramain High Speed RailChecked June 2026anecdotal
- "HHR train direct to Makkah takes ~2h and beats road traffic during Umrah." — Haramain High Speed Rail
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Take it with you
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MED arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz?
- Order Careem or Uber from designated pickup lane. Reject any tout offering fixed rate to Haram.
- Are taxis at MED safe?
- Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals, confirm the meter is on before pulling away, and never accept a fare from someone approaching you inside the terminal. Risk profile for this airport: medium.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at MED?
- Yes — Careem works at MED. Typical cost SAR 45–SAR 80, journey ~25–40 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from MED to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the MED → Al Haram route is roughly SAR 45–80. Anything around SAR 150+ is high — SAR 250+ during Hajj is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at MED?
- Carry small local notes — Careem expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz?
- Ride-hail lane outside T1 arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is MED safe to arrive at late at night?
- MED is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
- What scams should I watch for at MED?
- The most reported at MED: Umrah price gouge. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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