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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Medina Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Saudi Arabia – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Saudi Riyal (SAR) £1 ≈ SAR 4.99 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Saudi Arabia, especially in urban areas and large businesses.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not expected in Saudi Arabia, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip in restaurants, taxis, and hotels is appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Alcohol consumption is illegal, and there are heavy penalties for violations. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, but designated smoking areas are available outdoors. |
| National Day (23 September) |
Celebrates the founding of Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Eid al-Fitr (variable) |
Marks the end of Ramadan with celebrations |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 911 (General), 999 (Police), 997 (Ambulance), 998 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Careem |
| Other: | Saudi Arabia is known for its vast deserts, historic cities, and religious significance, particularly in Islam. It offers a mix of modernity and tradition. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Medina, Saudi Arabia
Non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque or the central Haram area, the rest of the city is open
Ramadan: busiest time, daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, hotel prices peak
Hajj pilgrims visit the city in the weeks before and after Hajj, filling hotels and the mosque
Don't miss
- 🕌 Visit Al Masjid an Nabawi, Prophet Muhammad’s mosque
- 🏛️ Explore the historic Quba Mosque, Islam’s first mosque
- ⛰️ Climb Mount Uhud, site of the famous battle
- ⚱️ Reflect at Jannatul Baqi cemetery, resting place of companions
- 🏺 Tour Dar Al Madinah Museum for rich cultural history
- 🌳 Walk through King Fahd Central Park for relaxation
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Medina?
Visiting Medina provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in rich Islamic heritage. The city is home to the Prophet's Mosque, a site of immense religious importance. Beyond its spiritual allure, Medina boasts historical sites, traditional markets and museums that narrate tales from centuries past.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Madinah Summer Festival
-
Madinah Dates Festival
-
Madinah Food Festival
-
Mawlid al-Nabi Celebrations
-
Eid al-Fitr Festivities
-
Eid al-Adha Festivities
-
National Day Celebrations
-
Madinah Arts Festival
-
Madinah Cultural Week
Knowledge before you go
- Dress modestly; women cover hair, men wear long clothing near mosque.
- Visit Prophet's Mosque early to access Rawdah prayer area during less crowded times.
- Non-Muslims restricted from central Haram; explore outer historical mosques and sites.
- Join guided tours to Quba Mosque and Uhud Mountain for Battle of Uhud history insights.
How to travel to Medina
Traveling to Medina is facilitated by the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, located off Highway 340. This airport handles both domestic and international flights, serving as the fourth-busiest airport in Saudi Arabia, with 8,144,790 passengers in 2018. It has been recognized globally, receiving accolades such as the world's best airport by Engineering News-Record's 3rd Annual Global Best Projects Competition in 2015 and the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certificate in the MENA region. Additionally, the Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Medina to Mecca, passing through stations like Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City, covering 444 km at speeds of up to 300 km/h, with an annual capacity of 60 million passengers.
Access summary
- From Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED): Shuttle bus or taxi, around 20–35 minutes.
- From Jeddah: Haramain high-speed train to Medina, typically about 2 hours.
- From Mecca (Makkah): Haramain high-speed train, roughly 2–2.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Medina
Medina offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels near the Prophet's Mosque to more modest options throughout the city. While camping isn't typical within the city, nearby desert experiences are available for those seeking unique stays.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Medina
Navigating Medina is relatively straightforward. The city offers a bus transport system established in 2012 by the Madinah Development Authority (MMDA) and operated by SAPTCO. This system includes 10 lines connecting different regions of the city to Masjid an-Nabawi and the downtown area, serving around 20,000 passengers daily. Additionally, the Madinah Sightseeing Bus service, launched in 2017, provides open-top bus tours throughout the day, covering 11 destinations, including major mosques and cultural sites, with audio guidance available in eight different languages. Taxis are also widely available and ride-sharing apps operate in the city, offering convenient transportation options.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Medina are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to SAR) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Medina is generally considered safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, it's advisable to remain vigilant in crowded areas and adhere to local customs and regulations to ensure a respectful experience.
Health & Medical
Healthcare facilities in Medina are of high quality, with numerous hospitals and clinics available. Travelers should ensure they have adequate health insurance and stay hydrated due to the hot climate.
Accessibility
Major sites in Medina, including the Prophet's Mosque, are equipped with facilities for individuals with disabilities. Public transportation and many hotels also offer accommodations to enhance accessibility.
Tap water
Tap water in Medina is generally safe for consumption. However, many travelers prefer bottled water, which is widely available. It's essential to stay hydrated, especially during the hotter months.
Packing recommendations for Medina
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌀
Portable fan
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🧕
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
for sun protection
📱
Translation app or phrasebook
🥵
Cooling towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
for electronics
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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