Introduction
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Mecca travel guide

Mecca Tourism | Mecca Guide

You're Going to Love Mecca

With a population of 1.32 million, Mecca is a must-see destination in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Mecca has to offer.

When to visit Mecca

Mecca in August
Estimated hotel price
$253
1 night at 3-star hotel
Mecca in August
Estimated hotel price
$253
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Mecca

Plane

Although Mecca doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Taif (TIF), which is located 46 miles from Mecca. The shortest flight to Mecca from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 29h 05m.

Car

Another option to get to Mecca is to pick up a car hire from Jeddah, which is about 41 miles from Mecca. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Budget, among others, in Jeddah.

Plane

Although Mecca doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Taif (TIF), which is located 46 miles from Mecca. The shortest flight to Mecca from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 29h 05m.

Car

Another option to get to Mecca is to pick up a car hire from Jeddah, which is about 41 miles from Mecca. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Budget, among others, in Jeddah.

Airports near Mecca

TIFTaif
JEDJeddah King Abdulaziz Intl

Airlines serving Mecca

KLM
Good (1,524 reviews)
British Airways
Good (8,020 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,398 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,408 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,222 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,595 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,771 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,581 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,730 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,123 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,400 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,356 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,444 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,266 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,528 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (1,239 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (1,006 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (310 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (222 reviews)
Egyptair
Good (426 reviews)
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Where to stay in Mecca

From 5-star hotels such as the Jabal Omar Marriott Hotel, Makkah to great affordable options like the Makarem Mina Hotel, Mecca offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $242 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $245 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Makkah Hotel and Razana Al Rowdah. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Mecca, with prices from $37 to $600 per night. Batha Quraish is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Mecca are about 27% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Mecca

Most booked hotels in Mecca

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Swissôtel Makkah
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
$299+
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Makkah Clock Royal Tower - A Fairmont Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$280+
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Swissôtel Al Maqam Makkah
5 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
$287+
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Jeddah Hilton Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$377+
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Pullman Zamzam Makkah
5 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$297+
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Sheraton Jeddah Hotel
5 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$309+
View

Hiring a car in Mecca

The most frequently booked car type in Mecca is Compact (Class Compact Crossover or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is, on average, 64% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

The most frequently booked car type in Mecca is Compact (Class Compact Crossover or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is, on average, 64% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.