Umrah group transport: which vehicle to book

Umrah group transport has one rule that people learn too late: bags decide the vehicle, not people. Seven people with seven small bags fit a different vehicle from seven people with fourteen suitcases and Zamzam. This guide matches group size and luggage to the seven vehicle classes we book, with the published seats, bags and fares side by side.

We book the right driver and vehicle for you and fix the fare. The drivers own their vehicles. You get the class you book.

The seven vehicle classes

All fares are in Saudi Riyal, for the whole vehicle, one direction. Airport pick ups carry a Nusuk charge, shown separately. The Camry and the Sonata are the same class at the same fare, so whichever is free on the day costs the same. Bag counts are large cases of 23 kg with every seat taken, plus hand bags. A Coaster takes 15 large cases and hand bags in the racks, and a Coach takes 1 large and 1 hand bag per seat. Zamzam containers need extra room.

How to choose in four steps

1. Count people. Include children, and ask whether a child needs a seat. Child seats are free on request.
2. Count large bags. One suitcase per person is common for Umrah, but families often bring more.
3. Add Zamzam and hand luggage. See Zamzam in your luggage.
4. Go one size up if you are close. Luggage takes more room than people expect, and nobody should sit on a folding seat.

By group size

One to three people with light bags

A Camry or Sonata is the lowest fare and the quietest. It suits couples and small families. See Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata.

A family of four with cases

A sedan takes two large cases, so four people with three or more large cases need a bigger vehicle. A Staria or GMC Yukon XL takes six large cases, and the Staria adds sliding doors. See Hyundai Staria.

Four with an older traveller

A GMC Yukon XL has a high seat that is easy to climb into. See GMC Yukon XL and Umrah transport with elderly parents.

Six to eight together

A Staria or a Hiace, so that nobody sits on a folding seat. The Staria has 7 seats and takes 6 large cases. The Hiace has 11 seats and takes 10, so a group of eight with eight large cases fits a Hiace.

Nine to eleven

A Hiace is one vehicle instead of two. At SAR 350 from Jeddah Airport to Makkah it often costs less than two cars. See Toyota Hiace.

Twelve to nineteen

A Coaster takes 19 seats and 15 large cases, plus hand bags in the racks. If every traveller has a large case, a group of sixteen or more needs the Coach or a second vehicle. A group of twelve or more is quoted as one figure rather than adding vehicles together. See Toyota Coaster.

Twenty and more

A 44 seat coach is for large groups moving together. See coach hire. For groups travelling on more than one flight, we can send two vehicles at different times, or one that waits. Ask and we price both.

One large vehicle or two small ones

Two Camrys at SAR 250 each cost SAR 500 from Jeddah Airport to Makkah and carry 8 people and 4 large cases. A Hiace costs SAR 350 and carries 11 people and 10 large cases. The Hiace is cheaper and keeps the group together.

The reverse can be true for a small party. Two people in a Hiace pay for seats they do not use. Choose by the real number of people and bags, not by the cheapest fare on a list.

Split groups have reasons too. Two families on different hotels may want two vehicles. That is a choice, and we price either option.

Three examples

A couple and two children, four large cases. Four people fit a sedan, but a sedan takes two large cases, not four. A Staria at SAR 300 from Jeddah Airport to Makkah takes six and has sliding doors for the children.

Eight people from one extended family, eight large cases. Eight people sit in a Hiace, and the Hiace takes 10 large cases, so there is room for about two Zamzam containers on the way home. If you bring more containers, tell us the count and we quote a bigger vehicle or a second one. One vehicle at SAR 350 is easier than two.

Fourteen people from a mosque group, one flight. Fourteen people with fourteen large cases fit a Coaster, which takes 19 seats and 15 large cases. Because the group is over twelve, we quote one figure for the movement. Send the flight number, the number of bags and both hotels.

Common mistakes

• Choosing by seats only. A vehicle with seven seats can still be full with six large cases, and a sedan with four seats takes only two.
• Forgetting the return. Pilgrims arrive with one bag each and leave with more, because of gifts, prayer mats, dates and Zamzam.
• Counting a child as no seat. A child who needs a child seat takes space. Tell us the age and we bring the right seat.
• Booking late in busy seasons. A week ahead is comfortable. In Ramadan and around Hajj, book earlier. Same day is sometimes possible, so ask.
• Not telling us a group has split. If part of your group lands on a different flight, say so. We can send two vehicles at different times, or one that waits.

Other things to settle for a group

• Terminal and flight. Groups often arrive on more than one flight. Send each flight number. See Jeddah Airport arrival for Umrah.
• Hotel names. Give the full name for each hotel. Makkah has many similar names.
• Ziyarat. Ziyarat is priced for the whole vehicle, so a full group gets a better price per person. See the guides for Makkah and Madinah.
• Long drives. On Makkah to Madinah plan stops. See the drive from Makkah to Madinah.
• Language. We answer in Arabic, English and Urdu.

Questions people ask

Sources

• Umrah Online Taxi vehicle seats, bags and fares: routes and prices and our fleet
• Every seat, bag and fare figure in this post comes from the Umrah Online Taxi published list above. No outside figure is used.