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 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Mecca has to offer.
Although Mecca doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Taif (TIF), which is located 75 km from Mecca. The shortest flight to Mecca from the United States departs from Chicago and takes around 17h 20m.
Another option to get to Mecca is to pick up a car rental from Jeddah, which is about 66 km from Mecca. You’ll find branches of Budget and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in Jeddah.
Mecca’s bus station is located 11 km from the city center.
From 5-star hotels such as the Makkah Hotel to great affordable options like the Borj Al Diyafah Hotel, Mecca offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $128 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $156 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Nada Al Majd Hotel and Al Aseel Ajyad. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Mecca, with prices from $19 to $427 per night. Batha Quraish is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Mecca are about 46% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.
Renting a car in Mecca costs $40 per day, on average, or $159 if you want to rent if for 4 days.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 10% cheaper than airport locations in Mecca.
The most frequently booked car type in Mecca is Compact (Hyundai Accent or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Toyota Yaris or similar) are, on average, 54% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.