Which Airports Serve Umrah Pilgrims?
Most Umrah pilgrims from India arrive at one of two airports:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) — Jeddah The largest and busiest airport for Umrah pilgrims. Located approximately 80 km from Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah. Direct flights operate from most major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kochi.
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) — Madinah Located just 5 km from Masjid Al-Nabawi. Preferred by pilgrims who wish to begin their spiritual journey in Madinah before travelling to Makkah. Direct flights from several Indian cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kochi.
Both airports have dedicated Hajj and Umrah terminals during peak seasons with priority lanes for pilgrims.
What to Carry in Your Hand Luggage
Carry these documents in your hand luggage — not in your checked baggage:
- Passport (original)
- E-visa (printed and saved offline on your phone)
- Return airline ticket (printed or saved offline)
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Vaccination certificate
- Any relationship documents (mahram docs for women, birth certificates for children)
- Emergency contact information
- Sufficient cash in Saudi Riyals for immediate needs on arrival
It is also advisable to carry medications (with prescription letter), a phone charger, and at least one change of clothing in hand luggage in case checked bags are delayed.
Passport Control — What to Expect
The passport control process at Saudi airports follows this sequence:
- Queue: Pilgrims are directed to dedicated queues. During Ramadan and other peak periods, these can be long — prepare to stand for 1–3 hours.
- Document presentation: Hand your passport and e-visa to the officer. They will scan both.
- Questions: You may be asked simple questions — your destination (Makkah or Madinah), hotel name, duration of stay, and purpose of visit.
- Entry stamp: Your passport is stamped with the date of entry and your permitted stay duration.
Answer questions clearly and concisely. There is no need to volunteer extra information.
Biometric Enrollment — Fingerprints and Photo
If this is your first visit to Saudi Arabia, the immigration officer will direct you to a biometric enrollment station after your documents are checked. The process:
- All 10 fingers are scanned on a fingerprint reader
- A digital photograph is taken
- The data is linked to your passport number in the Saudi system
- This takes approximately 5–10 minutes
On future visits to Saudi Arabia, your biometrics verify against the stored record. The process is faster — usually under 2 minutes.
Children under a certain age (typically 12–15, check current policy) may be exempt from fingerprint enrollment.
Baggage Claim and Customs
After immigration, collect your checked baggage and proceed to customs. Saudi customs has a red lane (declare) and green lane (nothing to declare) system.
Use the red lane if you are carrying:
- Currency in excess of SAR 60,000 (approximately ₹13 lakh)
- Commercial quantities of goods
- Medicines beyond personal use quantities
- Any item you are unsure about
Use the green lane if:
- You have personal effects and no dutiable items
- You are within personal allowances for tobacco and perfume
Random bag scans occur in the green lane. Being selected for scanning does not imply suspicion.
Prohibited Items — Do Not Bring These
These items are strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia and will be confiscated at customs. Carrying them can result in fines, detention, or deportation:
- Alcohol in any form
- Pork and pork products
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Pornographic material (including some magazines and films)
- Political or anti-Islamic materials
- Weapons and firearms
- Gaming devices designed for gambling
- Swine-related products
- Certain medications without a valid prescription and letter (see below)
Arriving at Jeddah King Abdulaziz Airport
Jeddah airport is large and modern. The Hajj and Umrah terminal (Terminal 1) is separate from other terminals. Key points:
- Prayer facilities are available throughout the terminal
- Zamzam water distribution points are located in the arrivals area (you can collect pre-allocated Zamzam here for return)
- ATMs and currency exchange counters are in the arrivals hall
- The official Nusuk Umrah bus service operates from outside arrivals for pilgrims with registered bookings
Arriving at Madinah Prince Mohammed Airport
Madinah airport is smaller and generally quicker to process through. Key points:
- Immigration lines are typically shorter than Jeddah
- The airport is only 5 km from Masjid Al-Nabawi — taxi or shuttle services are fast
- Pre-booked hotel transfers are available from most hotels in Madinah
Transport from Airport to Hotel
Jeddah to Makkah:
- Pre-booked hotel shuttle (most 4–5 star hotels offer this): Recommended
- Taxi (metered): Approximately SAR 100–200 depending on traffic
- Haramain High Speed Train: Not directly to Makkah — connects Jeddah to Madinah via a shuttle from the train station to Makkah
- Uber/Careem: Available and widely used
Madinah Airport to City:
- Taxi: SAR 30–60
- Hotel shuttle: Most hotels offer transfers
- Uber/Careem: Available
Important: Avoid unlicensed taxi touts at the airport. Use only licensed taxis or pre-booked transport from your hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the full airport process take on arrival? Allow 2–4 hours from landing to exiting the airport during peak Umrah periods. During off-peak periods, it can be as quick as 45–90 minutes.
Do I need to fill in an arrival card? No — Saudi Arabia no longer requires paper arrival/departure cards for most nationalities including Indian passport holders.
Can I use my Indian SIM card in Saudi Arabia? Indian SIM cards work in Saudi Arabia via international roaming but are expensive. Purchasing a local Saudi SIM from Zain, STC, or Mobily is cheaper and available at the airport.
Is there a prayer facility at the airport? Yes. Both Jeddah and Madinah airports have dedicated prayer rooms for men and women, open around the clock.
Can I use rupees in Saudi Arabia? No. The currency is Saudi Riyal (SAR). Exchange your currency at the airport or use ATMs. Most establishments accept Visa/Mastercard.