Online Umrah Taxi
A pilgrim’s guide to the holy places
Ziyarat Places in Makkah and Madinah: A Guide for Pilgrims
Ziyarat means visiting the historic places of early Islam, such as the Cave of Hira in Makkah and Masjid Quba in Madinah. Ziyarat is not a rite of Umrah, so your Umrah is complete without it. Staying in Makkah? The Makkah Ziyarat taxi is a private tour from 200 SAR per vehicle.
This guide lists the main Ziyarat places in both cities, with a short note on why each one matters. It also covers Taif, simple etiquette and how to plan your visits. Staying in Madinah? The Madinah Ziyarat taxi is a private tour from your hotel there.
20+ Places Listed
Makkah, Madinah & Taif
Tours from 200 SAR
English & Arabic Drivers
What Ziyarat Means
What Is Ziyarat, and Is It Part of Umrah?
Ziyarat (also written Ziyarah or Ziarat) is an Arabic word for a visit. For pilgrims, it means seeing the mountains, mosques and cemeteries tied to the first years of Islam. Ziyarat is a personal, voluntary visit, not a rite of Umrah, and it has no fixed steps.
Umrah is made up of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and cutting or shaving the hair. None of the Ziyarat places is a step of Umrah. You can complete your Umrah fully without visiting any Ziyarat place, and many pilgrims do exactly that.
Why do so many pilgrims visit anyway? Standing below Jabal al-Nour or near the graves of the martyrs of Uhud helps many pilgrims feel closer to the Seerah. Parents often say the places help their children picture stories they have heard since childhood. For questions about intentions or what is recommended, please ask your scholar or group leader.
Most Ziyarat places sit a short drive from the two Harams, and a few are within walking distance. A private car lets you see several of them in one morning. You choose the pace, the prayer stops and how long you stay at each place.
- A voluntary visit
- Not a rite of Umrah
- Rooted in the Seerah
- Makkah and Madinah
- Taif as a day trip
- Ask your scholar on rulings
Ziyarat Places in Makkah
The Main Ziyarat Places in Makkah
Most Makkah tours include these six places. Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina are visited outside the Hajj days only. The full Makkah route and its stop order are on the Makkah Ziyarat taxi page.
Jabal al-Nour (Cave of Hira)
Jabal al-Nour, the Mountain of Light, rises on the north-east edge of Makkah. Near its summit is the Cave of Hira, where the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed. Tours stop at the foot of the mountain, because the climb to the cave is steep and optional.
Jabal Thawr
Jabal Thawr lies to the south of Makkah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) sheltered in a cave on this mountain during the Hijrah to Madinah. Most visitors view it from the road below.
Arafat and Jabal al-Rahmah
Arafat is the wide plain east of Makkah where Hajj pilgrims stand in prayer on the Day of Arafah. Jabal al-Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy, is the small hill on the plain. Masjid Namirah, on the edge of the plain, is usually seen from outside.
Muzdalifah
Muzdalifah is the open valley between Arafat and Mina. During Hajj, pilgrims spend the night here under the sky and collect pebbles for Mina. Masjid al-Mash’ar al-Haram stands inside the valley.
Mina
Mina is the valley of white tents a few kilometres east of Masjid al-Haram. Outside Hajj, you can see the multi-level Jamarat bridge and Masjid al-Khayf. The quiet camps give a clear picture of Hajj week.
Jannat al-Mu’alla
Jannat al-Mu’alla is the historic cemetery of Makkah, a short drive north of the Haram. Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), the first wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), is buried here. Visitors usually offer a quiet greeting from the gate or path.
More in Makkah
Masjid al-Jinn, Masjid Ayesha and the Hajj-Days Rule
Masjid al-Jinn stands close to Jannat al-Mu’alla, so the two are often seen together. The mosque marks the place linked to a group of jinn listening to the Qur’an, the event behind Surah al-Jinn. It is a small, working mosque, and a short stop fits easily between prayers.
Masjid Ayesha in Tan’eem is a Meeqat rather than a Ziyarat place. Masjid Ayesha sits roughly 7 to 8 km from Masjid al-Haram. Pilgrims staying in Makkah often go there to enter Ihram for another Umrah. The return trip has its own page: Masjid Ayesha Meeqat taxi. For Ihram rulings, please follow your scholar.
Masjid Jirana at Ji’ranah, roughly 25 to 30 km from Makkah, is another Meeqat that pilgrims staying in the city use. The Meeqat taxi Makkah page compares it with Tan’eem.
Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina are part of Makkah Ziyarat outside the Hajj days only. From 8 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, the holy sites are open to registered Hajj pilgrims and authorised transport. Online Umrah Taxi does not drive inside the holy sites during those days. During Hajj, pilgrims move between the sites with their licensed Hajj company or on the Mashair train.
- Masjid al-Jinn near Al-Mu’alla
- Masjid Ayesha is a Meeqat
- Ihram guidance from your scholar
- Mina, Arafat & Muzdalifah outside Hajj
- No taxis inside during Hajj
- Hajj travel with your Hajj company
Ziyarat Places in Madinah
The Main Ziyarat Places in Madinah
Madinah keeps many places from the years after the Hijrah. A standard tour links these six by car. The route, timings and fare are on the Madinah Ziyarat taxi page.
Masjid Quba
Masjid Quba is widely described as the first mosque built in Islam, laid out when the Prophet (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah. A narration in Ibn Majah says that whoever purifies himself at home, then comes to Masjid Quba and prays there, receives the reward of an Umrah. Many pilgrims make wudu at the hotel for this reason.
Masjid al-Qiblatain
Masjid al-Qiblatain is the Mosque of the Two Qiblas. Islamic tradition holds that the command to face the Ka’bah instead of Jerusalem came during a prayer in this place. The mosque sits in the north-west of Madinah.
Mount Uhud and the Martyrs
Mount Uhud is the long red mountain north of Masjid an-Nabawi, and the site of the Battle of Uhud. The martyrs of the battle, including Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him), rest in the cemetery below. Visitors greet them from the railings.
Jabal al-Rumah (Archers’ Hill)
Jabal al-Rumah is the small hill facing Mount Uhud. The Prophet (peace be upon him) placed archers here and told them to hold their position. From the top, you can see the whole battlefield.
The Seven Mosques and Masjid al-Fath
The Seven Mosques mark the ground of the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq). Masjid al-Fath, on a small rise, is the best known of the group. A newer, larger mosque now stands beside the historic ones.
Masjid al-Jumu’ah
Masjid al-Jumu’ah is where the Prophet (peace be upon him) led the first Friday prayer. It lies between Quba and the centre of Madinah, so tours often pass it on the way back. The mosque is compact and quick to visit.
More in Madinah
On Foot from Masjid an-Nabawi, and Wadi-e-Jinn
Two important places need no car at all. Jannat al-Baqi, the main cemetery of Madinah, lies just east of Masjid an-Nabawi. Many members of the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and thousands of Companions are buried there. Visiting hours and access, including for women, are set by the authorities and can change, so check locally.
Masjid al-Ghamamah is a short walk south-west of Masjid an-Nabawi. The name means the Mosque of the Cloud. Masjid al-Ghamamah is linked with Eid prayers and a prayer for rain in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). For a longer read on each place, from the gates of Masjid an-Nabawi to the Meeqat points, open our Makkah and Madinah guide.
Many Madinah tours end at a date farm or date market. Madinah is known for its dates, especially Ajwa, and pilgrims often buy boxes to take home. Dates are paid for at the shop and are not part of the tour fare.
Wadi-e-Jinn, also called Wadi al-Baida, is a desert valley north-west of Madinah. Wadi-e-Jinn is known for a “magnetic hill” effect, where a car seems to roll uphill on its own. The effect is an optical illusion created by the shape of the land. Tours that add it take longer, and the Wadi e Jinn taxi page explains the trip.
- Jannat al-Baqi on foot
- Masjid al-Ghamamah on foot
- Check Baqi visiting hours
- Wadi-e-Jinn by car
- An optical illusion
- Adds time to the tour
What a Tour Includes
Seeing the Holy Places by Private Car: What to Expect
A private Ziyarat tour with Online Umrah Taxi is a car and driver for your group, from your hotel and back. One fixed price covers the whole vehicle for the tour. The driver speaks English and Arabic, knows the order of the stops and waits while you visit each place. The vehicle can be anything from a 4-seat Toyota Camry to a 17-seat Toyota Coaster, all shown in our umrah taxi fleet.
Most pilgrims see the main places of each city in one half-day visit. Fares, stops and timing for Makkah are on the Makkah Ziyarat taxi page.
Longer days are possible, such as adding Wadi-e-Jinn or a day in Taif. The Madinah Ziyarat taxi page covers the Madinah tour and its add-on. The driver does not act as a religious guide, so many families bring a book or an app on the Seerah.
Cars are air-conditioned and cleaned before each trip, with bottled water on board. Prayer stops are made on request. Most rides need no pre-payment, and you can pay cash to the driver or by a secure online link.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver waits at each stop
- Fixed fare per vehicle
- Half-day: usually around 3 hours
- Wadi-e-Jinn adds time
- Taif is a full day
Umrah Ziyarat Tours
Umrah Ziyarat Tours: Fixed Fares by Tour
| Route | Toyota Camry (4 seats) | Toyota Coaster (17 seats) |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah Ziyarat | from 200 SAR | 400 SAR |
| Madinah Ziyarat | from 200 SAR | 400 SAR |
| Madinah Ziyarat with Wadi-e-Jinn | from 300 SAR | 500 SAR |
| Taif day tour | from 440 SAR | 750 SAR |
| Masjid Ayesha Meeqat (Ihram trip) | from 100 SAR | 220 SAR |
Fares are in SAR for the whole vehicle, from your hotel and back. Tap a tour to see every vehicle, the stops and how to book it. All transfer and tour fares sit in one table if you are pricing the full journey.
Taif and Beyond
Beyond the Two Holy Cities: A Day in Taif
Taif is a mountain city roughly 90 km from Makkah via the Al-Hada road, about 1.5 hours each way. Many pilgrims visit Taif because the Prophet (peace be upon him) travelled there to invite its people to Islam. A Taif visit is a full day, so it is best planned apart from your Makkah tour.
The stops and the waiting time in Taif are agreed on WhatsApp before pickup, and the Taif Ziyarat taxi page has the full plan.
- Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas
- Masjid Addas
- The Al-Hada road
- About 1.5 hours each way
- Round trip from Makkah
- Stops agreed before pickup
Holy Places in Pictures
Six Holy Places in Makkah and Madinah
These photos show the two Harams, three Ziyarat places in Madinah and Masjid Ayesha, the Meeqat in Tan’eem. Each caption explains how the place fits into a visit to Makkah or Madinah.
Masjid al-Haram, Makkah
Masjid al-Haram is close to where most Makkah Ziyarat tours begin and end. Most tours set off after Fajr or after Asr, so you are back for the next prayer.
Masjid an-Nabawi, Madinah
Masjid an-Nabawi is the starting point for Madinah visits. Jannat al-Baqi and Masjid al-Ghamamah are both within walking distance of its gates.
Masjid Quba, Madinah
Masjid Quba is the first mosque of Islam and the usual first stop of a Madinah tour. Many visitors arrive with wudu so they can pray there.
Masjid al-Qiblatain, Madinah
Masjid al-Qiblatain recalls the change of the qibla towards the Ka’bah. It is a short drive from Quba on most Madinah routes.
Mount Uhud, Madinah
Mount Uhud overlooks the martyrs’ cemetery and Jabal al-Rumah. Pilgrims often spend the longest time here, retracing the battle from the Archers’ Hill.
Masjid Ayesha (Tan’eem), Makkah
Masjid Ayesha is the Meeqat closest to Masjid al-Haram. Pilgrims staying in Makkah go there to enter Ihram for another Umrah.
Why Visit by Private Car
A Private Car Makes the Ziyarat Day Easier
The Ziyarat places are spread across each city, and a few sit on the outskirts. A private car links them in one trip at your own pace. Every Ziyarat ride is run by Online Umrah Taxi, a company licensed by the Saudi Transport Authority.
Several Places in One Trip
A private tour connects places that are hard to reach one by one, such as Jabal Thawr and Arafat. Your driver plans a sensible order, so you do not drive the same road twice.
One Price for the Car
The Ziyarat fare covers the vehicle, not each passenger. A family of four in a Toyota Camry shares one fixed price.
Drivers Who Know the Stops
Online Umrah Taxi drivers understand the pilgrimage routes in both cities. They know where to stop safely at each place and where the entrances are.
Time for Prayer
Tell your driver which prayer falls during the tour. The driver stops at a mosque on the route or brings you back to the Haram in time.
Easier for Elderly Parents
The car drops you close to each place, so there is less walking in the heat. Rest breaks can be added whenever you need them.
Book for Family or Friends
You can book a Ziyarat tour for a parent or friend who is travelling on their own. Changes before the pickup time are free on WhatsApp.
Saudi Transport Authority licensed | Fixed fares per vehicle | English & Arabic drivers | WhatsApp 24/7
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How to Plan It
How to Plan Your Ziyarat Visit in 4 Steps
Planning a Ziyarat tour takes a few messages. Pick your city, send your details and agree the plan before the day.
Choose Your City and Tour
Decide between Makkah, Madinah, Madinah with Wadi-e-Jinn or a Taif day trip, using the list on this page.
Send Your Details
Share your hotel, date, group size and any places you want to add or skip on WhatsApp.
Pick a Time Around Prayers
Agree a start time that fits between prayers. Early mornings are cooler and often quieter at the popular places.
Visit and Return
Your driver collects you, waits at each stop and drops you back at your hotel. Pay the driver in cash or by secure link.
Ziyarat Etiquette
Etiquette for Visiting the Holy Places
A little preparation makes each visit calmer. These tips are general, and your scholar or group leader can guide you on anything religious.
Dress Modestly
Wear loose clothing that covers the body, as you would for the Haram. Women usually bring an abaya and headscarf for the mosque stops.
Plan Around Prayer Times
Mosques fill up quickly near each prayer, and some places close for a short time. Starting after Fajr or Asr helps you avoid a rush.
Expect Crowds at Peak Times
Quba, Uhud and Jabal al-Nour can be busy, especially on Fridays and in Ramadan. Keep your group together and agree a meeting point. Touring as a large party? Our umrah group transport page explains how to book a Hiace or a Coaster.
Respect the Heat
Midday heat in Makkah and Madinah can be intense for much of the year. Carry water, wear sandals you can walk in and take shade breaks.
Be Gentle at the Cemeteries
Jannat al-Mu’alla, Jannat al-Baqi and the Uhud cemetery are places of quiet reflection. Keep voices low and follow the signs and staff.
Photos with Care
Photography rules differ from place to place. Ask before photographing people, and follow any local signs about cameras.
Pilgrim Reviews
After the Visit: Pilgrims on Their Ziyarah
Reviews that mention a Ziyarah sit at the top of this list. Each one comes from a pilgrim who rode with Online Umrah Taxi. Pilgrims rate Online Umrah Taxi 4.9/5.
Choose Your City, Then Your Day
Tell us your city, hotel and date on WhatsApp. Online Umrah Taxi confirms a fixed Ziyarat fare from 200 SAR per vehicle before you travel.
Questions About Ziyarat Places?
Address
Building 2175, Al Otaibiya 78 St, Al Utaybiyyah, Makkah 24237, Saudi Arabia
Phone
+966 56 323 2855
info@onlineumrahtaxi.com
About the Places
Questions About Ziyarat Places
The main Ziyarat places in Makkah are Jabal al-Nour (Cave of Hira), Jabal Thawr, Arafat with Jabal al-Rahmah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jannat al-Mu’alla and Masjid al-Jinn. Masjid Ayesha in Tan’eem is often added, although it is a Meeqat for Ihram rather than a Ziyarat place.
The main Ziyarat places in Madinah are Masjid Quba, Masjid al-Qiblatain, Mount Uhud with the martyrs’ cemetery, Jabal al-Rumah, the Seven Mosques with Masjid al-Fath and Masjid al-Jumu’ah. Jannat al-Baqi and Masjid al-Ghamamah are close enough to Masjid an-Nabawi to visit on foot.
In Madinah, Jannat al-Baqi and Masjid al-Ghamamah are within walking distance of Masjid an-Nabawi. Most other Ziyarat places in Makkah and Madinah, such as Masjid Quba, Mount Uhud, Jabal al-Nour and Arafat, need a car. A private tour links them in one trip from your hotel.
No, Ziyarat is not a rite of Umrah. Umrah consists of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and cutting or shaving the hair. Ziyarat is a voluntary visit that many pilgrims value for its connection to Islamic history. For any question about its religious standing, please ask your scholar.
Yes, Arafat can be visited outside the Hajj days, and it is a regular stop on the Makkah Ziyarat taxi tour. The same applies to Muzdalifah and Mina. From 8 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, the holy sites are for Hajj pilgrims and authorised transport only, and Online Umrah Taxi does not drive there.
Yes, Taif has Ziyarat places such as Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas and Masjid Addas. The drive from Makkah takes about 1.5 hours each way over the Al-Hada road. A Taif visit is a day trip, planned on the Taif Ziyarat taxi page.
Wadi-e-Jinn is a desert valley near Madinah visited mostly for its scenery and its “magnetic hill” effect. The effect is an optical illusion caused by the slope of the land. It is often added to a Madinah tour as an extra, not as a holy place.
Planning a Tour
Planning Your Ziyarat Tour
Online Umrah Taxi runs five private Ziyarat tours by car: Makkah Ziyarat, Madinah Ziyarat, Madinah Ziyarat with Wadi-e-Jinn, a Taif day tour and a Masjid Ayesha Meeqat trip. Each tour is priced for the whole vehicle, from your hotel and back. The fare table above links to each tour’s own page.
A half-day Ziyarat covers the main places of one city in usually around 3 hours. A longer tour adds places further out, such as Wadi-e-Jinn, or a separate city such as Taif. If your time is short, one half-day tour in each city covers the best-known places.
Many pilgrims complete Umrah first and plan Ziyarat for a later day. Ziyarat has no fixed timing, so choose what suits your energy and schedule. For any religious preference, please ask your scholar or group leader.
Yes, you can ask to add or skip places when you book on WhatsApp. The team confirms on WhatsApp whether a change fits the standard tour. Places further out, such as Wadi-e-Jinn, are booked as a longer tour at their own fare.
Each city has its own Ziyarat tour, so you book one tour for each city. You can arrange both in the same WhatsApp chat, with a date for each. The Makkah to Madinah taxi links the two cities.