Makkah → Madinah

• On board: roughly 2 hr 15 to 2 hr 30 Makkah to Madinah direct, a little longer if your service stops at KAEC.
• Add at each end: Makkah station is in Rusaifah, about 15 minutes from the Haram. Madinah station is about 10–15 minutes from the Prophet's Mosque. Budget a short taxi both sides.
• Arrive early: 30–45 minutes before departure for security and finding your platform.
• Book ahead in Ramadan and Hajj season — services sell out. Outside those, same-day tickets are usually fine.
• Classes: economy is perfectly comfortable. Business buys more legroom and a quieter carriage for roughly double.

Five to six hours on the road, air-conditioned, with prayer and rest stops. Roughly half the train's price, or less.

• Worth it if you're travelling on a tight budget or with a group that would rather save the fare.
• Night departures let you sleep through the journey and arrive for Fajr — popular, so book ahead.
• Bring your own water and food; stops are short and the options are limited.
• Less good with small children or elderly travellers — the train is far kinder on both.

Makes sense for a family of five or more with luggage, where per-head the car can undercut four or five train tickets — and you get door-to-door with no transfers.

• Agree the total price, the vehicle type, and whether stops are included, in writing or by message, before the day.
• Use a licensed company rather than a driver who approaches you outside the hotel.
• You can stop at Badr or other historical sites on the way — a real advantage of this option.
• The driver will stop for prayers; confirm that up front.

There is no airport in Makkah, so "flying" means a road transfer to Jeddah, airport procedures, a short hop to Madinah, and another transfer at the far end. By the time you've done all that you have spent five to six hours and more money than the train, for less comfort. The only case for it is a connecting international flight you need to catch from Madinah anyway.

Going Makkah → Madinah

No Ihram is needed. You are travelling away from Makkah, and visiting the Prophet's Mosque is not a pilgrimage rite requiring Ihram.

Coming back Madinah → Makkah for Umrah

Now the Miqat matters. Your Miqat is Dhul Hulayfah — known locally as Abyar Ali — about 11 km outside Madinah on the Makkah road. You must be in Ihram before passing it.

• By car or coach: the vehicle stops there. There is a large mosque with washing facilities. Shower, change, pray two rak'ah, make your intention, and continue.
• By train: the line does not pass through Dhul Hulayfah in a way that lets you stop. So enter Ihram before you leave Madinah — most people shower and change at their hotel, then travel to the station already in Ihram, making the intention as they set off. A taxi detour to Abyar Ali first is the more cautious route if you have time.
• By air: enter Ihram before boarding at Madinah airport.

• The Rawdah — the area between the Prophet's ﷺ pulpit and his house. Access requires a permit booked through Nusuk, and slots go quickly. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
• Masjid Quba — the first mosque in Islam. Praying two rak'ah there carries a reward likened to that of an Umrah.
• Masjid al-Qiblatayn — where the qibla changed direction mid-prayer.
• Uhud — the battlefield and the graves of the martyrs, including Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him).
• Jannat al-Baqi — the main cemetery beside the mosque, with set visiting hours.
• The seven mosques and the Trench area — commonly included in ziyarat tours.