Car Hire Mecca

Makkah is the holiest religious site for the Islamic faith. The city was proclaimed the holy site of Islam by the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. By then, Makkah functioned mostly as an important trade city in the middle east. The city boasts a population of 1.7 million and sits inland from the city of Jeddah.

Makkah is serviced by the international airport at Jeddah which has specialized facilities to handle the thousands of pilgrims which use the airport each year. The Haji terminal, specially designed for the pilgrims, houses a mosque for prayers, and lounges for both arrivals and departures. Car rental in Makkah can also be secured at this airport for the drive into the city.

Cheap car hire in Makkah is a necessity, as available public transport is limited. Some private taxis are available for hire, but most people, both visitors and locals, find it difficult to get around without personal transportation.

Car hire in Makkah can be found at the airport in Jeddah, or at one of the city's many travel agencies. Most importantly, most vehicles hired in the city can be returned to Jeddah Airport, which is a convenient way to secure reliable transportation to the airport about 35kms away.

Car hire will also come in handy when accessing the religious and historical sites of interest in the city as some are located in the surrounding area as opposed to the downtown region. Accommodation is readily available, but can become hard to secure during the height of the pilgrimage season so booking well in advance is advisable.