Home > Makkah Taxi Service > Makkah to Taif Taxi
A private full-day return taxi from Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Al-Taif costs SAR 450 for a Toyota Camry (half day SAR 450, full day SAR 550) and SAR 500 for a Hyundai Staria (half day SAR 500, full day SAR 700). The journey covers approximately 75 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way through the Hejaz mountain passes. Most pilgrims spend 4 to 6 hours in Taif. All fares are per vehicle, fixed, with driver waiting time included and zero advance deposit.
Taif sits 1,800 metres above sea level in the Hejaz mountains, southeast of Makkah. During hot summer months — when Makkah exceeds 43°C — Taif remains 10 to 15°C cooler, offering crisp mountain breezes and fragrant rose gardens.
For pilgrims on extended stays in Makkah, an excursion to Taif provides welcome relief, cool elevation, and profound historical reflection. In the tenth year of prophethood (the Year of Sorrow), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ journeyed to Taif. It was here in a quiet orchard that the Christian servant Addas offered him grapes, listened to his blessed words, and embraced Islam.
When you book your private Makkah to Taif taxi with us, you travel door-to-door in air-conditioned comfort with a knowledgeable driver who understands the mountain highway and accommodates your family's schedule with zero rush.
The scenic drive from Makkah to Taif ascends the dramatic Al-Hada mountain pass, rising from 270 metres in Makkah to 1,800 metres on the plateau.
The Al-Hada cable car station sits partway up the ascent, providing panoramic vistas across the dramatic canyons below. Our drivers navigate these mountain switchbacks daily with steady, passenger-first driving, ensuring elderly pilgrims and young children remain completely relaxed.
Masjid Addas is built on the site of the garden where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ rested during his journey to Taif in 619 CE (the Year of Sorrow). Refused entry to the city and pelted with stones as he left, the Prophet ﷺ took refuge in this garden belonging to 'Utbah and Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah.
Addas, their Christian servant, brought him grapes. When the Prophet ﷺ said "Bismillah" before eating, Addas was moved to ask about his faith — and by the end of their conversation, had embraced Islam.
The mosque is a small, serene, and deeply moving site. For pilgrims who understand the hardship the Prophet ﷺ endured in Taif, standing on the grounds where Addas kissed his feet carries a spiritual resonance that is difficult to describe.
It is typically the first stop on our Taif itinerary and benefits from being visited early in the morning before daytime visitors arrive. Your driver parks directly adjacent to the mosque and waits while you offer two rak'ah of prayer and reflect.
Taif is renowned throughout the Muslim world for its roses — specifically the Taif rose (Ward Taif, Rosa damascena trigintipetala), a 30-petal blossom cultivated on the mountain slopes for centuries and used to produce the finest rose attar (oud oil) and pure distilled rose water used in washing the holy Kaaba.
The rose harvest takes place annually between late February and mid-April, when millions of blossoms are harvested by hand at dawn and brought to local artisanal distilleries.
During the harvest season, the entire countryside smells vividly of fresh roses. Visitors can tour active distilleries, watch ancient copper alembics extract pure rose oil, and purchase certified attar directly from farm producers at factory prices.
Outside the rose season, Taif's agricultural terraces flourish with pomegranates, figs, grapes, and natural mountain honey — all readily available in the historic central marketplace.
Beyond its religious and agricultural heritage, Taif offers spectacular geological viewpoints and heritage attractions that make a full-day excursion deeply rewarding for families:
Al-Hada Cable Car (Teleferik): Descends 4.2 kilometres from the mountaintop station down to the base of the canyon. The views across the rugged serpentine highway below are unmatched in western Saudi Arabia.
Shafa Mountain Highlands: Situated at the highest elevation of the plateau, Al-Shafa offers juniper-covered valleys, cool mist, and panoramic picnic areas. It is the coolest point in the region and an ideal spot for lunch at a mountain restaurant.
Souq Okaz Ancient Heritage Site: Located roughly 25 km north of Taif, this was the most famous open market in pre-Islamic Arabia, where poets competed and tribes gathered during sacred months. Today, the restored cultural zone hosts historical exhibits and displays celebrating classic Arabic poetry and desert heritage.
All fares are for a round-trip private excursion with professional driver waiting time in Taif included. All fares are per vehicle, not per person.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Fare (SAR) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry / Sonata | Up to 4 | 2 large bags | SAR 450 | Couples, solo pilgrims, small families (Standard Return) |
| Hyundai Staria / Starex | Up to 7 | 5 large bags | SAR 500 | Families, sliding door ease, elder comfort (Standard Return) |
| Toyota HiAce | Up to 11 | 10 large bags | SAR 600 | Large families, group day trips, maximum luggage space |
| GMC Yukon (2016–2019) | Up to 7 | 6 large bags | SAR 750 | Executive SUV comfort, spacious cabin, mountain power |
| GMC Yukon VIP (2023–2024) | Up to 7 | 6 large bags | SAR 1,100 | VIP luxury, latest model, executive leather interior |
| Toyota Coaster | Up to 19 | 15+ large bags | SAR 1,100 | Group delegations, tour groups, Umrah family entourages |
Half-Day Itinerary (4–5 Hours in Taif): Best for pilgrims who want to visit Masjid Addas, explore a rose farm or central market, and return to Makkah in time for Asr or Maghrib prayers at the Haram. Standard departure is around 08:00 AM, returning to your hotel by 15:30.
Full-Day Itinerary (6–7 Hours in Taif): Recommended for families wishing to add the Al-Hada cable car, drive up to the cooler Shafa mountain plateau for a traditional lunch, and explore Souq Okaz. Departure is usually at 07:30 AM, returning around Maghrib prayer.
When is the best season to visit? Taif is enjoyable year-round. Summer (May to September) provides blessed respite from Makkah's extreme 43°C+ heat. Spring (February to April) is peak rose season when distillation is in full swing. Winter (November to January) brings brisk mountain breezes and fewer crowds.
"After 5 days in Makkah during August heat, our family day trip to Taif was refreshing beyond words. The driver navigated the mountain road with immense care, took us straight to Masjid Addas without any rushing, and found us a quiet rose distillery where the children learned how attar is produced. An unforgettable experience."
"Visiting Masjid Addas was one of the most emotional highlights of our Umrah. Standing where our beloved Prophet ﷺ rested after the hardships of Taif puts everything into perspective. The Staria was spotless, air conditioning was powerful, and our driver waited patiently everywhere."
Step 1 — Send a WhatsApp message with: your desired date, hotel name in Makkah, number of passengers, and preferred vehicle class.
Step 2 — We confirm vehicle availability, agree on your customized itinerary (Masjid Addas, rose fields, cable car, Shafa), and lock in your fixed all-inclusive price.
Step 3 — Receive your assigned driver's name, phone number, and vehicle details the evening before your trip.
Step 4 — Driver greets you punctually at your Makkah hotel lobby in the morning and begins the scenic ascent.
Step 5 — Return smoothly to your Makkah hotel lobby and pay your driver directly in cash. Zero advance deposit required.
Our only official WhatsApp number: +966 55 375 2182
*Beware of unofficial numbers — we will never request advance credit card payments.*
Approximately 75 km via the Al-Hada mountain highway, taking 1.5 to 2 hours door-to-door. The route ascends 1,500 metres in altitude through steady mountain switchbacks.
Fixed return fares start at SAR 450 for a Toyota Camry, SAR 500 for a Hyundai Staria (7 Pax), SAR 600 for a Toyota HiAce (11 Pax), and SAR 750 for a GMC Yukon. Fuel, highway tolls, and waiting hours are fully included.
Masjid Addas marks the orchard where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ took refuge during the Year of Sorrow (619 CE). Here, Addas offered him grapes, heard his message, and embraced Islam.
Taif roses bloom between late February and mid-April. Distilleries extract fresh rose water and attar daily. Outside these months, local rose factories and markets welcome visitors year-round.
No. You travel in normal modest attire. If you plan to perform Umrah on returning to Makkah, you may enter Ihram at the Wadi Mahram or Qarn al-Manazil Miqat on the descent.
No deposit is ever required. You pay your agreed fare in cash directly to your driver upon returning safely to your Makkah hotel lobby.
