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Jeddah to Madinatul Munawwarrah by Air

It is advisable to go by air to Madinah, as the journey is only 40 minutes.  These Hujjaajj will have their passports taken away on checking in for Madinah and will only receive them on their departure from the kingdom.

The Madinah check-in and departure lounge is located within the Hajj Terminal.  Ensure you have some canned drinks and snacks with you as once you have checked in, there are no eating facilities here, only an ablution block, toilets and a small prayer area.

Sometimes the waiting period here can be very long as the planes only take-off when full!  At such times you may start wishing that it would have been better to have gone by road after all!

Other disadvantages of going by air will be the  need to sort out the passport matters in Madinah and on arrival in Jeddah. Secondly, you will not have the group cover or support from the guides. Thirdly, any extended stay in Madinah as a result of flying to Jeddah will have to be paid for by you. Finally, there is no guarantee that the "un-used" transport voucher for travel to Jeddah from Madinah on Muassassas coach will still be intact for refund.

Arrival at Madinah Airport

On arrival at Madinah airport, you will be taken to the Muassassas office, (Aadillah Establishment), where the bus/taxi driver will complete all the necessary formalities.  It is at this office where you all will be issued a business card which will depict the physical address of these offices where your passports will be kept.  On the reverse of this card, the nationality, (as on your passport), will be endorsed by them.  Ideally you are supposed to be given an identity card depicting your particulars and those of the Muassassas office.

(Note that at Madinah airport you will have to hire a taxi, [price ranging from 100-200 Riyals per cab].  However, if you are part of a large group, [minimum 45 people], then the Aadillah Establishment, upon prior notification, will send a bus to the airport, each Hajji paying 10 Riyals.)

Madinah Airport to Hotel

The driver will then drop you at your pre-paid, (and pre-booked), hotel/apartment block, (if he can find it as usually the drivers are hired helping-hands from surrounding countries during the Hajj period!).  Ideally, the Muassassas office is now supposed to transport  you and your luggage to the lodging you have paid for and help you in ALL your needs, including the actual visitation to Masjid-e-Nabawi.  (However, such services I have personally yet to encounter!)

Jeddah to Madinatul Munawwarrah by  Road

Those Hujjaajj going to Madinah by road, (approximately 425km on a dual carriage highway), will have their passports given to the bus/taxi driver.  The buses will only depart when they are full; thus there maybe unavoidable delays.

Before boarding the bus, ensure that you have canned drinks, mineral water and snacks with you as the journey can be as long as twelve hours because of various checkpoints.   The best time to travel by road is after Esha as it is cooler and one does not have to worry about any impending Farz Salaat.

Many petrol filling stations, with “services” on the way and the driver may or may not stop at these; however, you could all “force” him to do so as a group!  Ablution facilities at these services have improved dramatically!

Pilgrims Grouping Center

Just before entering Madinah is a “Pilgrims Grouping Center” where the driver will complete the necessary entry formalities.  It usually does not take long here.  This place is provided with an ablution block, toilets, Mussallah and eating facilities.

On reaching Madinah city, the procedure will be as outlined above, i.e. taken to the Muassassas office, etc.

Johannesburg to Madinatul Munawwarrah by Air

Only Saudi Arabian Airlines lands at Madinah airport.

Immigration and customs formalities similar to Jeddah Hajj Terminal, albeit less people.

Passports exchanged for business cards mentioned above.

Entry and exit formalities as for those arriving in Madinah either by air from Jeddah or by road from Jeddah/Makkah.

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