Madinah Airport (MED) Guide: Getting to the City, Money, SIM
A practical guide to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Madinah: who runs it, how to reach the city, what to expect on arrival, ATMs, SIM cards, facilities and what to check yourself before you travel.
Madinah Airport (MED), officially Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, is the gateway for most visitors who fly to Madinah. It is a single airport on the north-western edge of the city, and getting from the arrivals hall to your hotel is usually the part travellers worry about most. This guide collects what the airport itself publishes and what is widely reported, and it marks the figures that are only approximate.
ZiyaraGo is an independent information service. We checked the airport’s public pages on 15 October 2026. Fares, flight schedules and service details change, so treat the numbers here as a guide for planning and confirm the current details with your airline, the airport or the operator before you rely on them.
Madinah Airport at a glance
The airport is operated by Tibah Airports Operation Company and uses the IATA code MED. According to the official airport site it operates around the clock. The main terminal complex opened in 2015, and a separate seasonal Hajj Terminal with six pavilions is used during the Hajj season.
The airport serves domestic flights and international services. Saudia has a large presence, and carriers such as flynas, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air Arabia and Pakistan International Airlines are among those reported to fly there. Routes change by season, so check your own booking rather than a general list.
How far is Madinah Airport from the city?
The airport site describes the city centre as roughly 30 minutes away. Guides give the distance to the central area around the Prophet’s Mosque as about 15 to 20 kilometres, and a drive of 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and the exact hotel. Plan for the longer end in the evenings and in busy seasons.
There is no railway line at the airport. The Haramain high-speed railway station in Madinah is in the city, so you cannot arrive by train at the terminal; the station and the airport are connected only by road.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
The airport’s To & From the Airport page lists the options available at the terminal: car rental desks in the arrivals area, taxis and limousines, the ride-hailing apps Careem and Rehla, and shuttle buses to the Prophet’s Mosque area. The figures below come from travel guides and are only indicative.
Use the official taxi queue or an app you have already set up, agree the price or check the posted tariff before you get in, and keep your hotel name and address ready in Arabic and English. Avoid people who approach you inside the terminal offering a ride.
| Option | Where to find it | Indicative cost (approximate) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi / limousine | Taxi queue outside arrivals, posted tariff board | Roughly SAR 50–100, more in peak seasons | Check the tariff and the price before you start |
| Ride-hailing (Careem, Rehla) | Request in the app after you land | Roughly SAR 40–80, varies with demand | Local number or mobile data helps with registration |
| Shuttle bus to the Prophet’s Mosque area | Listed on the airport’s official page | Roughly SAR 15–25 according to guides | Confirm the pick-up point and the timetable on arrival |
| Car rental | Desks in the arrivals area | Depends on the company | Check parking at your hotel first |
On arrival: immigration, ATMs and exchange
You complete passport control before you collect your bags, so allow time. The airport’s financial-services pages list an Alinma Bank ATM in international arrivals before immigration and an Al Rajhi Bank ATM in international departures, and a money-exchange service is available. Many travellers withdraw or exchange only a small amount at the airport and handle the rest in the city.
Make sure your visa is arranged before you fly through the official channels. Plan to have your visa ready before you fly rather than organising it at the airport.
SIM cards and mobile data
Saudi mobile operators such as STC, Mobily and Zain are reported to have sales points in the arrivals area. You will need your passport to register a SIM. Prices vary by package, so compare the offers at the counters.
If you prefer to be connected the moment you land, an eSIM installed before the flight avoids queues. The airport also advertises free Wi-Fi, which is useful for ordering a ride but is not a replacement for mobile data.
Facilities inside the airport
According to the official site, the airport has lounges, free Wi-Fi, food and beverage outlets, shops, a luggage-services office, a lost-and-found service, an airport hotel and parking with a fee calculator. Exact opening hours and prices change, so check at the airport.
If you leave something behind or your luggage is delayed, go to the airline’s desk first, then the airport’s customer-relations page on the official site.
Madinah Airport compared with Jeddah
Many visitors enter the Kingdom through Jeddah and travel on to Madinah, or the other way round. The airport’s own pages describe one main terminal complex plus the seasonal Hajj Terminal, while Jeddah has several terminals and the right one depends on your airline. If you are flying via Jeddah, our Jeddah airport terminals guide shows which terminal each airline uses.
From Jeddah you can continue to Madinah by air or by the Haramain high-speed train. The train station in Madinah is in the city, not at the airport, so factor in a taxi at the end.
Practical tips for a smooth arrival
Plan to reach the airport about three hours before an international departure and about two hours before a domestic one. Photograph your luggage tags, keep a charged phone with an offline map, and carry your hotel booking and address.
If you land late at night, ask your hotel whether it can arrange a pick-up, and confirm the price in advance.
How we chose
We built this guide from the airport’s own public pages and from widely available travel information, checked on 15 October 2026, and rewrote it in our own words. Every fare is marked as approximate. We are not the airport or an airline, so confirm the current details with them.
Tips
- Fix your visa and onward booking before you fly; do not count on arranging a visa at the airport.
- Use the official taxi queue or a ride-hailing app and check the price before you start.
- Withdraw or exchange only a small amount at the airport.
- An eSIM installed before the flight saves time in arrivals.
- Keep the hotel name and address ready in Arabic and English.
Questions and answers
What is the airport code for Madinah?
The code is MED. The airport’s full name is Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport.
How far is Madinah Airport from the city centre?
The airport site says about 30 minutes to the centre. Guides give roughly 15 to 20 kilometres to the Prophet’s Mosque area.
Is there a train from Madinah Airport?
No. There is no railway at the airport. The Haramain station is in the city, so you need a taxi or a ride from the airport to reach it.
How much is a taxi from Madinah Airport?
Guides give roughly SAR 50–100, depending on the time of day and season. Check the posted tariff and agree the price before you start.
Does Madinah Airport have ATMs and exchange?
Yes. The airport lists an Alinma Bank ATM in international arrivals before immigration and an Al Rajhi Bank ATM in international departures, plus a money-exchange service.
Can I get a SIM card at the airport?
Saudi operators are reported to have sales points in arrivals and you need your passport to register. An eSIM bought before the flight avoids the queue.
Prepared with the help of AI and checked by the ZiyaraGo team. Editorial policy