Best hotels in Makkah and Madinah

Finding the best hotel for your Umrah trip is the key challenge most Umrah pilgrims face. The reason is that most Pakistanis tend to find the economy hotels but that means there will be lower standard of services.

Therefore, we recommend that you choose a better hotel in both Makkah and Madinah. That’ll give you better rest and more peaceful ibadat in Harmain

Recently, there is a huge range of hotels available that can give a much better stay for you and your family. We have listed all the recent hotel options we can arrange for your Umrah trip. These hotels can be booked via Trips.pk. Make a choice and then ask us to book a hotel for you for your required duration and dates.

Hotels in Makkah and Madinah

Makkah and Madinah are two of the most sacred cities in Islam and millions of pilgrims visit these cities every year. Among other preparations for Umrah and Hajj, pilgrims also book hotels in Makkah and Madinah primarily to feel comfortable.

Hotel booking in makkah and madinah:

Makkah: 

Makkah offers various luxurious and economical hotels with access to the Holy Kaaba. Among them, the following ones could be selected: 

• Makkah Clock Royal Tower (Fairmont)
• Hilton Suites Makkah
• Swissotel Makkah
• Al Safwah Royale Orchid

Madinah:

In Madinah, everyone will pay some extra cash for proximity to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. 

• Madinah Oberoi
• Pullman Zamzam Madina
• Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick
• Dar Al Iman Intercontinental

Hotel reservations in makkah and madinah

It is prudent that hotel reservations should be made way in advance, especially with such pilgrims targeting high seasons like Hajj and Ramadan. Many online websites have made booking very easy. On such platforms, an individual can compare prices and make bookings based on budgetary convenience as well as how close the hotel is to the mosque.

 Price Range:

• Luxury hotels: PKR 50,000 - 150,000 per night.
• Mid-range hotels: PKR 20,000 - 50,000 per night.
• Budget hotels: PKR 5,000 to 20,000/night.

For more details, you can type pics of Makkah and Madinah on the web browser, and you'll find the beautiful scenery from some of these hotels.

Difference between Makkah and Madinah Surah

The difference between Makkah and Madinah surah is mostly in the themes and the targets of the revelations.

The characteristics of Makkah and Madinah surah are given below:

Makkah:

• Target audience: Largely addressed to the non-believers and the idol worshippers.
• Themes: Oneness of God (Tawhid), afterlife and prophethood.
• Style:  Short verses and more of a warning approach in judgment.

Examples: Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah Al-Ikhlas.

Madina

• Audience: Primarily to the Muslims about matters concerning life in the community and governance.
• Themes: Laws, social justice, and the building of the Muslim community.
• Style: Longer verses, with more detailed instructions.

Examples: Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah An-Nisa. 

These Makkah and Madinah surah were revealed under different circumstances and expressed the condition faced by the Muslims during Makkah and Madinah.

Shopping in Makkah and Madinah

Shopping in Makkah and Madinah is an integral part of the pilgrim's experience. Both cities have numerous markets and malls with which the pilgrims can shop for religious materials, souvenirs and other daily essentials.

Some Popular Areas for shopping in makkah and Madinah are given below:

• Makkah: The Abraj Al Bait Mall (Clock Tower Mall) is one of the largest shopping centers in Makkah. Pilgrims can buy Islamic books, prayer mats, perfumes, gifts and more. Local markets around Haram also provide excellent bargains on dates, Zamzam water and traditional clothing.
• Madinah: Bin Dawood and Al Noor Mall are the favorites of Madinah. There is a whole market street close to the Prophet's Mosque that sells religious goods, dates, and Arabic fragrances.

Ziyarat of Makkah and Madinah

The ziarat of Makkah and Madinah is the visitation of significant religious and historical sites in both cities.

Major Ziyarat Sites in Makkah:

• Jabal al-Noor: Cave where the first revelation was received by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• Mount Arafat is where pilgrims will be gathered in Hajj.
• Masjid al-Haram: The sacred mosque surrounding the Kaaba.

Madinah Ziyarat Places:

• Al-Masjid an-Nabawi: Where the Prophet rests.
• Jannat al-Baqi: Where many companions of the Prophet (PBUH) are buried.
• Masjid Quba: The first mosque built in Islam.

Makkah and Madinah from Space

Views of Makkah and Madinah from space reveal instead the holy places in both cities. Satellite images show high-scale cities and attractions of Makkah and Madinah from space and can be easily identified such as the Grand Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque of Madinah at a distance.

Makkah and Madinah Videos

You can get a close experience of these holy cities by just watching Makkah and Madinah videos. Many online channels share videos of the mosques, ziyarat sites, and daily life in these cities.

Train Service between Makkah and Madinah

The Makkah to Madinah train service is the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which is a modern and efficient means of traveling between the two cities. The distance between Makkah and Madinah by train is approximately 450 kilometers and the travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Price: PKR 7,000 to 12,000 per ticket.

The train between Makkah and Madinah is especially convenient during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Cheap Hotels in Madinah and Makkah

There are cheap hotels in Madinah and Makkah too for those traveling on a shoestring. These budget hotels may be a little further from the mosques but offer all basic amenities and comfortable stays.

Budget: PKR 5,000 - 10,000 per night.

Distance between Makkah and Madinah

The distance between Makkah and Madinah is as follows: 

• Makkah is around 450 kilometers from Madinah.
• The distance between Makkah and Madinah by bus: The journey takes 6-7 hours.
• The distance between Makkah and Madinah by road: In case you are approaching here by road it would take approximately 4-5 hours depending on the speed limit of your vehicle.

Costs of travel vary between PKR 1,500 for the ticket about the transport used. Buses make up the cheapest way to travel to this place.

Jobs in Makkah and Madinah

There are numerous jobs in Makkah and Madinah in hospitality, religious services, and construction sectors. Job competition is highly competitive during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Places to visit in Makkah and Madinah

In conducting Umrah, there are many places to visit in Makkah and Madinah during umrah that are of historical and religious significance:

 In Makkah:

• Kaaba is the holiest place in the Islamic world.
• Mina: The tent city during Hajj.
• Jabal al-Rahmah: Mount of Mercy.

 In Madinah:

• Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi): The second-holiest place in Islam.
• Masjid Quba: The first mosque in Islam.
• Uhud Mountain: The place where the well-known Battle of Uhud took place.

Prices for guided tours of the above places will vary from PKR 5,000 to PKR 15,000 per person depending on the services provided.