Jazmin Li
While there are no airports in the holy city of Mecca, there are several airports in Saudi Arabia that serve as gateways to the city. As one of the five pillars of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca is compulsory for Muslims, and the closest airport to the city is King Abdulaziz International Airport, located 19 kilometres north of Jeddah. This airport is the busiest in the kingdom and the third-largest by land area, with a dedicated Hajj Terminal that can accommodate 80,000 travellers at any given time. Other airports in the country include Medina and Abha, which are 347 kilometres and 462.3 kilometres from Mecca, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport serving Mecca | King Abdulaziz International Airport |
| Location | 19 kilometres north of Jeddah |
| Year of opening | 1981 |
| Area | 112 square kilometres |
| Terminals | 3 operational passenger terminals, including a Hajj Terminal |
| Distance from Mecca | 74.8 km |
| Distance from Jeddah | 19 km |
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What You'll Learn
- The closest airport to Mecca is King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah
- There are no airports in Mecca due to its status as a Holy City
- The Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport is built to accommodate 80,000 pilgrims
- It is compulsory for Muslims to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime
- Medina and Abha airports are 347 km and 462.3 km from Mecca, respectively
The closest airport to Mecca is King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah
The city of Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is considered a Holy Land in Islam and is a compulsory pilgrimage destination for Muslims. While there are no airports in the city of Mecca, the closest airport to the city is King Abdulaziz International Airport, located in Jeddah. This airport is about 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of Jeddah and about 74.8 kilometres from Mecca. It covers an area of 112 square kilometres (43 square miles) and is the busiest airport in the kingdom.
King Abdulaziz International Airport was opened in 1981 and was built to replace the now-demolished Kandara Airport. The airport has a royal terminal and three operational passenger terminals, including a Hajj Terminal built to handle the increased traffic during the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season. The Hajj Terminal can accommodate up to 80,000 travellers at any given time. The airport is one of the largest in the world by terminal size, with Terminal 1 alone spanning 810,000 square metres (8,700,000 square feet).
The airport is served by various airlines, including Saudi flag carriers Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal, as well as international carriers such as Emirates, British Airways, and Thai Airways International. The South Terminal, which was previously used by Saudia and other low-cost carriers, was closed in 2020, and its operations were transferred to the newly built Terminal 1. The North Terminal is primarily used by non-Saudi airlines.
Travellers can reach Mecca from the airport by various means, including taxi, Uber, bus, or train. The journey time by car is approximately 1 hour, while the bus journey can take up to 2 hours.
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There are no airports in Mecca due to its status as a Holy City
Although there are no airports in the city of Mecca, there are several airports in Saudi Arabia that serve as gateways to the city. The closest airport to Mecca is King Abdulaziz International Airport, located 19 kilometres north of Jeddah, which is about 75 kilometres from Mecca. This airport is one of the busiest in the Middle East and has a dedicated Hajj Terminal to accommodate the influx of pilgrims during the Islamic Hajj season.
The absence of airports in Mecca can be attributed to its status as a Holy City. From a religious perspective, Mecca is considered sacred in Islam, and non-Muslims are prohibited from entering certain holy areas, including the airspace above them. The presence of airports in Mecca could potentially allow non-Muslims to inadvertently enter these restricted zones, thus disrupting the sanctity of the Holy City.
Furthermore, the constant noise of aircraft landing and taking off could disturb the peace and tranquility sought by pilgrims visiting Mecca. The mountainous terrain of the region, located between the Sarawat mountain belt, is also cited as a technical reason for the absence of airports in the city.
Despite the lack of airports in Mecca itself, there are alternative transportation options available. Muslims travelling to Mecca can fly into various airports throughout Saudi Arabia and then opt for taxis, buses, or train services to complete their journey. These overland options provide flexibility in terms of cost and travel time, ensuring that pilgrims can reach their destination comfortably and within their preferred budget.
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The Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport is built to accommodate 80,000 pilgrims
King Abdulaziz International Airport, also known as Jeddah Airport, is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of Jeddah and covers an area of 112 square kilometres (43 sq mi). It is the busiest airport in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the third-largest by land area. The airport was opened in 1981 and was built to replace the now-demolished Kandara Airport. It is named after the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz.
The Hajj Terminal is built exclusively to handle the increased traffic during the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory for Muslims. The terminal is designed to function like a shaded village, with only customs, baggage handling, and similar facilities located in the air-conditioned building. The naturally ventilated western half of the terminal supplied the vast flexibility and dramatic backdrop required for showcasing art at the scale of an international exhibition. The terminal has also been used to host the Islamic Arts Biennale, which attracted over 500,000 visitors during its four-month run in the spring of 2023.
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It is compulsory for Muslims to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime
King Abdulaziz International Airport, also known as Jeddah Airport, is the closest airport to Mecca, located 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of Jeddah and 74.8 kilometres from Mecca. The airport is the busiest in Saudi Arabia and the third-largest by land area. It is also one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. The airport has a dedicated Hajj Terminal to accommodate 80,000 travellers during the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season.
Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam, and it is compulsory for Muslims to make a pilgrimage there in their lifetime. This pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the holy city, and this restriction includes passing through its airspace. As a result, no airport has been established within the city.
To enter Mecca, Muslims must provide proof of their religious beliefs, and anyone unable to do so will be denied access. Documentation from a local imam may be requested during the booking process, and travellers may be asked to recite the Shahada and answer questions about their knowledge of Islam. Muslim travellers from certain nationalities can obtain a Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa, which allows them to visit the country for their Umrah pilgrimage.
There are various ways to reach Mecca, including by plane, car, bus, or train. The closest airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport, offers a range of transportation options upon arrival, including licensed taxis, private drivers, and public transport. The airport is connected to the Airport-Jeddah station of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, providing easy access to Mecca.
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Medina and Abha airports are 347 km and 462.3 km from Mecca, respectively
While there are no airports in Mecca, the city is served by King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which is located 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of the city. This airport is the busiest in the kingdom and the third-largest by land area. It is also one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. It has three operational passenger terminals, including a Hajj Terminal built to handle the increased traffic during the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season, which can accommodate 80,000 travellers.
The absence of airports in Mecca can be attributed to various factors, including religious, scientific, and technical considerations. One reason is the sanctity of the area as a Holy Land in Islam, where non-Muslims are prohibited from entering certain holy places, including the airspace above them. Additionally, the constant aircraft noise from landings and take-offs could disturb the pilgrims.
Another reason for the absence of airports in Mecca is the presence of an air void in the upper layers of the atmosphere above the Kaaba, making it impossible for aircraft to fly in that area. This led the Civil Aviation Organization to ban flying over the Holy Kaaba. Nautical charts also revealed the presence of a triangle over the Holy Kaaba, further supporting the decision to prohibit all aircraft types from flying above it.
Medina and Abha airports, located 347 kilometres and 462.3 kilometres from Mecca, respectively, offer alternative options for travellers. These airports provide access to Mecca, although they are further away, and the cost of travel between them and Mecca may be higher.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no airport in Mecca. There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that Mecca is considered Holy Land and non-Muslims are prohibited from entering, so planes with non-Muslims are also banned from passing through its airspace. There is also believed to be an air void in the upper layers of the atmosphere above the Kaaba, which makes flying in Mecca impossible.
Pilgrims can fly to a number of airports throughout Saudi Arabia, including King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which is located 19km north of the city and has a dedicated Hajj Terminal. Medina and Abha are other airport options, 347km and 462.3km from Mecca respectively.
From Jeddah, you can take a taxi or Uber, which will take around 1 hour 2 minutes and cost between 32€ and 143€. You can also take a bus, which will take around 2 hours and be much cheaper. There is also a train from Jeddah to Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
Yes, you will need to apply for an e-Visa from the Saudi authorities.
