Last checked: 19 October 2026. Flight schedules, airline notices and Umrah rules change often — always confirm with your airline and the official sources linked below before you travel.
Every year many pilgrims travel from India for Umrah, and most of them land at one of two airports: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah or Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Madinah. This guide is for travellers flying from India. It covers which Indian cities have direct flights, what to plan on arrival, and how to get to your hotel, between Makkah and Madinah, on Ziyarat and back to the airport.
Do not book ground transport for fixed dates until your flight is confirmed. If your flight changes, simply send us the new details.
Direct flights from India to Jeddah and Madinah
The routes below are taken from airline press releases and official airline notices we read today. Schedules change by season, so treat this as a starting point and check the airline’s own website for your dates.
- Mumbai (BOM): Air India and Akasa Air to Jeddah; IndiGo daily to Madinah (from 15 November 2025, per IndiGo).
- Delhi (DEL): Air India to Jeddah.
- Hyderabad (HYD): Air India Express to Jeddah; IndiGo to Madinah, which IndiGo said would become daily from 16 November 2025.
- Kozhikode / Calicut (CCJ): Air India Express to Jeddah.
- Bengaluru (BLR): Air India Express to Jeddah.
- Ahmedabad (AMD) and Mangaluru (IXE): Akasa Air (Ahmedabad) and Air India Express (Mangaluru) to Jeddah.
Saudia also flies to India; a January 2026 report lists its Indian cities as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kozhikode. If you are flying from Kochi or Lucknow, check on saudia.com whether your flight goes to Jeddah, Madinah or Riyadh — we could not confirm the Saudi airport for every route.
Flight time and time difference
On the published timetables we checked, direct flights take roughly 5 hours 35 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes: for example, IndiGo’s Mumbai–Madinah flight leaves at 22:05 and lands at 01:10 local time, and Akasa Air’s Mumbai–Jeddah flight leaves at 19:35 and lands at 22:55. Saudi Arabia is 2 hours 30 minutes behind India (IST), and neither country changes its clocks, so many flights from India land late in the evening or after midnight. Plan your hotel check-in and pickup for that.
Land in Jeddah or Madinah first?
Your choice of arrival airport shapes the rest of the trip. Here is a quick comparison:
| Arrive in Jeddah (JED) | Arrive in Madinah (MED) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical plan | Umrah first in Makkah, then Madinah | Madinah first, then Makkah for Umrah |
| Ihram | Put on Ihram on the plane before the Miqat | Enter Ihram later, on the way from Madinah to Makkah |
| From airport to hotel | Haramain train to Makkah station or a car to your hotel door | Short road journey to hotels near Masjid an-Nabawi |
| Good for | Most flights from India, with more airline choice | Pilgrims who want a calmer start before Umrah |
Arriving in Jeddah
If you fly straight to Jeddah to perform Umrah, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s official guide says you must make your intention and wear Ihram on board the aircraft when it is announced that the plane is passing the Miqat. Pack your Ihram in your cabin bag. The same guide says an official permit, issued through the Nusuk app, is needed before you head to Masjid al-Haram for Umrah.
From the airport you can take the Haramain High Speed Railway to Makkah station and then a taxi to your hotel, or go by car directly to your hotel. Our guide to Jeddah Airport to Makkah compares the options in detail.
Arriving in Madinah
Madinah is a gentle start for elderly relatives and families. The airport transfer to the hotels around Masjid an-Nabawi is a short road journey; see Madinah Airport to your hotel for bus, taxi and private transfer options.
Travelling between Makkah and Madinah
You can travel between the Holy Cities by train or by road. A travel guide updated on 12 October 2026 gives direct Haramain train journeys between Makkah and Madinah as about 2 hours to 2 hours 45 minutes, with a checked-bag limit of 25 kg (65 × 55 × 35 cm) per adult ticket. The train runs station to station, so you still need a car at both ends. By road, a private car takes you from hotel door to hotel door with your luggage loaded once. Read Makkah to Madinah: train or road? and our Haramain train tickets guide before you decide.
Ziyarat and getting back to the airport
Many pilgrims from India set aside a morning for Ziyarat to historic places in Makkah and Madinah. A private car lets the whole family travel together and stop as long as you need — see our Makkah Ziyarat itinerary for a sample plan.
For the return journey, leave plenty of time for check-in, especially with Zamzam water and extra bags. The Ministry’s guide asks pilgrims to avoid placing Zamzam water containers inside checked baggage, so follow your airline’s rules for carrying it. Our Umrah packing list covers what else to bring.
Vehicles for families and groups
- Toyota Camry — up to 4 passengers
- Hyundai Staria — up to 8 passengers
- GMC Yukon — up to 8 passengers
- Toyota Hiace — up to 11 passengers
The price is confirmed on WhatsApp after you send your request, based on your route, date, group size and luggage. There is no online payment.
Checklist before you fly from India
- Flight confirmed and status checked again 24 hours before departure
- Umrah permit arranged through the Nusuk app, and Nusuk installed on your phone
- Ihram in your cabin bag if you are landing in Jeddah
- Hotel names and addresses in Makkah and Madinah saved offline
- Transfer details sent: flight number, arrival time, number of passengers and suitcases
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian cities have direct flights to Madinah?
IndiGo announced direct Madinah flights from Hyderabad and Mumbai. Saudia also serves several Indian cities; check its website for current Madinah routes from your city.
Should I put on Ihram before landing in Jeddah?
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s guide says pilgrims flying to Jeddah for Umrah should make the intention and wear Ihram on board when the Miqat is announced. For detailed rulings, ask a qualified scholar or your group leader.
Can ZiyaraWay pick up a large family from Jeddah Airport?
Yes. For larger families we suggest a Hyundai Staria or GMC Yukon (up to 8 passengers) or a Toyota Hiace (up to 11 passengers). Tell us how many suitcases you have so we can suggest the right vehicle.
Book your transfer
Send us your flight number, arrival time and hotel names, and we will confirm a car that fits your group. Book a private car or message us on WhatsApp.
Sources
- Air India — Important update, Air India Group, 9 March 2026 (Jeddah services)
- Akasa Air — Jeddah flights from Mumbai and Ahmedabad (press release)
- IndiGo — Daily direct flights between Mumbai and Madinah (22 October 2025)
- IndiGo — Madinah as its 38th international destination (Hyderabad–Madinah)
- Enterprise AM — Saudia expands its network in India (12 January 2026)
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah and Visit Guide (PDF)
- Wego — Haramain High Speed Railway guide (updated 12 October 2026)
- Savvy Time — India and Saudi Arabia time difference