Four cars do almost all the family transfers on an Umrah trip: the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Staria, Toyota Hiace and GMC Yukon. Every booking page lists them with a seat number beside each. That number tells you very little about which one your family needs.
What matters is the boot, the step up into the car, and how each one handles the long road to Madinah. My family has made five Umrah trips together and has travelled in all four. Each leg of the trip tested a different part of that choice, so this guide follows the trip from start to finish.
The Four Cars Side by Side
Each fare below covers the whole car, with fuel and tolls included. The last row splits the Madinah fare across a full car, which shows the real cost for each person.
| Camry | Staria | Hiace | GMC Yukon | |
| People who fit with their bags | 3 | 6 | 9 | 5 to 6 |
| Large suitcases in the boot | 2 | 6 to 7 | 10 or more | 4 to 5 |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | SAR 250 | SAR 300 | SAR 350 | SAR 350 |
| Makkah to Madinah | SAR 450 | SAR 600 | SAR 700 | SAR 800 |
| Each person to Madinah, car full | SAR 150 | SAR 100 | SAR 78 | SAR 133 to 160 |
Before You Fly: Booking the Exact Car
The choice starts at home, in the first message to the transport company. I always give the number of adults and the ages of the children. I also give the number of large suitcases and say whether anyone needs the front seat.
Then I ask the company to name the vehicle in its confirmation. A reply that only says “car for six” is how a Camry turns up for six people. Good Umrah taxi companies send the exact model, the driver’s name, the plate number and any child seat the night before.
Child seats need their own request. Saudi traffic rules require them for young children, yet most companies carry them only when asked, and some charge SAR 20 to 50. For any child under four, I now pack a light travel seat from home. It works on the flight too.
Arrival Night at Jeddah Airport
The first time I got this wrong was at 1am outside Jeddah Airport. My two children were asleep on the suitcases while the driver shook his head at the boot of his Camry. The booking had promised four seats, and it was right. It never said four seats and every bag.
Since then, I count bags before people. Most adults fill their full airline allowance of two checked bags, especially on the way home. Children usually carry less, so I count one bag each for them. Then I book the smallest car that takes everyone and everything, with one seat to spare.
For a family with children, that car is almost always the Staria. On the Jeddah Airport to Makkah run, it costs only SAR 50 more than the Camry. Yet it carries twice the family. The Camry still suits two adults with two cases, and it is the car my wife and I book when we travel without the children.
Hotel Drop-Offs Near the Haram
Reaching Makkah brings a new test: getting everyone out at the hotel door. This is where the step into the car matters, especially with grandparents.
The Camry is low and easy, like any family car. The Staria is easier still, with a sliding door and a low floor. My children climb in alone, and my mother steps in without a hand. For anyone over seventy or in a wheelchair, the Staria is the safest choice.
The Yukon sits high, though its wide door helps. The Hiace is the hardest of the four. Its floor is high and its door is narrow, so an elderly passenger needs support on both sides.
The Hiace has a second drawback near the Haram. Central roads often close to large vehicles at prayer times and in Ramadan. A Hiace may stop at the nearest drop point, leaving a walk of 200 to 400 metres. A Camry or Staria can usually reach the hotel door outside those hours.
The Five Hour Drive to Madinah
The Makkah to Madinah leg is the longest of the trip, so comfort starts to count as much as space.
On this road, the Staria feels calm and steady. A walkway runs between its three rows, which makes it easy to settle a sleeping toddler or pass food back. On every Staria trip, the children have slept most of the way.
The Yukon is the most comfortable of the four. It has leather seats, the strongest air conditioning and a ride that makes five hours feel shorter. However, the third row and the boot share the same space, so five adults with four cases is the right load. It costs SAR 200 more than the Staria on this route. For a family with adult children, that is money well spent.
The Hiace rides harder in the back over a long distance. When we shared one with another family, we sat the youngest and oldest in the row behind the driver, where the ride is gentlest.
Heading Home With Zamzam
The return trip is when luggage peaks. Shopping fills the gaps, and most airlines allow one 5 litre Zamzam box per passenger. In a Camry, those boxes take the space of a whole suitcase.
This is often the point where a family needs the next size up. A family of four adults at the full allowance has eight cases, one more than a Staria takes. Two families travelling together need the Hiace. Shared by nine people, it is also the cheapest of the four per person.
For the last few trips, my family has booked these transfers with Hujjaj Umrah Taxi. For a family with children and heavy bags, it has been the best Umrah taxi service we have used. Each confirmation names the exact car, and on the way home the car has always had room for the Zamzam boxes as well as every suitcase.
When the count sits right at a car’s limit, I book one size bigger. On most routes it costs about SAR 50 extra, and the spare row is where the children sleep.
My Short List by Family Size
- Two adults, or two adults with one small child: Camry
- A family of four to six, or anyone elderly or in a wheelchair: Staria
- Seven to nine people, or two families: Hiace
- Four or five adults who want the most comfortable ride: GMC Yukon
- Ten or more people: two cars, or a Coaster bus where companies offer one
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book the same vehicle for the whole Umrah trip?
Yes, most companies can book one vehicle type for every leg of your trip. That usually covers the Jeddah Airport pickup, the drive to Madinah and the return to the airport. The driver may change between legs, but the car size stays the same. Ask for each leg in one written confirmation, with the date, time and pickup point for every journey.
Can children sit in the front seat of an Umrah taxi?
No, young children should not sit in the front seat. Saudi traffic rules do not allow young children in the front of a car. Seat them in the back, in a child seat if they are small. So count seats carefully. The front seat often goes to an adult who needs extra legroom or an easier exit.
Is the GMC Yukon worth it for the Jeddah Airport transfer?
Usually not. From Jeddah Airport to Makkah, the Yukon costs SAR 350, which is SAR 50 more than a Staria. The drive takes only about an hour or a little more, so the extra comfort matters much less than on the Madinah road. The Staria also takes more luggage. Save the Yukon for the five hour drive, where its comfort makes a real difference.
Will a folded pushchair fit in the car?
It depends on the vehicle and the luggage. In a Camry, a pushchair takes the space of a suitcase, so it only fits with very light bags. A Staria, Hiace or Yukon takes a folded pushchair easily alongside a family’s cases. Mention the pushchair when you book, so the company counts it as part of your luggage.