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Attention : Restaurant operators. do you deliver food to nearby hotels in Makkah Haram area? If yes- please post details on this site. Thank you
Around Haram you will see men with jackets and ID labels with wheel chairs. They charge between 100 - 200 SAR for their service. Always agree on a price before you sit in he chair. Also attempt to negotiate slow service - otherwise they will rush and you will barely have time to concentrate on your duas. Better option is to get a free wheel chair and get a relative to push it - the relative will get sawab and you too since you will have time for duas
When travelling by taxi to the airport from Makkah be specific which Terminal you want to go. There are two main Terminals - Terminal 1 ( formerly South ) and North terminal. Terminal 1 is the main terminal I had the experience of being taken to the wrong Terminal and ended up paying extra as the other terminal was quite a distance - between the two - 19 kilometers - and I felt sorry for the driver
• Al Baik – The most popular Saudi fast-food chain, famous for fried chicken, shrimp, nuggets, and garlic sauce. Located in the Abraj Al Bait (Clock Tower) complex. Expect queues after prayer times. • Burger King - Abraj – Inside the Clock Tower food court. Open 24 hours with burgers, fries, and breakfast options. • KFC – In the Clock Tower/Diamond Tower area, serving halal fried chicken and combo meals. • Pizza Hut – On Level P3 of the Clock Tower food court, open 24 hours. • Hardee's – On Ibrahim Al Khalil Road, a short walk from the Haram, known for burgers and chicken sandwiches. • Mama Ghazzel – A great alternative to typical fast food, offering shawarma, grilled chicken, rice meals, and fresh bread in the Clock Tower food court. • Texas Chicken - Jabal Omar – Near Souk Al Khalil/Jabal Omar, serving fried chicken and sandwiches. Visit Clock Tower (Abraj Al Bait) food court because you can find several of these brands in one it place without walking far from the Haram.
Wheel chairs are available in the Haram - free for your use. Click on the link below for details
Two places to get Karak Chai in Clock Tower Shytea Shyati Both located P3 level in Clock Tower
Double Tree by Hilton in Jabal Omar is amid price range hotel
This is one of the low priced hotels in Makkah Hibatullah Hotel Makkah https://www.hibatullahhotelmakkah.com/ To open the link highlight the link, right click and click on the link in the drop down
Dar Al Tawhid https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/makkah/qcahd/hoteldetail Raffles Makkah Hotel https://www.raffles.com/makkah/ Swissotel Al Maqam Makkah https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/makkah-al-maqam/ Fairmont Hotel in Clock Tower https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/makkah/makkah-clock-royal-tower.html To open the links highlight the links, right click and then click on the link in the drop down
Check this link to learn all about dates before you buy https://houseofsaud.com/travel/saudi-dates-guide/
Read about the making of Kiswa https://gulfmagazine.co/kiswa-factory-of-the-holy-kaaba/
Read what is written on the Kiswa. https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/what-is-written-on-kiswa-of-kaaba/
Double Tree by Hilton in Jabal Omar is amid price range hotel https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/makdmdi-doubletree-jabal-omar-makkah/
There are several ways to travel from Jeddah airport to Haram Makkah By train - economy or business class . Limited baggage allowance. Also departure times are fixed. Terminal 1 has a direct connection to Haramain railway station. You can walk to it. You can buy the tickets at the counter. You could also use Nusuk app. Cost SAR 50 takes 48 minutes By bus - best for single male adults or if you are on a budget Costs SAR 20 -SAR 60 3-4 Hour trip By taxi . As you get closer to the exit you will be accosted by men offering taxi service. The prices may vary and it could be scary. There are official green taxis which have a fixed price and the managers will guide you. Cost SAR 150 -Trip takes one hour Taxi is best if you are a family and have kids. Also no issue with luggage Delete
There are several ways to travel from Makkah to Madinah By train - economy or business class . Limited baggage allowance. Also departure times are fixed. By bus - best for single male adults or if you are on a budget By taxi . Taxi is best if you are a family and have kids. Also no issue with luggage
There are 210 gates to the Haram. A link below gives names and information for may of them
A link is added which provides details of this blessed place. You may post any other details - it will be much appreciated
After you finish Saiee at Marwah males need to either clip their hair or do a complete shave. To clip your hair (taqsir)it would have been best to bring a little scissor with you. If you do not have one there are lots of pilgrims at this spot who will gladly oblige and lend you theirs. If you would rather shave (halq) click on the link below for further details
Masjid Ayesha is a beautiful masjid 7-8 kilometers from the Haram, It is one of the most frequently visited masjid it takes about 10 -20 minutes by taxi, longer by bus Taxi cost 20- 40 SAR one way and 40-60 SAR return with a short stay Buses cost 4 SAR per person , takes a longer time. Also one has to walk to Jarwal Bus terminal. If you are a family it is best to take a taxi. Always remember to agree on a price before the ride. Best to have small notes to pay for the ride Please click on the link for more details.
Even the holiest of places are not safe from scammers and thieves. -Keep all your possessions safe - Carry only the essential things -Do not carry your passport or excess money unless absolutely essential - Do not carry a neck bag when you attempt to kiss the black stone during Tawaf - thieves cut the straps in seconds - thieves sometimes try to pull even the rings off your fingers! It happened to my mother May Allah keep everyone safe
Always carry a small card with emergency phone numbers - group leader - your companions -hotel number and name - phone number of applicable consular offices
There are many historical places to visit. A link is provided below for alist
safety measures in case of loss of passports - keep a photocopy in every suitcase - keep a copy in your pocket - photo of passport in your cell phone - send an email to yourself with attachments of copy of passport. You can easily forward the email to your consular office in case of loss
Prayer chairs are on trolleys in the walk ways inside the Haram. If you don't see any you could ask the workers in the area and they will gladly oblige. A small tip would be in order. Another option would be to buy one - it cost 25 Riyals and one could take it around to use when needed. At the end of the trip you can leave it in the Haram for others to use Always check the chair before you sit as sometimes the are damaged and one could get hurt.
When you arrive at Jeddah remember to change at least a hundred dollars Ask specifically for some small notes - if you get a nice guy he may oblige
There are many hotels in the lower price range Here are a few Saif AlMajd Hotel Al Shaba Hotei Zad Almazd Hotel
There are many mid-range hotels with variable walking time Here are just a few Anjum Hotel Makkah Le Meridian Makkah Zamzam Pullman Makkah
There are several five star hotels near the Haram. Here are just a few Raffle Makkah Palace Makkah Clock Royal Tower - Fairmont Hotel Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhid Hotel Conrad Jabal Omar Makkah
One can buy properly packed Zamzam water at the entrance to the Jeddah airport. You must write your name on the package before you had it over at a special counter in the case of Saudi airways. Procedure maybe different for other airlines It would be helpful if you carry a red marker for this purpose. When I reached JFK New York the water packages were dumped separately by the carousal and I could not find my package. Most likely take by someone mistakenly.
It is a good idea to exchange some money at the airport. You will need it for taxis , tips. Try and get some small notes too at the money changer. Just a reminder also bring with you undamaged new notes. In the case of dollars best to carry $100 bills
I give out cash to the workers around the Haram and some who may ask for it. To get small notes it is best to go to the banks - there are many branches around the Haram- if you tell them it is for charity they usually oblige. I would recommend 5 riyal notes. The money change places will not do this for you.
Other than the medications that you take regularly medications for the following conditions would be helpful take along. Show the list to your physician and get the medications based on his advice Medications for following conditions would be useful to have with you. Medications for ... Diarrhea, vomitting, fever, pain killers, antibiotics for sore throat or respiratory infections, dizziness, motion sickness. Antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, cough medication. Some band aids and alcohol swabs would be useful too. Hopefully you will not need any of these and Allah will protect you! Delete
Please make sure you carry all your medications with you with an extra supply. It would be best to have a written list of medications you use. Any allergies to medications should be on the list. Carry the medications in the carry on luggage - not checked in. Also in case you are on controlled substances like strong pain killers or sedatives carry a doctor's prescription to show customs if needed. In addition some general medications should be carried with you. Please see a different post for more info. This way you will save time and money ( medications can be costly)
There are many laundry stores near the Haram providing excellent service .One of them is ZamZam laundry located in he Clock Towers Ajyad Street, Al Haram Makkah 24231 phone 056 746 8559 Email info@laundryzamzammakkah.com
At locations near hotels people will come up to you and offer pick up laundry service. They charge by the kilogram -it will be delivered near where they picked up usually in 24 hours. The price is reasonable. Remember to take their business card so you can get in touch with them if needed. Hotel laundry is very expensive. As an alternative you can use a laundry store - information is provided elsewhere on the site
I just had to share a recommendation for the Khabsa Hashi Restaurant for anyone visiting the area. I randomly found it about 45 minutes before suhoor and I was completely blown away by the camel AKA hashi khabsa rice. The meat and rice were so flavorful and cooked to perfection, and it wasn't spicy at all, perfect for a filling suhoor meal (atleast for me). Warning: the portions are massive! Amazing value for money. I loved it so much that if I make a return trip Insha'Allah I know I'll be eating here a few times. Don't skip this place!
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