Hajj 2025 travel plan: Saudi Arabia readies road routes for pilgrims from across the region

Cairo: As increasing numbers of Muslims from around the world prepare for Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has readied an extensive network of roads to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims from neighbouring countries.

Pilgrims from the UAE use the Batha–Salwa–Hofuf–Riyadh–Taif–Mecca route, which spans 1,514km.

Pilgrims from Kuwait have two main options: The Khafji–Nu'ayriyah–Riyadh–Mecca route (1,473km) and the Raqqa’i–Hafr Al Batin–Majma'ah–Mecca route (1,277km).

Pilgrims from Qatar take the Salwa–Hofuf–Riyadh–Taif–Mecca road, covering 1,385km.

For pilgrims from Bahrain, the journey begins via the King Fahd Causeway, which connects Bahrain to the Saudi city of Khobar. From there, pilgrims proceed to Riyadh, then travel through Taif before reaching Mecca. The total distance is estimated at 1,266km.

Pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman use the Rub' al Khali road to reach Mecca.

On Saudi Arabia’s northern border, pilgrims from Jordan also follow two main routes. The first begins at Halat Ammar, passing through Tabuk and Medina before arriving in Mecca, with a total distance of 1,219km.

The second route starts at Al Hadithah, continues through Al Qurayyat and Sakaka, and reaches Mecca via Medina. This route covers approximately 1,545km.

Pilgrims from Iraq take the Jadidat Arar–Sakaka–Medina–Mecca road, which is about 1,579km long.

Pilgrims from Yemen, located to the south of Saudi Arabia, use the Al Wadiah–Najran–Abha–Mecca route, spanning 1,372km.

In preparation for this year’s Hajj season, Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority has conducted thorough inspections of road networks leading to the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, ensuring their safety for the transportation of pilgrims.

Additionally, the Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) has readied over 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis to serve pilgrims during their stay.

To ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, 180 inspection supervisors have been deployed across 20 key sites, including entry points to Mecca and Medina and other sacred locations, as part of TGA’s comprehensive operational plan.