Summary

This year, the Saudi Foundation Day holiday fell on Sunday, making the first weekend of Ramadan a long weekend. We planned to avail it for Umrah in Ramadan 2026. We booked Umrah slots for Saturday, February 21st, from 2 pm to 4 pm. The outline of our plan was:

• Friday: Travel to Ash Shafa and spend the night there.
• Saturday: Visit Makkah to perform Umrah, then return to Ash Shafa.
• Sunday: Depart from Ash Shafa and drive back to Riyadh.

Our journey began on Friday morning at around 11 am, which was later than ideal. The roads were empty, which was very unlike Riyadh. The navigation initially showed:

• Estimated time: 8 hours 16 minutes
• Distance: 830 km
• ETA: 7:16pm

Due to low traffic, consistent speed and fewer breaks, the ETA was adjusted to 5:48 p.m, which was comfortably before Iftar time. Eventually, we reached the hotel in Ash Shafa at 5:50 pm. The iftar time was 6:25 pm.

There was almost a continuous queue of trucks along large portions of the highway. While this caused minor traffic in some areas, overall, the drive remained smooth and calm.

Previously:

• 120 km/h before Riyadh checkpost
• 140 km/h immediately after

Now:

• 120 km/h continues after the checkpost
• It increases to 140 km/h only after crossing Al Muzahmiyah
• Later, several long stretches dropped back to 120 km/h before returning to 140 km/h

Keep an eye on the speed limit signboards.

We observed:

• Multiple police checkpoints (including on the opposite side)
• Numerous tripod/temporary speed cameras

This route currently has strict enforcement, so maintaining speed discipline is essential.

We had originally intended to start umrah after Zuhar, in the hope that we could perform the Tawaf in Mitaf, but after observing the live stream, we realized that Mitaf was full 24/7. Performing Tuwaf on the rooftop after Zuhar was not a good idea, so we planned to leave for Umrah after Fajr to avail cooler weather. We woke up at 4:30 am. Fajr was 5:29 am.

It was cold enough in Ash Shafa to require:

• Full-sleeve/winter shirt
• Jacket needed at Fajr

We left Ash Shafa around 5:45 am, traveled via the Hada route and reached the parking outside Makkah by 7:20 pm. This is called Hada Parking or Hada Bus Station. During Ramadan, cars from outside Makkah are not allowed to enter the city, especially if you are wearing an ihram, so we had to park our car in this parking and take a bus to the Haram. This restriction is to manage traffic in Makkah, and it is more convenient than trying to find parking near Haram. The bus ticket price was SAR 18.4 per adult. Kids were free. The prices were the same as last year.

Upon entering the parking area, we received one receipt (unlike last year when we received two receipts—one for your car and another for the bus ride). Keep this receipt safe. It was checked while boarding the bus and will be taken back while leaving the parking on your car. Carefully note down the location of your car so that it’s easier to find it upon your return.

• Fajr temperature in Ash Shafa: 8°C
• Around Al Hada: 11°C
• After descending toward Makkah: temperature rose into the 20s

The buses were ready, and we only had to wait for a few minutes before departure. We left the parking lot around 7:40 am. Unlike last year, the Makkah roads had no traffic, thus this time of the day was much more suitable for traveling to the parking near Haram. We reached this parking near Haram at 8:16 am. It was near the Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba Hotel. This parking is dedicated for buses going to and from Hada parking thus white returning, you will need to return to this parking to take your bus.

Continue Reading: Umrah in Ramadan 2026: A Road Trip from Riyadh (English, Urdu)