In Makkah the question is how far. In Madinah it is which side, and almost every guide to Madinah accommodation gets that wrong by copying the Makkah approach.
Why distance is the wrong question here
Central Madinah hotels sit roughly 100 to 250 metres from the mosque across every tier, on flat ground, around a large plaza. The gap between a three star and a five star is around a hundred metres.
So the metres barely differentiate anything. What differentiates everything is which of the four sides you are standing on when you walk out of your hotel.
The line nobody reads
And before any of that, the single most useful thing on this page.
Your Nusuk Rawdah permit states a gate. People book the permit, never read which entrance it assigns them, and then walk most of the way around a very large perimeter to reach the wrong side of the mosque at the exact moment they would rather not be walking.
Read the gate number on your permit. Then find that gate on a map before you leave the hotel.
The short version
North is the modern hotel belt with wide plazas and the King Fahd Gate complex.
East faces Jannat al-Baqi, with Bab al-Baqi at Gate 41 and Bab Jibril at Gate 40.
West has the souks, cafes and transport, with Bab as-Salam at Gate 1 in the southwest corner.
South is commercial streets and markets.
The traditional Rawdah route is in at Gate 1, out at Gate 41.
Gate numbers are posted above every entrance in Arabic and English and are readable at night. |
Ask which side of the mosque your hotel is on
The four sides
North: the hotel belt
What is there
Modern hotels, malls and restaurants catering to international visitors. This is where most of the newer accommodation sits and where a large share of UK bookings end up.
The gates
The King Fahd Gate complex faces north. These are wide, high-capacity entrances with broad plazas in front of them, built for large numbers arriving at once.
Who it suits
Groups, because a broad plaza is somewhere forty people can gather and find each other. Families, for the same reason. And anybody who wants shops and food within a short walk.
The trade
You are furthest from the Rawdah entrance and from Jannat al-Baqi, both of which sit on the other side of a large building. That is a walk inside the mosque rather than outside it, and it is longer than the hotel distance suggests.
East: Jannat al-Baqi
What is there
The historic cemetery and the older parts of the city. The east side is defined by Baqi rather than by commerce.
The gates
Bab al-Baqi at Gate 41 and Bab Jibril at Gate 40 stand on this side, near the Prophet’s chamber, peace be upon him. Gate 41 faces the cemetery directly and sits closest to the burial chamber.
Who it suits
Anyone for whom visiting Jannat al-Baqi is a priority, because Gate 41 leads almost directly to it. And anyone doing the traditional Rawdah route, since Gate 41 is where you exit.
The trade
Fewer modern hotels, fewer restaurants, and a quieter side generally. Which some people prefer and others find limiting on a longer stay.
West: souks and transport
What is there
Souks, cafes and the bus stops used for Umrah and Hajj transport. The commercial and practical side.
The gates
Bab as-Salam sits at Gate 1 in the southwest corner and is the most historically significant entrance for those going to greet the Prophet, peace be upon him. Bab al-Rahmah is also on this side.
Who it suits
Anyone prioritising the Rawdah, because Gate 1 is the traditional entrance for it. Anyone who wants the souks on their doorstep. And anyone arriving or leaving by coach, since the transport points are here.
The trade
Busier and noisier than the east, with market activity at most hours.
South: markets
What is there
Commercial streets and markets selling traditional goods.
The gates
Bab ul-Aimah at Gate 42 is a small southern gate that opens into the Rawdah section. It is also known as the gate of the funerals and is primarily used by the imams.
Who it suits
People who want shopping close by and do not mind being off the main hotel belt.
The trade
Less modern accommodation than the north and generally less convenient for groups.
The thing all four have in common
The area around the mosque is pedestrianised, with wide plazas, shaded walkways, plenty of seating and accessibility provision for elderly and disabled visitors.
Which is why Madinah is so much easier than Makkah for older travellers, and why a Madinah hotel two hundred metres out feels closer than a Makkah hotel at the same distance.
The gates, and how to use them
The numbering
There are around forty-two numbered main gates after the modern expansions, and more than eighty entry points in total across the complex.
Every entrance has its number posted above it in Arabic and English, large enough to read from a distance and at night. Once you know your number, navigation stops being a problem.
The four you will actually hear about
Gate | Number | Side | What it is for |
|---|
Bab as-Salam | Gate 1 | Southwest corner | The traditional Rawdah entrance |
Bab Jibril | Gate 40 | East | Near the Prophet’s chamber |
Bab al-Baqi | Gate 41 | East | Faces the cemetery, the traditional Rawdah exit |
King Fahd Gate complex | North side | North | Wide, high capacity, best for groups |
The quiet ones
For Friday prayers, Eid, and any peak crowd period, the less busy gates are worth knowing. Bab al-Aqiq, Bab Badr and Bab Uhud are the ones usually recommended for avoiding congestion.
On a busy day, choosing the right gate can save ten to twenty minutes of walking and a great deal of crowd pressure.
Why the gate matters more than the metres
Because the walk inside the mosque can easily exceed the walk outside it. A hotel a hundred metres from the north side and a target on the southeast side is a short walk followed by a long one.
Which is why we put the nearest gate in every quote and why you should ask for it if an agency does not.
The Rawdah, and the permit line nobody reads
Where it is
The Rawdah al-Sharifah sits inside the original mosque structure, between the Prophet’s resting place beneath the Green Dome and his original minbar, on the southeastern side of the complex.
Which matters for your hotel, because the southeastern side is not the northern hotel belt.
The traditional route
Enter at Gate 1, Bab as-Salam, in the southwest corner. Exit at Gate 41, Bab al-Baqi, on the east side.
That is the route pilgrims have used for a very long time and it remains the most efficient. It also has a practical bonus: Gate 41 leads almost directly to Jannat al-Baqi, so you can visit the cemetery immediately afterwards without walking back round.
And the part almost everybody misses
Your Nusuk permit assigns you a gate. It is printed on the permit and people do not read it.
They arrive at the mosque, walk to whichever entrance is nearest their hotel, and discover they are on the wrong side. Then they walk the perimeter of a very large building, in a queue-management system designed around specific entrances, at a slot time they cannot move.
What to do
Read the gate number on your permit the moment it is issued. Find that gate on a map. Work out how long the walk is from your hotel to that specific entrance, not to the mosque in general.
And allow more time than you think
The permit gives you a slot. Being on the right side of the building fifteen minutes early is a completely different experience to arriving at the wrong gate on time.
What the permit is and is not
Free, booked by you through the Nusuk app after your visa is approved, and released on a rolling basis. Slots go within minutes in busy periods and women have fewer sessions than men.
Nobody can sell you one, guarantee one, or improve your chances. Your hotel affects the walk, not the odds. More on the permits on the visa page.
The one thing your hotel does affect
Whether the walk to your assigned gate is two minutes or fifteen. On a slot you have waited days for, that is worth thinking about before you book.
Women, and the designated gates
How it works
A defined set of gates is reserved for women, leading directly into women-only prayer halls. Bab Uthman ibn Affan and Bab an-Nisa are among those commonly used, and the reserved set includes gates around the western and southern courtyards.
The important caveat
These designations are occasionally adjusted for crowd management, particularly during peak seasons.
So check the official signage at the mosque and the printed maps distributed by the Saudi authorities on the day, rather than relying on anything written in advance, including this.
What that means for choosing a hotel
If you are booking for women in the party, the western and southern sides are worth considering, since the designated entrances cluster there more than on the northern hotel belt.
On the Rawdah specifically
Women visit in separate sessions with fewer available slots, which is why booking the permit the moment your visa lands matters more for women than for men.
And a practical note
Agree a meeting point with your group before you go in, and make it a numbered gate rather than a description. Finding each other afterwards in a crowd of that size is close to impossible otherwise.
Jannat al-Baqi
Where it is
On the eastern side of the mosque, immediately adjacent, and clearly marked on any map of the area. It is one of the most useful landmarks for orienting yourself in Madinah.
The gate
Bab al-Baqi at Gate 41 leads almost directly there, which is why the traditional Rawdah route exits through it.
Access
It opens for periods around certain prayers rather than all day, and the times shift. Ask at your hotel on the day rather than planning from anything published in advance.
Access arrangements for women have varied and changed more than once, so check the current position when you arrive.
What that means for your hotel choice
If visiting Baqi is a priority, the east side puts you close to both the cemetery and Gate 41. From the northern hotel belt you are walking round a very large building each time.
The etiquette
The commonly taught practice is to make dua for those buried there rather than directing requests to them, to keep your voice low, and to behave with restraint. Photography is generally discouraged and sometimes prohibited.
More on Ziyarat across both cities on the Ziyarat page.
Which side by what matters to you
If your priority is | Aim for | Why |
|---|
The Rawdah | West or southwest | Gate 1, Bab as-Salam, is the traditional entrance |
Jannat al-Baqi | East | Gate 41 leads almost directly there |
Travelling as a group | North | Wide plazas and high-capacity gates |
Shops, food and modern hotels | North | The hotel and retail belt |
Souks and traditional markets | West or south | That is where they are |
A quieter stay | East | Less commercial, less footfall |
Arriving or leaving by coach | West | The transport points are on that side |
Women in the party | West or south | The designated gates cluster there |
Avoiding crowds at Jumuah | Near Bab al-Aqiq, Badr or Uhud | The quieter gates |
The side we recommend most
North, for most bookings, because it has the widest choice of modern accommodation, the broadest plazas and the easiest logistics for groups and families.
The side we recommend for a first trip
West or southwest, if the Rawdah is your main reason for being in Madinah. Being near Gate 1 removes the longest walk from the most time-pressured moment of your stay.
The honest note
Unlike Makkah, none of these choices is a mistake. The distances are short, the ground is flat and the plazas are shaded. You are optimising rather than avoiding a problem.
How Madinah compares to Makkah
| | Makkah | Madinah |
|---|
What the tier buys | Distance | The building |
3 to 5 star distance gap | Around 500 metres | Around 100 metres |
Terrain | Valley, some gradients | Flat plaza |
The key question | How many metres | Which side |
The key risk | A long walk in heat | Being on the wrong side for your permit |
Crowd pressure | High most of the year | Lower outside Ramadan |
What follows from that
Spend your budget on the Makkah side of the trip. A closer Makkah hotel with a comfortable, well-oriented Madinah hotel beats spreading evenly across both.
We build packages that way by default. The full reasoning, including a split-tier booking almost nobody offers, is in a separate post.
And the practical version
In Makkah, ask how many metres and whether the route is level. In Madinah, ask which side and which gate.
How many nights in Madinah
Our defaults
Package | Makkah | Madinah |
|---|
7 nights | 4 | 3 |
10 nights | 6 | 4 |
12 nights | 7 | 5 |
14 nights | 8 | 6 |
21 days | 12 | 8 |
When to take more Madinah nights
If the Rawdah is a priority, because more nights means more chances at a permit slot and the slots are the constraint rather than the hotel.
If you are travelling with elderly parents, because flat ground, short walks and shaded seating make Madinah considerably easier than Makkah.
And if you have found Makkah crowds difficult before, because Madinah outside Ramadan is a calmer city.
The minimum
Three nights on any package. Below that you spend half a day on the coach for a stay that ends before it starts, and you will not get more than one attempt at a Rawdah slot.
What people say afterwards
That the Madinah half was the part they did not expect to love. It comes up often enough that we mention it when people ask whether to shorten it.
Madinah prices
Duration | 3 Star | 4 Star | 5 Star |
|---|
7 nights | From £499 | From £629 | From £690 |
10 nights | From £545 | From £679 | From £745 |
12 nights | From £579 | From £715 | From £790 |
14 nights | From £625 | From £769 | From £825 |
Package prices covering both cities, per person, quad sharing, off-peak. Includes return flights, both hotels named in writing with the distance in metres and the nearest gate, the Saudi Umrah visa, all three transfers and guided Ziyarat in both cities.
What the tier buys in Madinah
Room size, breakfast, lifts and the building. Very little in walking distance, because central properties at every tier sit within a hundred metres or so of each other.
Where we would economise
Here. If your budget is finite, four star in Madinah with a better Makkah hotel is a better use of the same total than five star in both.
What we would not economise on
Orientation. Being on the wrong side for your priority costs you nothing in pounds and a great deal in walking, and it is free to get right if you ask.
What to ask about any Madinah hotel
- Which side of the mosque is it on? North, east, west or south. The question this page exists to prompt.
- Which gate is nearest, by number? Numbers rather than names, because that is what is posted above the entrances.
- How far is it to that gate specifically? Not to the mosque in general.
- How far is it to Gate 1 and Gate 41? If the Rawdah matters to you.
- How far is it to Jannat al-Baqi? If that is a priority.
- Are there designated women’s gates nearby? If you are booking for women in the party.
- Is breakfast included at that specific property?
- How large is the room? Since here you are buying the building rather than the distance.
The two that matter most
Numbers one and two. Side and gate number tell you more about your daily walk than any distance figure will.
What we put in every quote
The property name, the distance in metres and the nearest gate. Ask us for the side as well and we will tell you.
If allocation is unconfirmed you get a shortlist and a guaranteed maximum distance rather than a phrase. The full eight-item checklist is on the flights and hotel page.
Before you go
Download the official map
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques publishes interactive and printable maps showing gates, internal sections, lifts, wheelchair routes and the surrounding streets, in Arabic and English.
Get it on your phone before you leave the hotel for the first time. It is more reliable than a general mapping app inside the complex.
Read your permit
The gate number is on it. That single line saves more walking than any hotel upgrade.
Screenshot everything
Your Rawdah permit, your Umrah permit and your visa. You need working data to display them at the gates, so a local SIM or confirmed roaming is worth the ten or twenty pounds it costs.
Agree a meeting point
A numbered gate, not a description. It is the only reliable way to find each other afterwards.
And note your own gate number on the way in
The simplest advice on this page. Look up as you enter and remember the number, because every side of that mosque looks similar from the inside and the plazas are enormous.
The summary
The question is not how far
Central Madinah hotels sit within roughly a hundred metres of each other across every tier, on flat ground, around a pedestrianised plaza with shade and seating.
The question is which side
North for hotels, shops and group logistics. East for Jannat al-Baqi and Gate 41. West for the Rawdah via Gate 1, the souks and the transport. South for markets.
The single most useful action
Read the gate number on your Nusuk Rawdah permit and find it on a map before you leave the hotel.
And where to spend your money
Not here. Madinah is where the tier buys the least, so put the budget into the Makkah side and get the orientation right in Madinah instead. It costs nothing.
Ask which side and which gate
Prices
Tier | 7 nights | 10 nights | 12 nights | 14 nights |
|---|
3 Star | From £499 | From £545 | From £579 | From £625 |
4 Star | From £629 | From £679 | From £715 | From £769 |
5 Star | From £690 | From £745 | From £790 | From £825 |
Haram facing, Makkah | From £879 | From £975 | On request | From £1,129 |
Per person, quad sharing, off-peak departures, covering both cities. Twin or double occupancy adds roughly £180 to £340 per person. Held with a £99 deposit that fixes your price in writing.
Where to stay in Madinah: 68 questions answered
Grouped by topic. Direct answer first. Gate designations and access times are occasionally adjusted, so check official signage on the day.
The main question
What is the best area to stay in Madinah?
It depends on your priority. North for hotels and shops, west for the Rawdah, east for Jannat al-Baqi.
Why does distance not matter as much here?
Because central hotels sit roughly 100 to 250 metres from the mosque across every tier, on flat ground. The gap between three star and five star is around a hundred metres.
So what is the right question?
Which side of the mosque your hotel is on.
Why does the side matter so much?
Because the walk inside the mosque can easily exceed the walk outside it. A hundred metres from the north side with a target on the southeast side is a short walk followed by a long one.
Is any side a mistake?
No. Unlike Makkah, the distances are short and the ground is flat. You are optimising rather than avoiding a problem.
What is the single most useful thing on this page?
Your Nusuk Rawdah permit states a gate. Read it before you leave the hotel.
Which side do you recommend most?
North for most bookings, because of the choice of modern hotels, the wide plazas and the group logistics.
The four sides
What is on the north side?
Modern hotels, malls and restaurants for international visitors, plus the King Fahd Gate complex with wide high-capacity entrances.
Who does the north suit?
Groups, families, and anyone wanting shops and food within a short walk.
What is the north side trade-off?
You are furthest from the Rawdah entrance and from Jannat al-Baqi, both of which are on the other side of a large building.
What is on the east side?
Jannat al-Baqi and the historic sites, with Bab al-Baqi at Gate 41 and Bab Jibril at Gate 40.
Who does the east suit?
Anyone prioritising Jannat al-Baqi, and anyone doing the traditional Rawdah route since Gate 41 is where you exit.
What is on the west side?
Souks, cafes and the bus stops for Umrah and Hajj transport. Bab as-Salam at Gate 1 sits in the southwest corner.
Who does the west suit?
Anyone prioritising the Rawdah, anyone who wants the souks nearby, and anyone arriving or leaving by coach.
What is on the south side?
Commercial streets and traditional markets, plus Bab ul-Aimah at Gate 42 which opens into the Rawdah section.
Is the area around the mosque walkable?
Very. It is pedestrianised, with wide plazas, shaded walkways, seating and accessibility provision for elderly and disabled visitors.
Is that why Madinah is easier than Makkah?
Largely, yes. A Madinah hotel at two hundred metres feels closer than a Makkah hotel at the same distance.
The gates
How many gates are there?
Around forty-two numbered main gates after the modern expansions, and more than eighty entry points in total.
Are they signposted?
Every entrance has its number posted above it in Arabic and English, readable from a distance and at night.
Which gate is Bab as-Salam?
Gate 1, in the southwest corner. The traditional entrance for those going to greet the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Which gate is Bab al-Baqi?
Gate 41, on the east side, facing the cemetery and closest to the burial chamber.
Which gate is Bab Jibril?
Gate 40, also on the east side.
Where is the King Fahd Gate complex?
Facing north. Wide, high-capacity gates with broad plazas, best for group arrivals and dispersal.
Which are the quiet gates?
Bab al-Aqiq, Bab Badr and Bab Uhud are usually recommended for avoiding congestion at Jumuah and Eid.
How much time can the right gate save?
On a busy day, ten to twenty minutes of walking plus a good deal of crowd pressure.
Should I remember my gate number going in?
Yes. Every side looks similar from inside and the plazas are enormous.
The Rawdah
Where is the Rawdah?
Inside the original mosque structure, between the Prophet’s resting place beneath the Green Dome and his original minbar, on the southeastern side.
What is the traditional route?
Enter at Gate 1, Bab as-Salam, and exit at Gate 41, Bab al-Baqi.
Why exit at Gate 41?
Because it leads almost directly to Jannat al-Baqi, so you can visit the cemetery immediately afterwards.
Does my permit tell me a gate?
Yes, and almost nobody reads it. That single line saves more walking than any hotel upgrade.
What happens if I ignore it?
You walk to whichever entrance is nearest your hotel, find you are on the wrong side, and then walk the perimeter of a very large building on a slot time you cannot move.
How early should I arrive?
Being on the right side fifteen minutes early is a completely different experience to arriving at the wrong gate on time.
How do I get a permit?
Free through the Nusuk app after your visa is approved. Released on a rolling basis and taken within minutes in busy periods.
Can anyone sell me one?
No, at any price, and nobody can improve your chances.
Does my hotel affect my odds?
Not at all. It affects the walk, not the odds.
Are there fewer slots for women?
Yes, which is why booking the moment your visa lands matters more for women than for men.
Does a longer stay help?
Considerably. More nights in Madinah means more chances at a slot.
Women
Are there designated gates for women?
Yes, leading directly into women-only prayer halls. Bab Uthman ibn Affan and Bab an-Nisa are among those commonly used.
Where are they?
The reserved set includes gates around the western and southern courtyards.
Are those designations fixed?
No. They are occasionally adjusted for crowd management, particularly in peak seasons.
So what should I do?
Check the official signage at the mosque and the maps distributed by the Saudi authorities on the day rather than relying on anything printed in advance.
Which side should I book for women in the party?
West or south are worth considering, since the designated entrances cluster there more than on the northern belt.
Any practical advice?
Agree a meeting point that is a numbered gate rather than a description. Finding each other afterwards is close to impossible otherwise.
Jannat al-Baqi
Where is Jannat al-Baqi?
On the eastern side of the mosque, immediately adjacent, and one of the most useful landmarks for orienting yourself in Madinah.
Which gate is nearest?
Bab al-Baqi at Gate 41, which leads almost directly there.
When is it open?
For periods around certain prayers rather than all day, and the times shift. Ask at your hotel on the day.
Can women visit?
Access arrangements for women have varied and changed more than once. Check the current position when you arrive.
What is the etiquette?
The commonly taught practice is to make dua for those buried there rather than directing requests to them, and to keep your voice low.
Can I take photographs?
Generally discouraged and sometimes prohibited. Follow the signage and the staff.
Where should I stay if Baqi matters to me?
The east side, which puts you close to both the cemetery and Gate 41.
Madinah versus Makkah
What is the main difference?
In Makkah the tier buys distance. In Madinah it buys the building.
How big is the distance gap in each?
Around five hundred metres between three star and five star in Makkah, and around a hundred in Madinah.
Which city is easier to walk in?
Madinah, comfortably. Flat plaza, shaded walkways and seating, against a valley with gradients.
Where should I spend my budget?
The Makkah side. A closer Makkah hotel with a well-oriented Madinah hotel beats spreading evenly.
Can I book different tiers in each city?
Yes, and almost nobody asks. There is a full post on the split-tier booking.
What is the key question in each city?
In Makkah, how many metres and is the route level. In Madinah, which side and which gate.
Nights and prices
How many nights should I spend in Madinah?
Three at minimum, four or five if you can. Our defaults run from three nights on a seven night package to eight on twenty-one days.
When should I take more?
If the Rawdah is a priority, if you are travelling with elderly parents, or if you have found Makkah crowds difficult before.
Why is three the minimum?
Because below that you spend half a day on the coach for a stay that ends before it starts, and you get one attempt at a Rawdah slot.
What does a package cost?
From £499 for seven nights at three star, covering both cities, up to £825 for fourteen nights at five star.
Is five star worth it in Madinah?
It buys the building rather than the distance. If your budget is finite, economise here and spend it in Makkah.
What should I not economise on?
Orientation. Being on the wrong side costs nothing in pounds and a great deal in walking, and it is free to get right.
What is the deposit?
£99 per person, and it fixes your price in writing.
Before you go
Should I download a map?
Yes. The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques publishes interactive and printable maps showing gates, lifts, wheelchair routes and surrounding streets in Arabic and English.
Is that better than a general mapping app?
Inside the complex, considerably.
What should I screenshot?
Your Rawdah permit, your Umrah permit and your visa.
Do I need mobile data?
Yes, to display permits at the gates. A local SIM or confirmed roaming is worth the ten or twenty pounds.
What will you tell me about my hotel?
The property name, the distance in metres and the nearest gate. Ask for the side as well and we will give you that too.
Related reading
Ask which side, not how far
When you get a Madinah quote, ask two things. Which side of the mosque the hotel is on, and which gate number is nearest.
Those two answers tell you more about your daily walk than any distance figure, and they are the difference between a short walk to your permit gate and a long one round the outside of a very large building.
Packages Umrah
WhatsApp or call: +44 7737 144 335
Office: 7 Huxley Avenue, Manchester, M8 0SJ
English and Urdu. Same-day quotes.
Packages from £499pp covering both cities, held with a £99 deposit.
Trading name of Uraan Travel Ltd. |
Ask which side and which gate
