Quick answer
Pick the vehicle by luggage first and passengers second. A sedan suits up to 3–4 people with two large bags; a full-size SUV up to 7 with 4–5 bags; a van up to 7 with more luggage or a wheelchair; a minibus or coaster 11–17 people. One correctly sized private vehicle, priced per trip, usually costs about the same as two smaller cars and keeps everyone together.
In this guide
Start with the luggage
Most families size their transport by seats and then discover the boot is full. In Saudi Arabia that happens a lot — Umrah trips, long stays and holidays mean big suitcases, and the trip home is heavier than the trip out (dates, gifts, Zamzam). So:
- Count the large suitcases (checked-bag size).
- Count carry-ons, strollers and wheelchairs.
- Then count people, including children.
Vehicle guide
Vehicles are available through our partner network. Capacities vary by model — these are typical figures from our vehicle categories.
| Category | Example models | Passengers | Large bags | Typical group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive sedan | Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus | 3–4 | 2 | Couple or small family with light luggage |
| Full-size SUV | GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade | Up to 7 | 4–5 | Family of 4–6 with a case each |
| Van | Hyundai Staria, Hyundai Starex | Up to 7 | 4–10 (Starex holds the most) | Big luggage loads, wheelchair, older relatives |
| Minibus | Toyota Hiace | Up to 11 | Up to 16 | Extended family, small tour group |
| Coaster | Toyota Coaster | Up to 17 | Up to 20 | Umrah groups, school or company groups |
| Large bus | Luxury bus | Up to 25 | Up to 30 | Large groups and delegations |
Quick rules of thumb
- Family of 4 with 4 large bags: SUV, not a sedan.
- Family of 5–6 with Umrah luggage: SUV or Starex-type van.
- Anyone using a wheelchair: van — say so when booking.
- 8 or more people: minibus rather than two or three cars.
- Over 17: coaster plus a car, or a large bus.
Travelling with children
- Child seats: if you need them, tell us the children's ages when you book and ask — don't assume a seat will be in the car.
- Strollers take a lot of boot space; include them in your luggage count.
- Long legs (Madinah–Makkah, Riyadh–Dammam, Madinah–AlUla) — plan a stop every couple of hours; the driver will suggest service stations.
- Night arrivals: with a pre-booked car, sleepy children go straight from the terminal to the hotel.
Travelling with older relatives
- Step-in height: vans are often easier to get in and out of than tall SUVs.
- Wheelchairs: a folded wheelchair needs boot space; mention it.
- Near the Harams: cars set down at the nearest permitted point, which can be a walk from the hotel door — plan for it, especially in Makkah. See Haram drop-off guide.
One vehicle or two?
| One larger vehicle | Two smaller cars | |
|---|---|---|
| Group stays together | Yes | No — two arrival times |
| Luggage | All in one place | Split between boots |
| Coordination | One driver, one pickup | Two |
| Total cost | Often similar | Often similar |
Private vehicles are priced per trip, not per seat, so a larger vehicle is usually better value per person as the group grows. Every booking is private to your party — no other passengers are added.
Common family and group journeys
| Journey | Distance / drive | Usual vehicle for a family |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport → Makkah | ~80 km / ~1 hr | SUV or van |
| Madinah → Makkah | ~430 km / ~4 hr | SUV or van |
| Riyadh Airport → central Riyadh | ~35 km / ~30 min | SUV |
| Madinah → AlUla | ~330 km / ~3 hr | SUV |
| Riyadh → Dammam | ~390 km / ~3 hr 30 min | SUV or van |
Groups: Umrah, tours, schools, companies
For 10 or more people:
- Send a group summary — numbers, luggage, arrival flights, hotels, itinerary.
- Several vehicles can be timed to one flight, or a coaster can carry everyone.
- Ask for a written quote for the whole programme; organisations can request an invoice.
See group transport.
Getting a quote
Send: route(s), dates and times, adults and children (with ages), large bags and extras (stroller, wheelchair), and any stops — a Miqat stop, a meal break, a second pickup. We reply with the vehicle that fits and one fixed fare per trip. Pay cash to the driver or by bank transfer; electronic receipts on request; free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Common questions
How many people fit in an SUV?
A full-size SUV such as a GMC Yukon XL seats up to 7, with room for about 4–5 large bags. With 7 people and lots of luggage, choose a van instead.
Will we share the van with other passengers?
No. Every vehicle is private to your booking.
Is a van more expensive than a car?
A van costs more than a sedan for the trip, but often about the same as two cars — and the whole family travels together.
Plan this trip
Pages with the details, vehicles and booking options for this journey.
Tell us your group — we'll size the vehicle
Send the number of adults and children (with ages), large and small bags, any wheelchair or stroller, and your route and dates. We suggest the vehicle that fits and confirm a fixed fare before you book.
- Fares quoted & agreed before booking
- English- & Arabic-speaking drivers
- Free cancellation up to 24h before pickup
Trip type
Where should we send your quote?
Final pricing depends on route, vehicle, date, and passengers — confirmed with you directly before booking.
Private Transportation Only·Every booking is your own private vehicle and professional chauffeur.
