Unlike Mecca, Medina is open to everyone, including non-Muslims. Non-Muslims were once banned from entering Al-Haram Al-Madani, where the Prophet's Mosque is located, but this was gradually relaxed in 2021 and 2023 as part of Vision 2030.

Muslims planning to visit during the Hajj season must apply for a Hajj visa. Non-Muslims may not visit during the Hajj season.

By plane

For pilgrims, the most common route is to arrive in Jeddah by plane, and get on a special pilgrims' bus to Mecca and Medina, and come back to fly home in a couple of weeks.

1 Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED IATA). This airport receives direct flights from around the Middle East, and is accessible to non-Muslims. It is very small, and not really designed to cope with the large numbers now passing through it, so expect a crush at the baggage carousels, and a free-for-all in the check-in areas, where queuing seems to be a foreign concept. Also, beware of scammers (see "Stay safe" below). To get from the airport to the city, use taxis, Uber, or the public bus. The bus is the cheapest option, and is perfectly serviceable. The bus stop for route 400 is outside and to the rightmost edge after you exit the building from baggage claims. You can pay by credit card (the driver comes around with a card reader before departing), although there are ATMs and currency exchange booths inside the terminal, if you'd like cash. The downside of the bus is that it only has one stop, which is a 10-minute walk to the north of the Prophet's Mosque. From there, you can either hail a taxi to your hotel or walk. If your hotel is to the south of the Prophet's Mosque, you may have to walk around the western perimeter of it, as baggage is not allowed inside the area. You cannot easily walk around the east side of the mosque; it is a busy road with no walking paths. (updated Nov 2023)

By bus

The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) runs luxurious buses several times daily to and from most parts of the country at cheap rates. There are also privately run buses. The SAPTCO terminal is off-limits to non-Muslims.

By train

Medina is linked with Jeddah and Mecca via high-speed railway. Services are frequent, with up to 15 departures per day in each direction. Journey time is just under two hours from Jeddah and 2½ hours from Mecca.

2 Medina railway station, King Abdul Aziz Rd (East of the centre). (updated Dec 2023)