Umrah is a journey of the heart. But before you even reach the Haram, your first test can be a taxi rank. Tired pilgrims, unfamiliar roads, and language gaps make an easy target for a small number of dishonest drivers.
This is a guide from Taqwa Tours for guests of Allah to make their journey smooth and stress-free. We reveal common scams doing the taxi driver to take more advantage in the form of extra charges. We are also recommended The Umrah Taxi for cheap prices, especially discounted rates for UK pilgrims. So read this guide carefully before you go for Umrah, and you must read it if you are doing Umrah for the first time. Its benefit is your energy stays focused on worship, not haggling in a car park.
Most scams succeed for the same simple reasons every time.
None of this is your fault. But knowing the pattern is the first step to avoiding it.
The driver claims the meter isn’t working and offers a “fixed rate” instead. That rate is almost always inflated. Agree on a price before you sit down, or walk to a taxi that actually uses its meter.
A price is agreed verbally at the start. By the time you arrive, the driver suddenly asks for double or triple. Pilgrims often pay just to avoid a scene outside their hotel. Get the fare confirmed clearly before the car moves — through an app, a written note, or a witness.
Some drivers deliberately avoid the direct road to run up the fare, especially on the Jeddah Airport to Makkah route. Keep a maps app open during the ride so you can see if the route looks unusually long.
From the moment one arrives at the airport, a lot of men will start approaching, taking your luggage and directing you towards a car that does not have any signs, while at the same time giving a very low quote that changes dramatically when you are on the move. Politely refuse and take the official taxi.
You book and pay for a private car, only for the driver to pick up extra passengers along the way without asking. You’re now in a shared taxi at a private fare. Booking through a service that guarantees private transfers avoids this entirely.
There are those drivers who intentionally go for the longer way just to increase the fare, especially from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. It is advisable that one keep a maps application running while in the car to see if the way is very long.
Fees for bags are rarely mentioned upfront, then suddenly appear at the end of the ride. Ask directly whether luggage is included in the fare before you load the car.
After the ride, the driver claims he has no change for your large note — leaving you to overpay. Carry smaller denominations and agree on the exact fare in advance.
Not every overpriced ride is a “scam” in the strictest sense — many street taxis simply start high because they can. If you don’t bargain, you’ll likely pay well above the standard rate.
A few habits make a real difference:
In both Makkah and Madinah, app-based(Uber,Careem) rides are widely available and usually far cheaper than street taxis for the same distance. They also remove most of the guesswork:
If an app ride isn’t available immediately, you can still use its quoted price as a benchmark when bargaining with a street taxi.
For those travelling with their aged relatives or kids, it is recommended that pre-arrangement of the mode of transport be made since such transportation has many advantages over the street taxis. Women travelling alone or in small groups of women are also advised to book transport provided by family-friendly drivers.
Every scam on this list depends on one thing: uncertainty. Uncertainty about the price, the route, or the driver. Pre-booking your transport before you travel removes all the uncertainty. Our best advice is to book an all-inclusive Umrah package, so you can enjoy a stress-free journey without worrying about the details. So don’t be late; if you want to do Umrah now or in the future, book our future Umrah packages for 2027 from the UK. That’s why Taqwa Tours is the best choice; you will find everything under one roof.
At Taqwa Tours, we help pilgrims arrange their Umrah journey — including trusted airport and intercity transport — well before departure, so arrival day is one less thing to worry about.
If you’re not booking an Umrah package with us, we recommend reading our guide on common scams by Umrah agencies. It will help you identify fraudulent practices, avoid scams, and book your Umrah with confidence.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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Written By: Yasir Ali
A senior advisor at Taqwa Tours with over a decade of Umrah planning experience. Every article is written by our in‑house travel experts who have guided thousands of pilgrims from the UK. We share only accurate, up‑to‑date information to help you prepare for your journey.
