Tag: Information

Departing KSA

BeeMan Leave a comment

The return to airport journey was not as long or troublesome as arriving. Here are my notes from departure.

We had shuttles from hotel in Azzizah to airports. They were wait 9 hours prior to our flight and left within a reasonable time to the airport (8 hours prior to the flight).

The first check point did not take long, under 15 minutes.

However, when arriving at airport gates (second checkpoint) the wait time was long (2.5 hours). The airport security checked everything (bus registration, flight information for passengers, etc.). Once our flight was within 4 or 5 hours prior to departure we were cleared to go.

The bus arrived at the airport terminal 1 next to the Zamzam pickup building. We needed to wait until an airport officer came and stamps paperwork for everyone to come down.

When we left the bus, we grab your bags and headed to Zamzam pickup building.

We were bombarded with people who want to help carry your luggage, bring a cart, provide a sharpy to mark your zamzam box. We opt-ed for the Sharpy 🙂 (10 SAR)

Zamzam was 8.5 SAR/5 Liter sealed box (1 Gallon). We provided our passports to pickup Zamzam. The cashier initially charged me for 2 boxes (had 2 passports). I told him to add another as I plan to put it in my bag and he charged me for the 3rd 😉

We waited in line at check-in where they took our luggage then ask us to drop off the Zamzam thru a specific conveyor belt for Zamzam.

Then we off to the passport control/security check line. We had our own boarding pass in your hand as we scan it to enter thru the glass security check. Once we scanned we proceeded to passport control where we had boarding pass, physical passport and visa in hand. They didn’t ask for the visa for my wife but did ask for my visa.

Once we were are checked, we proceeded to the security line.

After security check, we reviewed gate information on TV screen, then proceeded to gate.

حج مبرور وسعي مشكور وذنب مغفور وتجارة لن تبور

Madinah

BeeMan 1 Comment

If your package did not include madinah visit, then this page is for you. Here are a few things we learned as we secretly escaped to Madinah.

  1. Two days before Hajj, Mecca locks down for Hajj.
  2. If you are in Madinah and traveling within 4 days of Hajj, they will ask for a passport and visa. Visa must be for “Hajj season”. Can use a copy of your passport, original booklet not required.
  3. Haramain High Speed Railway (HHR)
    • Use the app as it’s more reliable, the website usually fails at payment page
    • The lower numbers are closer to Mekkah. So try to pick a chair facing Mekkah, allows you to pray in seat as there is no prayer room.
    • High Speed Railway/Train leaves on time. Be sure to walk towards the train at least 15 minutes before time to ensure bags are stored and you find your seat.
    • Book ahead of time, prices will jump from 300+ to 800+ SAR for Business per person for same day or high demand travel times.
    • Business is worth it if you want lunch in train and sit in business lounge. (Personally I liked Mecca lounge more than Madinah)
    • Takes about 2 hours 15 minutes with 1 stop, or 2 hours and 25 minutes for 2 stops.
  4. Buses to Madinah from Mecca go for 100 SAR, but take 5 hours.
  5. Rawdah
    • Use the Nusuk app to reserve a spot. I had to register a different account then my wife even though she was registered as my companion.
    • The Nusuk app shows a week ahead. I noticed the calendar updates up after Duhr KSA time.
    • Men are right after Maghreb.
    • There are over 2000 people who will have reserved a spot.
    • Those who didn’t register can still go if time and space is allows it.
    • Rawdah’s doors are at 38, however, pray near 37, preferably outside.
    • Right after Maghreb (Men), head over to the lines. Ask guards were is the Rawdah and stand in line. Have your reservation ready.
    • They don’t scan the QR code but check manually the date. Screenshots won’t be accepted.
    • There are multiple check points and a system to release people in waves.
    • The Rawdah is within the first 4 pillars across (from front left) to 3 pillars back (from front left).
    • Women are right after Isha, however, women don’t actually pray inside the Rawdah nor are allowed to see the prophet (pbuh) or AbuBakir or Omar’s graves.
  6. Hotel stay averaged 660 SAR a night before Hajj.
  7. Taxi from HHR to Masjid Quba was 30 SAR
  8. Taxi from Masjid Nabawi to HHR was 40 SAR

Recommendations/Tips/Info

BeeMan 2 Comments

Before going to hajj, I’ve spoken to many hujjaj who attend last year or prior to the pandemic. Some were solid advice and others were no longer applicable. Here are some I’ve learned to be valuable.

Protect your health and energy during hajj by:

  1. Avoiding the sun
  2. Avoid drinking cold water
  3. Avoid the crowd
  4. Don’t walk barefoot in the sun
  5. Umrah at night is easier from the heat, but usually more traffic.
  6. Wash Ihram clothing after Umrah, it’s cheap and normally takes 2 days, can pay for rush.
  7. Service Workers:
    • Avoid having any bags taken by someone else (Service luggage men) to your room or terminal etc. unless you have cash on hand.
    • After any service rendered the server may ask you to pay $100 US dollars, laugh it off and pay no more than 40 SAR tip.
  8. Taxi is 3-5 SAR per km or minutes, which ever is higher max, can negotiate half most of them. Uber works but very few drivers available at a time. Sometimes there is no cars available. Be prepared to negotiate with taxi. Prices are comparable between Uber and Taxi. However if you tip, it’ll end up being more than taxi.
  9. Always ask for price of ride before getting in to a taxi, and only pay that if destination does not change.
  10. Always take a bag to hold your slippers when going to the haramain.
  11. Always bring a bottle of water even if it’s empty so you can fill with Zamzam.