Weekend Trips from Makkah: Taif & Al Hada Guide

When you need a break from Makkah's heat and busy pace, some of Saudi Arabia's most refreshing mountain scenery sits just a short drive away. The city of Taif — with its cool highlands, gardens, and the Al Hada and Al Shafa escarpments — is the go-to weekend escape for residents and visitors alike. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the trip, the main attractions, and realistic costs so you can plan a smooth day out.

Getting from Makkah to Taif

The classic weekend run is Makkah to Taif via Highway 15, which takes roughly 1.5 hours by car. Most people make the trip in a private vehicle or with a hired driver, since public transport options are limited for casual sightseeing and you'll want flexibility to stop for photos along the mountain road.

• Set off early to beat weekend traffic and enjoy the cooler morning air on the highlands.
• The road climbs steadily, so make sure your vehicle is in good condition and fuel is topped up.
• The Al Hada and Al Shafa areas are the two most popular destinations once you arrive.

The Al Hada Cable Car (Teleferic)

The Al Hada cable car is the headline attraction, connecting the upper station on Al Hada Road down toward the Al Kar valley. The ride offers sweeping views of the mountains and switchback roads below.

• Tickets: Recent visitor reports cluster around 60–120 SAR per adult return, with many 2025–2026 accounts landing near 84–100 SAR return. Some operators advertise higher rack rates (around 150 SAR one way / 300 SAR return), but practical walk-up pricing is usually lower.
• Children: Under about 5 years are often free; roughly 5–12 years typically pay around 20–30 SAR.
• Hours: Generally 09:00–18:00 daily, with extensions to around 20:00–23:00 on weekends and peak seasons; summer weekends sometimes stay open until 23:00.

Tickets are sold on-site at the Al Hada upper station and at Al Kar Tourist Village. There is no government e-platform required to buy them, so simply purchase at the counter. Prices do fluctuate, so treat any figure here as a guide and confirm at the ticket window.

Al Kar Tourist Village

At the bottom of the cable car sits Al Kar Tourist Village, a family-friendly spot with rides, games, and food.

• Toboggan rides: Usually 35–50 SAR per ride (some references still show around 30 SAR).
• Games and attractions: Charged separately typically in the tens of riyals.
• Entry: Access to the general outdoor base area is usually free or low-fee, with your spending driven mainly by rides, food, and games.

Al Shafa: Cooler and Greener

If you prefer scenery over rides, Al Shafa is a higher, greener plateau known for its farms, rose gardens, and cooler temperatures. It's ideal for a relaxed drive, a picnic, or picking up local honey and produce. Pair a morning at Al Hada with an afternoon in Al Shafa for a full day of mountain air.

Organized Day Tours

If you'd rather not drive, private agencies and tourism platforms offer organized day trips from Makkah to Taif — and to Jeddah as well. These packages typically fall in the low hundreds of SAR Pricing is set by each agency commercially, not by any government portal, so compare a couple of options before booking.

Practical Tips

• Bring a light jacket — the highlands are noticeably cooler than Makkah.
• Carry some cash for on-site tickets, toboggan rides, and small vendors.
• Weekends and holidays are busier, so arrive early for shorter cable car queues.
• Always confirm current cable car prices and closing times at the counter, as they change seasonally.

With just an hour and a half of driving, a Taif weekend is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes from Makkah — cool air, big views, and plenty for families.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving