For a trip like this, it means swapping fancy hotels for more budget-friendly accommodation, hopping on buses instead of taxis, and eating from as many shawarma counters as is humanly possible. That’s what traveling to Medina on a budget looks like.
Here’s how to visit Medina on a budget, step by step, without having to sacrifice on the experience itself.
How to Get from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport
From Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Bus 400 is your way into the center, with the ride usually taking 25 minutes. Madinah Bus operates the service around the clock, so you can hop on whenever you land. The ride costs SAR 3.45 (€0.80), with tickets available to purchase through the official Madinah Bus app or in person at a SAPTCO machine. Be aware, though, that paying in person comes with a SAR 10 (€2.33) fee. I suggest using the app instead to avoid the extra charge.
Coming in via King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) instead? The Haramain High-Speed Railway has you covered. It’s a quick 1 hour and 48 minutes trip, for around SAR 145.82 (€34). Want to save a bit more and don’t mind trading time for money? The Northwest Bus has an intercity route for SAR 99 (€23.08), though it will take 5 hours and 13 minutes.
Getting Around Medina - Is There Public Transport?
Right in the center of Medina, where the main cluster of hotels and pedestrianized streets around Al-Masjid an-Nabawi sit, you’ll be able to walk around easily. Venture further out, though, and it’s a different story.
A lot of the places you’ll want to visit won’t be within walking distance, so
you’ll need to use public transport or a ride-sharing app like Careem or Uber.
Try to stick to the Madinah Bus whenever you can. It will be kind to your wallet, with rates of SAR 3.45 (€0.80) per trip, and plenty of lines running across the city.
If waiting around at a bus stop doesn’t sound appealing, Uber and Careem have your back. Type in your location, wait for your driver, and off you go. No haggling or no standing around melting in the sun. Rates are fixed and nowhere near Western European prices, allowing you to still get around cheaply. This is also where having a travel buddy pays off, as you can split the fare between two or three of you and bring the price down.
Medina on a Shoestring - What to Do for Little or Nothing
Religious Sites (The Prophet’s Mosque, Masjid Quba, and more)
Medina’s religious sites are famous for good reason. They’re some of the most revered in Islam, with plenty of opportunities to see them from afar.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, known as the Prophet’s Mosque, draws visitors as Islam’s second holiest site, built by Prophet Muhammad himself. Twenty-four domes sit on top, ten expansive minarets stand across the site, and its rectangular shape is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.
Non-Muslims aren’t allowed inside, but you can still get some great photos from outside. The same goes for Quba Mosque, the first mosque in Islam, and Qiblatain Mosque, where the Qibla’s direction was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah.
Shop till You Drop Medina Style
No holiday is complete without bringing home a few keepsakes you’ll probably forget you bought, and Medina has got plenty of spots to pick some up.
Start at the Medina Dates Market, where dates come in every shape, size, and quality, with rows of vendors selling their stock. Most are up for a bit of back-and-forth on price, so don’t just accept the first number you’re given; haggling here is half the fun.
When it gets hot outside, because it will, that’s your cue to duck into the mall and have a little AC break. Cenomi Al Noor Mall has a good mix of international brands and a food court, in case you need a quick bite before you brave the outside world again.
Learn Something New in Medina’s Museums
Medina ticks all the boxes when it comes to museums. The Dar Al Madinah Museum takes you through the key stages of the Prophet’s life across a range of displays, all for SAR 25 (€5.83). Then there’s the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, which looks at the Prophet’s teachings from more of a scientific angle, with immersive displays, for SAR 40 (€9.33).
Near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, there’s also the interesting As Safiyyah Museum & Park, a futuristic creation-story gallery with lush green spaces, eateries, and plenty of places to shop. The grounds themselves are free to walk around, but if you want to go inside the museum, you’ll have to pay SAR 20 (€4.66).
Enjoy the Outdoors Early Before the Blistering Heat Sets In
If you’re the outdoorsy type, the Middle East heat can wear you down once afternoon hits and the temperature climbs to the point where being outside just isn’t fun anymore. The key to getting around this is to set off early and head out before the sun properly comes up.
Start with Mount Uhud, where the Prophet Muhammad and the Quraysh fought their second battle. Even though the site is religiously significant, the mountain is open to visitors, who can walk its red and black rocky pathways up to a peak of 1,077 meters. Along the way, keep an eye out for Archer’s Mount, which was the area where the Prophet’s archers were positioned during the fight, and the Martyrs’ Cemetery, built to honor those who lost their lives in the battle.
From there, it’s on to Al-Aqiq Valley, a 1,600-meter walkway weaving through a beautiful valley, the same stretch that Prophet Muhammad sometimes visited to pray and declared the ‘blessed valley.’ If you’re after a quiet stroll, this is the spot to go.
Where to Have Fun After Dark in Medina
Evenings in Medina have a different vibe, centered around cafés and outdoor spaces. That doesn’t mean nighttime is quiet here. In fact, it’s actually quite a lot of fun once the sun goes down, as there’s a buzz in the air from people finally coming out after hiding from the heat all day.
Late-night coffee houses like Kiffa stay open until the early hours and are a hit with locals for their iced drinks, sold for SAR 13 (€3.03). Juice shops such as Dania Juice offer all kinds of fresh cold drinks for as little as SAR 6 (€1.40). Once you’ve got your drinks, head over to King Fahd Central Park for an evening wander around the gorgeous gardens and get some insight into the local way of life.
Eating Cheap, Still Eating Good in Medina
Bukhari
A hearty plate of bukhari will set you up for the day. It’s amazing how something so simple can taste so delicious. This concoction is made with chicken, carrots, rice, chickpeas, and raisins, seasoned with a variety of spices. You can find plates for SAR 20 (€4.66), but try to stick to spots where locals are eating rather than tourist-focused haunts, as they usually win on price and quality.
Tamees + Foul
The ultimate breakfast combo, tamees + foul is a mix of bread (tamees) and stewed fava beans (foul). Dip the bread to soak up the flavorful goodness and savor it one mouthful at a time. The bread itself is soft and chewy, while the stew has a thick consistency, which makes it perfect for dipping. Portions are often found for around SAR 10 (€2.33) at family-run joints.
Shawarma Wrap
When you’re on the go, nothing beats a shawarma wrap. A simple wrap of sliced chicken doused in spices, chopped veggies, toum sauce (garlic), and some French fries. Every time I have one, I want another. They usually are sold for SAR 10 (€2.33).
Hummus and Bread
We all know about this classic combo. Crushed chickpeas, olive oil, lemon, and tahini create a deliciously creamy spread you’ll want to scoop up with as much bread as humanly possible. Expect to spend around SAR 10–15 (€2.33–€3.50) for a portion.
Best Time to Visit Medina
In budget terms alone, Medina provides the best prices in the summer months of June, July, August, and the beginning of September. But it’s insanely hot, with daily temperatures often exceeding 40°C. If you can’t handle it, you’re better off waiting until the shoulder months of October and May. It’s not as hot then, and you might still be able to pick up good deals on hotels, especially in October before everyone races to Saudi for the lower temperatures.
As far as weather goes, winter is prime time in Medina, which is from December until March. Think lows of 12°C and highs of 27°C, much more bearable than summer. That said, you’ll be competing with others who are thinking the same as you for flights and accommodation, which drives up the prices.
Being one of Islam’s holiest cities, you also need to be mindful of the key dates on the Islamic calendar.
The month of Ramadan is a popular time for people to perform Umrah. For 2027, it will be from early February to early March, just so you know.
Hajj season is another to keep an eye out for, as many people pass through Medina during their pilgrimage. The dates are expected to be from mid- to late March for 2027.
For these periods, everything sells out fast, including hotels, buses, and trains, even in the weeks before. Get there early, or you’ll be paying through the roof.
How Expensive Is Medina?
Food
You can spend as little or as much as you want on food in Medina. While fine dining is well and truly available, budget travelers should stick to stalls and roadside eateries rather than going for the five-star experience.
Focus on the budget bites listed above, and you can easily get away with spending SAR 30 (€7) to SAR 50 (€11.66) a day on grub. Get too carried away, and those figures can triple.
Drinks
Tea and coffee are a non-negotiable part of the Saudi diet. You will likely want to join in while you’re there. Specialty coffee shops will drain your budget, while more locally focused establishments sell these types of drinks for SAR 5 to 10 (€1.17 to €2.33). Juice stands offer cups for around SAR 6 (€1.40). Water should set you back around SAR 3 (€0.70) when out and about.
Accommodation
Hostel culture isn’t really a thing in Medina. It’s more hotels, private guesthouses and B&Bs. Luckily, hotel prices are relatively low, with rates starting at SAR 99 (€23.19) per night for a basic room or an apartment. That’s what you’d pay for a bed in a hostel in any Western European capital city, so it’s not a bad deal.
Don’t want to spend that amount? Try couchsurfing for local exchanges and get a bed for the night. Not only will you have a solid sleep for nothing, but you’ll also leave with new local Saudi friends you can visit again in the future.
Conclusion
Medina’s spiritual essence, relaxed sense of calm, and friendly people are exactly why you should be visiting here ASAP. You’ve heard the stories about the high prices, but we’ve shown that those claims don’t tell the full story. You can indeed come here and have a wonderful trip to learn about the city’s interesting cultural and religious significance without going broke. This guide is living proof of it.
