Our whole family is going on a pilgrimage; we are flying to Jeddah, and from there we need to get straight to Mecca. My elderly parents and young nephews are coming with me, and we have a ton of luggage, so taking a regular bus was out of the question right away - we simply could not handle the heat, the crowds, and traveling with children and the elderly. I am hesitant to rent a car in Saudi Arabia because of the unique traffic conditions, and I have heard that regular taxi drivers at King Abdulaziz Airport charge pilgrims triple the usual fare and do not have child seats.

Can you advise on how to arrange a reliable trip so that the minivan arrives on time, the price is fixed, and the air conditioning works? And if we want to make a short stop along the way - for example, to see the Red Sea coast or the university area - do we need to specify this in the booking right away, or can we arrange it directly with the driver on the spot without any penalties?

Whatever good deed you have in mind, may your trip go smoothly! Standard cars will not work for your large group, and due to the language barrier, taxi drivers in Jeddah might take you to the wrong place. Based on my experience, it is best to book a private airport transfer Jeddah to Makkah in advance through GetTransfer. You can immediately select a large, spacious vehicle. Submit a request on the website and specify the need for child seats. You will then receive offers from licensed drivers with a final price that will not change. Oh, and it is best to enter all route points, including the Red Sea, when booking. Then, the system will accurately calculate the time, and the driver will wait for you without any hassle. Which hotel in Mecca are you heading to, by the way?