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Travelling to Arafat is an important part of the Hajj pilgrimage. While there are no airports in Arafat itself, pilgrims can fly to nearby Saudi Arabian cities and continue their journey by road.
Most travellers flying for Hajj arrive at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, which is the closest major airport to Arafat and Mecca.
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The closest airport to Arafat is King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah.
Key details:
Jeddah Airport has a dedicated Hajj terminal, designed to manage the large number of pilgrims arriving during the pilgrimage season.
Some pilgrims also fly into Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Madinah, then travel south to Mecca and Arafat.
After landing at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, most pilgrims travel by road towards Mecca before continuing to Arafat.
The journey from Jeddah to Arafat is around 100 km (62 miles) and usually takes 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic and the time of year. Travel times can be longer during the Hajj season due to the large number of pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Common transport options include:
During Hajj, many pilgrims travel as part of organised groups, with transport planned as part of their pilgrimage package. These arrangements help manage the large number of travellers moving between Jeddah, Mecca and the Plain of Arafat during the pilgrimage period.
The Day of Arafah is one of the most important moments of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Pilgrims gather at the Plain of Arafat, where they spend the afternoon in prayer and reflection. This ritual is known as Wuquf, and it is considered the central rite of Hajj.
Missing the Day of Arafah means the pilgrimage is not considered complete.
Many international airlines operate flights to Jeddah, particularly during the Hajj season.
Popular airlines flying to Jeddah include:
These airlines operate flights from major cities across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Planning your journey to Arafat starts with booking a flight to Saudi Arabia.
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The Day of Arafah is a very sacred and virtuous day for Muslims. It is believed by many to be the day that the Prophet Muhammad gave his farewell sermon upon Mount Arafah. Many pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, which is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad stood and delivered his sermon to his companions. Pilgrims stand in contemplative silence on the hillside on this day.
If you're planning a pilgrimage to Mount Arafāt for the Day of Arafat, you'll be pleased to hear that lots of airlines operate flights to the nearby King Abdulaziz International Airport ahead of the ceremony. Lots of airlines already operate regular flights to the airport throughout the year, but during Hajj lots of additional routes are added.
