Mecca

When strolling and exploring the city, please make sure you wear the appropriate attire. Women should be covered from neck to ankle and in certain areas scarves are used to cover the face and head. Shorts and tank tops should not be worn outside of your accommodation by women. For men, loose clothing is recommended and shorts are prohibited. When visiting, please make sure you respect and abide by the laws and culture of the country.

Saudi Arabia introduced a new eVisa system in October 2019, dramatically simplifying visa applications for citizens of multiple world countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and much of Europe. The new multiple-entry visa will be processed within record time (as quickly as 30 minutes), issued for one year, and will allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days during its validity period. This marks a watershed moment in the country’s history, as Saudi Arabia has historically been off limits to non-Muslim tourists, with visas notoriously difficult to secure. Citizens of countries not covered by the eVisa program will still need to turn to their nearest consulate to obtain a visa. Special visas for Hajj or Umrah are issued by the government for those who want to perform a pilgrimage. To apply for a Hajj or Umrah visa, visit the nearest Saudi consulate or embassy or contact an approved Hajj travel agent, who will get the the necessary papers for you.

The weather in Mecca is hot and dry year round, but there is some variation between summer and winter. Most tourists and pilgrims visit Mecca during the somewhat cooler winter months and avoid the city during the hottest period (June-August). Mecca sees almost no precipitation and winds are usually very calm which, coupled with the extreme temperatures, can make the city scorching hot, so be sure to stay hydrated and avoid too much sun exposure. As the holiest city in Islam, Mecca is always crowded with pilgrims and unfortunately tragic incidents like stampedes are not uncommon. Thus, visitors are advised to be careful and always pay attention to their surroundings.

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is located in Jeddah and is the largest airport in Saudi Arabia. Often called 'the gateway to Mecca', it has a dedicated terminal for Hajj, which is active during Hajj season (during the last month of the Islamic calendar,) to help accommodate the vast number of pilgrims. Buses and taxis are available at the airport and offer an easy mode of transport to Mecca.

Central Post Office Mecca:

Country code: +966 Area code: 2

125/215 Volts AC, 50/60Hz