Medina Airport Bus: Route 400, Fare, Stops & How to Use It
Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Mohammed Sifeddine
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Medina Airport Bus: A Practical Transfer Option
If you’re travelling between the Prophet’s Mosque area and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED), you have several options, including taxis, ride-hailing services and the city’s public bus network.
For a broader look at getting around the city, see our [Madinah Transport Guide].
Link to: Madinah Transport Guide
The Medina Airport Bus is Route 400, connecting the airport with the Prophet’s Mosque and central Madinah. The published fare is SAR 11.50 per passenger, and the service operates 24 hours a day, with buses currently listed at approximately 40-minute intervals.
I have used this service myself, including a trip in December 2025. This guide separates my personal observations from information that can be checked against current sources.
Where to Find the Medina Airport Bus
From the Prophet’s Mosque
The Route 400 bus uses the central Madinah bus network around the Prophet’s Mosque.
The stop I used in December 2025 was on the northern side of the mosque complex, near the area around Bab Malik Fahd (King Fahd Gate) and doors 333–335.
At the time of my journey, I saw buses using this area for both airport and train-station services. Always check the electronic destination display before boarding.
From Medina Airport
The current airport information identifies the Route 400 pickup area as outside Gate 5.
Because airport transport arrangements can change, check the signs when you arrive rather than relying solely on an old description of the terminal layout.
Route 400 vs Taxi / Careem
Before choosing the Medina Airport Bus, it helps to compare it with the other common options.
| Option | Fare | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Route 400 bus | SAR 11.50 per person | Fixed published fare; approximately every 40 minutes; 24-hour service |
| Taxi | Varies | Direct vehicle and no scheduled waiting |
| Careem / ride-hailing | Varies by demand | Booked through the app and taken directly to your destination |
For a solo traveller, the bus has a much lower fixed fare. A taxi or ride-hailing car may be more convenient if you want a direct journey or are travelling with several people.
My Medina Airport Bus Experience — December 2025
I used Route 400 on December 3, 2025, travelling from the Prophet’s Mosque area to Medina Airport.
Finding the right bus
At the bus stop, I initially saw a bus displaying “Train Station.” I waited for the airport service.
A short time later, a bus marked “Airport” / “AIRPORT” arrived. The destination display was visible in both Arabic and English.
Payment
This is one detail I would pay particular attention to if you are an international visitor.
During my December 2025 journey, I paid using a Mada card at the payment terminal.
On a later occasion, I also found that an international debit card did not work on the bus payment terminal. Because of this, I would not tell international visitors to rely on a foreign Visa or Mastercard being accepted directly on the bus.
I have also not been able to independently confirm that Apple Pay works directly on the Route 400 onboard payment terminal.
The Madinah Bus app supports electronic ticket purchases using payment cards, but that is not the same thing as confirming that every international card or Apple Pay wallet will work at the onboard terminal.
My recommendation for international visitors
If you’re travelling with an international debit or credit card, don’t make the bus your only payment plan.
If you have a Saudi Mada card, that is the payment method I have personally been able to use successfully.
If you only have an international card, check the payment options available at the time of travel or consider having an alternative transport option available.
I would also avoid stating that Apple Pay is definitely accepted unless the operator confirms it.
Journey time
I boarded at approximately 11:10 AM during my December 2025 trip. The bus left at around 11:20 AM and reached the airport at approximately 11:48 AM.
The journey itself took roughly 25–30 minutes.
That is my personal observation, not a guaranteed journey time. Traffic and the number of stops can affect the actual duration.
Current Route 400 Information
The information currently published gives the following basic details:
- Route: 400
- Fare: SAR 11.50
- Frequency: Approximately every 40 minutes
- Operating hours: 24 hours
- Airport pickup: Outside Gate 5
Route 400 connects Medina Airport with the Prophet’s Mosque and central Madinah.
What I Could Verify
I separate information in this guide into three categories.
Madinah Airport’s official bus information
Madinah Airport — Bus Information
Current published information
- Route 400 connects Medina Airport with the Prophet’s Mosque / central Madinah.
- The published fare is SAR 11.50.
- Current information gives approximately 40 minutes between buses.
- The service operates 24 hours a day.
- The airport pickup area is outside Gate 5.
My personal observations
From my December 2025 journey:
- I found the central pickup area near the northern side of the Prophet’s Mosque.
- The airport bus displayed Airport / AIRPORT in Arabic and English.
- My journey took approximately 25–30 minutes.
- I successfully paid with a Mada card.
- The bus had Wi-Fi available during my journey.
- The bus departed close to the time I expected on that particular trip.
Information I would not present as confirmed
- That every international Visa or Mastercard will work directly on the bus.
- That Apple Pay definitely works on the onboard payment terminal.
- A specific luggage allowance.
- A guaranteed journey time.
- The old 20-minute frequency as a current schedule.
What About the Old 20-Minute Frequency?
When I travelled in December 2025, the driver told me that buses were departing every 20 minutes.
That was my experience at the time.
I would not use 20 minutes as the current timetable, because the current information available now indicates approximately 40-minute intervals.
This is why an older article or visitor report may give you a different frequency from the one shown here.
Practical Tips Before Taking the Medina Airport Bus
1. Check the destination display
Before boarding, make sure the electronic display says Airport if you are travelling to MED.
2. Don’t rely on an international bank card
My experience is that a Mada card worked, while an international debit card did not.
Because I could not find authoritative confirmation that Apple Pay works directly on this particular bus terminal, I would not depend on Apple Pay as your only payment method.
3. Allow for the waiting time
With buses currently operating approximately every 40 minutes, you should allow for the possibility of waiting for the next bus.
My own journey took about 25–30 minutes, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed travel time.
4. Leave extra time for a flight
If you’re going to the airport for a flight, don’t plan to arrive at the bus stop only a few minutes before your desired departure.
The scheduled interval between buses is long enough that missing one can make a noticeable difference to your journey.
5. Check the route information before travelling
The bus network can change, particularly during major pilgrimage seasons and periods of increased visitor traffic.
Final Thoughts
The Medina Airport Bus, Route 400, is a public bus connection between Medina Airport and central Madinah. The current published information lists a SAR 11.50 fare, approximately 40-minute frequency, and 24-hour operation.
For international visitors, the main practical point is payment: don’t assume that a foreign debit card or Apple Pay will work on the onboard terminal. My own experience has been that a Mada card worked, while an international debit card did not.
If you have a suitable payment method and don’t mind allowing time for the next bus, Route 400 provides another way to travel between the airport and central Madinah without taking a taxi or ride-hailing car.
You can also see our guide to [Madinah’s bus routes and Google Maps integration] for information on the wider city bus network.
Link to: Madinah’s bus routes and Google Maps integration
