Al Haramain Golf Guide: Booking Steps for Tawaf and Sa'i Carts, Locations, and Prices

Booking the Al Haramain Golf service for Tawaf and Sa'i is available directly via the Unified Tanaqqol Platform and the Nusuk app, starting at 25 SAR for an individual seat per single ritual and up to 115 SAR per person for full Umrah including VAT. These carts represent a dedicated means of transportation operated by official drivers affiliated with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, aimed at helping the elderly, persons with disabilities, and ill pilgrims complete their rituals along pathways completely isolated from the heavy pedestrian traffic in the Mataf courtyard and the Mas'a corridors.

Many Umrah pilgrims arriving from within the Kingdom or abroad are surprised by the multiple mobility options available, which creates on-site confusion between small electric carts driven independently, large golf carts with drivers, and traditional manual wheelchairs. The following sections clarify official routes, precise differences in pricing, and boarding stations to ensure you perform your rituals, or care for those accompanying you, with measured physical effort and well-organized timing.

What is the Al Haramain Golf Service and Unified Tanaqqol Platform?

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques launched the fleet of field golf carts to operate alongside manual and motorized pushing services. These carts are small multi-passenger electric shuttles accommodating 6 to 12 passengers depending on cart class and design, equipped with padded seats, seatbelts, armrests, and secure spaces to hold walking sticks or lightweight mobility walkers.

These carts are operated by drivers trained on the ground to manage crowds, regulate speed on slopes and sharp turns, and observe Islamic legal rulings governing Tawaf and Sa'i, such as aligning with the Black Stone line on each circuit and avoiding cutting the Yemeni Corner obliquely. The service requires no steering or speed control effort from the pilgrim, making it the premier choice for those unable to operate a self-driven electric scooter or fearing collisions with walls and pilgrim crowds.

The service operates under an integrated technical framework through the "Unified Tanaqqol Platform", the official government electronic portal dedicated to organizing, coordinating, and operating all mobility and pushing means inside the Two Holy Mosques, whether in the Grand Mosque of Makkah or across the courtyards and pathways of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. The platform aims to eliminate unauthorized brokers and informal financial exploitation, issuing reservation tickets featuring a QR Code linked directly to the pilgrim's identity and official ritual permit.

Types of Grand Mosque Carts: Differences Between Golf, Individual Electric, and Manual Carts

Mobility options in the Grand Mosque of Makkah fall into three primary categories. These modes differ fundamentally in independence, cost, operational level, and physical effort required from the pilgrim and companion.

Group Golf Carts with Driver

Spacious vehicles operated by an official Authority employee. Their route is predetermined, and passengers cannot alter speed or direction except to alight at the agreed station. These carts generally operate on the roof level and the mezzanine of the Mas'a and Mataf to bypass pedestrians. They offer maximum safety for individuals with impaired concentration, heavy limbs, or driving anxiety amidst crowds. Cost is calculated per single seat or for the entire cart depending on the reservation type.

Single and Double Electric Carts (Self-Driven)

Locally known as "electric scooters", these compact carts feature self-charging batteries and come in two models: single seat for one rider, or double seat for two persons (pilgrim and companion seated together). The pilgrim drives the cart independently using a simple handlebar, speed selector switch, and responsive hand brakes. They suit individuals possessing the physical and mental ability to steer, maneuver, and monitor surroundings over a distance exceeding 3 kilometers during Tawaf and Sa'i. Their exclusive lanes are situated on the mezzanine level dedicated to electric scooters.

Free and Paid Manual Wheelchairs with Companions

Traditional wheelchairs follow two tracks in the Grand Mosque: The first is the free manual wheelchair available at official distribution points in the outer courtyards (such as the Shubeikah location), obtained upon registering national ID or Iqama details, pushed by a volunteering family member. The second track is hiring licensed wheelchair pushers—young men wearing official badges, valid permits, and uniforms issued by the Two Holy Mosques Presidency. Agreements are made along official Tawaf and Sa'i routes at regulated, standardized rates strictly monitored to prevent overcharging.

Steps to Book an Al Haramain Golf Cart via Tanaqqol Platform and Nusuk App

Reservations are handled exclusively through two official digital channels; beware of fraudulent websites or individuals soliciting bookings in the outer courtyards via WhatsApp and unofficial links.

Direct Booking via the Unified Tanaqqol Platform (carts.alharamain.gov.sa)

The platform provides fast access through mobile web browsers without installing extra apps, making it convenient for residents and international visitors who have limited phone storage or wish to complete payment from desktop computers:

1. Navigate directly to the official portal of the Unified Tanaqqol Platform (carts.alharamain.gov.sa).
2. Select your preferred language (Arabic or English).
3. Enter verification details: National ID for citizens, Iqama number for residents, or passport number and date of birth for international visitors.
4. Select "The Grand Mosque" from the list of available locations.
5. Choose the service: select "Group Golf Carts" rather than "Individual Electric Carts".
6. Set the exact date and time corresponding to your anticipated arrival at the Mataf courtyard or Mas'a.
7. Select the number of seats, specify beneficiary names, and proceed to the electronic payment gateway (Mada, Visa, Mastercard, or Apple Pay).
8. Save the digital ticket containing the barcode in your photo gallery or mobile wallet to present to the station supervisor.

Booking Al Haramain Carts from Inside the Nusuk App

If you already use the "Nusuk" app with an active Umrah permit, booking within the app streamlines personal data entry and synchronizes the cart booking with your Tawaf permit time slot:

1. Open the "Nusuk" app and log in via the National Single Sign-On (Nafath) or registered international credentials.
2. Navigate from the main screen to the "Grand Mosque Services" tab.
3. Tap the "Mobility Services" or "Cart Booking" icon.
4. Select "Golf Carts" and link the booking to the beneficiary's active Umrah permit.
5. Choose your preferred departure point; the system displays seat availability across various pickup stations (such as the Ajyad Bridge station or Mezzanine).
6. Pay fees using accepted bank cards in the Kingdom (Mada cards or credit cards).
7. Your mobility permit is issued instantly and appears under the "Active Bookings" tab, equipped with a scannable QR Code for dedicated entrance gates.

Selecting the Route Type: Tawaf Only, Sa'i Only, or Full Umrah

You must specify the intended ritual during purchase. The system does not permit switching routes after the ticket is generated. Your choice directly affects route logistics and pricing:

• Tawaf Only: Intended for pilgrims performing Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival), Tawaf al-Wada' (farewell), or voluntary non-Umrah Tawaf. The trip begins and ends inside the upper Mataf circuit; the barcode will not open Mas'a gates.
• Sa'i Only: Geared towards pilgrims who performed Tawaf on foot and are fatigued, or pilgrims performing the Sa'i of Hajj Ifrad or Qiran. Carts are collected exclusively at the upper Safa stations.
• Full Umrah (Tawaf & Sa'i): Covers transport across the seven circuits of Tawaf, followed by transfer through a designated connecting corridor to Safa to complete the seven laps of Sa'i to Marwah. This trip issues a unified ticket scanned twice: once at the start of Tawaf, and once at the entrance of the Sa'i course.

Prices and Fees of Golf and Electric Carts in the Grand Mosque

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques adheres to a unified, officially approved price schedule for all services. Tipping or paying extra service fees to drivers in cash is strictly prohibited; all payments must be processed electronically through official platforms.

Note: Prices above are in Saudi Riyals (SAR) and include 15% VAT. The Authority may implement exceptional updates during peak seasons such as the last ten days of Ramadan and the Hajj season.

Locations and Departure Points of Golf Carts in the Grand Mosque of Makkah

Pilgrims often encounter significant difficulty reaching boarding stations if they fail to map out their entry route from the outer streets of the Grand Mosque. Wandering aimlessly among crowds expends energy that should be preserved for elderly companions.

Ajyad Bridge Station and Southern Courtyards

This location serves as the prime entryway for guests staying at the King Abdulaziz Endowment (Abraj Al-Bait) hotels, or those arriving from the Ajyad direction and the Kudai bus terminal. This station connects the southern courtyard directly to the roof and mezzanine floors via a broad concrete ramp without requiring abrupt stair climbing.

To reach it: take the elevated bridge walkway running parallel to Dar Al Tawhid Hotel and the Clock Towers towards King Abdulaziz Gate (Gate 1), then follow green overhead signs indicating "Mobility Carts Station - Ajyad Bridge". A quick inspection checkpoint at the bridge entrance verifies your digital barcode before ascending, and comfortable waiting seats are available until your cart arrives.

First Floor Mezzanine and Mataf Roof Stations

If you enter the Grand Mosque from King Fahd Gate or the northern gates of the Third Saudi Expansion, ascending to upper stations via elevators and wide escalators is the optimal path:

• Tawaf Mezzanine Station (First Floor): Serves Tawaf pilgrims and handles heavy operational volume. Access it via escalators adjacent to Al-Fath Gate (Gate 45) and Umrah Gate (Gate 62), alongside designated elevators for people with disabilities located along the corridors that lead straight to the cart level.
• Mas'a Roof Station: A semi-open upper track shaded by advanced thermal canopies, dedicated to large golf carts away from pedestrian pressure on the ground and basement floors. It is reached via the exterior Safa elevators located near the eastern courtyard.
• Digital Verification Checkpoints: Station entrances are staffed with personnel equipped with handheld barcode scanners; simply display the barcode on your phone without physical printing to be guided to your designated boarding lane according to ticket number and family size.

Cancellation Policy, Fee Refunds, and Cart Ticket Regulations

Refund queries frequently arise, particularly when unexpected medical emergencies occur or road closures around the central area prevent timely access to the Grand Mosque.

The Unified Tanaqqol Platform enforces clear cancellation regulations, summarized below:

• Free Cancellation Window: The system allows a 100% refund to the bank card used for payment, provided the cancellation request is submitted via the platform at least 3 hours before the scheduled booking time. Refunds take 3 to 14 business days to reflect in your account, depending on your card issuer's policy.
• Late Cancellation (Under 3 Hours): The system does not allow fee refunds for cancellations made less than 3 hours prior to the ticketed time, as the reserved seat capacity could not be reallocated to another pilgrim.
• No-Show Policy: Arriving more than 30 minutes late without prior cancellation voids your seat entitlement and invalidates the ticket entirely. On-site scanners will reject expired barcodes, and no financial compensation is granted.
• Rescheduling: You may modify your booking time once free of charge, provided the amendment is made at least 2 hours before the original trip time, subject to available seats at the new selected time slot.
• Operational Disruptions and Weather: If service is suspended due to force majeure by decision of the Two Holy Mosques Administration (such as heavy rainfall requiring roof evacuation for safety), the system automatically processes full refunds to user accounts without administrative deductions.

Important Financial Notice: If the payment gateway deducts funds without generating a barcode, do not immediately reattempt the transaction. Wait 10 minutes and check your email for confirmation; repeated attempts during server congestion result in duplicate charges that require filing a support ticket via the unified helpline (1966) with an attached bank statement.

Field Guidelines for Performing Tawaf and Sa'i by Golf Cart Without Obstacles

Thoughtful planning for an elderly or ill companion prevents severe physical and mental fatigue. Consider these practical field recommendations before heading to the Grand Mosque:

Avoid the conclusion of obligatory prayer times. Do not book a golf cart slot starting within 15 minutes after congregational prayer or 30 minutes before it. During those periods, courtyards, staircases, and elevator lobbies turn into dense crowds exiting toward hotels and tunnels. You could spend two hours unable to reach Ajyad Bridge or Safa elevators even if your cart is waiting. The ideal window for a peaceful Tawaf is 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, or between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM before Fajr prayer.

Prepare your phone and booking barcode in advance. Mobile reception and data signals often weaken under the dense concrete slabs of the mezzanine. Take a clear screenshot of the barcode on both your phone and your companion's phone before approaching the gates, avoiding queue delays caused by slow webpage loading.

Position elderly passengers safely inside the cart. Instruct the driver to seat elderly pilgrims in central seats rather than on the outer edges along the corridor, preventing contact with safety railings or shoulders of passing pedestrians. Ensure the seatbelt is fastened securely and feet rest completely flat on the floorboard before signaling the driver; carts occasionally brake suddenly to avoid maintenance equipment or crossing pedestrians.

Bring a light jacket for elderly companions. Temperatures on the Tawaf mezzanine and upper Mas'a corridors can feel chilly due to high-powered central air conditioning. Sitting stationary on a cart seat for 45 minutes in cold airflows can trigger joint pain and uncomfortable muscle stiffness in elderly passengers.

Open the "Nusuk" app or visit the Unified Tanaqqol Platform (carts.alharamain.gov.sa) right now, choose your upcoming Umrah or Tawaf time slot, and issue your ticket 24 hours before arriving in Makkah; advance booking secures your dedicated seat and prevents missing out due to daily capacity limits during late evening peak hours.