Strollers, car seats and travel cots for Umrah with young children

Reviewed planning guidance. Details can change; use the linked official sources and get a live quote for current pricing and availability.

Travelling to Umrah with young children brings a specific set of transport questions that do not come up when it is just adults in the group. Do you bring your own stroller, or will one be provided? What happens with a car seat for a toddler on a long intercity transfer? Is there anywhere to store a travel cot if you need one at your hotel? None of these are complicated to solve, but they are much easier to sort out before you fly than to work out on the spot at Jeddah airport.

Strollers: bring your own, and expect to use it a lot

A lightweight, foldable stroller is genuinely one of the most useful items a family can bring on Umrah. Airports involve long walks between the gate and immigration, Ziyarah days involve a lot of standing and walking at each site, and even short trips between your hotel and the Haram are easier with a stroller for a toddler who tires quickly in the heat.

Most transport providers can accommodate a folded stroller in the boot alongside luggage without difficulty, but it is worth mentioning it when you book, particularly if your group also has substantial luggage, since this affects how much boot space is needed and whether a larger vehicle is the better choice. Umrah does not typically provide strollers for hire in the way some airports do for terminal use only, so bringing your own remains the most reliable option for the whole trip.

Car seats for young children on transfers

Whether a car seat is required or simply advisable depends on the age and size of your child and the specific vehicle and provider you book with. UK parents are often used to strict car seat requirements at home and reasonably want to know what to expect in Saudi Arabia. The safest approach is to ask your transport provider directly whether they can supply an appropriate car seat or booster, or whether you should bring your own from the UK.

Bringing a compact, travel-friendly car seat from home guarantees you are using one you already trust and that fits your child correctly, and many parents find this the more reliable option for peace of mind on unfamiliar roads, particularly for longer transfers such as between Makkah and Madinah. If you would rather not carry a car seat through the airport, confirm well in advance whether your provider can supply one, since this is not something to assume will simply be available on the day.

Travel cots and where they fit into your transport planning

A travel cot is primarily a hotel matter rather than a transport one, but it does affect your luggage and therefore your vehicle choice. Many hotels in Makkah and Madinah that cater to families can provide a cot on request, which is worth confirming with your hotel directly before you travel rather than assuming availability, particularly during busier periods such as school holidays or Ramadan.

If you are bringing your own travel cot rather than relying on the hotel, factor its size into your luggage total when booking transport, since a family travelling with a stroller, a car seat and a travel cot alongside ordinary suitcases will generally need a larger vehicle than a family travelling with adults’ luggage alone.

Booking the right size of vehicle for a family with young children

It is easy to underestimate how much space a young family actually needs once strollers, car seats, nappy bags and extra luggage are all accounted for. When booking, give your transport provider a realistic picture: how many adults, how many children and their ages, and what equipment you are bringing, including strollers, car seats and any travel cot. A good provider will use this to recommend the right vehicle size rather than leaving you to guess and potentially arrive at the airport with more than the booked car can comfortably hold.

A few extra tips from families who have done this before

Pack a small bag of snacks, wipes and a change of clothes within reach, not buried in checked luggage, for the transfer itself.

Time transfers around nap schedules where possible, particularly for longer intercity journeys, since a sleeping toddler makes for a much easier trip than an overtired one.

Ask about stopping options on longer journeys if your child is likely to need a break, since most providers can accommodate a short stop on a Makkah to Madinah transfer if asked in advance.

Adjusting your equipment plan by the age and stage of your children

Families travelling with more than one child, at different ages and stages, often find that a single equipment plan does not fit everyone equally well. An infant may need a car seat and can usually be carried through the airport rather than needing a stroller for every stage, while a toddler is more likely to need both a stroller for long airport walks and a car seat for the road. An older child who has outgrown a car seat but still tires quickly on long Ziyarah days may benefit from a lightweight umbrella stroller even if they are technically capable of walking the whole distance, simply to manage fatigue and heat across a demanding day.

Thinking through each child’s specific needs separately, rather than assuming one equipment list covers the whole family, generally produces a more comfortable trip and a more accurate picture for your transport provider when booking the right vehicle.

Heat, hydration and children on transfers

Saudi Arabia’s climate is considerably warmer than the UK for much of the year, and this affects how you plan transfers with young children specifically. Keep water accessible in the car for every journey, dress children in light, breathable clothing for transit days, and avoid leaving a stroller or car seat in direct sun during any stop, since surfaces can become uncomfortably hot quickly. A driver experienced with family bookings will generally understand these considerations without being asked, but it does no harm to mention any specific concerns, such as a child prone to heat discomfort, when you book.

Frequently asked questions

Should I bring my own stroller or expect one to be provided?
Bring your own. Strollers are not typically provided as part of transport or hotel bookings, and a lightweight, foldable one is genuinely useful throughout the trip, not just at the airport.

Do I need to bring a car seat from the UK?
Check with your transport provider first. Some can supply an appropriate car seat or booster, while others expect you to bring your own. Confirm this at the time of booking rather than assuming either way.

Will my hotel provide a travel cot?
Many family-friendly hotels in Makkah and Madinah can, but availability should be confirmed directly with the hotel in advance, particularly during busy periods.

What size vehicle do I need for a family with young children and equipment?
This depends on your group size and equipment, so give your transport provider full details, including strollers, car seats and any travel cot, so they can recommend the right size rather than risk arriving to find the booked vehicle too small.

Tell us your children’s ages and what equipment you are bringing when you book, and we will help you choose the right vehicle. Hajj & Umrah Taxi Cab Co is experienced in family Umrah transfers, so get in touch through our booking form.