Free Shalawat Buses Ready to Serve 21 Routes for Indonesian Pilgrims in Makkah

The transportation service for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is fully prepared to operate ahead of the arrival of flight batches. Shalawat buses will serve pilgrims around the clock, ferrying them from hotels to Masjidil Haram and back, free of charge.

The Head of the Makkah Regional Transport Division, Syarif Rahman, explained that the service adheres to Saudi government regulations while being expanded under Indonesian government policy.

“By regulation, pilgrims staying at least 2,000 metres away must be provided with transport. But Indonesia provides the service to all pilgrims, regardless of distance,” Syarif told reporters from the Hajj Media Centre (MCH) on Sunday (26/4/2026).

This year, the transportation service for Indonesian pilgrims is handled by six companies (syarikat) with city bus fleets distributed across five main areas: Misfalah, Jarwal, Raudhah, Syisyah, and Aziziyah.

Each area is connected to departure terminals to Masjidil Haram: Misfalah via Ajyad Terminal; Jarwal and Aziziyah via Jabal Ka’bah Terminal; Syisyah and Raudhah via Syib Amir Terminal.

For ease of use, each bus is equipped with route stickers featuring colour codes and numbers. This year, there are 21 different routes, and all pilgrims are provided with route cards upon arrival at their hotels. “Just look at the colour and number on the route card; pilgrims no longer need to ask. Usually, they memorise it in two to three days,” said Syarif.

Bus operations are rolled out gradually in line with pilgrim arrivals. During peak periods, the fleet numbers around 452 units, all buses with a maximum age of five years.