The Al Hada Cable Car — locally known as the Teleferic or Telefric Al Hada — is a mountain cable car in the Al Hada area near Taif, Saudi Arabia. It connects the summit of Al Hada Mountain, near the Ramada Al Hada Hotel, with Al Kar Tourist Village in the valley below. The ride covers roughly 4 to 4.5 kilometers of mountain terrain with wide views over the Sarawat Mountains, making it one of the most popular attractions for visitors traveling between Makkah and Taif.

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Where the Al Hada Cable Car Is Located

The cable car sits in the Al Hada area, on the Al Hada mountain road that connects the Makkah region to Taif, roughly 20 kilometers from central Taif. This mountain road is a well-known route for travelers heading from Makkah or Jeddah up into Taif’s cooler highland climate, and the cable car is often visited along the way rather than as a separate destination.

Because Al Hada sits on a mountain road outside central Taif, it is not always easy to reach using public transport, and taxis on the route can be limited outside the town center. Many visitors traveling from Makkah arrange private transportation for the day so they are not left trying to find a return ride from a mountain-road tourist village in the evening.

What the Ride Is Like

The cable car runs between two stations connected by a long, largely unsupported span across the mountainside — one of its distinguishing features compared to typical cable car systems, since it crosses a long stretch of terrain with very few support towers in between.

Upper Station – Al Hada Mountain

The upper station is near the Ramada Al Hada Hotel, at the top of Al Hada Mountain. The hotel was the original reason the cable car was built, giving guests and visitors a direct way down the mountain. From the top, travelers get sweeping views over the surrounding peaks and valleys before starting the descent.

Lower Station – Al Kar Tourist Village

The lower station opens onto Al Kar Tourist Village, a valley-floor area with restaurants, shops, and recreational activities. Many visitors treat the cable car and the village below as a combined outing — riding down, spending time at the village, and riding back up (or arranging pickup from the lower station if traveling one way).

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices (What to Confirm Before You Go)

Opening hours and ticket prices for the Al Hada Cable Car can change with the season, holidays, and management updates, so travelers should confirm current hours and pricing directly with the cable car operator or through official Saudi tourism channels before planning a visit. As a general pattern, the cable car tends to operate during daytime and evening hours, with longer or adjusted hours during peak seasons such as holidays and the summer travel period.

Pricing can also vary by ticket type — for example, individual tickets versus family cabins — so it is best to check current rates on arrival or through the operator’s official channels rather than relying on older listed prices.

Who the Al Hada Cable Car Is Good For

Families: the ride itself involves limited walking, and Al Kar Tourist Village at the bottom has activities suited to children, but expect queues during busy periods and plan for warm-weather walking between the parking area and the station.
Elderly travelers: the cable car reduces the need to walk down the mountain, but reaching the station itself and moving through it can still involve some walking and standing in line — a private, door-to-door transfer removes much of the extra walking that public transport options would add.
Couples and independent travelers: the mountain road and viewpoints along the way make this a worthwhile stop even for a shorter visit, without needing to commit to the full lower-village experience.
First-time visitors to Taif: the cable car is one of the most recognizable Taif attractions and a natural stop when exploring the Al Hada area for the first time.

How to Get to Al Hada Cable Car from Makkah

Travelers coming from Makkah generally reach Al Hada by road, following the route toward Taif through the Al Hada mountain pass. Exact travel time depends on traffic, road conditions, weather, and the specific pickup point in Makkah, so it is best treated as a variable rather than a fixed figure when planning your day.

Because Al Hada is a mountain-road stop rather than a central-city location, a private taxi or private car from Makkah can be a practical option — it allows a direct hotel pickup, a stop at the cable car, and continued travel into Taif (or a return to Makkah the same day) without depending on finding transportation at a mountain viewpoint. Travelers who prefer a private, door-to-door journey between Makkah and Al Hada or onward to Taif can arrange this through Makkah to Taif Taxi.

Fitting the Cable Car into a Makkah to Taif Day Trip

Since Al Hada sits directly on the route between Makkah and central Taif, the cable car works well as a stop along the way rather than a separate trip. A typical sequence might look like:

Depart Makkah in the morning to avoid peak heat and traffic.
Stop at Al Hada for the cable car ride and time at Al Kar Tourist Village.
Continue into central Taif for other attractions, a meal, or hotel check-in.
Return to Makkah the same day, or stay overnight in Taif depending on your itinerary.

Because this involves multiple stops and flexible timing, travelers often find a private car more practical than relying on fixed-schedule transport, particularly if traveling with family, luggage, or on a limited timeframe.

Prices for private transportation between Makkah and Taif, including stops such as Al Hada, can vary depending on the pickup location, vehicle type, travel date, and specific stops requested. Contact Makkah to Taif Taxi directly for a current quote based on your plans.

Conclusion

The Al Hada Cable Car is one of the more memorable stops for anyone traveling between Makkah and Taif — a scenic ride across the mountains connecting the Ramada Al Hada Hotel area with Al Kar Tourist Village below. Because it sits on the mountain road rather than in central Taif, getting there comfortably is part of the planning, especially for families, elderly travelers, or anyone without their own vehicle.

For travelers who want a direct, private journey from Makkah to Al Hada and on to Taif — with flexibility to stop at the cable car along the way — Makkah to Taif Taxi offers private transportation for the route. You can reach out on WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to ask about pickup arrangements, vehicle options, and how the Al Hada stop can fit into your Makkah to Taif trip.

FAQs

What is the Al Hada Cable Car?

It is a mountain cable car near Taif, Saudi Arabia, connecting the summit of Al Hada Mountain (near the Ramada Al Hada Hotel) with Al Kar Tourist Village in the valley below, offering views over the surrounding mountains.

How far is the Al Hada Cable Car from Makkah?

It sits along the Al Hada mountain road on the way from Makkah toward Taif, roughly 20 kilometers from central Taif. Exact travel time from Makkah varies with traffic, pickup location, and road conditions, so it’s best to check current conditions or ask a transportation provider when planning your trip.

Do I need a private car to visit the Al Hada Cable Car?

Not strictly, but because it is located on a mountain road outside central Taif rather than within the town itself, public transport options can be limited. Many travelers use a private taxi or car for easier hotel pickup and flexible timing, especially when combining the visit with other Taif stops.

Can the Al Hada Cable Car be visited as part of a Makkah to Taif day trip?

Yes – since it sits directly on the route between Makkah and Taif, it is commonly visited as a stop along the way rather than a separate outing.