Some Jeddah residents have left to other countries, especially Saudis heading to Dubai and expatriates to their home countries to spend their Eid Al Adha holidays, according to interviews conducted by the Arab News.

Many remaining expats and Saudis are leaving for Madinah and other cities to attend Eid prayer, after departure of pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah to perform Haj.

Domestic visitors from Jeddah and other cities are also traveling to Madinah to spend Eid.

Many bachelor expatriates are leaving through public transport such as SAPTCO and taxis from Balad area, as the area is is increasingly crowded since yesterday morning.

Besides visiting and praying of Eid at Masjide Nabawi, a renewed calm took place as pilgrims departed and the weather remained pleasant. The combination has attracted visitors rom Jeddah to spend their holidays in Prophet’s city.

Often expatriates are leaving for Madinah from different locations of Jeddah on weekends to pray at Masjid Nabawi through tour operators who facilitate transport besides providing accommodation in the holy city.

However, due to shortage of buses in addition to Haj pilgrim crowd these trips were put on hold, thus many opted to travel by car to the holy city.

Apart of avoiding long drives, there was no hassle in finding accommodation in the holy city as it was job of the tour operator.

Since arrival of Hajis, operators ceased offering weekly tour packages to Madinah. Expatriates who wish to visit and spend time in Madinah are facing tough time. Expats who had planned earlier their vacations in Madinah have made arrangements accordingly, but many traveling to holy city have no such advanced planning and are ready to settle and adjust in whatever available conditions.

In Madinah, from 1st Zil Haja to 10th Zil Haja, Islamic calendar dates are considered as peak season by hospitality sector. It’s not an easy task to find suitable accommodation during these dates.

Most expatriates prefer to stay in vicinity of Haram Shareef on Bilal Mosque area of Qurban Road where furnished apartments or unorganized lodges are charging between SR 200 to SR 350 for one room that is suitable for a family of four to stay.

The rentals represent a hike of more than 100 percent. Opposite to Haram in Abizar street, furnished apartments commonly known as Dars are charging single bed room for same price, which also is increase to around nearly 100 percent.

Three-star hotels are charging SR 550 to SR 800 per double bedroom with the breakfast, whereas five-star hotels are charging SR 1,100 to SR 1,500 per double bedroom with additional amounts for rooms facing Haram.

According to eyewitnesses, car parking is is always full in the Haram area, although there are several open areas on King Abdulaziz Road that can be used as parking slots. Vehicles arriving from Riyadh and Dammam are also being parked at Saman street near Masjid Hijaba.