An up-to-date guide to booking a Rawdah visit in the Nusuk app: steps for men, women and visitors from abroad, the official rules as published by Nusuk, the instant route, and the mistakes that cost people their slot.
Praying in the Rawdah, the area between the Prophet’s ﷺ house and his pulpit, is the wish of every visitor to Madinah. Today it is only possible with an appointment booked in the official Nusuk app, and many visitors lose their slot over small details that most websites leave out: confirming 48 hours ahead, arriving 30 minutes early, and the fact that children are not allowed into the Rawdah. This guide walks through the booking steps, lists the official rules exactly as Nusuk publishes them, and gives a practical plan for visitors coming from outside Saudi Arabia.
Rawdah visit rules at a glance (per Nusuk)
From the Rawdah page on nusuk.sa, updated 22 April 2026
Do you need a permit to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque?
No. Praying in the Prophet’s Mosque and its courtyards is open to everyone without a permit. A permit is only needed to enter the Rawdah itself, because it is a small area visited by millions, so access is organised into separate time slots for men and for women. Booking through Nusuk is the only official channel, and permits are not sold through intermediaries.
How to book the Rawdah in the Nusuk app, step by step
1. Download the official Nusuk app or use nusuk.sa. 2. Create an account and sign in with your Saudi ID or residence permit, or with your passport and visa if you are visiting from abroad. 3. Choose the Rawdah service, then select the men’s or women’s time window. 4. Pick an available date and time, and add anyone you are booking for, as long as they agree. 5. Confirm the booking 48 hours before the visit; confirmation closes two hours before your slot. 6. Keep the entry code on your phone. It can be used only once, and you cannot enter without it.
Booking the Rawdah for women
The steps are the same; simply choose the women’s window when booking. Nusuk sets separate times for men and women, and the available times change with the season and capacity, so rely on what the app shows when you book rather than fixed timetables copied around the internet. If you can, avoid Fridays, when demand is highest.
Booking from outside Saudi Arabia
You can open a Nusuk account from home once your visa is issued, using the same passport and visa details. The best approach is to book your Rawdah slot in the same session as your Umrah permit, and to choose a slot on your second or third day in Madinah rather than your arrival day, in case flights are delayed. If you are arriving in Madinah first and travelling on to Makkah, plan the order of your trip with one of our Umrah packages that include nights in Madinah. Use our Umrah checklist and packing list so nothing is forgotten.
What is the Rawdah instant route?
A pre-booked visit is available once a year, but Nusuk also runs an instant route that releases new slots every 20 minutes, and you can use it for repeat visits. It is the answer if you could not find a slot in advance or want to go again: open the app while you are in Madinah, check for new slots at intervals, and book as soon as a nearby one appears. The 30-minute early arrival rule still applies.
Mistakes that cost people their Rawdah slot
Forgetting to confirm: confirmation is required 48 hours ahead and closes two hours before, and many people book but never confirm. Arriving late: arriving 30 minutes early is a condition, and the walk from your hotel to the entry point can take longer than expected when it is crowded. Bringing children: they are not allowed into the Rawdah, so arrange for someone to stay with them or use the children’s centre in the mosque. Booking through a middleman: Nusuk is the only official channel, and a permit bought elsewhere may not be accepted. Trusting copied timetables: times change, so go by the app.
Where to stay for an easy Rawdah visit
The closer your hotel is to the Prophet’s Mosque, the easier it is to arrive on time and to use the instant route more than once. Nearby options include Pullman Zamzam Madinah, Madinah Hilton and Dar Al Taqwa. Compare every option on our Madinah hotels page. Our guide to ziyarat in Makkah and Madinah lists the historic sites to visit, in order.
Rawdah booking: frequently asked questions
Is booking the Rawdah free?
Yes. The service is free on Nusuk, and there is no official fee for a Rawdah permit.
Can I book for my parents or my wife?
Yes. Nusuk lets you book Rawdah visits for other people with their consent; remember that men and women have different time slots.
How long is a Rawdah visit?
Nusuk sets the visit at 20 minutes, so prepare the supplications you want to make before you go in.
Start with our Madinah hotels or Umrah packages.
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