Every distance here is a measured walking route to a named Haram gate, not a straight line on a map. The real walk adds roughly 40% for gate queues and stairs, and 25% more above 40°C, which is why a hotel quoting 600 m is a 15-minute walk, not 8.
What each distance band means
Under 300 m, return between every prayer. This is what the premium buys: about three hours a day.
300-500 m, comfortable, and the usual sweet spot on value.
500 m-1 km, you will stay in the Haram between Dhuhr and Isha rather than walking back.
Over 1.5 km, shuttle territory. Confirm the frequency in writing before booking.
Questions
How close should my hotel be to the Haram?
Under 400 metres if you want to return to the hotel between every prayer. Between 400 metres and 1 km you will stay in the Haram between Dhuhr and Isha. Beyond 1.5 km, walking is impractical and you depend on the shuttle.
Are the distances quoted by hotels accurate?
They are usually straight-line distances rather than walking routes. The real walk adds roughly 40 percent for gate queues, crowd flow and stairs, plus 25 percent more in months above 40 degrees.