urShadow's Blog: How to Buy Zam Zam Water Bottles from King Abdullah Zam Zam Water Distribution Center, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

In 2010 Saudi Government has constructed King Abdullah Zam Zam Water Distribution Center in Makkah for official distribution of Zam Zam water bottles. This is an automated system where you have to follow a few pre-defined steps to purchase Zam Zam bottles. The price is fixed and doesn’t change in high or low seasons. 42 outlets have been set up for the distribution. This has made purchasing Zam Zam water bottles from Makkah very convenient as compared to the past.

These machines have been installed to ensure a fair distribution of bottles to all. Zamzam production can be increased according to demand and the space available in the warehouses. The main warehouse can accommodate 1.5 million bottles of Zamzam and another warehouse can accommodate 200,000 bottles. The project works around the clock to serve the needs of citizens, residents, Haj and Umrah visitors.

Coordinates: 21.42239,39.834408

Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/wn9DL

Cost: SR 5 / bottle of 10 liters

Single (Expat): 4 Bottles Allowed

Family (Expat): 40 Bottles Allowed

Step by Step Guide For Singles (Men/Women):

Park your vehicle in the Parking of King Abdullah Zam Zam Water Distribution Center, try to park as close to the entrance as possible so that you can transport the Zam Zam bottles conveniently. Enter the Center through any entrance.

On the left side you will find various lanes for payment counters, there are separate lanes for entry and exit and for men and women, enter the lane where you can see anyone present at the counter and which is least crowded.

Upon your turn, provide your Iqama and money at the counter and inform him how many bottles you want. Citizens and residents are allowed a certain number of bottles and this allocation is monitored through their identity cards. Expats are eligible to buy max 4 bottles per Iqama. The Iqama holder should be present there. You will be provided with a receipt with a bar code. Take exit lane to come out of the counters section.

On the right side you will find shopping carts, take it and visit the automated counter with the number matching the number mentioned on the receipt.

Upon your turn, place the receipt in the bar code reader once and the machine will provide you with one bottle. Place the receipt again for getting your second bottle and so on. The machine will dispense bottles within two minutes when a pre-obtained receipt that contains a barcode is placed on a screen that verifies the payment and number of bottles purchased.

Take your Shopping Cart to your car and that’s it.

Step by Step Guide For Families:

Park your vehicle in the Parking of King Abdullah Zam Zam Water Distribution Center, try to park as close to the entrance as possible so that you can transport the Zam Zam bottles conveniently. Enter the Center through any entrance.

You will find a small building/room in the middle, go inside and present yours and your wife’s Iqamas. They will enter the details in the system and will inform you to visit the payment counters. Come outside of that room.

On the left side you will find various lanes for payment counters, enter the lane where you can see anyone present at the counter and which is least crowded.

Upon your turn, provide your Iqama and money at the counter and inform him how many bottles you want. Expats family is eligible to buy max 40 bottles. You will be provided with a receipt with a bar code. Take exit lane to come out of the counters section.

On the right side you will find shopping carts, take it and visit the automated counter with the number matching the number mentioned on the receipt.

Upon your turn, place the receipt in the bar code reader once and the machine will provide you with one bottle. Place the receipt again for getting your second bottle and so on. The machine will dispense bottles within two minutes when a pre-obtained receipt that contains a barcode is placed on a screen that verifies the payment and number of bottles purchased.