In short: A flight choice is also a hotel-night and transfer decision.
Compare both ends of the itinerary
When considering different arrival and departure airports, map the full journey through Makkah and Madinah. An itinerary arriving at one airport and leaving from another may change the need for backtracking, but it is not automatically cheaper. Compare the complete fare and local transport costs for your dates.
Use local arrival and departure dates throughout the plan. Overnight flights can create confusion about which hotel night you need. Check the confirmation rather than relying on the date you leave home.
Plan for arrival uncertainty
Allow for airport formalities, baggage collection and the journey to your hotel. Avoid making a tight onward connection depend on an assumed airport exit time. If pre-booking a driver, confirm whether they monitor the flight and how included waiting time is measured.
For a very early arrival, decide whether luggage storage is sufficient or whether you need access to a room. Ask the hotel directly about the available arrangement and price.
Make departure day workable
Check the hotel’s checkout arrangements and where you will keep luggage before leaving. Confirm the pickup point and provider’s contact details. Set your departure time using current airline and airport guidance plus the local journey, rather than using a generic buffer from an old blog.