The Haramain High-Speed Railway links Makkah, Madinah, central Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport. This guide covers the route, stations, booking, baggage and practical choices for pilgrims in 2026.
About the Haramain Train
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is Saudi Arabia’s flagship intercity train, operated by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). It runs a 449 km line from Makkah to Madinah via Jeddah.
The service opened in October 2018 and expanded to King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in December 2019. Trains operate at up to 300 km/h, making it the region’s fastest passenger rail link.
- Five stations: Makkah, Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah, KAIA, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), and Madinah
- Train capacity: 417 seats per train across 13 coaches
- Classes: Economy and Business (no first class)
- Languages on board: Arabic and English announcements and signage
- Annual ridership: roughly 7 million passengers and growing
Route Map and Journey Times
The HHR has one main line from Makkah to Madinah with three stops between. Most services run direct between major cities; some call at all five stations.
Booking online: Wego’s Umrah packages fly into Jeddah, and some include transport. Check your chosen tier before buying separate Haramain tickets because packages marked “No transport” leave those journeys to you.
Approximate journey times (check live timetables on sar.hhr.sa before travel):
| Route | Typical Journey Time | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah ↔ Madinah (direct) | 2 h – 2 h 45 min | 0 to 3 |
| Makkah ↔ Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah | 35–45 min | 0 to 1 |
| Makkah ↔ KAIA (Jeddah Airport) | 35–50 min | 0 to 1 |
| Makkah ↔ KAEC | ~1 h 15 min | 1 to 2 |
| KAIA ↔ Madinah | ~2 h | 0 to 2 |
| Jeddah Sulaymaniyah ↔ Madinah | ~2 h | 0 to 2 |
Stations Pilgrims Use
Every Haramain station is purpose-built with prayer areas, security screening, lifts and step-free access. Pilgrims should bring their passport or Iqama for boarding checks at each station.
| Station | Location and Transfers | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah (Rusaifah) | About 3 km from the Grand Mosque; taxis and shuttle buses to Makkah hotels | Prayer halls, ablution areas, food court, ATMs, luggage trolleys |
| Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah | Central Jeddah; taxis to the Corniche, downtown and Jeddah hotels | Prayer rooms, retail outlets, family seating, paid parking |
| KAIA Airport (Jeddah) | Inside KAIA Terminal 1; direct walk from arrivals for most flights to Jeddah | Recognised miqat for ihram; airline-style baggage drop, prayer rooms |
| KAEC (Rabigh) | Inside King Abdullah Economic City; useful for KAEC residents and business travellers | Smaller station; prayer area, parking, limited retail |
| Madinah | About 7 km from the Prophet’s Mosque; taxis and shuttles to Madinah hotels | Large prayer hall, food court, ablution areas, accessible lifts |
Fares and Classes
HHR offers Economy and Business class. Fares vary by date, demand and season, so check the live price on the official booking portal before travel.
How to Book HHR Tickets
Pilgrims can book the Haramain train online in minutes, or in person at any station. Online is faster and locks in seats during Hajj and Umrah peaks.
Online (Website and App)
The fastest route is the official SAR HHR Portal or the HHR Train app on iOS and Android. Foreign pilgrims must enter passport details for every ticket.
- Open sar.hhr.sa or the HHR Train app, then select route, date and number of passengers
- Pick train, class and seat (Economy or Business; window or aisle)
- Enter each passenger’s full name and passport or Iqama number
- Pay by Visa, Mastercard, Mada or Apple Pay
- Receive an e-ticket by email with a boarding QR code
Save the QR ticket offline before reaching the station; mobile signal can drop on the platform.
Offline (Counters and Kiosks)
Walk-in pilgrims, cash payers and group leaders can buy tickets in person at any of the five HHR stations.
- Staffed ticket counters with multilingual support (Arabic and English)
- Self-service kiosks (card payment only)
- Customer care line: 920 004 433 (within Saudi Arabia)
- Authorised travel agents and Hajj/Umrah operators
Cash and card are accepted at counters; kiosks accept card only. Trains often sell out in Ramadan and Hajj; book online early when possible.
Luggage, Ihram and Women’s Tips
Each adult ticket includes one checked bag plus one hand item. The rules are tighter than typical airline allowances, so pack accordingly.
- Checked bag: up to 25 kg, max dimensions 65 × 55 × 35 cm
- Hand item: one backpack, laptop bag, purse, camera bag or nursery bag
- Not allowed: cash, jewellery and gold worth more than SAR 60,000; sharp tools; compressed gas
- Food and drinks: only sealed, factory-packed items inside luggage
- Zamzam water: sealed bottles within the 25 kg allowance are generally fine; gallons should be shipped separately
Pilgrims travelling to Makkah from KAIA can board in ihram; KAIA is a recognised miqat for international arrivals. Business coaches offer more legroom, but Economy is comfortable for short legs.
Saudi etiquette applies on board: keep conversation low, give priority to elderly passengers, and dress modestly. Families and women travelling together are seated in the same coach when booked on one reservation.
Train vs Road Comparison
For the Makkah–Madinah leg, the train is the fastest option by a wide margin. Road travel still wins on luggage flexibility and door-to-door access for groups with large bags.
| Mode | Makkah ↔ Madinah Time | Approx One-Way Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HHR train | 2 h – 2 h 45 min | SAR 150–300 per person | High comfort; fixed schedule; 25 kg luggage cap |
| Intercity bus | 5–6 h | SAR 75–150 per person | Cheapest; frequent; long journey; generous luggage |
| Taxi or private car | ~4 h | SAR 600–1,000+ for the car | Door-to-door; flexible; best for groups with bags |
| Self-drive rental | ~4 h | Rental + ~SAR 50 fuel | Needs valid GCC or international driving permit |
Practical Tips for Pilgrims
- Arrive 30 minutes early for security screening and boarding
- Carry your passport or Iqama on every leg; random checks happen at boarding
- Charge devices in advance; not every seat has a working USB port
- Prayer on board: trains do not stop for salah; pray in your seat or use the prayer room before boarding
- Double-check Jeddah Sulaymaniyah versus Jeddah Airport (KAIA) when booking; they are different stations
- Eat before boarding; only sealed, packaged snacks are permitted on board
- Save the SAR app and a screenshot of your QR ticket before travel day
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a women-only coach on the HHR?
Coaches are mixed but family and women’s seating is grouped. Solo female travellers can choose adjacent seats while booking online, and station prayer rooms have separate areas for women.
Do children and infants need their own ticket?
Children aged 2–11 need a discounted ticket. Infants under 2 travel free without their own seat; if you want a separate seat for them, a child fare applies.
Sources
- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) Official Website
- Haramain High-Speed Railway Booking Portal
- SAR HHR Baggage Guidelines
- HHR Timetable
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Visit Saudi (Saudi Tourism Authority)
- Saudipedia: Haramain High-Speed Railway
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
Featured Image: By Glory20 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75512540
