Hejaz Railway Revival: You Could One Day Travel by Train From Istanbul to Saudi Arabia

Last updated: Jun 10, 2026

Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed agreements to revive the historic Hejaz Railway, a project that could one day let you travel overland by train from Istanbul all the way to Saudi Arabia.

Here’s what’s been agreed, where the line would run, and what it could eventually mean for your journeys across the region.

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What’s been agreed so far

Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed two MoUs on railway and logistics cooperation in Riyadh, building on a trilateral transport memorandum that Türkiye, Syria and Jordan signed in Amman in April 2026.

A joint feasibility study is the next milestone. Saudi Transport Minister Saleh al-Jasser said the studies are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

What the agreements cover so far:

Railway connectivity: reviving and upgrading the century-old line linking Türkiye to Saudi Arabia via Syria and Jordan.
Logistics cooperation: the framework for freight and, eventually, passenger transport along the corridor.
A feasibility study: due by the end of 2026, which will determine cost, timeline and engineering.

In other words, the political groundwork is being laid now, with technical decisions to follow.

The planned route, city by city

The corridor would reconnect Istanbul to Saudi Arabia through Syria and Jordan, mirroring the original Ottoman line. Türkiye plans to build it in phases rather than all at once.

According to the route outlined by Turkish officials, the phases run roughly like this:

Phase one: restore the rail link between Türkiye and Aleppo in Syria.
Phase two: connect to the existing Aleppo–Damascus–Amman route through Jordan.
Phase three: extend the network south into Saudi Arabia, eventually reaching Riyadh.

The longer-term ambition stretches even further. Ankara wants to extend the line toward Oman and the Arabian Sea, creating an overland corridor from southern Europe to the Gulf.

That would put cities like Muscat within reach of the same rail network — though that stage is many years away.

Why this railway matters to travellers

The original Hejaz Railway was built to carry pilgrims, and that heritage is central to why a revival resonates. Opened in 1908, the Ottoman line ran from Damascus to Madinah and was designed to transport Muslim pilgrims toward the holy cities.

Its impact on travel time was dramatic. The journey from Damascus to Madinah fell from around 40 days by camel caravan to a few days by rail.

A modern, revived corridor could offer travellers several things flights and roads currently don’t:

Overland Hajj and Umrah journeys: a potential rail route toward Madinah and, via Jeddah, the gateway to Makkah — echoing the line’s original purpose.
A single regional network: seamless travel between Türkiye, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia without multiple border-hopping flights.
An alternative when skies are disrupted: overland rail offers resilience when regional air and sea routes face disruption.

The corridor is being designed for both freight and passenger transport, so travellers are explicitly part of the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel on the Hejaz Railway now?

No. The revival is at the agreement and feasibility-study stage, with no passenger services running. The study is due by the end of 2026, and no construction or operating dates have been confirmed.

Which countries will the railway connect?

The planned corridor links Türkiye, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, eventually reaching Riyadh. Longer-term plans envisage extending the line toward Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Will it carry Hajj and Umrah pilgrims?

The original Hejaz Railway was built to carry pilgrims toward Madinah, and the corridor is being planned for both freight and passengers. Any pilgrim service is years away and depends on the feasibility study and construction.