Haramain High Speed Railway guide: Makkah–Madinah train, stations, fares
Haramain High Speed Railway: Makkah to Madinah in about 2 hours at 300 km/h via Jeddah, the airport and KAEC. Stations, journey times, fares, luggage, booking and 20 new trains.
By the TrainsNews Rail Expert · updated 12 October 2026
The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah and Madinah in about 2 to 2½ hours, at up to 300 km/h, with stops in Jeddah, at King Abdulaziz International Airport and at King Abdullah Economic City. Opened in October 2018, the 453 km line now carries millions of pilgrims and travellers a year, and 20 more trains are on order. Here is everything you need to know: stations, journey times, fares, luggage, booking and what comes next.
Haramain High Speed Railway: key facts
- Route: Makkah – Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport – King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) – Madinah.
- Length: 453 km of electrified high-speed line, including a short branch to Jeddah airport.
- Top speed: 300 km/h.
- Opened: 11 October 2018 for passengers. The airport station opened in December 2019.
- Owner: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Trains are run by Spain's Renfe, as part of a Spanish consortium, under a contract now extended to 2038.
- Fleet: 35 Talgo 350 high-speed trains, with 20 more ordered in February 2026.
Stations and journey times
| Route | Approximate journey time |
|---|---|
| Makkah – Madinah | about 2h to 2h30, depending on stops |
| Jeddah (Al Sulaymaniyah) – Makkah | about 35 to 45 min |
| Jeddah Airport – Makkah | about 30 min |
| Jeddah – Madinah | about 1h40 to 2h |
| KAEC – Madinah | about 1h |
Times are indicative: they depend on the number of stops and change during peak seasons. Always check your train on SAR's official channels.
The five stations
- Makkah: the southern terminus, in the Al Rusaifah district. Makkah is open to Muslims only, so non-Muslim travellers can use the line between Jeddah, KAEC and Madinah.
- Jeddah (Al Sulaymaniyah): the city station. It was badly damaged by a fire in September 2019 and reopened in July 2021.
- King Abdulaziz International Airport: inside the airport, ideal for pilgrims flying into Jeddah.
- King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC): the new city on the Red Sea coast, north of Jeddah.
- Madinah: the northern terminus, a short taxi or bus ride from the Prophet's Mosque.
Haramain train fares
SAR offers two classes, Economy and Business, with prices that vary by date, time and availability, and rise sharply during Ramadan and the Hajj season. Indicative one-way fares seen on booking platforms in 2026:
| Route | Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah – Madinah | about SAR 145 to 175 | about SAR 250 to 380 |
| Jeddah – Madinah | about SAR 120 to 150 | about SAR 180 to 230 |
| Jeddah – Makkah | about SAR 40 to 55 | about SAR 80 to 120 |
These are guide prices only: the fare shown by SAR when you book is the one that applies.
How to book Haramain train tickets
- Book online on Saudi Arabia Railways' official website or app. Tickets are also sold at station counters and through authorised travel platforms.
- Book early for Ramadan, Hajj and Umrah peaks: trains sell out, especially between Makkah and Madinah.
- Carry your ID or passport: tickets are nominative and checked before boarding.
- Arrive early: allow up to an hour before departure for security and ticket checks, more in peak season.
Luggage and on board
Booking platforms list an allowance of one large bag of up to 25 kg plus one piece of hand luggage per passenger, in both classes. Check SAR's current rules before travelling, especially if you carry Zamzam water or large bags after Umrah. The trains have air-conditioned Economy and Business cars, and Business class offers wider seats and at-seat service.
What's next: 20 more trains and more capacity
Demand keeps rising. In Ramadan 2025, the line carried a record 48,000 passengers in a single day, according to the Saudi Press Agency, and SAR scheduled more than 4,700 trips and over 2 million seats for the 2025 Hajj season.
To keep up, SAR ordered 20 new Talgo trainsets in February 2026, adding about €1.3bn to Talgo's order book. Each will offer 417 seats in two classes across 13 coaches, with space for catering and passengers with reduced mobility. At the same time, Renfe's operating contract was extended to 2038 and Indra's contract for traffic management, telecoms, ticketing and access control was renewed. No new stations or extensions of the line have been announced so far.
Running a high-speed line in the desert: the engineer's view
The Haramain line is one of the few high-speed railways built through desert. Two problems shape its design and maintenance. The first is sand: wind-blown sand builds up on the track and in the ballast, wears wheels and rails, and can clog equipment, so the line needs protection and constant cleaning. The second is heat: summer temperatures above 45°C stress air-conditioning, electronics and the overhead line, and the trains were specially adapted to the climate.
Then there is the traffic pattern. Most lines have daily peaks; Haramain has seasonal peaks, when Hajj and Ramadan bring millions of passengers in a few weeks. That explains why the new order matters: more trainsets mean more trains in peak season, without adding new track.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Makkah to Madinah?
About 2 to 2½ hours, depending on the number of stops, at up to 300 km/h.
How much is the Haramain train ticket from Makkah to Madinah?
Indicatively around SAR 145 to 175 in Economy and SAR 250 to 380 in Business one way, with higher prices during Ramadan and Hajj. The fare shown by SAR at booking applies.
Can non-Muslims take the Haramain train?
Yes, between Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, KAEC and Madinah. Makkah itself is open to Muslims only.
Is there a Haramain station at Jeddah airport?
Yes. King Abdulaziz International Airport station opened in December 2019, with direct trains to Makkah and Madinah.
How much luggage can I take on the Haramain train?
Booking platforms list one large bag of up to 25 kg plus one hand luggage item per passenger. Check SAR's rules before travelling.
Who operates the Haramain High Speed Railway?
The line belongs to Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Trains are operated by Spain's Renfe as part of a Spanish consortium, with Talgo trains.
Key takeaways
- Makkah to Madinah in about 2 to 2½ hours, via Jeddah, the airport and KAEC.
- Book early for Ramadan and Hajj, and carry your ID.
- 20 new Talgo trains ordered in 2026 to add capacity at peak times.
Read also
- Saudi Arabia railway projects: the complete guide
- UAE railway projects: the complete guide
- Paris to Lyon by train: TGV, OUIGO or Frecciarossa
- All our train travel guides
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Sources: Saudi Press Agency, Hajj 1446 AH (27 May 2025); Saudi Press Agency, Ramadan record; Railway Gazette, 11 February 2026; Almosafer, indicative fares. Information checked on 12 October 2026.
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TrainsNews est un média indépendant et bilingue d'actualité ferroviaire mondiale, publié depuis 2024. La rédaction couvre la grande vitesse, le matériel roulant, l'infrastructure, la signalisation et les télécoms ferroviaires (ERTMS/ETCS, CBTC, FRMCS, GSM-R), l'exploitation, le fret et le financement des projets. Chaque article cite ses sources et donne les chiffres avec leur total. TrainsNews is an independent, bilingual (French/English) news outlet covering the global rail industry since 2024: high-speed rail, rolling stock, infrastructure, signalling and telecoms, operations, freight and project financing. Every article cites its sources.
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