Getting from Makkah to Madinah used to mean five or six hours on the highway. Since October 2018, the Haramain High-Speed Train has covered the same distance in roughly two hours and twenty minutes, running at up to 300 km/h along a 449 km line that passes through Jeddah. This guide covers what actually matters before you book: the five stations, how long each leg takes, what tickets cost, how to reserve a seat, and the luggage rule that catches most first-time passengers off guard.
What the Haramain High-Speed Train is
The line is operated by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah. Service started in October 2018, and a station inside King Abdulaziz International Airport opened in December 2019. Each train has 13 coaches and around 417 seats, with two classes only: Economy and Business. Announcements and signage are in Arabic and English.
The train suits travellers carrying one bag who want a fixed arrival time that traffic cannot ruin. It suits a family of six with a car full of suitcases far less. The rule of thumb is simple: the lighter you travel, the more the train beats the road.
The five stations
- Makkah (Rusaifah): about 3 km from the Grand Mosque, with prayer halls, ablution areas, food outlets and ATMs. Taxis and hotel shuttles wait outside.
- Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah: central Jeddah, convenient for the Corniche and the old town.
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA): inside the airport complex, linked to the terminal by covered walkways. This is the station most international arrivals will use.
- King Abdullah Economic City (Rabigh): a smaller station serving KAEC residents and business travellers more than pilgrims.
- Madinah: about 7 km from the Prophet's Mosque, with a large prayer hall, lifts and step-free routes for elderly and disabled passengers.
Note the difference between Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah and KAIA. They are two separate stations in different parts of the city, and booking the wrong one is the single most common mistake foreign visitors make.
Journey times
Times vary with the number of stops. Some services run direct between the holy cities, others call at every station. Check the live timetable in the booking app before you travel:
- Makkah to Madinah: 2 hours to 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Makkah to Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah: 35 to 45 minutes.
- Makkah to KAIA: 35 to 50 minutes.
- Makkah to KAEC: around 1 hour 15 minutes.
- KAIA to Madinah: around 2 hours.
By comparison, the intercity bus between Makkah and Madinah takes five to six hours and a private car about four. Beyond the hours saved, the train gives you an arrival time you can plan around, which matters when a connecting flight or a booked hotel check-in depends on it.
Haramain train ticket prices and classes
Fares move with demand. They climb during Ramadan, Hajj season, school holidays and weekends, and drop when you book early. The figures below reflect the general range in mid-2026. Only the official booking platform shows the final price for your date:
- Makkah to Madinah: roughly SAR 150 to 200 in Economy, SAR 250 to 300 in Business.
- Makkah to Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah: Economy from around SAR 65.
- KAIA to Makkah: Economy from around SAR 70.
- Children aged 2 to 11: usually about half the adult fare.
- Infants under 2: free on an adult's lap, ticketed if you want a separate seat.
Business Class buys you a wider seat, more legroom and onboard service. On the short Makkah to Jeddah hop the upgrade rarely justifies the cost. On the full Makkah to Madinah run it makes a real difference, particularly for elderly travellers or anyone planning to perform Umrah shortly after arrival.
How to book
Online and in the app
The fastest option is the official SAR booking portal or the HHR Train app for iOS and Android. Choose your route, date and passenger count, then the train, class and seat. Every passenger needs a full name and a passport or Iqama number. Payment goes through credit card, Mada or Apple Pay, and the e-ticket arrives by email with a boarding QR code.
Save the QR code to your phone before you reach the station, since signal on the platform can be patchy. Changes and cancellations carry a fee that depends on your class and how close you are to departure, and neither is possible within 20 minutes of the scheduled time.
At the station
All five stations have staffed counters with Arabic and English support, plus self-service kiosks that take cards only. Counters accept cash and cards. Walking up works outside peak periods, but during Ramadan and Hajj popular departures sell out weeks ahead.
If you are organising a full Umrah trip, our Umrah hub covers the wider planning, and the Nusuk app guide explains permits. Umrah and Rawdah permits come from Nusuk, not from the train app.
Luggage rules that surprise people
The allowance is tighter than most airlines, and it is identical in both classes:
- One checked bag up to 25 kg, maximum 65 x 55 x 35 cm.
- One hand item: a backpack, laptop bag, handbag or baby bag.
- A second large bag cannot come into the coach. It goes through the station post office for a fee.
- Food and drink are allowed inside your luggage only if factory sealed and unopened.
- Sealed Zamzam bottles within the weight limit are generally fine. Gallon containers must be shipped separately.
Plan for this before you book rather than after. Travellers returning from Madinah loaded with gifts and Zamzam often end up choosing between shipping fees at the station and switching to a car at the last minute.
Ihram and prayer on board
KAIA station is a recognised miqat for international arrivals, so you can enter ihram at the airport and board the train to Makkah already in state. That saves a detour and removes the worry of passing the miqat boundary unprepared.
Trains do not stop for salah. Pray in the station prayer hall before boarding, or at your seat if the time comes while you are moving. The larger stations have spacious prayer areas with separate sections for men and women and proper ablution facilities.
Mistakes first-timers make
- Arriving late. Get there at least 30 minutes early for security screening and boarding.
- Leaving the passport or Iqama at the hotel. Identity checks happen at boarding, every time.
- Booking the wrong Jeddah station, which can cost you the whole journey.
- Counting on charging a phone on board. USB ports are not at every seat and do not always work.
- Assuming a Haramain ticket works on the Mashaer Metro. They are separate systems. The Mashaer Metro is permit-only and runs between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat during Hajj days.
Is it worth it?
For most pilgrims, yes. Two hours and twenty minutes instead of five on the road is a difference your body notices, especially if you arrive and perform Umrah the same day. The exception is large groups with heavy luggage, where a private car or coach stays cheaper and more flexible.
Book three to seven days ahead at a minimum, and further out in peak season. If you would rather have the train tickets, hotels in Makkah and Madinah and all transfers arranged together, start with our trip planner and we will handle the rest.