During the holy month of Ramadan, there is an increased number of Umrah pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina. To cater to the high demand, the Haramain High-Speed Railway has increased the number of daily trips to more than 100. This high-speed railway was inaugurated in 2018 and connects Mecca to Medina with a 450-kilometer route passing through Jeddah. If you are planning to travel between these two cities, or for Umrah, here is what you need to know about the Haramain high-speed railway.
Train Stations of Haramain High Speed Railway
The following are the locations of the train stations:
1.Mecca Haramain High Speed Railway Station, located in Al Rasaifah district, about 6km from the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
2.Jeddah Al-Sulaymaniyah Station, in An Naseem district.
3.Jeddah Airport Haramain High Speed Railway Station, located in the main airport terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport.
4.Rabigh Station - King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Haramain High Speed Railway Station at Hejaz Gate of King Abdullah Economic City.
5.Madinah Haramain High Speed Railway Station, located in Al Hadra District, around 10km from the Prophet’s [PBUH] mosque in Medina.
Ticket Cost
The train tickets are available in two categories: Business Class and Economy Class. The ticket cost for Mecca to Medina is SR150 (Dh146) for economy class and SR315 (Dh308) for business class. You can also travel to Jeddah by the Haramain train, with ticket prices ranging from SR40 (Dh39) to SR150 (Dh146), depending on the travel class. From Medina to any of the three stations in Jeddah, the ticket prices can range from SR100 (Dh98) to SR275 (Dh268).
Discounted Tickets for Children
Children from the ages of two to 12 years old are entitled to receive discounts on their fare. Children traveling in Economy Class can avail a 50% discount, while children traveling in Business Class can get a 40% discount on the fare. Adults traveling with an infant under the age of two are entitled to a 90% discount on the fare.
Booking Tickets for Haramain High Speed Railway
It is recommended to book your tickets online at sar.hhr.sa. You can also buy a ticket at the station, but availability may be limited. Here are the steps to book your tickets in advance through the website:
Step 1: Select your Destination
• Visit sar.hhr.sa and select ‘Travel’ from the homepage, followed by ‘Book a Seat’ from the drop-down menu.
• Wait for a few minutes on the site as there may be an online queue. Once the queue is clear, the page will automatically refresh, and you can begin buying the tickets.
• Choose between one-way or round-trip.
• Select your arrival and departure location.
• Select the date.
• Select the number of passengers.
• Tap the ‘Search Now’ button.
Step 2: Choose your Seat
• The website will then show you the train timings and available seats for that date.
• Select the travel class (business or economy) and the ticket cost for each class.
• Repeat the above steps for the return journey if it's a round-trip.
• Click on the ‘Next’ button.
• Choose your seat.
• Click ‘Next’.
Step 3: Provide Passenger Details and Contact Information
When booking your ticket for the Haramain High Speed Railway, it is important to enter accurate passenger details and contact information. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Follow these simple steps to enter your information:
• Enter your full name, date of birth, and gender.
• Select the appropriate document type and enter the document number and expiry date. Saudi residents and citizens should select Iqama, GCC citizens should select GCC ID, and international passengers should select Passport.
• Choose your nationality.
• Enter your contact information after entering the passenger details.
Step 4: Complete the Payment Process
After providing your personal information, click the ‘Pay’ button. You will then be redirected to a secure payment channel where you can enter your credit or debit card details. Once the payment has been confirmed, your tickets will be sent to your email.
Baggage Policy
The Haramain High Speed Railway allows each passenger to bring one large piece of luggage weighing up to 25kg. The baggage should not exceed the dimensions of 65cm x 55cm x 35cm (length-height-width). Additionally, passengers are allowed to carry one extra piece of hand luggage, such as a backpack, laptop bag, camera bag, purse, nursery bag, or any similar item.
