

The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Makkah and Madinah, with stations at Jeddah, Jeddah Airport and King Abdullah Economic City, and neythe journey time between the two holy cities is generally around two to two and a half hours. Tickets are booked online through the official SAR portal or the HHR Train app. Fares, exact timetables and current booking windows are set by Saudi Arabian Railways and can change, so always check the official site before you travel.
Quick answer: book Haramain train tickets through the official sar.hhr.sa website or the HHR Train app, choosing Economy or Business class for your Makkah-Madinah, Jeddah or Jeddah Airport journey. Fares vary by class, date and demand, so check the live price on the official portal rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Train times, fares and booking rules can change. Always confirm current details on the official Haramain High Speed Railway booking site before you travel.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway, often shortened to HHR, is Saudi Arabia's high-speed train line linking Makkah and Madinah. The route covers around 450 kilometres and calls at five stations: Makkah, Jeddah, Jeddah Airport (King Abdulaziz International Airport, or KAIA), King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and Madinah, according to Saudi Arabian Railways' official information. It's run by Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and, per Visit Saudi's official overview, is the main fast rail option for pilgrims and other travellers moving between the two holy cities, as well as Jeddah.
The train has an operational speed of up to 300 km/h, per SAR's official figures. Based on official SAR station spacing and independent travel guides, the Makkah to Madinah journey generally takes around two to two and three-quarter hours, and Jeddah Airport to Makkah is typically well under an hour. These are practical estimates rather than a single fixed official duration, since timings can vary by service and stops. Check the exact duration for your chosen train on the official booking portal when you book.
Ahmed, travelling from Manchester for Umrah, books his Haramain train tickets a few weeks before his flight so he isn't left choosing from whatever seats remain once he lands.
Book through the official Haramain High Speed Railway portal or the HHR Train app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Avoid third-party resale sites, which can add fees and may not reflect the current timetable.
Select your departure and arrival stations, for example, Jeddah Airport to Makkah or Makkah to Madinah, and pick your travel date. The exact timetable is set by SAR, so check it on the portal for your dates.
Choose your coach class. Everyone travelling together on one booking must select the same class, so agree this with anyone travelling with you first.
Enter each passenger's name and ID details as they appear on their passport. Booking platforms for foreign travellers typically ask for passport information at this stage.
Complete payment and save your ticket confirmation, either printed or on your phone. You'll need it, with your ID, for the station's security check before boarding.
Official current fares are not published as a single fixed figure here, since prices vary by class, route, date and demand and can change. Always confirm the live price for your exact route, date and class on the official SAR booking portal before paying, since third-party sites can quote outdated or inflated figures.
Both classes cover the same route and speed. Business class typically offers extra comfort and priority boarding, and it's the class SAR uses for its accessible seating, including designated wheelchair spaces, per official SAR information. Economy is the lower-cost option for travellers who mainly want to get between cities quickly. Whichever you choose, remember that everyone on the same booking travels in the same class, so decide together if you're booking as a family or group.
Official requirement: according to SAR's official baggage guidelines, each passenger may bring one large piece of luggage, up to 25kg and no larger than 65 x 55 x 35cm, plus one hand-luggage item such as a backpack, laptop bag or handbag, stored on the overhead shelves. Luggage goes through a security check before the platform, so allow time for this.
Practical recommendation: if you're travelling for Umrah with extra bags, pack light for the train leg, since oversized cases can be awkward through station security. Check SAR's official guidance for any oversize or excess luggage rules before travelling with unusually large items.
Yes. Jeddah Airport (KAIA) has its own Haramain station, and travel guides describe it as reachable directly from the arrivals area, without needing to travel into central Jeddah first. This makes it a practical option for pilgrims flying into Jeddah and heading straight to Makkah. As with all station details, confirm the current layout and walking route at the airport when you arrive, since terminal layouts can be updated.
Practical recommendation: arriving at least 30 minutes before departure gives time for the security and baggage check. During busier periods, such as Ramadan or the weeks around Hajj, allow extra time, since queues can build up. This is general planning guidance rather than a fixed official rule, so also follow any timing shown on your ticket confirmation.
TravelApp is a UK travel agency, not a rail or government authority, and we can't book Haramain train tickets on your behalf or guarantee train availability. What we can help with is the wider journey: comparing Umrah packages from the UK, including Ramadan Umrah packages and options from Birmingham, London and Manchester, plus comparing flights to Saudi Arabia. If you still need to sort your entry requirements, our Saudi Arabia ETA guide and travel documents checklist are good next stops before you book.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
Book online before you travel through the official sar.hhr.sa website or the HHR Train app. You'll need passenger names, passport details and payment for each ticket.
Generally around two to two and three-quarter hours, based on official station information and independent travel guides. Check the exact duration for your chosen train when you book.
Yes. Jeddah Airport (KAIA) has its own Haramain station, reachable from the arrivals area, so you can travel to Makkah without going into central Jeddah first.
One large bag up to 25kg and 65 x 55 x 35cm, plus one hand-luggage item stored overhead, according to SAR's official baggage guidelines.
Yes. Both cover the same route and speed, but Business class typically offers extra comfort and includes SAR's accessible seating. Everyone on one booking must travel in the same class.