Haramain Train-The Most Convenient Way to Travel Between the Holy Cities
Since its launch in 2018, the Haramain train has become the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the Holy cities of Makkah and Madina. Having an average speed of 300km/h (186 miles/hour), it is among the world’s ten fastest electric trains. Al-Haramain train links the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madina, with two stops in Jeddah through a 450-kilometre route that cuts the travelling time to just 2.5 hours. For people who go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, there is no other comfortable way to travel between the two holy cities. If you want more details about this train, read the complete article because we have covered everything.
Features of Haramain Train
The launch of this fast train has revolutionized the travelling between the two religious cities. The train offers several peculiar features, making it the top choice of travellers between Makkah and Madina. Some of the features are:
High Speed
The first very prominent feature of the Haramain Train is its top speed. It is one of the world’s top ten fastest trains and the Middle East’s first high-speed train that travels up to 300 km/h (186 miles/h). It has reduced the travelling time between Makkah and Madina to just two hours, which takes 6 to 8 hours by road.
Comfort
Haramain Train is also the top choice for pilgrims and travellers travelling between the Holy Cities because of its unmatched comfort. Both business and economy class have spacious cabins with ample legroom and comfortable seats. Of 417 seats, 113 are business class seats, and two are for individuals with disabilities. Each seat has a foldable armrest and table, a headrest, a power plug, and a video screen to make your journey memorable.
Convenience
The train has five stations in Makkah, Jeddah, and Medina, so it offers a convenient way to travel to these destinations. Individuals from other countries seeking Umrah or Hajj can board the train from King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah. Moreover, it also connects with King Abdullah Economic City, a plus point for people arriving in the Kingdom for business purposes.
Safety
Another striking feature of the Al-Haramain train is safety, which makes it the first choice mover between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madina. The train has the latest safety features, including an automatic train protection system and a high-tech monitoring system. Thus, travelling on this bullet train is safer than road travel, which takes much longer.
Luxury
The Haramain Train is a beautiful blend of affordability and luxury. The business class seats are no less luxurious than Premier Economy Class seats in the Airplanes. With each seat, you have enough leg space, a foldable armrest, and a headrest. The train also offers several additional amenities like video screens and meal service.
Capacity
Makkah Haramain Train has a fleet of 35 trains with 417 seats each. The train can accommodate a large number of passengers. Initially, it can transport about 60 million people between the connected cities within a year. The Saudi government plans to extend its capacity to manage the increasing influx of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in the coming years.
Haramain Train Stations
Although the main objective behind the launch of this fast train is to facilitate Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, it connects both the Holy cities with Jeddah, the Kingdom’s second-largest city. There are five stations of the Haramain fast train. Each Haramain Train Station has a futuristic design with a prominent display of Islamic culture. These are:
- Makkah Haramain Train Station: The Al Rasaifah district at 3rd Ring Road is approximately 3.5 km from the Grand Mosque. It offers a parking facility for 4750 vehicles.
- Madinah Haramain High-Speed Train Station: in Al Hadra district, 10 km from the Prophet’s Mosque. It has a parking facility of 1000 vehicles through 8 entry and six exit lanes.
- Rabigh Station: Also famous as King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) at the Hejaz Gate of the City. The station is 18 km from the Airport and handles 1322 vehicles daily. It has 12 entry and exit lanes at its parking facility. The station also has six recognition cameras that read the license plates of all incoming and outgoing trains.
- Jeddah Airport Train Station: At the main terminal of the King Abdul Aziz International Airport.
- Al Sulaymaniah Station Jeddah: In An-Naseem district, approximately 20 km from King Abdul Aziz International Airport. The station has 11 entrance and eight exit points. It handles about 6120 vehicles every day.
Haramain Train Schedule
Checking the Haramain Train schedule is not at all problematic. Individuals who intend to travel on this fast train can check its timetable and select a convenient time. The process to check the Haramain Train timetable is as follows:
- Visit the official website of the Haramain fast train: https://sar.hhr.sa/timetable#
- Navigate to the “Travel” tab and click “TimeTable.”
- On the next screen, select your location to board the train, destination, and travel date.
- After filling in all the details, click the “Search” button.
- The detailed timetable for the trains will be visible in the new window. You can select any of the trains that suit your requirements.
In this way, you can check the full-day schedule of this bullet train on any date and manage your travelling date and time.
Haramain Train Ticket
There are two different categories of tickets on the Haramain Train, one for business class and the other for economy class passengers. Similarly, the Haramain Train ticket price differs depending on the destination and travel time.
Haramain Train Ticket Price Makkah to Madina
- The ticket price for economy class is between SAR172.50 and SAR224.25, depending on the time you choose for travel and midway stops.
- Business Class passengers will buy tickets for SAR362.00.
Ticket Price From Makkah to Jeddah
As already discussed, the Makkah fast train has two stops at Jeddah, the second-largest city in the Kingdom. You can travel from Makkah to Jeddah Airport or Al Sulaymaniah with a little difference in ticket prices. Thus, the tickets from Makkah to Jeddah will be between SAR46.00 and SAR201.00, depending on the travelling class and time.
Haramain Train Ticket From Madina to Jeddah
You can also board the Haramain fast train to travel from Madina to any of the two stations in Jeddah. The cost of travelling will be between SAR115.00 and SAR316.00, depending on the class.
Remember that ticket prices change with the train’s selection and the number of stops. Trains with fewer midway stops take higher ticket prices than those with more stops.
Haramain Train Ticket for Children
Discounted tickets for children up to 12 are another peculiar feature of this bullet train. You can get a 50% discount for children up to 12 who travel in economy class and 40% in business class. However, if you accompany an infant under two years of age, you will get a 90% discount on the fare.
Haramain Train Booking
You can book Haramain Train tickets online from the official website and buy tickets from the stations. However, it is better to book seats online because the stations have limited seats. The detailed process of booking tickets online is as follows:
Choose Your Location and Destination
- Go to the official website of the train: https://sar.hhr.sa
- On the homepage, navigate to the “Travel” tab and click “Book a Seat” from the dropdown menu.
- The ticket booking platform will instantly open on the screen. You may also have to wait for a little if there is an online queue.
- At the top, you must select whether it’s a one-way or round trip.
- Now, select your location and destination.
- Click on the calendar and select the travel date.
- You can also select the number of passengers, whether adults or children.
- After filling out all the details, click the “Search Now” button at the bottom of the window.
You can also choose a different space for individuals with disabilities using a wheelchair.
Select Your Seats
- After completing the first step, a new window will open on your screen showing the timetable for all trains on the given date.
- Choose the train time and select the travelling class from the business or economy. You will see different prices for both these classes.
- Remember to follow the first two steps for your round trip also.
- After selecting your class, click the “Next” button below the timetable. A prompt will ask you whether you are a Muslim or Non-Muslim.
- Now, you will land on the page showing you the seats. You can select any of the available seats marked white. Remember that seats marked in green indicate booked, while seats marked in red indicate non-availability. The coach number is also available at the bottom of the window.
- Choose your seat and click “Next.”
Enter Your Details
- Now, it’s time to provide your details. You will have to enter the following information:
- Your Full Name
- Birth Date
- Gender
- Select your document type and enter its number and expiry date. Different documents are acceptable for individuals of other nationalities. Below is the list of acceptable documents:
- Iqama for Saudi Residents and Residents
- GCC citizens have to provide their GCC ID
- Passengers from other countries or nationalities will submit their passport
- At the end, choose your nationality and also provide contact information. Your contact information includes your phone number and email address.
- Accept the terms and conditions and click the “Pay” button at the bottom. You can also click the “Promotional Code” if any is available.
Proceed With The Payment
Clicking the “Pay” button, you will land on the payment page. You can pay for the Haramain Train ticket with credit/debit cards or a Mastercard. After the payment confirmation, you will receive your ticket via the email provided.
Haramain Train Baggage Policy
Knowing about the baggage policy of the Al Haramain Train is mandatory before booking a seat to avoid any inconvenience. The passengers can carry a baggage of 65cm x 55cm x 35cm weighing up to 25 Kg. Moreover, you can also take an additional hand carry for a laptop, camera, purse, and any similar item.
