Saudi Arabia Expands Haramain Railway with 20 New High-Speed Trains for Hajj & Umrah

Saudi Arabia Strengthens Pilgrimage Transport with 20 Additional Haramain Trains

19 Aug, 2025

Saudi Arabia has announced a major expansion of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, unveiling 20 additional trains to serve millions of pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah. This development represents a significant step in strengthening the Kingdom’s transport infrastructure, improving connectivity between Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City. With this move, the Haramain Railway is set to handle higher passenger capacity, reduce travel time, and elevate the overall pilgrimage experience.

Haramain High-Speed Railway: A Lifeline for Pilgrims

The Haramain High-Speed Railway is one of the most advanced rail systems in the region, connecting key religious and economic cities. Covering approximately 450 kilometers, it allows pilgrims to travel comfortably between Makkah and Madinah in just over two hours.

Key Stations: Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Abdullah Economic City, and Madinah.
Purpose: To provide fast, safe, and efficient transport for pilgrims and residents.
Impact: Enhances accessibility to the holy cities, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.

The addition of 20 new high-speed trains will not only increase frequency but also ensure that larger groups of travelers are accommodated with ease.

Enhancing Hajj and Umrah Travel

The expansion of the Haramain High-Speed Railway with 20 additional trains is a transformative step in enhancing Hajj and Umrah travel. Pilgrims now have faster, safer, and more reliable transport between Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, reducing long road journeys into a comfortable two-hour rail experience. With increased passenger capacity, frequent departures, and modern onboard facilities, the railway ensures that travel stress is minimized, allowing pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to making pilgrimage smoother, more organized, and aligned with world-class service standards.

Modern Features of the New Trains

The 20 additional trains come equipped with advanced technology and features designed to meet the needs of both pilgrims and residents.

Highlights include:

High-speed performance reaching up to 300 km/h.
Spacious seating with both business and economy class options.
Onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment systems.
Accessible facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Modern safety systems including real-time monitoring and advanced braking technology.

These features are aligned with the Kingdom’s vision of offering world-class hospitality and transport solutions.

Economic and Social Benefits

The expansion of the Haramain High-Speed Railway with 20 additional trains carries significant economic and social benefits for Saudi Arabia. From an economic perspective, the railway enhances the efficiency of pilgrimage transport, which directly contributes to the growth of religious tourism—a vital sector of the Kingdom’s economy. By improving accessibility to Makkah and Madinah, the railway encourages more frequent pilgrim visits throughout the year, leading to higher revenue for hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and other local businesses. The project also generates employment opportunities in operations, maintenance, and service industries, further stimulating the national economy.

On the social side, the Haramain Railway provides residents and pilgrims with a safe, reliable, and modern alternative to long road travel, significantly reducing traffic congestion and the risk of accidents on busy highways. It promotes social well-being by enabling families, elderly pilgrims, and people with limited mobility to travel comfortably and efficiently. Moreover, by reducing reliance on private vehicles, the railway supports environmental sustainability, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of building eco-friendly and future-ready infrastructure. Ultimately, the expansion strengthens the social fabric of the Kingdom by ensuring that both pilgrims and citizens enjoy a higher quality of travel, convenience, and safety.

A Step Towards Vision 2030 Goals

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes modern infrastructure, world-class services, and improved facilities for pilgrims. The Haramain Railway expansion aligns perfectly with these national goals.

Sustainable Mobility: A greener, faster transport option.
Smart Infrastructure: Use of technology for efficient operations.
Pilgrim Satisfaction: Enhancing spiritual journeys with ease of travel.

By expanding the Haramain Railway, Saudi Arabia showcases its commitment to building a future-ready transport system that places pilgrims at the center of planning and development.

Pilgrim Reactions

Pilgrims have warmly welcomed the addition of 20 new trains to the Haramain High-Speed Railway, praising the initiative for making their journeys between Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah faster and more comfortable. Many highlight the convenience of avoiding long, tiring road trips and instead enjoying a smooth two-hour rail ride. Elderly pilgrims, in particular, appreciate the accessibility features and spacious seating that make travel less stressful. Others note the punctuality, cleanliness, and modern facilities on board as a significant improvement to their pilgrimage experience. Overall, the expansion is seen as a step that reflects care, hospitality, and commitment to pilgrims’ needs.

Officials’ Statements

Transport officials emphasized that the additional 20 trains are part of ongoing efforts to continuously improve the pilgrim experience. The expansion is not a one-time initiative but part of a long-term plan to scale infrastructure with growing demand.

One official remarked:

“The Haramain Railway is a symbol of our commitment to serve pilgrims with excellence. By adding 20 new trains, we ensure greater capacity, improved frequency, and a smoother journey for all travelers.”

Table: Key Facts About the Haramain Railway Expansion

Feature	Details
New Trains Added	20 High-Speed Trains
Maximum Speed	300 km/h
Route Length	450 km
Major Stations	Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, Madinah
Travel Time (Makkah–Madinah)	Approximately 2 hours
Passenger Benefit	Increased capacity, reduced waiting times, improved comfort

Future Outlook

With the new expansion, the Haramain Railway is expected to become even more central to the pilgrimage journey. Looking ahead:

Scalability: Moreins and tra stations may be added as demand grows.
Technology Integration: Artificial intelligence and digital platforms could enhance ticketing and scheduling.
Sustainability Focus: More eco-friendly innovations are likely to be integrated into rail operations.

Saudi Arabia is positioning the Haramain Railway as not just a transport solution, but a model of modern infrastructure dedicated to serving religious and social needs.

The addition of 20 new high-speed trains to the Haramain Railway marks a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen pilgrimage transport. By offering faster, safer, and more comfortable journeys, the Kingdom continues to uphold its commitment to serving millions of pilgrims each year. Beyond transport, this initiative contributes to economic growth, sustainability, and the broader goals of Vision 2030.

For pilgrims, the Haramain Railway is more than just a means of travel—it is a symbol of care, hospitality, and innovation that ensures their sacred journey is carried out with comfort and peace of mind.