Train from Makkah to Medinah 2024: Haramain Guide & Tips

Using the Haramain train from Makkah to Medinah is one of the best ways to travel. It is also one of the safest and most convenient options available when you are going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. 

The Haramain train is a high-speed railway connecting Mecca and Medinah, where the Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque is situated. This train is specifically designed to accommodate pilgrims travelling for Umrah.

One of the significant advantages of using the Haramain train is its speed and efficiency. With an average speed of 300 kilometres per hour (186 miles per hour), the train completes the journey between Makkah and Medinah in just a few hours. This is much faster than other modes of transportation, such as buses or private cars, which can take several hours longer.

The convenience of the Haramain train cannot be overstated. It offers a direct and hassle-free train journey from Mecca to Medinah. Pilgrims can easily access the train stations, conveniently located near the holy sites in both cities.

Guide to Traveling on the Haramain Train from Makkah to Madinah

Over the years, the train has become even more popular since it first started. I found the entire process of train travel to be easy and fast. I didn’t have to worry about a tired taxi driver when I first went to Medinah for my Umrah, and I also didn’t have to spend an extra 4 hours in the airport just to fly back to Jeddah and then drive to Medinah.

I have travelled many times on the Haramain train from Makkah to Medinah for Umrah but also to Jeddah.

There are train stations in Jeddah City Makkah, Medinah, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah (KAIA), and King Abdullah Economic City station.

Up to 30 trains per day travel between the Holy cities of Makkah and Medinah during peak travel seasons like Ramadan and the Hajj.

The train journey between the cities takes around 2.5 hours, making it a very easy and convenient option for pilgrims.

Different Travel Classes on the Haramain Train

There are two different classes on the Haramain train; business and economy class. Both are very comfortable but I have only travelled in business which when bought in advance is a very reasonable price for Western pilgrims to Umrah.

The economy seats on the train are very comfortable and comparable to the seating in the UK and US. The seating configuration is 2 x 2 and some offer tables.

The business class seats are in a 2 x 1 configuration. Again, some offer tables and others don’t, but they all have charging options. The seats are very plush and comfortable, as well.

Business class passengers also receive Arabic coffee upon arrival and a hot meal. Though the huge bottle of water I had was fine. Seats also have screens and tables, and they recline.

Business Class Lounge At Haramain Train Stations

Each station offers a business class lounge for business travellers. You can read my full review of the Makkah lounge. I love lounges, and I think they are a great option for snacks and relaxing.

How to Book the Haramain High-Speed Train

Step-by-Step Booking Process for the Haramain train. Booking the train for Umrah is very easy, and the website works well. You can book tickets that show availability up to 4 /5 weeks in advance.

The official train website is below, as it seems there are some copy options, too. 

• Book your tickets for the Haramain trains online

The train takes 2.30 hours from Makkah to Medinah.

The tickets were easy to book online, and I am glad to find that the train website has been updated to make it easy to book and change tickets.

Sometimes, the website has a glitch when it comes to cards you can pay with, or it says it runs out of time and asks you to try again. Clear your cookies and try a different browser and card. This has worked for me,

How much do the Haramain train tickets cost? 

The train tickets for the Haramain train have been reduced in price. They also made them fluctuate depending on the time you travel and with a peak and off-peak option. Some have 50% off and others 35% and then full price.

If you want to save money I would recommend you go through the daily options to find the cheapest price. 

By Western standards, the prices are very reasonable for the route and train options. Considering the same train in the UK is more expensive. These prices are based on when the article was updated in 2024 it can vary due to demand.

• A one-way ticket at full price in economy costs £39 / 175 SAR per person and children pay half price.
• A one-way ticket at full price in business costs £60 / 285 SAR per person and children pay half price.

You can also find prices for the train depending on the time you travel with 50% off at 87SAR / £18.50 in economy and 187SAR / £39 in business class.

If you book several weeks in advance, you can get a discounted rate. I booked this summer, 2 days before travel the discount applied but then I forgot to book it and the day before travel I had to overpay by £20.

When you go to the train stations please go about 30 minutes before your train is ready to depart as you will need to show your tickets and also go through security. Which is basically a scanner check of yourself similar to the airports.

The train departed exactly on time and reached a speed of up to 300km/h.

However, even at this high speed, it was very smooth, which I am very thankful for. In the UK, although I love to travel by train, I can get sick due to the shakiness of the train.

I have been on the Haramain train several times now, years apart, and I am glad to say that they keep the standard of cleanliness and cabin maintenance. It is very comfortable and easy, Alhumdulillah.

Haramain Train Makkah and Medinah Schedule and Timings

As I mentioned, many trains leave daily from both Makkah and Medinah, so finding a train option that is convenient for you should not be a problem.

The number of trains per day varies depending on how busy it is, for example, Ramadan and school holidays there are more train options.

I know for many people, especially large families, this can seem expensive, and they prefer hiring a car. Since now, on Umrah trips, you can hire your own car, this is also a more budget-friendly option than a taxi.

We have a post about other methods of going to Makkah or Medinah, but please keep in mind the convenience, ease, and safety of the train. Taxi drivers can sometimes get very tired, and Saudia driving is a little crazy. 

Also, it will work at a similar price if you are 4/5 people if you book with a saving. 

Here are the rules for the ticket and how long in advance you have to be at the train station.

Please note that if you travel during rush hour, you may need extra time depending on the location of your hotel. Also, consider purchasing a ticket in advance if you don’t have one.

Overall, you can get there in about one hour or 30 minutes before the train departs. 

High-Speed Train Timetable  and Cancelling / Changing tickets 

I had to cancel and refund the train tickets. The process was fairly straightforward, but I couldn’t find an option to change the tickets, only to cancel them. After cancelling, I received a refund, but it took longer than the standard 14 days in the UK. In our case, we received the refund a few months later.

Once cancelled you will get a refund but note it might not come in 14 days which is standard in the UK. Ours came a few months later. 

Where are the stations located in Makkah and Medina?

The Makkah Haramain Highspeed Train Station is located about a 10-minute taxi drive from Haram.

• You can find the Makkah train station details here.

The Medinah Haramain train station is located about 10 minutes from Masjid Al Nabawi as well.

• You can find the Google Maps location for the Medinah train here. 

The train station is pretty easy to get to with a taxi that you can either order on Careem or some of them are always stationed outside. The train station is located close to the Medinah Gate city ( which I assume is a new city development being built). Prices are approximately 30SAR one way.

Also, from Makkah train station to Haram, there is a free shuttle bus service that will leave you in the masjid area. You can then walk to your hotel. 

Train Location at Jeddah International Airport Terminal 1 

The train is located right outside the new Jeddah Terminal 1 airport. 

If you are travelling to Mecca from Jeddah airport, my advice is to take a taxi directly to your hotel. This way, you will avoid having to get on and off at the train station. A taxi to Makkah takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs around £30.

You can easily locate the kiosk and pay for your taxi. I have created a full reel with the information for a more visual appeal. 

If you are travelling from Jeddah Airport to Medinah the train is the best option you will arrive in under 2 hours. 

The high-speed train at Jeddah airport is located just outside the terminal at Jeddah Airport. If you head to the taxi rank, you’ll find it directly opposite the big building you see when you exit. There are plenty of signs to guide you.

You can ask several people, but you simply cannot miss it; it is only a 3-minute walk. 

Baggage on the Haramain Train

There is a restriction on how much baggage you can take on the train. You can only usually take one suitcase and one small hang luggage. 

This is what comes straight when you want to book your ticket on their website.

If you keep to the sizes and weight, as they do check those at the entrance of the train. You will not have a problem. If you are travelling with larger bags or more than one, I would recommend you get a porter. They cost only around 30/50SAR with tip and they are known to be able to get through with more bags. 

Tips and Experience: This summer 2024 I didn’t find them as strict with the baggage when we travelled. My friend had a suitcase larger than the dimensions and she passed without a problem.

So a big suitcase and hand luggage on the Haramain train should not be an issue since these are also the ones I was travelling with.

If you have more than one large suitcase then you might want to use porters who will easily carry the bags over the limit and then place them on the train.

Porters cost around 40 SAR less than £10.

If you don’t want to go through the porter option they might ask you to send your luggage to you later in the day. Like a freight service. This doesn’t happen often but I have heard cases. 

I wouldn’t get too caught up in the dimensions as long as they are OK for planes they should be OK for trains!

However, it also seems according to their T&Cs that even in business it is only 1 baggage per person

• Any passenger provided with a ticket may carry with him, under his custody and responsibility, in the places designated for that purpose, one piece of hand baggage and one piece are limited to 25 Kg not exceeding 65 x 55 x 35 cm. (length-height-width).

There are luggage holders in the cabin, like in the UK trains, that you can use for your suitcases. However, if you have more bags, as I mentioned above, they might ask you to put them in a separate hold, and you pick them up at the destination. This is so they don’t take up space in the cabin. The airport and the train station are very convenient and similar to the UK style.

Meeqat on Haramain Train during your Umrah

If you are using the Haramain train to go to Mecca from Medinah for Umrah, you will need to wear your ihram before boarding.

Note the journey is 2.30hrs and it doesn’t stop at a Meeqat if you are travelling for Umrah from Medinah to Mekkah. So make sure you wear your ihram and have your intentions from before or while on the train. 

Upon leaving the Medinah train station we were informed that the Meqaat would be after 10min. This is the only time it was mentioned, so you could enter the train and put your Ihram straight away. Or you can also wear it prior to the train departing. 

If you want to stay in Jeddah and use the tourist visa to explore the city the best way is to take a taxi to your hotel. Corniche is around 30min away but note that traffic can be bad between 3 to 7 pm. 

• We also have an article with the rest of the transportation options for Umrah in Saudi. 

In my opinion, the train from Makkah to Medinah for Umrah is a real contender and it does go with the Saudi vision for 2030 and having 30 million pilgrims per year.

It is a great way to go to Umrah and be in comfort, especially with young children.

My best advice and the fastest option I can see for this is if you do an open-jaw flight where you arrive in either Medinah or Jeddah and then fly from the other city. This way you only need a one-way ticket on the Haramain train from Makkah to Medinah or vice versa.

Frequent Questions About the Haramain Train for Umrah

1. What is the Haramain high-speed railway?

The Haramain high-speed railway is a high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia that connects Mecca and Medina with stops at various stations.

2. How can I book train tickets for Haramain?

To book train tickets for Haramain, you can visit the official website or use the designated booking platforms provided by the Saudi railway services.

3. What are the ticket prices for a train ride from Mecca to Medina?

The ticket prices for a train ride from Mecca to Medina vary based on the chosen class of travel, with options ranging from economy to business class.

4. How long is the travel time on the Haramain high-speed train?

The travel time on the Haramain high-speed train between Mecca and Medina is relatively short due to its high-speed capabilities, providing a quick and efficient journey.

5. Where is the train station located in Mecca?

The train station in Mecca is strategically located to offer convenient access for passengers traveling to and from the holy city.

6. How many trains per day operate on the Haramain route?

Several trains operate daily on the Haramain route, ensuring frequent and reliable train

7. Can I bring my food and drinks on the train?

You can take your food on the Haramain train, but also there is a cafeteria on board where you can buy snacks and drinks. You can pay by credit card, and they have plenty of options at reasonable prices.

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