Haramain High-Speed Railway: Intercity Travel Guide

If you move regularly between the western cities of the Kingdom, the Haramain High-Speed Railway is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to travel. It links Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, and Madinah with modern, reservable trains, making day trips, pilgrimage journeys, and commutes far simpler than driving. In this Saudi Living guide, we walk you through the stations, fares, booking steps, and the practical details that save you time and stress.

Stations and routes

The railway serves five main stations spread across the four cities. Knowing which one you need before you book helps you plan onward transport to your final destination.

• Makkah station – located in Ar Rusayfah.
• Jeddah station – in the Al-Sulaymaniyah district.
• Jeddah Airport station – inside King Abdulaziz International Airport, ideal if you are connecting to or from a flight.
• King Abdullah Economic City station – at Hejaz Gate.
• Madinah station – in the Al-Hadrah area.

Typical fares

Fares change with the travel date, departure time, seat availability, class, VAT, and the conditions of your booking. The figures below are typical ranges to help you budget, but the price shown at checkout is always the one that applies.

• Economy, one way: Jeddah–Makkah about SAR 40–95; Makkah–King Abdullah Economic City about SAR 65–90; Jeddah–Madinah about SAR 100–150; Makkah–Madinah about SAR 145–200.
• Business, one way: Jeddah–Makkah about SAR 80–160; Jeddah–Madinah about SAR 180–260; Makkah–Madinah about SAR 250–380.

Booking earlier and travelling at off-peak times generally gives you more choice and the better end of these ranges.

How to book online

The simplest way to reserve is through the official Haramain railway portal, where the process is straightforward:

• Open the portal and select “Book a Seat.”
• Choose one-way or return.
• Select your departure and arrival stations and your travel date.
• Add your passengers and pick the train and seats you want.
• Enter each traveller’s national ID, Iqama, or passport details.
• Pay electronically to confirm the reservation.

Online booking is also available through the Nusuk platform. After payment, your electronic ticket is issued and sent by email and SMS.

Booking at the station

If you prefer to buy in person, tickets are also available at station counters and self-service kiosks. This is useful for last-minute trips, though popular departures can sell out, so booking ahead online is the safer option when your schedule is fixed.

Identification and passenger rules

All trains on the network are reservable, which means you must hold a valid ticket before boarding. A few rules are worth remembering:

• Each passenger must carry the same identification document used at the time of booking — national ID, Iqama, or passport.
• Children, adults, and infants are entered as separate passenger types, so select the correct category for each traveller.
• All passengers in a single booking must travel in the same class; if you need mixed classes, make separate bookings.

Planning your trip

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth journey:

• Seats are generally bookable up to 30 days before departure, so secure peak-season and weekend trips early.
• Arrive at the station with enough time to pass through entry checks and reach your platform comfortably.
• Keep your electronic ticket and your ID handy for inspection.
• Plan your onward transport from the arrival station, especially from Jeddah Airport station if you have a connecting flight.

Specific cancellation fees, refund windows, and ticket-validity periods can vary, so confirm the current conditions on the official railway portal when you book. With a reserved seat and the right ID in hand, travelling between the western cities becomes one of the easiest parts of living in the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving