Your complete guide to the Haramain High-Speed Railway
This is everything we know…
Possibly one of the most used public transits in the world, the Haramain High-Speed Railway runs between Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah to facilitate the travel of local and global pilgrims to and from the Two Holy Cities. And if you plan on taking the railway anytime soon, here’s our ultimate guide.
What is the Haramain High-Speed Railway?
It is a fast electric train connecting Makkah with Madinah via a double railway line and further connecting the two cities to Jeddah too. Launched in September 2018, it is one of the largest train projects in the Middle East. The railway is a 453 km long express railway linking Madinah and Makkah. It has a 449 km line from Makkah to Madinah and a 3.75 km branch connection to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
On each Haramain High-Speed Railway train, there are 113 business class seats, including two reserved for people with disabilities.
How to book a seat
You can book a seat on the iOS and Android mobile apps through the web here by calling the Customer Care Center Service (number: 9200 04433) or at the Stations at the ticketing offices or ticket vending machines.
Ticket prices start at SAR34.5 for the King Abdulaziz International Airport to Makkah route, and the schedule can be found on the app. Next up we have the route that goes from Sulimaniyah, Jeddah to Makkah starting at SAR23, you can even take a train from King Abdullah Economic City to Makkah starting at SAR78.
If you’re booking a ticket for Makkah to Madinah, ticket prices start at SAR86.25. Prices are subject to change per the time slot you’re booking.
Guidelines
According to the website, guidelines for ticketholders are as follows:
- Customers must bring identification when buying a ticket and when travelling to ensure conformity with the names and ages of all customers.
- Valid customer ID must be presented when travelling.
- Customers are responsible for ensuring they hold a valid ticket applicable for their entire journey.
- Baggage check-in desks will open 2 hours before departure.
- Boarding gates will close 10 minutes before the stated departure time.
- The ticket office will close 20 minutes before departure for sales and enquiries relating to the departing service.
- Children (2 to 12 years) travelling in the seated accommodation must travel with at least one other adult (18+) in their group. Infants under the age of 2 must be accompanied by an adult at a ratio of 1:1.
- Customers are entitled to a refund and/or compensation in line with HHR’s Passenger Charter commitments when services are cancelled or delayed beyond 2 hours owing to circumstances within HHR’s control.
- When a service is cancelled due to force majeure, HHR will be exempt from providing passengers with compensation in line with the Passenger Charter, apart from providing customers with a full ticket refund.
- If customers are late to the boarding gate, their booking will be cancelled, and no refund is due. However, fares are flexible and can be changed or cancelled before departure (fees may apply).
- All tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the named person on the ticket.
- Discounts do not apply to special offers or promotional fares.
- HHR reserves the right to amend ticket prices at any time. HHR also reserves the right to cancel, amend or reschedule any promotional offers without notice.
- Infants under 2 will not receive a seat reservation in Business or Economy Class.
- It is strictly prohibited to smoke in all station facilities and inside the train coaches. Failure to comply can lead to penalties.
- No customer will be allowed to leave the departure area without a security permit.
- Baggage will not be permitted onboard HHR trains without a valid ticket.
- Food and beverages are not permitted to be brought on board.
- The transportation of animals is not permitted.
- Mada card payments: Refunds to Mada card processed more than 14 days after the original purchase may be delayed up to an additional 4 weeks due to the refund processing policy enforced by Mada and your issuing bank.
- Tickets bought at station ticket offices and vending machines cannot be changed or refunded.
Stations
There are five stations; these include the below:
- Medina Station (King Abdulaziz Street-East)
- King Abdullah Economic City Station in Rabigh.
- King Abdulaziz International Airport
- Jeddah Station (Al Sulaymaniyah) – Operating.
- Mecca Station (Rusaiyfah)
Classes
You can take your pick between the economy and business classes. In business class, you can look forward to complimentary drinks and meals, access to the cafeteria coach, and the trolley service. The economy class will have access to the cafeteria coach and the trolley service, but that’s it.
Baggage limits
Pilgrims can only travel with one suitcase and one handbag. The size measurements of the suitcase should be about 65 centimetres (height), 55 centimetres (length), 35 centimetres (width, and weigh a maximum of 25 kilograms.
Visit: sar.hhr.sa