RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Railways has expanded capacity on the Haramain High-Speed Railway to more than 2.21 million seats for the 2026 Hajj season as the Kingdom ramps up transport services between Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The increase represents more than 210,000 additional seats compared with last season, alongside a planned 5,308 trips — an expansion of roughly 11 percent to accommodate rising pilgrim demand.
Hajj transport operations on the line are set to begin on May 5, with initial departures from the King Abdulaziz International Airport station in Jeddah to Makkah, marking the formal start of rail services for the pilgrimage season.
Infographic generated using Gemini (Google AI).
The SAR said the network would deploy a fleet of 35 trains capable of speeds up to 300 kph along the 453-km corridor. The journey between Makkah and Madinah takes about two hours, with five stations connecting the two holy cities via Jeddah.
The capacity boost aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and broader Saudi Vision 2030 goals to enhance mobility and improve services for pilgrims during Hajj.
First opened to the public for commercial operation in October 2018, the Haramain railway connects the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, with stops in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
It operates year-round, accommodating regular commuters, tourists, and pilgrims.
