Haramain High-Speed Train: Full DIY Booking Guide for Umrah Pilgrims

Last updated: 2026-08-06

The Haramain High-Speed Railway is the fastest way to travel between Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and King Abdulaziz International Airport [1]. If you are planning a DIY Umrah on a budget, this train saves you 2-4 hours compared to a private car and costs far less than a taxi. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to book tickets, what you will pay, what luggage you can bring, and which stops to use.

Table of contents

• Routes and stations, where the train stops [1]
• Download and set up the HHR Train app [2]
• Step-by-step booking, web vs app [2]
• Ticket costs by route and class [4]
• Payment methods, MADA, Visa, Mastercard [2]
• Passport details and boarding document rules [3]
• Luggage rules, weight, size, and extra bags [6]
• Schedules and seasonal shifts, Ramadan and Hajj season [9]
• Common mistakes to avoid
• FAQ
• Notes

Routes and stations, where the train stops

The Haramain train runs a single line connecting five stations across four cities [1]:

• Makkah, the southern end, close to Masjid al-Haram [1]
• Jeddah (Al-Sulimaniyah), central Jeddah station [1]
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), Jeddah airport terminal, ideal if you are arriving by air and heading straight to Makkah [1]
• King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), a stop between Jeddah and Madinah [1]
• Madinah, the northern end, near Masjid an-Nabawi [1]

For Umrah pilgrims, the three stops you will actually use are Makkah, Madinah, and KAIA airport. Most pilgrims take the train between Makkah and Madinah, or from KAIA to Makkah on arrival day. [1]

The official HHR timetable with real-time schedules is at sar.hhr.sa/timetable [10]. Times vary slightly by service, so check the timetable on your travel date rather than relying on a screenshot from last week.

Download and set up the HHR Train app

The official HHR Train app (by Saudi Arabia Railways) is the most reliable way to book [2]. You can find it on the Google Play Store, search for “HHR Train” or use the direct listing by developer Indra [11]. An iOS version is also available.

The app supports both English and Arabic [12]. After installing, select your language, create an account with your email, and you are ready to search for tickets. The app shows real-time train information, fares, and station locations integrated with Google Maps [12].

You can also book through the official website at sar.hhr.sa, but the app is faster for same-day changes and seat selection. [2]

Step-by-step booking, web vs app

Here is the full booking flow. I recommend using the app.

1. Open the HHR Train app and select your language, English or Arabic [12].
2. Tap the search field and enter your departure and arrival stations. For Makkah to Madinah, select “Makkah” as origin and “Madinah” as destination. [1]
3. Choose your travel date. The calendar view lets you jump ahead to any date [2].
4. Pick a departure time from the list of available services. Morning trains tend to sell out faster on weekends.
5. Select Economy or Business class. Economy is the budget option.
6. Choose your seat from the coach layout. You can tap to change seats with one click [2]. Aisle seats near the doors make luggage and exit quicker at your stop.
7. Enter passport details for each passenger, full name, passport number, and expiration date [3]. Double-check every field before confirming [13].
8. Pay with MADA, Visa, or Mastercard [2]. The app processes payment immediately and generates your e-ticket.

The web booking flow at sar.hhr.sa follows the same steps. Whichever you use, keep your e-ticket saved on your phone and also carry a printed copy. Phone screens can be hard to read under Saudi sun. [2]

Ticket costs by route and class

Haramain train prices depend on the route, class, and how far ahead you book. Here is what to expect for the routes Umrah pilgrims use most:

Cost breakdown: [4]

• Makkah to Madinah (full route): Economy SAR 145-200, Business SAR 240-300 [4]. Travel time roughly 2 hours 20 minutes [8].
• KAIA (Jeddah Airport) to Makkah: Economy from around SAR 40 for short hops [5]. This is the cheapest and fastest way to get from the airport to Makkah if you are not bringing a connecting flight’s full luggage.
• Makkah to Madinah (Business): up to SAR 380 on the full route [5].

Prices shift with demand. Booking two weeks ahead typically lands the lower end of those ranges. Last-minute tickets on Friday afternoons and during school holidays push toward the upper end.

Payment methods, MADA, Visa, Mastercard

The HHR app accepts three payment methods: MADA (Saudi Arabia’s domestic card network), Visa, and Mastercard [2].

If you are booking from outside Saudi Arabia, Visa and Mastercard work without issues. MADA-only cards from Saudi banks also work, but you probably do not have one as a visitor. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not consistently supported yet through the app, so keep a physical card or card details ready.

Passport details and boarding document rules

Foreign travellers must enter passport details when booking [3]. The booking form asks for your full name, passport number, and passport expiration date.

The single most common reason pilgrims get held up at the station gate is a mismatch between the name on the ticket and the name on the passport [13]. A missing middle name, a reversed first/last name, a typo in the passport number, any of these can cause the gate staff to stop you. Check every field twice before you tap “Confirm Payment.” If you notice an error after booking, you may need to cancel and rebook. The app does not always allow name edits after payment.

At the station, have your passport and e-ticket ready. Staff scan the QR code on your ticket and check your passport at the gate.

Luggage rules, weight, size, and extra bags

Each passenger is allowed one large piece of luggage weighing up to 25 kg with maximum dimensions of 65 x 55 x 35 cm (length, height, width) [6].

In addition to the main bag, you can bring a small personal item, a laptop bag, camera bag, handbag, or similar [7]. A nursery bag for parents travelling with infants also counts as a personal item [7].

If you are carrying Zamzam water, check the weight. A full 5-litre Zamzam container weighs roughly 5 kg on its own. Pack it inside your main suitcase and keep the total under 25 kg. Luggage over the weight or size limit may be refused at boarding or charged extra, HHR does not publish an overweight fee schedule, so do not plan on paying your way out. [6]

Schedules and seasonal shifts, Ramadan and Hajj season

Train schedules are not fixed year-round. They shift during Ramadan, Hajj season, and Saudi national holidays [9]. A departure time that worked for a friend in Muharram may not exist in Ramadan.

Always check the official timetable at sar.hhr.sa/timetable a day or two before your trip [9]. During Hajj season, additional restrictions may apply, some services prioritize Hajj permit holders, and general availability tightens.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Booking for the wrong station. Jeddah has two stops, Al-Sulimaniyah (city centre) and KAIA (airport) [1]. If you land at the airport, book KAIA, not Al-Sulimaniyah. The two stations are a 30-minute drive apart.
• Not checking the timetable close to departure. Schedules shift during Ramadan, Hajj season, and national holidays [9]. A saved screenshot from last month can be wrong.
• Mistyping passport details. A single wrong digit in the passport number or name field can block boarding [13]. Check passport details twice before paying [3].
• Assuming you can buy at the station. Trains sell out. During peak periods, you may not find same-day tickets at the counter. Always book ahead through the app [2].
• Overpacking luggage. One large bag at 25 kg and 65 x 55 x 35 cm is the limit [6]. If your suitcase is oversized or overweight, you may have to leave items behind or pay for a second seat.

FAQ

Can I book Haramain train tickets without the app? [2]

Yes. You can book directly at sar.hhr.sa through the web portal. The app is recommended because it handles last-minute changes faster and gives you seat selection with a visual coach map [2]. Both the app and website support English and Arabic [12].

Do children need their own ticket? [3]

Yes. Every passenger, including children, needs a ticket with passport details entered at booking [3]. HHR does not offer free infant-on-lap travel.

What happens if I miss my train?

You will need to buy a new ticket. The app does not offer automatic rebooking or standby for missed departures. If your plans are fluid, book refundable or changeable fare types where available, and leave buffer time getting to the station, Makkah station is roughly 10 minutes from Masjid al-Haram by taxi. [1]

Is there a prayer area on the train?

There is no dedicated prayer carriage. Most pilgrims pray at the station before boarding or after arrival. Makkah, Madinah, and KAIA stations all have clean prayer facilities with ablution areas. [1]

Can I bring Zamzam water on the train? [6]

Yes, as long as it fits within your one large bag and stays under the 25 kg limit [6]. A standard 5-litre Zamzam bottle weighs about 5 kg. Pack it inside your suitcase, loose bottles are not treated as a personal item and may be refused at the luggage check.

Next steps

Download the HHR Train app before you leave for Umrah [2]. Create an account, save your passport details, and check the timetable at sar.hhr.sa/timetable a few days before your planned travel date [10]. For peak periods, Ramadan, Hajj season, and school holidays, book as early as you can. The price difference between a ticket booked three weeks ahead and one booked the night before can be SAR 50 or more [4].

This article is correct as of 2026-08-05.

Related UmrahDIY guides: For visa requirements and costs, see our Umrah visa documents guide. For Nusuk app setup, read our Nusuk app walkthrough.

Notes

1. [1] Haramain High-Speed Railway route and station information, House of Saud, “Haramain Train Guide” (2026).
2. [2] HHR Train mobile app features, booking flow, and payment methods, Google Play Store listing, developer Indra (accessed 2026-08-05).
3. [3] Foreign traveller passport entry requirement, UmrahBooking.com, “Saudi Haramain Train Booking Step-by-Step Guide 2026” (2026).
4. [4] Ticket price ranges by route and class, Saudi Scoop, “Haramain Train Online Ticket Prices & Booking 2026” (2026), and UmrahBooking.com (2026).
5. [5] Short-route pricing from KAIA to Makkah, Almosafer, “Haramain Train Ticket Guide 2026” (2026).
6. [6] Luggage weight and dimension limit, HHR Official Portal, “Luggage Conditions” PDF (accessed 2026-08-05), and Umrahme, “Haramain Train Information Guide” (2026).
7. [7] Additional small personal bag allowance, HHR Official Portal, “Luggage Conditions” PDF (accessed 2026-08-05).
8. [8] Travel time Makkah to Madinah, UmrahBooking.com, “Saudi Haramain Train Booking Step-by-Step Guide 2026” (2026).
9. [9] Seasonal schedule shifts, House of Saud, “Haramain Train Guide” (2026).
10. [10] Official HHR timetable URL, HHR Official Portal, sar.hhr.sa/timetable (accessed 2026-08-05).
11. [11] HHR Train app, Google Play Store (accessed 2026-08-05).
12. [12] App language support and real-time information, Google Play Store listing, developer Indra (accessed 2026-08-05).
13. [13] Passenger name and passport number verification, Umrahme, “Haramain Train Information Guide” (2026).