How to Book Haramain Train Tickets from Outside Saudi Arabia

This article is correct as of 2026-08-07.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway is the fastest and most comfortable way to get between Makkah and Madinah. It runs through Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which makes it useful for more than just the main pilgrimage route. And you can book your tickets from outside Saudi Arabia before you travel so you are not scrambling at the station on arrival. This guide walks through the whole process. [7]

Quick answer

Table of contents

• Official booking channels [1]
• Booking step by step with the HHR app [2]
• Payment methods and what works from abroad [1]
• Passport requirements and ID at the gate [1]
• Prices by route and class [3] [5]
• Luggage rules [4]
• Station logistics and transfers [6] [7]
• Refunds and changes [3] [7]
• Common mistakes [4]
• FAQ

Official booking channels

There are exactly two official ways to book Haramain train tickets, and both work from outside Saudi Arabia. [1]

The first is the web portal at haramainrailway.com. This is the SAR/HHR online booking system. You create an account, search for trains, pick your seats, and pay. You need a passport for identification. [1]

The second is the Saudi Railways (HHR) mobile app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app is free and supports English, Arabic, and Urdu. Most travellers find the app easier because the visual seat map lets you pick your exact seat before paying. [2]

Both channels issue the same e-ticket. There is no price difference. Pick whichever you prefer.

Booking step by step with the HHR app

This is the step-by-step flow most Umrah travellers will use. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes from download to e-ticket.

1. Download the app. Search “Saudi Railways” or “HHR” on Google Play or the App Store. The developer is Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Install the free app. [2]
2. Register an account. Use your passport number exactly as it appears on your Umrah visa. This is important: mismatched names or passport numbers will cause problems at the boarding gate. [2]
3. Select your route. The main stations are Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah (Sulaimaniyah), KAIA (Jeddah Airport), and KAEC. Pick your departure and arrival stations. [7]
4. Pick a date and time. Trains run frequently on the Makkah-Madinah route. The timetable shows all available departures. Peak dates around Ramadan and Hajj fill up fast. [4]
5. Choose class and seat. Economy or Business. The visual seat map shows which seats are taken and which are free. You can select a window or aisle, and see which direction you will face. [2]
6. Enter passenger details. Full name, passport number, nationality. Make sure every field matches your travel document. [1]
7. Pay. Visa, Mastercard, and Apple Pay are accepted. Mada cards work if you have a Saudi bank account. You will get an e-ticket by email and SMS with a QR code. [1]
8. Save the e-ticket. Screenshot it, print it, and keep the email. At the station, the gate staff will scan the QR code and check your passport. [1]

Payment methods and what works from abroad

International Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards work without issue on both the web portal and the HHR app. Apple Pay is also accepted. If you have a Saudi bank account with a Mada card, that works too. [1]

Some international cards trigger a 3D Secure verification step. Your bank may send an SMS or push notification to approve the transaction. Keep your phone handy when you pay. If your card gets declined, try a different one before assuming the system is broken. It is usually your bank flagging a foreign transaction, not a problem with the HHR portal.

Passport requirements and ID at the gate

You register and book using your passport number. At the boarding gate, staff match your e-ticket QR code to the passport you used during booking. If the passport number on your ticket does not match the passport in your hand, you will have problems. [1]

This is especially relevant if you renewed your passport between booking and travel. Book with the passport you plan to carry.

Prices by route and class

Haramain train prices are not fixed. They vary by route, class, departure time, and demand. Booking early generally gets you lower prices. Peak Umrah and Hajj season dates push prices to the higher end of the range. [3] [5]

Route	Economy (SAR) [3] [5]	Business (SAR) [3] [5]	Travel time
KAIA Airport to Makkah	40 to 70	Not widely offered on short routes	~30 min [3] [5]
Jeddah to Makkah	40 to 60	Not widely offered on short routes	~25 min [3] [5]
Makkah to Madinah (full route)	145 to 170	240 to 280	~2 hr 20 min [3] [5]
Madinah to KAIA Airport	110 to 140	200 to 240	~1 hr 50 min

Prices shown are approximate ranges gathered from traveller reports and booking data. [3] [5] Your actual price will depend on when you book, which train you pick, and seasonal demand. Budget for the higher end of the range and treat anything lower as a bonus.

Luggage rules

Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage up to 65 x 55 x 35 cm plus one personal item such as a laptop bag, camera bag, handbag, or nursery bag. [4]

This is roughly the size of a standard large carry-on suitcase. If you are travelling with full-size checked bags, you will need to check whether they fit the dimensions. Overhead racks inside the train accommodate bags within this size. There is no separate checked-luggage service. Everything you bring comes with you into the cabin.

Station logistics and transfers

All five Haramain stations are purpose-built with passenger waiting lounges, prayer facilities, ticket counters, and self-service machines. [7]

The Makkah station is not right next to Masjid Al Haram. You will need a taxi or rideshare to get to your hotel. Local taxis from Makkah station to hotels near the Haram cost roughly SAR 30 to SAR 50. Uber and Careem run about SAR 40 to SAR 70. Plan for SAR 40 to SAR 50 per transfer to be safe. [6]

Madinah station is south of the city centre. Taxis to the Prophet’s Mosque area are readily available. Jeddah Airport station is integrated into KAIA Terminal 1, which makes the train a practical option if you land in Jeddah and want to head straight to Makkah without dealing with a long taxi ride. [6] [7]

Refunds and changes

Haramain train tickets have a tiered refund policy. How much you get back depends on how early you cancel. [3]

• More than 24 hours before departure: full refund, no cancellation fee. [3]
• Between 24 hours and 10 minutes before departure: refund minus a 35 percent cancellation fee. [3]
• Less than 10 minutes before departure or after the train leaves: no refund. [3]

To cancel or change a booking, log in to sar.hhr.sa or open the HHR app. Go to My Bookings, select the ticket, and follow the cancellation or modification flow. Changes and cancellations must be made within the policy window above. [7]

Common mistakes

• Waiting to buy at the station. On peak dates, trains sell out. Buying tickets at the station is risky for international travellers. Book online before you travel. [4]
• Booking with a passport you are about to renew. If your passport number changes, your e-ticket no longer matches your ID at the gate. Wait until the new passport arrives, or book with the one you will be travelling on. [1]
• Assuming the station is walking distance from the Haram. Makkah station is several kilometres away. Factor in taxi time and cost. [6]
• Ignoring luggage dimensions. If your bag is larger than 65 x 55 x 35 cm, it may not fit in the overhead rack and staff may refuse boarding. [4]
• Not saving the e-ticket offline. You need the QR code at the gate. Mobile data can be patchy around the stations. Screenshot the ticket or print it. [1]

FAQ

Does the Haramain train run during Hajj season? [4]

Yes, the train operates year-round. But seats during peak Hajj dates sell out weeks in advance. Book as early as you can. [4]

Can I book tickets for my whole family in one go?

Yes. The HHR app and web portal let you add multiple passengers in a single booking. Enter each passenger’s passport details. All passengers on the same booking get their own e-ticket. [1]

Do children need their own ticket?

Check the latest policy on the HHR app at the time of booking. Child fare rules change and may depend on age. The app shows applicable fares during the booking flow.

What if my train is delayed or cancelled?

Operational issues are handled by SAR. Check your email and SMS for updates. The cancellation and refund policy described above applies if you choose to cancel a delayed train, though it is generally better to wait for rebooking instructions from the operator. [7]

Is Business Class worth it for the Makkah to Madinah route? [5]

Business class seats are wider with more legroom and the cabin is quieter. For a 2-hour-20-minute journey, Economy is perfectly comfortable. Spend the SAR 70 to SAR 110 difference on a good taxi or a meal unless you specifically want the extra space. [5]

Next steps

Once your Haramain tickets are booked, sort out your taxi transfers. Makkah station to your hotel will cost around SAR 40 to SAR 50 each way. [6] If you are using the Nusuk app for your Umrah permit, have that ready before you arrive. Train bookings and Nusuk are separate systems. Having a train ticket does not mean your Umrah permit is sorted, and vice versa. Book both independently before you travel.

If this is your first time planning an Umrah trip from abroad, our complete pre-departure checklist covers documents, health, packing, and money. For a broader look at transport options including flights, see our multi-city flight booking guide.

Notes

1. [1] Haramain Railway official booking portal (haramainrailway.com) with HHR mobile app as the two official channels. Internationally accessible. Passport required for registration. Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Mada accepted. E-ticket delivered by email and SMS with QR code.
2. [2] WorldTrackTravel: HHR app downloadable from Google Play and Apple App Store. Free. Register with passport number matching Umrah visa. Supports English, Arabic, Urdu. Visual seat map for seat selection. Membership tracks booking history.
3. [3] Almosafer guide 2026: Economy from SAR 40 for short routes. Full route up to SAR 170. Business starts SAR 240. Tiered refund: over 24 hours full refund free, 24 hr to 10 min minus 35%, under 10 min or after departure no refund.
4. [4] House of Saud Haramain train guide: Station purchase risky for international visitors. Book online. Luggage 65 x 55 x 35 cm plus one personal item (laptop bag, camera bag, handbag, nursery bag). Trains sell out on peak dates.
5. [5] UmrahBooking step-by-step 2026: Economy SAR 145-170, Business SAR 240-280 for Makkah-Madinah. Travel time 2 hours 20 minutes full route.
6. [6] BakkahTransport taxi fare data 2026: Makkah station to Haram-area hotels SAR 30-50 local taxi, SAR 40-70 Uber/Careem. Budget SAR 40-50 per transfer.
7. [7] Saudi Scoop 2026: Cancel or change via sar.hhr.sa or HHR app > My Bookings. Must act within policy window. All five stations have waiting lounges, prayer facilities, ticket counters, and self-service machines.