Haramain High-Speed Rail Boosts Hajj Capacity to 2.2 Million Seats
Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Railway increases its capacity by more than 210,000 seats for the 2026 Hajj season.
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has expanded capacity on the Haramain High-Speed Railway to over 2.21 million seats for the 2026 Hajj season, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
This increase represents more than 210,000 additional seats compared with the previous season and includes a planned 5,308 trips, marking an expansion of roughly 11 percent to accommodate rising pilgrim demand.
Hajj transport operations on the line are scheduled to commence on May 5th, with initial departures from the King Abdulaziz International Airport station in Jeddah to Makkah, signifying the formal start of rail services for the pilgrimage season.
SAR will deploy a fleet of 35 trains capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h along the 453-kilometer corridor.
The journey between Makkah and Madinah is projected to take approximately two hours, with five stations connecting these holy cities via Jeddah.
This capacity boost aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing mobility and improving services for pilgrims during Hajj.
The Haramain railway, first opened to the public for commercial operation in October 2018, serves as a crucial link between Makkah and Madinah, with stops in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh.
Operating year-round, the high-speed railway accommodates regular commuters, tourists, and pilgrims alike.
The enhancement of rail services reflects ongoing efforts to streamline transportation infrastructure for one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
This increase represents more than 210,000 additional seats compared with the previous season and includes a planned 5,308 trips, marking an expansion of roughly 11 percent to accommodate rising pilgrim demand.
Hajj transport operations on the line are scheduled to commence on May 5th, with initial departures from the King Abdulaziz International Airport station in Jeddah to Makkah, signifying the formal start of rail services for the pilgrimage season.
SAR will deploy a fleet of 35 trains capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h along the 453-kilometer corridor.
The journey between Makkah and Madinah is projected to take approximately two hours, with five stations connecting these holy cities via Jeddah.
This capacity boost aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing mobility and improving services for pilgrims during Hajj.
The Haramain railway, first opened to the public for commercial operation in October 2018, serves as a crucial link between Makkah and Madinah, with stops in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh.
Operating year-round, the high-speed railway accommodates regular commuters, tourists, and pilgrims alike.
The enhancement of rail services reflects ongoing efforts to streamline transportation infrastructure for one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
