Insight into Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Rail (HHR) Project
The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) is a modern and efficient transportation system connecting major cities in Saudi Arabia, including Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. With its fast travel times and passenger-friendly facilities, the HHR has become a popular choice for Umrah pilgrims and travelers during the Hajj season.
Traveling by HHR offers a seamless experience, as trains operate at speeds of up to 300 km/h. The railway spans 450 km and connects key stops at Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City.
Passengers can choose between Economy Class and Business Class, each with its own benefits. Economy Class offers 304 well-designed seats at an affordable price, with many of the same features as Business Class. Meanwhile, Business Class provides spacious, premium seating with adjustable seats, extra legroom, foldable tables, allocated seating, foldable armrests, and headrests.
Tickets for the HHR vary by route and class. Economy fares start as low as SAR 34 for short trips (e.g., Jeddah Airport to Makkah) and go up to around SAR 173 for longer routes (e.g., Makkah to Madinah). Business class tickets are costlier, with prices like SAR 78 for Jeddah Airport to Makkah and around SAR 362 for Makkah to Madinah. Discounts are available: children get 40–50% off, infants about 90% off, and passengers with special needs get 50% off.
Baggage policies allow passengers to bring one large piece of luggage (up to 25 kg and 65 x 55 x 35 cm) and one small personal item such as a backpack, laptop bag, or purse. All baggage undergoes security screening, and overhead shelves and designated racks are available on board for storage.
Across all stations, passengers will find spacious halls, retail shops, restaurants, cafés, prayer rooms, parking areas and taxi stands, car rentals, luggage trolleys, wheelchair accessibility, shuttle buses linking key locations, ticket offices, ticket vending machines, and information desks for passenger assistance.
Station facilities include:
- King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Station serves the economic city and visitors near King Abdullah Port.
- Al-Sulimaniyah (Jeddah) Station is a major transport hub in Jeddah, about 20 km from King Abdulaziz Airport.
- Makkah Station is located 3.5 km from Masjid Al-Haram and has design elements reflecting the Kiswa cloth.
- Madinah Station is near the city centre, inspired by the Prophet's Mosque colours and Islamic patterns.
- Airport (Jeddah) Station is inside King Abdulaziz International Airport, offering seamless connections to buses, taxis, and parking.
Tickets can be purchased online via the official railway website, at station counters, or vending machines. Payment supports credit and debit cards, and the booking process requires personal ID or travel document details.
Each train has a cafeteria located in the fifth coach, providing passengers with a variety of food and drink options.
In summary, the Haramain High-Speed Railway offers competitive pricing with class and route-based fares, thoughtful baggage allowances, and well-equipped, passenger-friendly stations, making it a convenient and affordable travel option in Saudi Arabia.
- The Haramain High-Speed Railway also provides services for business travelers, offering spacious and premium seating with additional features like adjustable seats, extra legroom, and allocated seating.
- In addition to providing fast travel times, the Haramain High-Speed Railway offers a wide range of facilities, including retail shops, restaurants, and cafes at each station, catering to the needs of passengers during their journey.
- The food options on the train include a cafeteria located in the fifth coach, offering a variety of food and drink choices for passengers to enjoy during their travel.
- Passengers can find various options for transportation at the stations, such as taxis, car rentals, and shuttle buses, providing a seamless travel experience from the railway to their final destinations.
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