Last checked: 9 October 2026, against the official Haramain High Speed Railway (HHR) website. Rules and station hours can change — always confirm on the official site before you travel.
The Haramain High Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City and Madinah, and it has a station inside King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. For many Umrah travellers it is the quickest way to move between the two Holy Cities. This guide explains how Haramain train tickets work — where to book, what the change and cancellation rules are, which station to use and what luggage you can bring — so you can plan the train legs of your trip with fewer surprises.
If you are still deciding between the train and a car, our comparison guides for Jeddah Airport to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah by train or road go through the trade-offs route by route.
Where to book Haramain train tickets
Tickets are sold through the official HHR website (sar.hhr.sa) and the official HHR mobile app. The website has a “Book a seat” option for new bookings and a “Manage my bookings” area for changes. Book through these official channels rather than unofficial resellers, so that any change or refund can be handled directly with HHR.
What the ticket price depends on
ZiyaraWay does not publish train fares. HHR states that its ticket prices and conditions are published in advance and may be modified at any time, so the only reliable price is the one shown on the official booking page for your date, route and class. There are two classes, Economy and Business, and the class you choose also affects the change and cancellation fees described below.
Tickets are personal
- Tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the person named on the ticket.
- Carry your ticket and a personal identification document — HHR staff may ask to see both.
- Children under 12 must travel with an adult and need a valid ticket. Children under 2 also hold a valid ticket but without an assigned seat; they share the adult’s seat.
- Check that the date on your ticket is right: HHR uses Gregorian dates on all issued tickets.
Changing or cancelling a ticket
Changes and refunds can be made on the HHR website and mobile app. Fees are a percentage of the ticket price and depend on the class and on how close to departure you make the change. At the time of checking, the official tickets page listed:
| Time before departure | Change — Economy | Change — Business | Cancel — Economy | Cancel — Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| More than 24 hours | 10% | Free | 20% | Free |
| 24 hours to 20 minutes | 20% | 10% | 50% | 35% |
| Less than 20 minutes | No changes allowed | No changes allowed | No changes allowed | No changes allowed |
HHR also states that a full refund is only due if HHR cancels the trip, and that a ticket becomes invalid without refund if you do not reach the train before departure. If your flight times are uncertain, it is worth leaving a generous margin between landing and your train.
The five Haramain stations
Choosing the right station matters, because the official rules do not allow you to travel to a station other than the one on your ticket. According to HHR’s station pages:
- Makkah — in the Ar Rusayfah district, about 3.5 km from Masjid al-Haram. You will still need a car or taxi for the last part of the journey to your hotel.
- Airport – Jeddah — built into the main terminal building at King Abdulaziz International Airport, with a transport hub linking the terminal to buses, shuttles, taxis and car parking.
- Al-Sulimaniyah – Jeddah — the city station, in the An Nassim district, about 20 km from the airport.
- King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) — at the Hejaz Gate of KAEC.
- Madinah — in the Al Hadra district of Madinah.
At the time of checking, HHR listed daily operating hours of 06:30–00:30 for the Makkah, Airport and Madinah stations, and 07:30–23:30 for KAEC. Train departure times are separate — use the official timetable on the HHR website for your travel date.
Neither the Makkah nor the Madinah station is next to the Haram, so plan the onward leg in advance. For arrival-day planning in Madinah, see our Madinah Airport to hotel guide and our checklist for choosing a hotel near Masjid an-Nabawi.
Luggage rules on the Haramain train
HHR’s baggage page allows each passenger:
- one large piece of luggage up to 25 kg, with dimensions up to 65 × 55 × 35 cm, and
- one extra hand item, such as a backpack, laptop bag, camera bag, purse or nursery bag.
Every seat has an overhead shelf for hand luggage, and there are luggage racks for large cases. HHR notes that rack space can be hard to find in peak seasons, so travelling lighter helps. Luggage goes through a security check before you board, and laptops must pass through the X-ray scanner.
Items you cannot take on board
The official list of prohibited items includes explosive, flammable, corrosive and poisonous materials, firearms and ammunition (including toy weapons), compressed containers such as large lighters or gas cylinders, sharp tools such as knives, drills and large scissors, and jewellery, gold or cash worth more than SR 60,000. Only small drinks in their original sealed packaging may be carried, and food must be tightly packaged inside your luggage.
Families travelling with Zamzam water or several suitcases should check these limits before deciding on the train. Our Umrah packing list has more practical packing tips.
On the day of travel
- Arrive early. HHR states that ticket offices close 20 minutes before departure and boarding gates close 10 minutes before departure.
- Sit in your allocated seat. Coach and seat numbers are on your ticket, and you must stay in that seat for the whole journey.
- Label your bags with your name and contact details.
- Need assistance? HHR offers wheelchair assistance in its stations. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, and one companion on the same trip, can receive a 50% ticket discount when they hold the official ID card issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; the card is needed when booking and boarding.
- No smoking anywhere in stations or trains, and animals cannot be carried.
Train or private transfer?
The train is fast between stations, but you still need to get from your hotel to the station and from the destination station to your next hotel — often with luggage, children or elderly relatives. A private car goes door to door on your schedule and has no luggage-rack limits. Many travellers mix both: the train for the long intercity leg and a car for the station transfers.
ZiyaraWay arranges airport transfers, Makkah–Madinah transfers and other private transport in Makkah and Madinah. Standard fares for common routes are listed on our transport rates page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Haramain train ticket for someone else?
You can book for other travellers, but each ticket is personal and non-transferable — it can only be used by the person named on it, who must carry identification.
Is there a Haramain station at Jeddah airport?
Yes. HHR’s Airport – Jeddah station is part of the main terminal building at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
How much luggage can I take on the Haramain train?
One large piece up to 25 kg and 65 × 55 × 35 cm, plus one hand item, according to HHR’s baggage rules at the time of checking.
Sources
- HHR — Tickets (issuing, change, cancellation and refund conditions) — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR — General Terms — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR — Baggage — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR — Restrictions — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR — Travel tips — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR — Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility — accessed 9 October 2026
- HHR station pages: Makkah, Airport – Jeddah, Al-Sulimaniyah – Jeddah, KAEC, Madinah — accessed 9 October 2026
Featured image: AI Visualization / Illustration — not a photograph.