🚄 Haramain High Speed Railway
The fast, comfortable, air-conditioned way between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah. Trains run at up to 300 km/h, and for the Makkah–Madinah journey the train beats the road comfortably on both time and stress.
| Journey | Typical time | Indicative economy fare |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah ⇄ Jeddah (Sulaymaniyah) | ≈ 30 min | from about SAR 40–65 |
| Makkah ⇄ KAIA Airport (Jeddah) | ≈ 35–40 min | from about SAR 40–70 |
| Jeddah ⇄ Madinah | ≈ 1 hr 45 min | from about SAR 100–150 |
| Makkah ⇄ Madinah | ≈ 2 hr 15 – 2 hr 30 | from about SAR 130–200 |
Business class typically runs roughly double economy. Fares move with demand and season — treat these as a planning range, not a quote.
The five stations
| Station | Where it is |
|---|---|
| Makkah | Rusaifah district, roughly 5–7 km from the Haram — about 15 minutes by taxi |
| Jeddah — Sulaymaniyah | Central Jeddah |
| King Abdulaziz Airport (KAIA) | Connected to Jeddah airport — you can land and board |
| KAEC | King Abdullah Economic City, between Jeddah and Madinah |
| Madinah | Knowledge Economic City, roughly 10–15 minutes from the Prophet's Mosque |
The airport station is the one most pilgrims underuse. Landing at Jeddah and taking the train straight to Makkah avoids the road entirely.
Practical tips for the train
- Book ahead in season. During Ramadan and around Hajj, trains sell out days in advance. Outside those periods you can often buy on the day.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early. There are security checks and the stations are large.
- Luggage. Generous allowances by airline standards, but there's a limit on pieces and size — check when booking. Zamzam containers have their own rules.
- Ihram on the train is normal. If you're travelling Madinah → Makkah for Umrah, you enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah before boarding, not at the station.
- Factor in the taxi at both ends. Neither Makkah nor Madinah station is walkable from the mosque. Budget about 15 minutes and a short fare each side — see the fare calculator.
🚌 Intercity coaches (SAPTCO)
SAPTCO is the national coach operator. It is the cheapest way between cities by a wide margin, and the slowest. If budget is the binding constraint, this is your option.
| Route | Typical time | Indicative fare |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah ⇄ Jeddah | ≈ 1 hr 30 | about SAR 25–35 |
| Makkah ⇄ Madinah | ≈ 5–6 hr | about SAR 70–100 |
| Makkah ⇄ Taif | ≈ 2 hr | about SAR 30–40 |
| Makkah ⇄ Riyadh | ≈ 10–12 hr | about SAR 150–200 |
Coaches are air-conditioned and make prayer stops. Bring your own food and water — the stops are brief.
🚍 Getting around Makkah
🚌 City buses
Makkah has a growing public bus network linking the main residential districts — Aziziyah, Shisha, Rusaifah, Kudai — to the Haram area. Cheap, air-conditioned, and much better value than taxis for routine trips.
🅿️ Haram shuttle buses
Free and paid shuttles run between the big hotel districts and the Haram's outer gates, especially around prayer times. Most large hotels run their own — ask at reception before you pay for a taxi.
🚕 Taxis & ride apps
Plentiful, mostly negotiated rather than metered. Know the rough rate before you agree.
Fare calculator🚶 Walking
Honestly the best option within about 2 km of the Haram, and often faster than a car after prayers. Walkways are wide and well lit. Avoid midday in summer.
🛬 Jeddah airport → Makkah
| Option | Time | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haramain train from the airport station | ≈ 35–40 min | SAR 40–70 pp | Speed and certainty; light luggage |
| Taxi / ride app | 1 hr – 1 hr 30 | SAR 150–300 per car | Groups, lots of bags, door to door |
| SAPTCO / shared coach | 1 hr 30 – 2 hr | SAR 25–50 pp | Tight budgets |
| Agency transfer | Varies — often waits for the whole group | Included in package | Package travellers; can mean a long wait |
🛣️ Going on to Madinah?
Train, bus, car and plane compared properly — including what to do about Ihram if you're coming back for a second Umrah.
Makkah → Madinah guide