Haramain Train in Jeddah: Both Stations, Booking and Luggage Rules

The Haramain High Speed Railway has two stations in Jeddah: the KAIA Airport station inside Terminal 1 in the north, and Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah station on Haramain Road in the An Naseem district, closer to the city centre. Trains run to Makkah in about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes from the KAIA Airport station and about 25 to 45 minutes from Al Sulaymaniyah, and to Madinah in under two hours. Each passenger may bring one bag up to 25 kg plus one small hand item, and gates close 10 minutes before departure. Choose your Jeddah stay by which station you will use most.

For many visitors, the Haramain train is the backbone of a Jeddah trip. Pilgrims use it to reach Makkah for Umrah and Madinah for a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque, then return to Jeddah to rest. Families and business travellers use it to avoid the long road to Makkah.

This guide explains both Jeddah stations, how to book, what you can carry and how to plan your stay around the station you will use. It is written by Best Trip Hotels, which runs serviced apartments across Jeddah, including Best Trip City Zone, about 8 minutes from the airport station. Our reception teams help train travellers with timing and luggage every week.

The Two Haramain Stations in Jeddah

Jeddah is the only city on the line with two stations. They serve different parts of the city and different kinds of trip.

Journey times come from House of Saud (April 2026) and Wego (October 2026). They vary by service and number of stops, so check your ticket.

KAIA Airport station

The airport station sits inside Terminal 1 and is linked to the main line by a 3.75 km branch. You can step off a flight, follow the “Train Station” signs and be on your way to Makkah without leaving the airport. House of Saud notes that trains from the airport station run from about midday to late evening, so very early arrivals may need to wait or use another route.

If your airline has moved to another terminal, allow time to get to Terminal 1 first. Our guide to Jeddah airport terminals explains which airlines use which building.

Jeddah Al Sulaymaniyah station

Al Sulaymaniyah is the city station. It sits on Haramain Road in the An Naseem district, on the eastern side of central Jeddah. Taxis and ride apps wait outside, and a Jeddah Transport Company bus has linked the station with Al Balad, passing through Al Baghdadiyah, King Abdulaziz University and Al Salam Mall. When it launched in November 2022, it ran 42 trips a day for SAR 3.45 one way, though timings and fares may have changed since.

For most visitors staying in central, east or south Jeddah, this is the more convenient station.

Where the Trains Go

The line links four main destinations with Jeddah:

• Makkah: The Makkah station is in Al Rusaifah. From there, a taxi or ride app to the Haram area usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, according to HalalBooking.
• Madinah: About 1 hour 40 minutes from Jeddah, according to House of Saud.
• King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC): A short ride north of Jeddah, useful for business visitors and day trips.
• Between the two Jeddah stations: House of Saud suggests riding one stop between Al Sulaymaniyah and KAIA instead of taking a taxi, if a suitable service runs at your time.

If you are planning Umrah from a Jeddah base, our guide to staying in Jeddah for Umrah compares the cost and time of commuting with staying in Makkah.

Booking Your Ticket

Book through the official Haramain website at sar.hhr.sa or the official app. House of Saud warns that buying tickets at the station is risky for international visitors, as trains often sell out.

When to book

Book early for Ramadan, school holidays, weekends and the Umrah peak. House of Saud reports that booking three or more weeks ahead can save up to 27%. For the last ten nights of Ramadan, book as soon as sales open.

Classes and fares

The train has economy and business classes. House of Saud lists these starting fares in April 2026:

Fares change with demand and are typically higher during Hajj and Ramadan, so treat these as a guide and check the official site for your date.

Changes and cancellations

House of Saud reports a cancellation fee of 35% of the fare before departure. Rules can change, so read the conditions on sar.hhr.sa before you pay, especially if your Umrah permit time or flight is not yet fixed.

Luggage Rules on the Haramain Train

Luggage is where many families run into trouble, so plan it before you leave your accommodation.

What you can carry

The Haramain train announced in August 2021 that each passenger in economy and business may bring:

• One bag up to 25 kg, measuring no more than 65 × 55 × 35 cm.
• One small handbag carried inside the train.

House of Saud adds that there is no excess luggage service, and oversized items may be refused at the gate.

Zamzam water

Some booking guides report that only officially sealed Zamzam bottles are accepted, and that extra items may need to go through cargo services where available. Rules can change, so check with the operator before you travel with Zamzam.

A practical tip

If you are heading to Makkah for a day or two and coming back to Jeddah, leave your large suitcases at your Jeddah accommodation and travel light. At Best Trip Hotels, guests often keep their apartment while they go to Makkah, so their main luggage stays safely in the unit. For longer trips with several train journeys, a monthly stay often works out better than nightly rates, and our guide on how monthly apartment stays work in Saudi Arabia explains what is included.

Timing: Arriving at the Station

Travel procedures begin about 60 minutes before departure, and gates close 10 minutes before the train leaves, according to the 2021 operator announcement. House of Saud advises arriving 60 minutes early, or 90 minutes in peak periods.

Work backwards from your departure time:

1. Allow time for your ride to the station, plus traffic.
2. Allow 60 to 90 minutes at the station for security, ticket and baggage checks.
3. Have your ticket and ID ready on your phone.
4. Be at the gate well before it closes.

At Best Trip Hotels, our 24-hour reception is there for early departures and can advise on traffic, so you do not miss an early train.

Which Station Is Closer to Your Stay?

The right station depends entirely on where you are staying.

City Zone’s figure comes from our own property page. The other times are estimates in normal traffic and can be longer at peak hours. Families who prefer more space in the south can read our guide to south Jeddah districts, which covers Al Ajaweed and Prince Fawaz.

Staying near the airport station

North Jeddah suits travellers who fly in and take the train straight away, or who want the shortest ride back to Terminal 1 before a flight. Our An Nuzhah, Jeddah guide covers what the district offers. Best Trip Paris is also in An Nuzhah, within walking distance of Mall of Arabia.

Staying near Al Sulaymaniyah

Central and east Jeddah suit travellers who will use the train several times during their stay. Best Trip Istanbul in Al Rawabi is one of our monthly properties on this side of the city. Our Al Rawabi, Jeddah guide explains supermarkets, clinics and commute times in the area.

Train Tips for Umrah Families

Families travelling with children and older parents can make train days much easier with a little planning.

Book seats together and in the same class, as it is harder to rearrange on board. Pack a small day bag with water, snacks, medicines and ihram items if needed, and leave everything else at your accommodation. Agree a meeting point at the station in case anyone gets separated in the crowd.

On the Makkah side, the station is in Al Rusaifah, not next to the Haram. Plan the taxi or ride-app leg from the station to the Haram, and back again, as part of your timing.

Finally, keep your Nusuk permit times in mind. Your train should arrive in Makkah with enough margin before your Umrah slot, especially in Ramadan.

Arriving Back in Jeddah

After a long day in Makkah or Madinah, a quick, simple return makes all the difference. Book your return train before you leave Jeddah if you can, and save your accommodation address in Arabic and English on your phone for the driver.

When you check in for the first time, every adult needs a valid original ID. Our guide to hotel check-in requirements in Saudi Arabia explains what to bring.

Plan Your Train Trips From a Best Trip Hotels Base

The Haramain train is fast, but your trip is only as easy as the place you return to. At Best Trip Hotels, we help train travellers choose the right side of the city, keep luggage safe while they visit Makkah or Madinah, and plan the ride to the station at any hour.

• For the airport station: Best Trip City Zone in An Nuzhah, about 8 minutes away, our monthly property with full kitchens and a washing machine on request. Best Trip Paris, also in An Nuzhah, for shorter stays.
• For Al Sulaymaniyah: Best Trip Istanbul in Al Rawabi, our monthly property on the east side, and Al Andalus Tolen, Marsilia and Milano across central and south Jeddah.
• At every branch: 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, free parking and luggage storage, with check-in from 3 PM and check-out by 2 PM.

Rates for our daily properties change with the season, demand and length of stay, and they move up and down during Ramadan, school holidays and the Umrah peak. Monthly terms for City Zone and Istanbul are agreed directly with each property. Check the property page or our booking engine for your dates, or browse all our serviced apartments in Jeddah and book direct.

Frequently Asked Questions