Overview

The Haramain high-speed network in Saudi Arabia is a 444km rail link between the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina, travelling via via Jeddah, Rabigh and King Abdullah Economic City. It is being built to reduce road traffic to Mecca and Medina, especially during the busy pilgrimage season.

Trains will stop at up to seven stations along the route. Stations include two in Mecca (one near the grand mosque, the other on the city outskirts), two in Jeddah (at the airport and in the city centre), one in Rabigh and one in Medina, about 3km from the Holy Mosque. Up to 100 trains a day will run on the line.

Journey times on the 72 km long Jeddah-Mecca route will be 30 minutes, while the 372 km Jeddah to Medina section will take two hours.

Phase 1: Package 2 of the Haramain High-Speed Rail Network covers the stations, which are being developed on a public procurement basis. That includes:

• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Structures
• Communications
• Ticketing
• Fire protection
• Lifts and escalators
• Power supply

The stations at Mecca and Medina will comprise:

• Concourses
• 5 platforms
• Mosque (for 600 people)
• Civil defence stations
• 1 helipad
• 10 Terminals
• Short and long-term parking facilities
• VIP lounges
• Shops
• Restaurants and cafes

The stations will also be linked to the public transport system in each city.

The project was previously known as the Mecca-Medina Rail Link.