Do you know It is just 54 minutes on the Haramain Train and that starts at Jeddah Airport to Makkah?
Instead of travelling by taxi negotiations and overcrowded buses, this bullet train moves at speeds of up to 300 km/h and can be termed as the best mode of transport to be used by pilgrims and other tourists staying in Saudi Arabia. You can travel by train from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. The journey is easy and not so expensive, the price of the Economy Class is only $9.80 (34.50 Saudi Riyals) and the Business Class is only $14.60 (54.63 Saudi Riyals).Moreover, the Haramain Train has filled more and more people since the time it was opened to the mass media, on October 11, 2018, due to the comfort that it offers, with screens, tables, and possibility of reclining. This part alone will take a good 2 30 hours and in case you have a greater calling than just visiting Makkah, you will be happy to learn that the train leads further to Medina.In this travel guide, we are going to tell you all about the Jeddah Airport to Makkah train – how to locate the station, the schedule and how to make your journey essential. Pardon me! Let us begin!
Step 1: Arriving at Jeddah Airport and Reaching the Train Station
Where Haramain train station in the airport is located
Haramain High Speed Train Station is wisely placed near the King Abdulaziz international Airport at an Edge of Jeddah. Although it is generally referred to as the King Abdulaziz International Airport Station, it is contained in the Main Airport Terminal Building.. The place is strategically located and thus very convenient to those travelers who arrive in the country by air and would like to proceed further by train to Makkah. Visitors who have never been there before need to seek any clear directions so that they can find their way to the train station or get assistance from airport officials.
The documentation and clothing you have to have before taking off
Make sure you present the right papers before getting into the train in between Jeddah and Makkah:
- Valid passport or national ID (with Saudi nationals)
- International visa ( international travelers)
- Train tickets (when bought in advance)
Moreover, in case you intend to visit Makkah do not forget that you need to wear proper clothes. The people going to make direct performing Umrah should be in their Ihram clothes since it is not just a religious condition but also a prerequisite in the event that you want to utilize the free shuttle services.
The availability of free shuttle and its users
King Abdulaziz International Airport also gives free shuttle services to pilgrims. They are buses, which run every two hours between 10 AM and 10 PM each and every day. The following is how to use this free service:
1 . Go to hall 1 in the aquarium on the first floor of the terminal.
2. Obtain shuttle ticket reservation office at the fishpond
3. Produce your ID/ passport and check you are in Ihram clothes
4. Wait to embark on the next destined trip to Masjid al-Haram
The service is to be provided exclusively to performers of the Hajj and Umrah who have acquired the Umrah booking using the program of the Nusuk or Tawakkalna application. The busses operate between the bus station of the King Abdulaziz International Airport to the KDE station, and lastly to the station of King Abdulaziz Endowment that is about 4.0 kilometers to Kaaba.
Step 2: Booking Your Haramain Train Ticket
It is also easy to get the ticket of a Jeddah Airport train to Makkah with favorable choices. Going through the process of reserving your seat on this high-speed service, allow me to take you through the process.
Online/station booking how to do it
Haramain train is a reservation train, that is to say, you have to buy a ticket before going anywhere. The main options that you can book are:
Website Reservation – the easiest and cheapest way to make a reservation is via the official Haramain Train website or via their smart phone application (HHR Train). Make your payment and either print out your ticket or store it with your mobile phone.
Station counter A good option is buying your ticket at the ticket office of any Haramain station, but this attracts an extra charge of 15 SAR.
Self service machines – This is available at the smaller 5 SAR fee service station.
Telephone reservation – Call the customer service at 920004433 ( 15 SAR will be charged).
Things to remember are that ticket sales end 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time with all sales channels.
Getting the best price Tips
As far as pricing tactics is concerned, take into consideration the following cost-cutting tactics:
It is possible to book online to get rid of service fees incurred at stations or by phone.
Buy the tickets ahead of schedule, especially the peak seasons and the religious holidays.
Enquire about promotional offers that can be generated at such special times.
Compare prices at different times of days as the fares may be different at various times of a day.
Difference between Economy and Business tickets: what does it mean?
There are two different seating choices on the train:
Economy Class:
- Spacious seating with 37 seat pitch
- Power sockets
- Availability of prayer places
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Cafeteria coach access
Business Class has all the Economy features as well as:
- More roomy seating with 44 Seat pitch
- Free beverages and food Free drinks and food
- First rate entry
- Priority boarding
- Better comfort level
The Economy fares start at about 63.68 SAR (including VAT), whereas the Business Class is approximately 142.34 SAR. The two classes are highly comfortable to the brief 54 minutes trip between Makkah and Jeddah.
Step 3: Boarding the Haramain Train and What to Expect
Once you have booked your ticket, what you have to do next is get ready to ride the Jeddah Airport to Makkah train. Although the process is efficient, it needs a few things considered.
Board and security check Security checks and boarding process
At Haramain all stations give priority to security. Once in the airport, passengers need to be subjected to a critical security check including baggage check and metal search. I advise you to come at least 30 minutes earlier in respect to the time you have set in order to do these procedures. If it is a busy time of going to Hajj or completing an Umrah, then by all means it is best to be one hour early.
All people will be obliged to go through access gates in order to validate their tickets. Bear in mind that such gates are closed 10 minutes prior to train departure hence they should be careful in not being late. There are security officers placed all over in order to keep everything under control and in case of any inquiries.
Schedule and tracks of trains
Haramain Train runs daily between 6:00AM to 11:00PM and between Jeddah and Makkah this service takes place once in every 1-2 hours. Electronic boards situated all over the station will give the directions you need to get to your platform.
It is planned that between Jeddah and Makkah there will be 7-8 trains daily with the first one leaving at 6.15 AM. The trip lasts about 45-50 minutes as it is much faster in comparison with the use of roads.
Cabin services and accommodations
After boarding, you will be impressed by the fact that the train provides you comfortable stay at both classes:
Economy class has 304 seats which have the comforts of:
- Tables and armrests that fold up
- Reading lights and power outlets (240V)
- Reserved seats where headrests have been provided
Business class offers 113 high quality seats (two of them are designated to passengers with special needs) and also includes such additional functions as adjustable chairs, extra space in knees and video displays.
The fifth coach is a cafeteria in each train offering food and drinks. The business class passengers are regularly served with free drinks, whereas economy class passengers have the chance to buy things through trolley service or take a ride to the dining car.
In terms of baggage, the travellers can carry a single large suitcase (with the weight of 25kg) and one hand baggage. These items are stored in overhead storage and shelf stacks at various locations of the train.
Step 4: Arriving in Makkah and Next Steps
When your Haramain train comes to Makkah station you are entering the most important phase of your holy journey. Suppose I explain to you what will occur.
The duration of the travel By
The distance between the Jeddah Airport and the Makkah is at about 78-80 kilometers and it takes only 21 minutes by train with even some completing the train journey in 35 minutes. It saves a lot of time on travel distance as compared to road transport, which may be very erratic owing to the traffic flows. In addition, the train has a maximum speed of 300 km/h making it the fastest train in the Middle East.
How to reach Masjid al-Haram by Makkah station
Al-Rusayfah is the district where the Haramain station in Makkah is situated, 3.5 kilometers away on foot of the mosque of Haram. It is possible to reach holy mosque in a number of convenient ways:
Free shuttle buses: Bus 7A is a free bus that serves the station. Once you have gotten out of the train platform (it is a short walk to get out because the station is big) keep an eye out on the shuttle bus stop. These buses bring people to Hilton Suites that is a walking distance to Haram.
Taxis and ride services: These services are easily available outside the station to directly take the person to Masjid al-Haram.
Private transports: There are car hire services at the station to those individuals who want to be independent.
The station itself provides great facilities, such as prayer, restaurants, shops and the people with disabilities facilities.
The station is well equipped with good facilities such as prayer space, restaurants, shops and special accommodations to people with disabilities.
The possible return destinations to Jeddah or Medina
To get back you may purchase tickets in the same process as the outbound one. The trains between the cities of Makkah and Jeddah depart about 30 times daily between 6:55AM and 10:55 PM.
When you are going to grant pilgrimage to Madinah, there is a convenient connection, the Haramain train. The total distance covered between Makkah and Madinah is around 450 kilometers which takes an estimate of 2 hours and 30 minutes. This path goes through Jeddah and the King Abdullah Economic City which implies a quick pilgrim tour of both sacred cities instead of renting a separate transportation.
Conclusion
Haramain Train is the most effective means of transport between the Jeddah Airport and Makkah that can save your valuable time on the way to your pilgrimage trip. In this guide, we have gone through each and every detail of this modern means of transport – the whereabouts of the station in King Abdulaziz International Airport up to when one gets in Masjid al-Haram on landing at Makkah.
It is certain that the train has a number of benefits in comparison with the conventional transport methods by road. The first on the list of its advantages is the speed because the 78-kilometer ride can last between 21-35 minutes, depending on the speed, up to 300 kilometers per hour. The service also offers comfort with well equipped Economy and Business cabins, transparent pricing model and frequent departures all through the day.
The difference is big when one plans ahead when using the Haramain Train. Online bookings help you to save money and time, and the security check will be stress free in case you get there at least 30 minutes before departure.
Key Takeaways
To be able to connect the Jeddah Airport and the Makkah the Haramain Train offers an opportunity to travel in the quickest and the most convenient way and to transform a potentially stressful trip to a comfortable process of pilgrimage.
• Lightning travel: At speeds up to 300km/hr, the high-speed train travels 78km in a matter of 21-35 minutes, and this is remarkably faster compared to the road transport.
• Reserve online to save: Reservations made online also evade the 15 SAR service fees incurred at the stations or when making phone bookings and an Economy ticket ticket begins at 9.80.
• Be there half an hour before departure: It takes time to go through the security checks and validate tickets and the gates open 10 minutes before departure to board this reservations-only service.
• Complimentary shuttle to Haram: bus 7a shuttle is available free of charge with the provision of the journey from Makkah station to a walking distance in Masjid al-Haram.
• To Medina: The train goes all the way to Medina (2.5 hours), which makes it a good fit to those pilgrims who come to both holy cities.
As an Umrah and a Hajj pilgrim, one does not have to worry about how to get to your destination, especially since this new rail service will provide you with the ultimate support you need in going through your spiritual journey. Speed, comfort and affordability are its major advantages that make them the favorite to ordinary taxis or buses.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best method to get Haramain Train station in Jeddah Airport?
Haramain Train station is very conveniently located at King Abdulaziz International Airport at Main Airport Terminal Building. You can follow the signs or inquire at the staff at the airport to know how to get to the train station.
Q2. What is the fare of a Haramain Train to Makkah in Jeddah?
Depending on the time of travelling and a category, prices of the tickets are dependent.. Economy Class fare begins at approximately 63.68 SAR (including VAT), whereas, Business Class fare is initiated by the price of approximately 142.34 SAR.
Q3. What is the minimum time that I should be at the train station in order to leave?
To avail of the time to go through the machine to ensure there are no security problems, it is advisable to get to your point of outgoing at least 30 minutes before your designated time of departure is due. During rush times such as Hajj or Umrah schedule one hour earlier.
Q4. Does Makkah station have train between Masjid al-Haram and shuttle services?
Yes, it has a free shuttle bus service( bus number 7A) which runs between Makkah station to close to Masjid al-Haram. The bus takes the passengers to Hilton Suites that is a few walking steps to the holy mosque.
Q5. Is it possible to buy Haramain Train tickets on departure date?
Although one can buy tickets on the same day at the station, it is strongly advised that one should book a ticket in advance, particularly in the busy periods. The benefit of booking 3-4 days in advance is that you have a ticket and you do not pay extra service costs on buying ticket at the station.