Saudi Arabia adds 400,000 seats on Haramain Railway for Hajj 2025
New transport, aviation, and port plans revealed for this pilgrimage season
DUBAI: In preparation for Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has expanded the Haramain High-Speed Railway’s capacity by 400,000 seats, bringing the total to nearly two million.
This 25 percent increase reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to streamline pilgrim transportation while ensuring safety, efficiency, and comfort during the sacred journey.
From Dhul Qada 1 (April 29) until Dhul Hijjah 20, the Haramain service will operate 4,768 trips across its 453-kilometre route, which connects Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah’s Sulaymaniyyah Station, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. The high-speed network, capable of reaching 300 km/h, covers the distance between the holy cities in around two hours, reducing road congestion and offering a cleaner alternative with zero carbon emissions.
High-speed network
With a fleet of 35 trains, each accommodating 417 passengers, the Haramain service stands among the world’s top ten fastest trains. SAR’s operations are integrated into the wider Hajj transport strategy, which also includes metro services, buses, flights, and port entries—collectively enabling the movement of millions of domestic and international pilgrims.
Saudi authorities have also arranged 25,000 buses for ground transport, while the Al Mashair Metro will run 2,000 trips, targeting over two million passengers between holy sites. In the aviation sector, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has allocated three million flight seats for the season. Saudia alone is operating 2,000 flights, offering one million seats.
To accommodate sea arrivals, 436 Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) personnel have been stationed at Jeddah Islamic Port, managing the smooth entry of over 5,000 seaborne pilgrims.
In line with stricter policies introduced this year, Saudi authorities have warned of serious penalties for unauthorised pilgrims. Individuals found performing Hajj without permits face fines between SAR 10,000 and 100,000, possible jail terms, deportation, and a 10-year ban from re-entry.
Pilgrim arrivals
As of early May, over 14,600 Pakistani government-sponsored pilgrims had already arrived in Madinah via 69 flights, with thousands more scheduled in the following days. Under the current plan, 39,717 Pakistani pilgrims will land directly in Madinah before proceeding to Makkah in phases. Hajj visas for nearly 98 per cent of Pakistanis have been issued, while the remainder are in the final stages of clearance.
In Bangladesh, more than 2,200 pilgrims have departed for Saudi Arabia, with national carrier Biman and Saudia operating joint flights. Pre-Hajj flights began on April 29 and are set to conclude by May 31. Return flights will begin on June 10. Pilgrims from Bangladesh have also been issued pre-paid Hajj cards and mobile SIMs with roaming services. A new mobile app, Labbaik, is also helping with navigation and access to essential services.
Meanwhile, the first groups of pilgrims from China and Iran have been received at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. The Saudi Passports Directorate has equipped entry points with advanced systems and multilingual staff to fast-track clearance.
However, in India, over 42,000 pilgrims are expected to miss the Hajj this year due to a significant reduction in the private Hajj operator quota. Following government negotiations, only 10,000 pilgrims under private management will be accommodated – well below the initial quota of 52,000.
As the Hajj season intensifies, the Kingdom’s multi-agency coordination, technology integration, and increased transport infrastructure aim to provide a seamless, dignified, and spiritually enriching experience for millions of pilgrims.