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300 km/h to the Holy City: A Journey on the Haramain High-Speed Railway.

 Since the inception of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, it was a dream of mine to experience this "bullet train" of the desert. While a trip to Madinah wasn't possible due to work schedules, my colleague Nawaz and I decided a trip to Makkah was the perfect alternative.

We realized just in time that the inaugural 50% discount offer was ending, so we booked our tickets immediately. We chose the Business Class—a steal at just 26 Riyals (compared to 21 Riyals for Economy)—for the 10:22 AM departure from Jeddah.

The Gateway: Jeddah Sulaymaniyah Station

The Haramain Railway is a 450-km long high-tech corridor connecting Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Rabigh using advanced Chinese rail technology.

We arrived at the Sulaymaniyah Station in Jeddah via taxi. The sheer scale and modernity of the station were staggering. From the moment we stepped out of the taxi, the service was seamless. After a quick ticket check, we were ushered to the upper level via lifts. The security and luggage screening mirrored that of an international airport. The waiting lounge was vast and featured an Al-Baik outlet (serving snacks and drinks), managed by a polite team of young Saudi men and women.

Life at 200 km/h

Precisely at 10:22 AM, the sleek, silver train glided into the station. Stepping inside felt like boarding a luxury aircraft. Our Business Class cabin featured:

  • Spacious Seating: Ergonomic chairs with ample legroom.

  • Large Viewports: Massive glass windows to observe the landscape.

  • Infotainment: Personal monitors for videos and information.

  • Digital Displays: Large screens showing the route and current speed.

As we accelerated out of Jeddah, the urban landscape gave way to the rugged beauty of the desert and mountains. Thanks to recent rains, a thin veil of green covered the hills—a rare and beautiful sight. We watched herds of goats and camels grazing on the desert grass from our elevated tracks. During our leg, the train maintained a smooth speed of 200 km/h, making the journey feel effortless.

Arrival in the Holy City

As we approached Makkah, the train began to decelerate well in advance. We pulled into the Makkah station at exactly 11:00 AM. While the Makkah station is massive and spread across a single expansive level, it had a distinct architectural feel compared to the multi-level Jeddah hub.

One interesting observation: the train is bi-directional, with "engines" at both ends, allowing it to reverse course without turning around.

The Final Leg to the Haram

Exiting the station, we were greeted by organized counters for taxis and the Haram Shuttle Bus. We purchased a shuttle ticket for just 3 Riyals and boarded one of the many brand-new luxury buses waiting outside.

The bus dropped us near the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). After performing Tawaf and offering the Dhuhr prayers, we took a taxi back to Jeddah, reaching home by 2:00 PM. What used to be a long commute is now a swift, world-class experience.

Trip at a Glance:

  • Route: Jeddah (Sulaymaniyah) to Makkah.

  • Duration: ~43 minutes.

  • Top Speed: Up to 300 km/h (Reached 200 km/h on this leg).

  • Cost: 26 SAR (Business Class - Promo Rate).

  • Pro Tip: Book through the HHR Train app or website to catch promotional fares and ensure seat availability.

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