Want to perform Umrah this Ramadan and then go to Madinah? Good news for you because the Haramain line is getting more trains.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has decided to expand the current fleet and has ordered a whopping 20 new Haramain trains.
Operating between the two holy cities with three stops along the way, these trains are meant to increase passenger capacity to over 30 million users yearly.
First reported by the Saudi Gazette, the trains will be bought from a Spanish manufacturer of machinery and equipment, Talgo.
20 new Haramain trains ordered
The Haramain High-Speed Railway, often abbreviated to HHR, is a passenger railway that services the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in western Saudi. The 449.3km main line connects the two cities with stops in Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, and a branch line of 3.75km to King Abdulaziz International Airport. The HHR is not only the first high-speed railway in the Kingdom, but also in the Middle East and West Africa. Its service speed clocks in at 300km/hr.
20 new Haramain trains service locations
The new trains will serve Makkah and Madinah with three stops in the middle.
20 new Haramain trains dates
The Spanish-Saudi deal for the new trains was announced on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The delivery of the fresh-off-the-assembly-line coaches is set to begin in 2028 with the last ones being delivered by 2031.
Everything to know about the 20 new Haramain trains
The railway boasts a fleet of 35 trains currently operational, running the Makkah to Madinah track in less than two hours. The 20 new Haramain trains will increase the fleet size to 55, allowing the Kingdom to better serve pilgrims and visitors during Umrah and Hajj seasons.
The new train will feature 13 cars with eight economy-class coaches and five business-class coaches. They will seat 417 passengers per car. There will also be a dedicated coach for special needs passengers.
Inaugurated in 2018, the Haramain high-speed fleet is being enhanced in improve mobility for pilgrims and visitors. The system offers a reliable and modern way to travelling without breaking the bank and is in-line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals of sustainability and improved transportation solutions.
Adding more trains to the fleet offers operational flexibility and easing congestion between Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi public transport
The metro is quickly becoming Riyadh’s preferred method of travelling. The Red Line expansion contract was awarded earlier this year and is expected to be completed in the coming six years. The Yellow Line is also being extended to add a stop dedicated to the Riyadh Expo 2030 venue. Jeddah metro is moving forward with tenders for the Blue Line issued.
2028-2031. Haramain High-Speed trains, sar.com.
