Trip planning
From high-speed trains between Makkah and Madinah to long desert journeys—discover how to explore Saudi Arabia by rail.
Written by Saudi Reiser
Discover the kingdom on rails
Are you dreaming of experiencing Saudi Arabia in a comfortable, modern, and different way?
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has developed an impressive railway network, making it easy to combine some of the country's most exciting destinations. Here, you can travel between historic cities, modern metropolises, and vast desert landscapes—and on the Haramain High-Speed Railway, the train reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h.
At Saudi Reiser, we help you plan the perfect train journey. Whether you want to experience the high-speed train along the west coast or combine a tour by train through the central and northern parts of the country, we can tailor the trip to your wishes.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is Saudi Arabia's modern high-speed line between Makkah and Madinah.
The train stops in places like Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. This makes the train a very practical option for travelers wanting to combine several destinations along the west coast.
The trains can travel at speeds of up to 300 km/h and offer both Economy Class and Business Class.
A fast and comfortable connection between Jeddah and the historic city of Madinah. The journey normally takes about two hours, depending on the departure and stops along the way.
The journey between the two cities takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes on the high-speed train.
King Abdulaziz International Airport has its own Haramain train station, making it possible to go from an international flight to a connecting train journey without first having to travel into the center of Jeddah.
This can be a very convenient start to a tour of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Railways, usually abbreviated as SAR, operates several of the country's other passenger lines.
For travelers who want to see more than the most famous cities along the west coast, these routes offer a completely different experience of Saudi Arabia.
From the capital, Riyadh, you can travel east towards Hofuf in Al Ahsa and onwards to Dammam on the Persian Gulf.
This is an exciting route if you want to combine the city life of Riyadh with the vast oasis landscape of Al Ahsa and the coastal areas in the eastern part of the country.
Al Ahsa is a UNESCO World Heritage site and known as one of the world's largest oasis landscapes.
SAR's northern railway network runs from Riyadh via places like Qassim and Hail and continues north towards Al Jouf and Qurayyat.
Here, you will experience a completely different side of the kingdom, with vast open landscapes, deserts, smaller towns, and long stretches through the Saudi interior.
On some northern connections, there are also night trains and sleeping accommodations, which can make the train journey itself part of the experience.
Saudi Arabia's modern passenger trains offer a comfortable way to travel between several of the country's most important destinations.
Depending on the train and route, you can find features such as:
Business Class can be a good option if you want extra space and comfort on your journey.
Traveling by train gives you the opportunity to see how the landscape changes between cities.
From modern metropolises to open desert areas, mountains, and oases—the train journey becomes part of the holiday experience itself.
Trains can also be an excellent alternative to domestic flights on certain routes. You avoid the airport process between each destination and often arrive closer to the city center you are visiting.
For many travelers, this provides a more relaxed and eventful way to explore Saudi Arabia.
Combining multiple train journeys, hotels, transfers, and experiences can require some planning.
Saudi Reiser can help you put together the entire trip.
We can help with things like:
Therefore, you don't need to plan every single part of the trip yourself.
Tell us which places you want to experience and how long you wish to stay in Saudi Arabia, and we will help you put together a proposal.
A train journey can be an exciting part of a larger tour.
For example, a trip can combine:
Riyadh → Al Ahsa → Dammam
or
It is also possible to combine train travel with domestic flights and private transport so you can include destinations like AlUla, the Red Sea coast, and other parts of the country.
Saudi Arabia is a large country, and often the best solution is a combination of several modes of transport.
At Saudi Reiser, we tailor the journey so that transportation becomes a natural part of the experience.
Are you planning a trip to Saudi Arabia but are unsure which train route is best for you?
Or would you like a no-obligation price quote for a complete tour where train travel is part of the journey?
Our travel specialists are happy to help you find a solution that suits your wishes.
Tell us a little about the trip you're dreaming of, and we'll help you put together a proposal.
kontakt@saudireiser.com+47 409 77 778This information can change. Always check current requirements with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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