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Haramain train vs coach: Makkah to Madinah
Published October 25, 2026 · Umrah Best Services
Between Makkah and Madinah you have two real choices: the Haramain high-speed train, or a coach by road. The train is much faster; the coach can pick you up at your hotel. Which one suits you depends on luggage, mobility and how your group travels — not on a single “best” answer.
The train at a glance
The Haramain train covers the 449–453 km between Makkah and Madinah in around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, at speeds up to 300 km/h. Stations: Makkah (Rusaifah, about 3 km from the Haram), Jeddah Al-Sulaymaniyah, King Abdulaziz International Airport Terminal 1, King Abdullah Economic City, and Madinah (about 7 km from the Prophet’s Mosque). The same line runs Makkah to Jeddah airport in around 35 to 50 minutes. Classes are Economy and Business. Luggage allowance is around one large bag (25 kg) plus one small bag — check the current allowance before you travel, especially with a large group.
The coach at a glance
A coach travels by road and takes several hours, versus around two to three hours by train. What it gives back is door-to-door convenience: a coach can collect your group from your Makkah hotel and drop you at your Madinah hotel, with no station transfers at either end. For a large group travelling together, or for travellers who would struggle with station transfers, that convenience can matter more than speed.
Side by side
| Haramain train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | Around 2h10–2h45 | Several hours by road |
| Transfers | Station transfers needed at both ends (Makkah station ~3 km from the Haram; Madinah station ~7 km from the Prophet’s Mosque) | Hotel to hotel, no station transfers |
| Luggage | Around 1 large (25 kg) + 1 small bag | As stated in your quotation |
| Best for | Tight schedules, small groups, light luggage | Large groups, heavy luggage, travellers who prefer no transfers |
Which should you choose?
Choose the train if your schedule is tight and your group can manage station transfers with its luggage. Choose a coach if door-to-door convenience matters more — elderly parents, wheelchair users, very large groups, or simply a lot of luggage. Tell us in your enquiry which you prefer: your quotation will state exactly what transport is included, so there is no surprise on the day.
Before you travel
Check sar.hhr.sa for current timetables and fares before you travel — schedules change, and no fare is quoted on this page. If your quotation includes train or coach transport, it states the mode, the route and what transfers are covered.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Haramain train from Makkah to Madinah?
Around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, over 449–453 km at up to 300 km/h. Check sar.hhr.sa for current timetables.
Does the train go hotel to hotel?
No. The train runs station to station — Makkah station is about 3 km from the Haram and Madinah station about 7 km from the Prophet’s Mosque — so transfers are needed at both ends. A coach can be hotel to hotel.
What transport does Umrah Best Services include?
Exactly what your written quotation states: the mode, the route and the transfers covered. No fare is quoted on this page.
Ready for a written quotation? Send an enquiry and you will receive a dated, written quotation stating hotels, transport and inclusions — before you pay anything.
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