Hajj 2026: Pakistani pilgrims to use Haramain high-speed train in pilot

Pakistan will offer several thousand Hajj pilgrims access to Saudi Arabia’s Haramain High-Speed Railway this year, introducing the service on a pilot basis as Hajj 2026 preparations enter the final stage.

The Haramain rail line connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City across a 453-kilometre corridor. Officials said the train can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, cutting travel time between the holy cities to under two-and-a-half hours compared with roughly six to eight hours by road.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the pilot will also include hotel-to-station transport and luggage-handling support. The ministry said the exact number of participating pilgrims will be shared later.

Officials added that Pakistan’s total Hajj quota stands at 179,210 pilgrims, with 119,210 travelling under the government scheme and 60,000 through private operators on a first-come, first-served basis. Authorities also noted that further mandatory training sessions will take place after Eid, alongside continued operational arrangements for accommodation and travel.