Saudi Arabia Railways moved more than two million passengers through the holy sites during the Hajj 1447 AH season aboard the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The fully electric line carried pilgrims between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat during the busiest days of the pilgrimage, reinforcing its role as the backbone of crowd movement at the holy sites.
A high-capacity line built for the holy sites
The Al-Mashaaer Metro stretches 18 kilometers and serves nine stations, with three each in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, in addition to the Jamarat station. It links the sites where pilgrims gather for the central rituals of Hajj, allowing them to move without relying on road transport during peak periods.
The system ranks among the highest-capacity transport networks in the world. Its fleet of 17 trains, each 277 meters long, can carry up to 3,000 passengers per train. Together they give the line a capacity of roughly 72,000 passengers per hour. Trains reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, covering the stretch between Arafat and Mina in about 20 minutes, a journey that can take far longer by bus when roads are full.
The metro entered service in November 2010 after two years of construction. Over the years it has become a fixed part of the mobility plan that authorities rely on to keep pilgrims moving safely between the rites.
Easing congestion and cutting emissions
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the metro replaced around 50,000 bus trips, easing pressure on the roads leading to the holy sites. Because the line runs entirely on electricity, it produces zero carbon emissions in operation, a feature authorities tie to the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The metro did not work alone. The Roads General Authority said more than 75,000 vehicles entered Makkah through major highways on the fifth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah as arrivals accelerated, with crews monitoring entry points around the clock. In Madinah, the Madinah Bus project ran special shuttle services to the Prophet's Mosque and Quba Mosque during the Day of Arafah and Eid Al-Adha. Together these systems formed an integrated network designed to absorb the surge of more than 1.7 million pilgrims who performed Hajj this year.
What it means for pilgrims
For pilgrims, the metro removes one of the most stressful parts of Hajj: the long, hot transfers between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. Reliable rail service shortens travel times and reduces exposure to the summer heat, a serious concern during a pilgrimage that fell in the hottest part of the year.
Pilgrims should keep a few practical points in mind. Access to the Al-Mashaaer Metro is organized through the official Hajj service providers, and trains are scheduled by camp and group rather than offered as a walk-on service, so pilgrims should follow the timing set by their group leaders. It is wise to confirm which station serves your camp in Mina before the days of Tashreeq begin, since the sites become extremely crowded. Carry water, dress for the heat, and keep your identification and permits accessible. Those who cannot use stairs easily should ask their group organizer in advance about step-free routes and assistance at the stations.
As Saudi Arabia begins early planning for the 1448 AH season, the metro is expected to remain central to how authorities manage one of the largest annual gatherings on earth.