Saudi Arabia's rail network carried more than 83 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a rise of at least 16 percent on the same period a year earlier. According to Transport General Authority figures reported by the Saudi Press Agency, the growth points to the expanding role of trains in moving both residents and pilgrims across the Kingdom.

The numbers matter for anyone planning Hajj or Umrah. Rail now forms a central part of how visitors reach and move between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. Understanding the network can save pilgrims time, cost and fatigue.

A record first half

Rail services carried more than 45 million passengers in the first quarter and 38 million in the second. That compares with more than 35 million and 36.5 million in the corresponding quarters of 2025. In total, Saudi railways handled at least 11.5 million more passenger journeys in the first six months of 2026 than in the same period last year.

Urban rail accounted for the overwhelming majority of trips, with 78 million journeys recorded across the half year. The Riyadh Metro was the single biggest contributor, carrying a combined 60.7 million passengers. Its second-quarter total alone was nearly 26 percent higher than a year earlier.

The automated people mover at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, a gateway many international pilgrims pass through, carried around 10 million passengers in the first quarter. The service links the check-in area with the boarding gates at Terminal 1.

The lines that carry pilgrims

For pilgrims, the Haramain High-Speed Railway is the key intercity link. It connects Makkah and Madinah through Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City. The line carried 2 million passengers in the first quarter and 1.6 million in the second.

The Haramain service has cut travel time between the two holy cities to roughly two hours, replacing a road journey that once took far longer. For pilgrims combining Umrah in Makkah with a visit to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, the train offers a fast and comfortable option.

The Mashaer network in Makkah serves a different, seasonal purpose. It operates only during the Hajj season, shuttling pilgrims between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafah during the busiest days of the pilgrimage. By moving large crowds off the roads, it eases congestion at the most sensitive points of the journey.

Part of a wider strategy

The Transport General Authority said the sustained growth reflects Saudi Arabia's wider push to expand rail and public transport, ease road congestion and improve mobility under the Kingdom's transport and logistics strategy. Rail also moved around 7.7 million tons of minerals and goods during the first half of the year.

For the millions who travel for worship each year, the message is clear. The Kingdom is steadily building its capacity to move people between the holy sites by rail rather than road.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Book Haramain tickets early. Seats between Makkah and Madinah sell quickly in peak Umrah and Ramadan periods. Reserve ahead through the official Haramain channels rather than waiting at the station.
  • Allow time for transfers. Haramain stations sit outside the central areas of Makkah and Madinah, so plan for onward transport to your hotel.
  • Keep documents ready. Carry your passport and any required permits when travelling, as identity checks apply on intercity services.
  • Remember the Mashaer Metro is Hajj-only. Umrah pilgrims will not use it. It runs solely during the Hajj days to move pilgrims between the holy sites.