ANTARA commends Saudi readiness of facilities and transport for Hajj 2026
Jakarta — The Indonesian National News Agency LKBN ANTARA has appreciated the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is said to have been very detailed in preparing various facilities and transport options for pilgrims ahead of the peak of Hajj 2026.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for meticulously preparing facilities and transport options ahead of the approaching peak of Hajj 2026,” said Virgandhi Prayudantoro, ANTARA’s Director of News, in a statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday.
Virgandhi, together with the Saudi Ministry of Media, conducted a visit to Saudi Arabia Railways for the Haramain High Speed Railway, one of the facilities used in the conduct of Hajj 2026 in Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
He noted that the Haramain High Speed Railway is helpful for transporting pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca. “This Haramain High Speed Railway is quite helpful in transporting Hajj 2026 pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca, which to date has carried almost 800,000 passengers using the Haramain Railway,” he said.
The Public & Media Relations Manager of Saudi Arabia Railways, Khaled Y. Al Farhan, said the Haramain High Speed Railway continues to play a vital role in serving pilgrims through an intensive operational plan. “Its aim is to facilitate transport between Makkah and Madinah within an integrated transport system that supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy,” he said.
The Haramain High Speed Railway provides more than 2.2 million seats to serve pilgrims and visitors during the holiday season. The intensive operation of the Haramain High Speed Railway reaches more than 140 journeys per day during the peak Hajj period. Since the start of the Hajj season 1447H, this service has transported more than 800,000 passengers.
“The Haramain High Speed Railway is regarded as one of the fastest electric trains in the world, with an operating speed of up to 300 km/h, spanning a railway line of 453 km,” he said.
The Haramain High Speed Railway connects five main stations, namely Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport Station, King Abdullah Economic City Station, and Madinah.
The high-speed train indeed shortens travel time between Makkah and Madinah to around 2 hours 15 minutes, Makkah and King Abdulaziz International Airport to around 50 minutes, and Madinah and King Abdulaziz International Airport to around 1 hour 45 minutes.
“This makes it the fastest transportation between the two holy cities and the primary choice for pilgrims, Umrah pilgrims, and tourists,” he said.
He explained that the Haramain High Speed Railway Station at King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the most important connecting points during the Hajj season. The station covers more than 105,000 square metres and is regarded as one of the largest railway stations connected to an airport in the world. The station connects directly to Terminal 1 at King Abdulaziz International Airport, thereby enhancing integration between air and rail transport. He stated that the station also contributes to improving the efficiency of air-rail integration, speeding the transfer of pilgrims and worshippers and reducing traffic congestion.