Saudi Railways...

There are three rail routes in Saudi Arabia, run by two different state-owned organisations, Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO, www.saudirailways.org) and Saudi Arabia Railways (SA, www.sar.com.sa).  In 2021 it was announced that these two would merge in due course.

  Riyadh - Dammam (run by SRO)

  Riyadh - Qassim - Hail -Jauf (run by SAR)

  Mecca - Jeddah - Medina (run by SRO)

  See detailed railway route map

Useful country information

Riyadh to Dammam

This route is run by Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO), see www.saudirailways.org (click the globe icon top left for English).  Riyadh to Dammam is 449 km, the line opened in 1981.  Dammam is close to Bahrain.

Riyadh SRO station is close to the city centre.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets...

• Buy tickets online at www.saudirailways.org (click the globe icon top left for English) or buy at the station.

• Booking opens 30 days before departure.  Feedback would be appreciated.

What is the train like?

The Riyadh-Dammam trains are 5-car air-conditioned sets with a power car at one end and driving cab at the other.  Built by Spanish manufacturer CAF, these trains date from 2011-12.  The trains have Premium (1st) class and Standard (2nd) class, a cafe counter and even a prayer area.

The Riyadh-Dammam train.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com...

1st class.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.  Larger photo.		2nd class.  Courtesy DiscoverByRail.com. Larger photo.

Prayer area.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.		Buffet car.  Courtesy DiscoverByRail.com.

Riyadh station...

Riyadh station.		Riyadh station.  Photos courtesy DiscoverByRail.com.

More information...

If anyone has any more information. photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me!

Riyadh to Qassim, Hail, Jauf

• This route is operated by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR, www.sar.com.sa.  SAR have a good website with English version, clear schedules, prices and online booking. 

• Prices are cheaper if you book ahead online compared to buying at the station on the day, but one report suggests the site may reject your non-Saudi credit card.  Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

• There are one or two daytime trains in each direction every day running at up to 200km/h, plus an overnight sleeper with 4-berth private compartments which are sold by the compartment for single, double, triple or quadruple occupancy.

• The trains leave from Riyadh KKIA station, which is about 35km out of town, next to the airport.  There is airport-style security before you board, and you are able to check in your larger bags if you want.  Don't forget a fleece or jumper, the air-con is fierce!

• Business class gets you access to a business class lounge at the station before you board and a simple meal is served on the train.

• If anyone has any more photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me!

The train to Hail at Riyadh KKIA station.  These photos by courtesy of Timon91 on Flikr

Economy class...  Larger photo.		Business class...  Larger photo.

Medina - Jeddah - Mecca

• The new Haramain high-speed railway linking Medina, Jeddah & Mecca opened in October 2018.  It's operated by 300km/h trains built by Spanish firm Talgo and run by Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO).

• You can check train times and (in theory) buy tickets at www.hhr.sa - for English click the globe logo top left then select English from the drop-down menu.  However, reports suggest it requires a Saudi phone number and only accepts Saudi payment cards.

• Jeddha to Mecca is 78 km, Mecca to Medina is 450 km.  So far, trains on this route have proved both busy (80%+ load factors) and punctual (93% on time).

• There are four trains each way on Saturdays & Sundays, two each way on Thursdays & Fridays, no trains on Mon-Wed.  However, service is gradually ramping up to 7 days a week.

• Note that non-Muslims aren't allowed in Mecca, nor the part of Medina around the prophet's house (but the rest of Medina is apparently accessible).  You should expect tight airline-style security before boarding these trains, including banning sharp objects such as scissors in your luggage.

• At Mecca station you can buy a ticket for a coach transfer from the station to the Grand Mosque, taking 15 minutes.  Although it's only 15-20 minutes to walk, it can be hot.

• If anyone has any more information. photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me!

The high-speed Talgo train to Mecca at Jeddah Airport...  Courtesy of www.wittli.de.

Economy class on the train to Medina & Mecca. Courtesy of www.wittli.de.  Larger photo.		The Talgo train at Medina station. Courtesy of www.wittli.de.

Jeddah Airport station. Courtesy of www.wittli.de.		Medina station. Courtesy of www.wittli.de.

The high-speed Talgo trains at Medina statiin...  Courtesy of www.wittli.de.

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