Umrah the Modern Way: My Journey on the Haramain High-Speed Express 🚄✨

If you told me years ago that I’d one day perform Umrah by high-speed train, gliding across the desert at 300 km/h in cool, air-conditioned comfort… I would’ve laughed. But here we are — welcome to the age where your sacred journey can be fast, smooth, and beautifully stress-free.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway has completely transformed the way we travel between Madinah and Makkah. On my latest Umrah trip, I finally experienced it for myself — from booking flights on Trip.com, staying in trusted hotel brands, to boarding the train that quietly whispered, “Bismillah, let’s go.”

🕋 Before the Journey: Planning Umrah with Ease

Planning Umrah today is a lot easier than it used to be — especially if you prefer the convenience and flexibility of a DIY trip. The biggest advantage?
You choose the dates, the price, and the comfort level that suits you.

Before booking anything, always compare flight prices online. I usually start with Trip.com, because you can set Price Alerts or use their Price Graph to watch for the best deals.

When comparing flights, check these airlines side by side:

• Qatar Airways
• Etihad Airways
• Malaysia Airlines

Qatar and Etihad often offer great stopover packages, letting you rest, explore, or break up the journey. Etihad also has attractive introductory fares for flights direct to Madinah, which is perfect for pilgrims.

And here’s a huge perk:

➡️ Landing directly in Madinah can save both time and money, since you won’t need a separate train ticket from Jeddah to Madinah.
It’s a beautiful way to begin your Umrah — peacefully, calmly, right next to Masjid Nabawi.

🏨 Where to Stay (My Personal Picks!)

Whether you begin your journey in Madinah or Makkah, a good hotel makes all the difference — especially after long days of prayer and walking.

Here are my top recommendations:

⭐ Millennium Hotels (Makkah & Madinah)

Reliable, spacious rooms, great locations, and close to Haramain stations. A safe, comfortable choice.

⭐ IHG Hotels

Brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental offer great service, comfort, and consistency.

⭐ Other options via Trip.com

From luxurious 5-star stays to budget-friendly picks — Trip.com usually has excellent deals.

✨ A Beautiful Sunnah Reminder Before Traveling

Before your Umrah journey begins, here’s an important reminder about ihram — something many first-time (and even seasoned!) pilgrims don’t realize.

I recently saw a video of a pilgrim who checked in his ihram and ended up wearing a sarong temporarily. Whether it was done intentionally for content or simply a mistake, it reminded me how important this ruling is:

➡️ Ihram must be worn before crossing the Miqat.
➡️ Wearing anything other than proper ihram garments (even briefly) is not valid for men.
➡️ According to many scholars, entering Miqat without ihram may require a dam (penalty).

So please — always keep your ihram in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.

✈️ Flying Into Jeddah for Umrah First

If your intention is to perform Umrah immediately upon arrival, many pilots will kindly announce the Miqat before the plane crosses it. This lets you make your niyyah and enter ihram in time.

🚄 Traveling from Madinah to Makkah by Haramain Train

If you’re starting your journey in Madinah, you may already be in ihram when boarding.
After about 7 minutes of travel, some train captains will announce the Miqat area, or the train’s monitor will display a notification, giving you a gentle reminder as you pass Dhul-Hulaifah (Bir Ali).

🚄 What Is the Haramain High-Speed Railway?

A modern marvel in the heart of the Hijaz.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects:

• Makkah
• Jeddah
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA)
• KAEC (King Abdullah Economic City)
• Madinah

This electric train travels up to 300 km/h, turning what used to be a long road journey into a peaceful, comfortable 2-hour transition between the holy cities.

Perfect for:

• Pilgrims
• Elderly parents
• Families
• Anyone wanting a smoother experience

🚉 Train Classes Available

💺 Economy Class

Comfortable seats, clean environment, wide windows.

💼 Business Class

More space, priority boarding, better legroom — ideal for long trips or elderly travellers.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Compartments

For parents with children — truly a blessing.

⏱️ Popular Routes & Durations

Early booking = better prices.

💳 How I Booked My Haramain Train Tickets

Booking online is incredibly simple:

1. Select departure and arrival stations
2. Choose your date and preferred time
3. Pick Economy or Business
4. Pay securely via Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, etc.
5. Receive your e-ticket instantly

A very smooth, user-friendly process.

♥️ The Journey: Madinah to Makkah on the Haramain Express

This was the part that truly touched my heart.

I boarded at Madinah Station, a modern, airy complex that still somehow feels peaceful. Inside the train, everything was calm — cool air-conditioning, comfortable seats, quiet passengers, and a smooth ride.

Then, just before crossing Miqat, an announcement gently reminded pilgrims about the niyyah for Umrah.

Hearing that while gliding across the desert… it felt surreal. A spiritual reminder wrapped in modern convenience.

Two hours later, I stepped into Makkah refreshed — not exhausted, not stressed.
Just grateful.

🌙 Should You Take the Haramain Train for Umrah?

Absolutely yes, especially if you want:

• Time-saving travel
• Comfort
• Safety
• Less road fatigue
• Elderly-friendly transit
• A peaceful spiritual journey

The train genuinely transforms the entire Umrah experience.

🙌 Final Thoughts: A Better, Smoother Umrah Is Possible

Between easy online bookings, comfortable hotels, modern transport, and the Haramain High-Speed Railway — Umrah today is more accessible and comfortable than ever.

If you’re traveling solo, with parents, or with family, this train can make your journey beautifully effortless.

And yes — if you’re booking hotels or flights, feel free to check Trip.com or the hotel sites I mentioned.
Your support through my affiliate links helps keep this blog going — at no extra cost to you. ❤️