Haramain High-Speed Railway Fleet Expands As SAR Orders 20 Talgo Trains

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has agreed to buy 20 new trains from Spanish manufacturer Talgo. The trains will operate on the Haramain High-Speed Railway between Makkah and Madinah. SAR aims to expand services for pilgrims and increase capacity during busy Umrah and Hajj periods.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and SAR Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser attended the announcement. Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente Santiago was also present. The agreement forms part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The event was held under the patronage of Saleh Al-Jasser.

The purchase will increase the Haramain High-Speed Railway fleet from 35 to 55 trains. Extra trains will support higher service frequency across the network’s five stations. SAR expects to handle more passengers while keeping journey times short. The move targets both religious seasons and regular travel periods.

Trains on the Haramain High-Speed Railway run at speeds of up to 300 km/h. The service links the two holy cities in about two hours. Intermediate stops include Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. It is currently the quickest public transport option between Makkah and Madinah.

Deliveries of the new Talgo trains are planned to start by the end of 2028. The full batch is scheduled to arrive by 2031. After delivery, the trains will operate across all Haramain High-Speed Railway stations. This aligns with SAR’s continuing infrastructure and service development plans.

Each new train will have 13 carriages in total. The formation includes eight economy-class and five business-class carriages. There will be 417 seats, with 304 in economy class and 113 in business class. A dedicated carriage will serve passengers with disabilities, supporting more inclusive travel.

SAR states that the additional Talgo units will improve operational efficiency between Makkah and Madinah. The expansion supports proactive planning for Umrah and Hajj seasons. The Haramain High-Speed Railway will gain greater capacity and resilience. SAR highlights continuing upgrades to operating infrastructure and services to support pilgrims.

With inputs from SPA