Pakistan will provide thousands of its Hajj pilgrims access to the Haramain High-Speed Railway between Makkah and Madinah this year, as preparations for Hajj 2026 enter their final phase, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said on Sunday.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway links Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City along a 453-kilometer route.
The trains operate at speeds of up to 300 km/h, reducing travel time between the two holy cities to less than two and a half hours. By comparison, the journey by bus typically takes six to eight hours.
“This year, the Haramain High-Speed Railway will be offered for the first time to several thousand Pakistani pilgrims on a trial basis,” ministry spokesman Muhammad Umar Butt said, adding that the exact number will be announced later.
The pilot project will also include transport from hotels to train stations and luggage handling services.
A total of 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan are expected to perform Hajj this year. Of these, 119,210 will travel under the government scheme, while 60,000 will go through private tour operators on a first-come, first-served basis.
Officials said the first Hajj flight is scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia in mid-April.
Authorities have urged pilgrims to participate in the second phase of mandatory training sessions beginning after Eid Al-Fitr.
Religious Affairs Secretary Sajid Mahmood Chauhan said 183 training workshops have already been conducted in 107 cities to educate pilgrims on Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Hajj Director-General Abdul Wahab Soomro said accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madinah have been secured and improved compared to last year.
Preparations for accommodation and transport in Mina and Arafat, as well as food services, are in the final stages. Vaccinations, air ticketing, and visa issuance are expected to begin soon.
Pakistan sends one of the world’s largest Hajj contingents each year, requiring extensive coordination with Saudi authorities to manage logistics, accommodation, and pilgrim services.