Travel on a high-speed train in Saudi Arabia gives a different perspective compared to flying to different cities. The train ride makes the journey enjoyable, and this became apparent during the trip from Medina to one of Saudi Arabia’s major cities, Jeddah, located on the Red Sea.
The plan was simple: arrive at the station, board the high-speed train which is a comfortable business class train, and effectively travel to Jeddah in less than two hours. But due to the unexpected delay in the middle of the desert, the trip took much longer than expected.
Nevertheless, that was an exciting experience to admire the beauty of the country while traveling, meet the local population, eat Middle Eastern food, and see Jeddah’s coast.
Medina to Jeddah Traveling by High-Speed Train
The trip began at Al Haramain High Speed Railway Station, which gave the impression of a modern station with a spacious interior and airport-like look. Everything looked new and tidy.
With only less than 30 minutes remaining before the train’s departure, there was not enough time to skim the station. The ticket was bought online already, and it made the whole experience much easier. The passenger never had to go through any extensive security procedure, because all there was to do was simply scan the QR code on the phone when entering the departure area.
The station has been modified to include all sorts of amenities: toilets, prayer rooms, business lounges, and designated areas for departures.
The station had a very modern look, especially when compared to other, older railway stations in the world. Al Haramain station looks much more like an airport than an ordinary railway station.
What Is business Class Like on the Haramain Train?
The train itself also has a firm modernity about it.
The business class carriage of the train was clean, large, comfortable. One could find all kinds of seating options inside.
The space in each seat was quite ample, ensuring that even large passengers would be comfortable. Other options were an adjustable armrest, modest reclining capabilities, personal table and entertainment screen.
Large bags were easily accommodated in the back of the carriage so it was easy to travel as a luggage carrier.
The first nice surprise was delightful Arab coffee. Unlike the dark coffee which is usually referred to as Western coffee, Arab coffee is lighter in color and has its special flavor.
In addition, there was a meal served after a short while, which was comprised of chicken and rice, yogurt sauce, dessert, and water. The chicken had a unique taste of Middle Eastern cuisine.
The Unexpected Incident Occurred in the Desert
If everything goes according to plan, the duration of the trip from Medina to Jeddah is approximately two hours. However, this trip did not match the expectation of time.
After quite some time into the journey the train came to an unexpected stop.
The screens turned off, the lights disappeared; and so the train became very quiet. At first, it was impossible to say if this stop would be temporary or if there was a problem.
What should have been a brief wait just kept on increasing.
Twenty minutes gone, waiting just continued. After a time, the train had been standing still for over an hour. Another train had even passed which made it obvious that something was wrong.
The issue at hand was not solely the fact that delays happen. Travel plans may change and equipment may fail. What could have really helped passengers was some announcement about what the problem was and how long it will take to fix it.
Eventually, a train that was supposed to take passengers to the next station pulled in.
To actually change trains, one had to cross a footbridge to take another train.
What is interesting, this replacement train turned out to be basically the same train of the same type with similar carriages and seating arrangements.
As soon as travel resumed after two and a half hours of waiting, the trip continued.
In fact, delays like this teach one a valuable lesson about life.
Instead of wasting hours on a matter that cannot be solved, this adventure turned out to be a perfect opportunity to relax and conduct some small talk with the crew and other passengers.
The staff working for the train company acted professionally. Passengers were offered refreshments, while eventually, they received an announcement explaining the delays and reassuring them that the train would soon be on its way again.
That simple act made it easier to take the delay.
Looking at Saudi Arabia from the Train Window
An advantage of traveling aboard a train from Medina to Jeddah is enjoying the views of the beautiful landscapes along the way.
Previously, people traveling between Saudi Arabian cites by plane had no chance to see the country from above at all. In contrast, those who travel on trains have an opportunity to admire the scenery from the windows for the duration of their journey.
While the most part of the landscape consisted of the endless desert with an occasional palm tree or oasis, distant mountains could also be seen in some places.
The landscape was very typical for the Arabian Peninsula, with large open terrain reaching the horizon.
As the sun started setting, the desert landscape looked especially beautiful. The combination of hills, sand, and the colors of the sky created an unforgettable view.
How to Book the Medina–Jeddah Train
Booking the Haramain high-speed train was described to be quite easy.
Travelers can go to the official railway website, change the language to English, select the city of departure and arrival, choose the train that they want, choose their seat, and pay online.
As for this trip, the business class ticket comes to about $100. The economy ticket costs about half of the price.
Although traveling in business class was comfortable and had additional services, overall impression was that traveling in economy class could be good as well.
Arrival in Jeddah
Finally, after around four and a half hours in total, the train reached its destination, Jeddah. The trip took almost an extra two and a half hours than the expected time due to an unforeseen pause.
Even though there were delays, the overall review of the train is quite positive.
The trains turned out to be innovative, tidy, and cozy. The stations were well organized, and the journey commenced on time. If everything were normal, the train should have been much faster between Medina and Jeddah.
Interesting enough, the train station is situated in the airport area. There is one other railroad station which is nearer to the center of the city. After arriving at the train station, one can use taxi services and other means of transportation. Thus, it was not difficult to get to the hotel which was closer to this train station.
Accommodation at the Jeddah Hilton
The first place to stay in Jeddah was Jeddah Hilton, placed close to the Red Sea shore.
The hotel made the strongest impression due to its huge hall, spacey interior, and decorative palm trees. The room was quite spacious and had a bathroom with a walk-in
The view was the most impressive part.
From the balcony, one could see Jeddah Corniche, as well as the Red Sea. The view was even greater during the daytime, when all people could see the long waterfront and the rest of the city.
For tourists who want to stay in a hotel with a sea view when in Jeddah, one should suggest staying near the Corniche, since that way the hotel will be located close to one of the most well-known areas of the city.
The journey was started the very next day with the visit to the Corniche.
From the very first sight, being there at the Corniche felt like relaxation, despite living in such a huge city with over 4 million residents. Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh.
Despite that fact, the Corniche did not feel like a place of a large metropolis. The palm trees were growing on the territory; it was a great place for families to have picnics together; there were special tracks for cyclists.
The Corniche was also impressively clean and taken care of. There was not much litter present, and many families were using the area.
This was an interesting observation of life in Jeddah. Children were playing football, families were eating together, people were having some ice cream and visitors were relaxing by the sea. Even though cultures, religions, languages and meals differ from each other, everyday family life looks the same all around the globe.
A View Of The Red Sea From A Different Angle
Jeddah’s waterfront has a direct view of the Red Sea. The countries across the sea are on the African territory, such as Sudan and Egypt in the north of Africa.
Additionally, gentle sea breeze makes hot weather easier to bear.
Some parts of the waterfront looked like they were still under construction, while others looked ready for relaxation. Some of the spots have small huts and places where people can rest and enjoy the beach.
The mix of new buildings, public recreational areas, hotels, palm trees and the sea offers Jeddah more favorable situation than inland cities like Riyadh and Medina.
Sampling Fresh Strawberry Juice While, Walking
During a stroll along the Corniche, a fascinating vending machine was spotted with many fruit drinks.
The drink choices included pomegranate, mango, guava, and strawberry.
The selected drink was strawberry-priced at 12 Saudi riyals. Unlike regular artificial drinks, this drink had real strawberry pieces and fresh cold flavor.
Even though this was only an unexpected finding in the center of activities, this would become one of such experiences that add to the joy of traveler’s experience of the new places.
Tasting Fresh French Fries Along the Way
Street food provides another chance to enjoy the casual side of Jeddah.
Some small food stall was selling French fries for about 10 Saudi riyals. Instead of using regular frozen fry, potatoes were freshly cut and cooked right at the stall.
Various sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise and a spicy green sauce were added to the fries.
The mix was unexpectedly delightful.
Around the site, numerous small businesses were organized in a drive-through arrangement. Cafés, snack bars, and other food joints provide service to patrons who arrive in their cars.
This casual food area provides an additional spice in the Jeddah Corniche experience.
The Floating Mosque of Jeddah
One of the most breathtaking structures lining the waterfront would be Al Rahma Mosque, which is often referred to as the Floating Mosque.
The mosque was completed in 1985 along the shore of the Red Sea and has a unique architecture that allows it to seem like it is floating when high tide occurs.
It is a combination of traditional Islamic architecture and modern touches that make it one of the city’s famous landmarks.
The mosque is particularly charming during sunset.
The structure, the Red Sea, and the colored evening sky creates a beautiful picture explaining the popularity of this place.
It appears that the mosque can be visited by non-Muslims except during prayer time, unfortunately, that time coincided with the prayer period, which made it impossible to enter the mosque because it would have limited the religious experience of the worshippers.
Jeddah and Its Multicultural Environment
Another exciting feature of Jeddah is that it is home to many immigrants.
While walking along the coast, one can meet several people from various nationalities; some of them include people from Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India.
The multicultural nature of Jeddah is closely related to its function as the gateway for pilgrims who want to make their way to Mecca.
It should be noted that Jeddah is not only one of the biggest cities in Saudi Arabia but also serves as a huge transit point for many pilgrims from different places of the Muslim world.
The multicultural atmosphere is clearly visible in restaurants, retail outlets, languages used by people, and in everyday communication.
Why Jeddah is Different from Riyadh and Medina
Jeddah has its own charm which makes it different from other major cities in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh is a huge city with many skyscrapers and modern urban areas
Jeddah is a location known for its modern towns, historical places, shores, beach cites, eateries, shopping zones, and religious places.
This mixture of the above makes Jeddah one of the attractive locations for those eager to explore many aspects of Saudi Arabia in one spot.
Dinner at an Iraqi Eatery in Jeddah
The last food stop was at one of the most often recommended Middle Eastern bistros with thousands of reviews.
This spot turned out to be one of the best in terms of customer service as it got the hospitality game to a new level.
The first surprise was that there was a complimentary soup before the menu was offered. The combo of hot bread and pickles was amazing too.
This bread was soft, hot, and seemed fresh from the oven. Dipping it into the lentil soup was something simple and tasty.
The menu was available in a form of a QR code with a great variety of dishes from various Middle Eastern countries instead of only Saudi cuisine.
After hesitations and doubts, the final choice was an Iraqi kebab.
My First Experience with Iraqi Kebab
While the idea of kebab as a dish from the Middle East was known to me, I discovered some new tastes through Iraqi kebab.
I admit that the meat was truly soft and tasty and well-seasoned. I enjoyed the mix of spices that gave me rich taste without being too strong.
The side dishes included tahini and ketchup sauces and some fresh greens and bread.
I liked a method of combining everything inside a flatbread and creating a kebab wrap.
Overall taste was unforgettable and delicious.
The price of the entire meal reached around 105 Saudi riyals. Sounds reasonable for the menu items plus the level of service and the place itself.
Is it Worth Visiting Jeddah?
Jeddah was really impressive after my first experiences.
There is something in this city that other popular destinations in Saudi Arabia lack: a mix of its ancient heritage, modern city living, a variety of cultures, and access to the Red Sea.
The ride itself by the high-speed train from Medina had some nuances, such as a train delay. However, the train was new, neat, and very comfortable.
From the moment I arrived in Jeddah, the experience improved significantly.
The Corniche was amazing, offering beautiful coastal views, the Floating Mosque provided a stunning effect of the sunset, delicious food made the trip unforgettable, and meeting lovely people from Saudi Arabia and various other nations brought some human touch to the journey.
So, if you wonder whether Jeddah is worth the visit or not, I can confidently say that the answer is definitely yes.
Conclusions on the Journey from Medina to Jeddah
A trip can become remarkable not only when it goes according to plan.
Although the journey from Medina to Jeddah was supposed to take a couple of hours, something went wrong with the railway, and the trip turned out to last about four and a half.
However, this allowed me to discover a new side of Saudi Arabia that could not be seen from the plane.
Modern railway, huge desert landscapes, sunset views, hospitable people, coastal weather, local street food, Middle Eastern cuisine, and amazing architecture were things that made my Jeddah introduction fascinating.
What is even more crucial is the fact that the journey is proof of how rewarding it can be to explore a nation gradually. While the destination may be important, unexpected activities that happen in between the trips also matter.
Thus, when anyone is thinking of a travel plan regarding Medina to Jeddah, taking Haramain high-speed railway is bound to be more than a means of transportation. It becomes an adventure on its own, especially when combined with many days of enjoying Jeddah Corniche, local dining, the Red Sea, and attractions of Jeddah.
