Haramain Railway Expands Capacity to 2.21 Million Seats for Pilgrims
The Haramain High-Speed Railway has expanded to more than 2.21 million seats across 5,300-plus trips, part of an integrated air, rail, and road transport plan for pilgrims.
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Last updated: 29 Jul 2026, 11:19 AM (Saudi time)
The Haramain High-Speed Railway has expanded to more than 2.21 million seats across 5,300-plus trips, part of an integrated air, rail, and road transport plan for pilgrims.
The Umrah 1448 AH season runs from 31 May 2026, with visa issuance closing 9 March 2027, final entry on 23 March, and departure by 7 April 2027, all tied to mandatory Nusuk bookings.
Saudi Arabia has restructured Hajj 2027 packages into three categories, discontinued Package D, and made accommodation, transport, and catering mandatory under a new integrated service model.
More than 232,000 Pakistanis registered for Hajj 2027 in the first two weeks of a new fully digital, mandatory registration system that allows families to apply jointly.
Saudi Arabia has opened a priority reservation window running from 30 June to 13 August 2026 for Hajj operators to secure Makkah and Madinah accommodation, alongside a new mandatory unified service package and compulsory staff training for the 2027 season.
Umrah visa rules for the 1448 AH season now cut entry validity to 30 days, require confirmed Nusuk hotel and transport bookings before a visa is issued, and make Nusuk registration mandatory for all pilgrims.
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'2026 Hajj applicants to get priority consideration for 2027 pilgrimage' — Bauchi Pilgrims Board Daily Post Nigeria
First Group of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program Heads to Makkah for Umrah وكالة الأنباء السعودية
Bangladesh urges Saudi Arabia to reduce Hajj airfare, accommodation costs The Bangladesh Monitor
Beyond Infrastructure: Why Hajj Gives Saudi Arabia a Competitive Advantage in Hosting Global Events صحيفة مال
Saudia Launches Hajj 2026 Operations with Over One Million Seats for Pilgrims TMX Newsfile