Haramain Train Baggage for Pilgrims: One 25 kg Bag, 65 x 55 x 35 cm, and a Banned Items List

The Haramain high speed train lets each passenger bring one large bag of up to 25 kg, measuring up to 65 x 55 x 35 cm, plus one small hand item such as a backpack, laptop bag or purse. Every bag goes through a security check before you reach the train, and a list of items is banned outright.

Pilgrims often travel between Makkah and Madinah with a suitcase, a bag of zamzam bottles and a bag of gifts. That is too much for this train. We read the railway's baggage page and its restrictions page on 21 October 2026. The railway is Saudi, so these are Saudi rules and can change without notice.

One large bag of 25 kg is the limit per passenger

Each passenger may carry one large piece of luggage of up to 25 kg, no more than 65 cm long, 55 cm high and 35 cm wide. A second small item is allowed in your hand. The page does not give a separate weight for that small item.

Measure your suitcase before you leave home. Many large airline suitcases are taller than 55 cm, so a bag that was fine at the Pakistani airport may not fit the train. The page does not say what happens if a bag is over the limit or whether the railway charges for it, so we cannot tell you. If you are unsure, call the railway on 920 004 433.

Every bag is checked before you board

The railway says a luggage security check is carried out before access to the train. Laptops must go through the X-ray scanner. Plan to arrive early enough for this, because a missed train means a lost ticket with no refund.

The baggage page does not say how early to arrive at the station, so we have not given a time. Our guide to Haramain train cancel and change fees explains why a late arrival is costly. Leave a generous buffer, especially in the busy Umrah months.

Some items are banned from the train

The railway bans radioactive, explosive, flammable, corrosive and poisonous materials, firearms and ammunition (toy weapons too), compressed containers such as large lighters and gas cylinders, and sharp tools such as knives, drills and large scissors.

For pilgrims the practical items are a lighter, a gas can for a small stove, nail scissors and a pocket knife. Put none of them in any bag. Keep to what you need for worship and travel, and leave tools at home. Pakistani airport rules also ban some items, which our guide to avoiding offloading at Pakistani airports covers.

Cash and gold above SR 60,000 are not allowed

The railway lists jewellery, gold and cash worth more than SR 60,000 among the items not allowed. SR means Saudi riyals. Most pilgrims carry far less, but a family carrying gold gifts or savings should keep the total under that figure.

The page does not say whether the limit is per person or per booking, or what a passenger should do with more. We could not verify that. If you carry high value goods, ask the railway before you travel, and think about whether the train is the right way to carry them at all.

Food and drink must be small and sealed

Only small drinks in their original sealed containers are allowed, and food must be tightly packed inside your luggage. A large water bottle of zamzam is a risk, so pack it according to the rules and check with the railway if you plan to carry any.

The page does not say how many millilitres count as small. We have not guessed a figure. A sealed bottle you buy at the station is the safest choice, and you should eat before you board where you can.

1. Weigh your large bag and keep it at 25 kg or less.
2. Measure it against 65 x 55 x 35 cm.
3. Take out lighters, gas, knives, scissors and tools.
4. Pack food tightly inside the bag, and carry only small sealed drinks.
5. Keep laptops easy to reach for the X-ray scanner.

Lost property goes to the railway's contact centre

If you leave something on the train, write to contactcenter@hhr.sa or call 920 004 433. The railway says found items are kept for up to two months. Keep your ticket number and note your coach and seat so staff can trace the item.

If you are travelling with a group, one person should keep the e-ticket emails. Our guide to the route from Jeddah airport to Makkah shows how the train fits with other transport. For airline bags, see how to claim lost baggage in Pakistan.

Common questions

How much luggage can I take on the Haramain train?

One large bag of up to 25 kg and up to 65 x 55 x 35 cm, plus one hand item such as a backpack, laptop bag or purse.

Can I take a knife or scissors on the Haramain train?

No. Sharp tools such as knives, drills and large scissors are on the banned list.

Can I carry zamzam on the train?

The railway allows only small drinks in their original sealed containers. The page does not mention zamzam, so ask the railway before you travel.

Do laptops need a special check?

Yes. The railway says laptops must go through the X-ray scanner.

What is the limit for gold and cash?

The railway lists jewellery, gold and cash worth more than SR 60,000 as not allowed.

How long does the railway keep lost property?

Up to two months, according to its general terms.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked 21 October 2026. The bag limits, banned items and security check come from the baggage page at hhr.sa, the five rules about passenger behaviour from its restrictions page, and the lost property period from its general terms page, all read on that date. We could not find the arrival time at the station, the charge for an oversized bag or the size of a small drink, so we have not stated them. We did not travel on the train. Saudi rules can change without notice.