• SAUDI ARABIA
CONNECTING THE HOLY CITIES Religious tourism remains the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s visitor economy, supported by major investment in transport, accommodation and services around Makkah and Madinah. The 450-kilometre Haramain High-Speed Railway links the two Holy Cities with Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City at speeds of up to 300 km/h, cutting the journey between Makkah and Madinah to under two and a half hours. The planned Saudi Landbridge will connect the western region with Riyadh and the Eastern Province, integrating the Holy Cities more closely into the national rail network. Capacity within the pilgrimage cities is also expanding. The proposed Makkah Metro prioritises links between the Grand Mosque and Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, while the fully electric Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro can move 72,000 passengers per hour through the ritual sites and replace around 50,000 bus journeys during Hajj. Madinah’s planned Bus Rapid Transit network will add express corridors, feeder routes and smart transport infrastructure. Urban infrastructure is being upgraded at the same time. Masar Destination is creating a major pedestrian and transport gateway to the Grand Mosque along King Abdulaziz Road, integrating roads, utilities, public transport and visitor services. Dedicated pilgrim bus lanes and expanded highways are easing movement between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah, while AI-enabled control centres monitor pedestrian flows and more than 170,000 square metres of heat-reducing rubber pathways improve comfort in heavily used walking areas. Greater accessibility also makes it easier for pilgrims to extend their stays and experience other parts of Saudi Arabia. The wider portfolio therefore serves multiple motivations while distributing demand and investment across regions.
Above: The Aseer Region is being transformed into an all-season international destination
BUILDING BEYOND 2030 Connectivity will determine how effectively this national portfolio operates at scale. Through the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, Saudi Arabia is delivering 92 initiatives and 378 projects across aviation, rail, roads and logistics, creating the capacity required for sustained tourism growth and major international events. Saudi airports handled a record 140.9 million passengers in 2025, and expansion is taking place at both national gateways
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