Maldivian pilgrims travel to Madinah on high-speed train; travel time cut down by five hours

The first group of Maldivian pilgrims have departed for Madinah on Wednesday after completing all rites of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The pilgrims traveled to Madinah on high-speed train in a first.

Islamic Ministry detailed that pilgrims previously traveled to Madinah on bus, which took approximately six to eight hours. The high-speed train would cut down the travel time to two hours, the Ministry added. This eliminates approximately five hours of travel time.

According to the Ministry, the change was brought as part of efforts by the government to provide easements to pilgrims during their Hajj.

ޙައްޖުވެރިން ފުރަތަމަ ފަހަރަށް ހައި ސްޕީޑް ރޭލުގައި މަދީނާއަށް! pic.twitter.com/glJEKSRBlk

— Maldives hajj mission بعثة ا لحج ا المالديفية (@hajjmission_mv) June 11, 2025

The pilgrims will be traveling to Madinah in four groups. They will be departing to return to the Maldives from Madinah. In this regard, the pilgrims will be arriving back in the Maldives on June 13, 14, 16 and 17.

A total of 1,000 Maldivians traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage this year.

The Maldives was added to the Makkah Route Initiative this year, which means pilgrims were able to complete immigration procedures of both countries at the Velana International Airport before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

This eliminated waiting time at Jeddah airport and allowed pilgrims to directly go to their hotels with their luggage.