Once, you had to ride a camel over stony deserts to reach Mecca, the holiest of holy sites in Islam. Today, you can catch a bullet train and be there in couple of hours.

On my last trip to Saudi Arabia, I caught the high-speed train from Madinah to the port city of Jeddah – the train then continues on to Mecca, on a route covered by pilgrims for centuries.

With soaring train terminals designed by architects Foster + Partners, trains built by Spanish manufacturer Talgo and train tracks laid by Chinese companies, Saudi Arabia has tapped into global expertise to create the Haramain High-Speed Railway line.

If you’re reading this, I’m sure you’ve a few questions:

• No, I didn’t have to cover my hair in Saudi Arabia unless I was entering a mosque. No women have to cover their hair anymore, neither Saudis nor foriegners.
• Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit the two holiest mosques that bookend this train in Medinah and Mecca; however, you can visit the city of Medinah, but are not permitted to visit the holy city of Mecca.
• Yes, the whole bullet train experience was incredibly safe, clean and respectful, as I have found all my time spent in the country.
• And very welcoming of non-Muslims; spot the pic of the cheery female train attendants, who proffered hot coffee and sweet dates to all passengers boarding the train.

I travelled business class, which included a full meal, but the economy section also looked spacious and clean. And it ran like clockwork; no Middle Eastern approach to time (which I admit I do love), we’re talking Swiss-levels of timekeeping here, but with an overlay of classic Arabian hospitality.

I wrote about the train journey for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age’s Traveller section. To read my review, visit https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/top-speed-300km-h-on-board-the-middle-east-s-first-high-speed-train-20241104-p5knlh.html