Ottoman Hejaz Railway terminus turned museum. Reported closed for refurbishment in 2026; confirm status before visiting.
The Hejaz Railway Museum occupies the Ottoman-era station that was the southern terminus of the Hejaz Railway, which linked Damascus with Madinah and reached the city in 1908. Sultan Abdul Hamid II began the railway in 1900 to carry pilgrims and strengthen Ottoman control. The station complex was restored and opened as the Al-Madinah (Hejaz Railway) Museum in the early 2000s, with galleries on Madinah's history from antiquity to the present, a workshop with steam locomotives and carriages, and a station mosque. Older listings give free entry and daytime and evening opening hours, but recent sources report that the museum is closed for refurbishment as of 2026 and that the Hop-On Hop-Off stop is not serving the site. Visitors should check current status on the Visit Madinah platform before travelling, and can still see the station area and neighbouring Al-Suqya mosque from outside. When open, it is one of the few indoor attractions in central Madinah available to visitors of all faiths.
| Admission | Free when open |
|---|---|
| Hours | Closed for refurbishment as of 2026; older listings gave morning and evening hours |
| Typical visit | 1 to 2 hours when open |
| Best time | Check status first |
| Getting there | Taxi or ride-hail (about SAR 10-20, roughly $3-5, from the centre, estimate) |
| Address | Omar ibn Al-Khattab Road, Al Suqya, Madinah 42315 |
Location
Omar ibn Al-Khattab Road, Al Suqya, Madinah 42315
24.4617, 39.6002 View on map
Highlights
- Ottoman station building and rail yard from 1908
- Steam locomotives and carriages
- Galleries on Madinah's history
- Station mosque beside the old well of As-Suqya
Tips for visiting
- Check opening status before going: recent sources report closure for refurbishment.
- If closed, photograph the exterior and rail yard from the street.
- Older listings gave free entry and morning plus evening hours.
- Combine with Dar Al Madinah Museum if open.
- Use a taxi or ride-hail; the station lies west of the centre.
- Dress modestly.
When to visit
Check status first while closed; mornings once reopened.
Accessibility
Level exhibition halls reported; confirm when the museum reopens.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum open in 2026?
Recent sources report it is closed for refurbishment with no confirmed reopening date. Check the Visit Madinah site.
Was entry free?
Yes, older listings gave free entry with no reservation.
Can non-Muslims visit?
Yes, when it is open; it is a general museum outside the sacred precinct.
Where is it?
On Omar ibn Al-Khattab Road in the Al Suqya/Anbariya area, a short ride from the Prophet's Mosque.