The government has announced a revised and slightly more affordable Hajj package for 2026, with the lowest-cost option set at Tk 4,67,167 – down from last year’s minimum of Tk 4,78,242 – primarily due to a reduction in airfare.
For the first time, three distinct government-managed Hajj packages have been introduced, expanding choice and accessibility for prospective pilgrims.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain unveiled the “Hajj Package-2026” at a press conference held on Sunday at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, following approval by the Hajj Management Executive Committee, which he chairs. The committee includes senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies.
Three govt packages offer tiered accommodation and services
The new structure replaces last year’s two-package system and introduces a more affordable third option:
Hajj Package-1 (Special): Priced at Tk 690,597, this premium option offers accommodation within 700 metres of the Haram Sharif in Mecca and in the central Markazia area of Medina. Rooms accommodate up to five pilgrims with attached bathrooms. In Mina, tents are located in Zone-2, with meals provided by the Moallem and ‘D+’ category services in Mina and Arafat.
Hajj Package-2: Priced at Tk 558,881, this mid-tier package provides lodging 1.2 to 1.8 km from the Haram Sharif in Mecca and in the central Medina area. Rooms accommodate up to six people with attached bathrooms. Tents are also in Zone-2, with ‘D’ category services and Moallem-provided meals.
Hajj Package-3: A new, budget-friendly option at Tk 467,167, designed to make Hajj more accessible. Pilgrims will stay in the Azizia area of Mecca and outside the Markazia zone in Medina, with up to six per room. Tents are in Zone-5 in Mina, with ‘D’ category services and Moallem meals. Air-conditioned buses will transport pilgrims to the Haram Sharif for the five daily prayers.
This marks the first time the government is arranging accommodation in Azizia—a move necessitated by the Saudi authorities’ demolition of older Bangladeshi lodging facilities in central Mecca. Notably, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia have long housed their pilgrims in Azizia due to its proximity and capacity.
Additional costs and regulatory measures
Despite lower airfare, several cost pressures have emerged. The Saudi government has raised health insurance fees by 130 Saudi riyals (approximately Tk 4,270) and increased tent rental rates in Mina and Arafat by 4.2%. Additionally, a mandatory “Dam-e-Shukr” (sacrificial offering) deposit of 720 Saudi riyals (Tk 23,652) must now be paid via the Nusuk Masa platform – a first-time inclusion in the official package pricing.
The exchange rate for the Saudi riyal has also risen from Tk 32.50 in 2025 to Tk 32.85 in 2026, factored into the final package costs.
Private hajj operators bound by minimum pricing
The government has also set a mandatory baseline price of Tk 509,185 for private Hajj agencies under the “General Hajj Package for Private Mediums.” Agencies may offer two additional packages above this threshold but cannot undercut it.
Pilgrims are required to carry a minimum of 35 Saudi riyals per day for personal food expenses, as meals beyond those provided in Mina and Arafat are not included in the package.
Key dates and eligibility
Hajj 2026 is expected to begin on 26 May, subject to moon sighting.
Initial registration opened on 27 July and will close on 12 October 2024.
Applicants must be at least 12 years old and in sound physical and mental health.
An initial deposit of Tk 350,000 is required to complete registration.
The full package amount must be paid by 31 December 2024.
Hajj contracts will be formalised on 9 November 2024, with housing and transport agreements finalised by 1 February 2026.
Visa processing begins on 8 February 2026, and flights to Saudi Arabia will commence on 18 April 2026.
A total of 127,198 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj in 2026 under both government and private arrangements.
The introduction of the three-tier system reflects the government’s effort to balance affordability, service quality, and logistical realities in one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings—while ensuring transparency and preventing underbidding by private operators.