Millions of Muslims prepare for the sacred pilgrimage every year and if you’re a UK pilgrim planning for Hajj 2026, knowing the exact dates and preparing early can save you stress, money and even safeguard your acceptance. Below you’ll find the latest date projections, visa deadlines, flight routes, money-saving hacks and health pointers you should start acting on today.
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Hajj 2026 Dates – What We Know So Far
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia will not announce the official start of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH until moon-sighting committees meet, but astronomers and Islamic-calendar bodies already give a 95 % probability that:
- 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH will fall on Monday 18 May 2026
- 9 Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) will be Tuesday 26 May 2026
- 10 Dhul-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha & first day of Hajj rites) will be Wednesday 27 May 2026
- Tashrīq days (11–13 Dhul-Hijjah) will complete on Saturday 30 May 2026
Put the dates in your calendar now, but keep the first week of June free as well past years have shown that cloud or dust can shift everything by 24 h.
Why Knowing the Dates Early Matters
- Flight prices jump 30–45 % once Hajj season is confirmed.
- UK quota places (≈ 25 000 visas) are allocated on a first-registered, first-served basis inside the Saudi Nusuk portal.
- Mina camp locations (closest to Jamarat) sell out four to five months in advance, even though tents look identical on paper.
- Work leave: most UK employers ask for holiday requests before January.
“I hesitated in 2024 and ended up paying £1 900 for a £1 250 flight plus a campsite 90 min walk from Jamarat.” Sadia K., Birmingham
Timeline for Booking Hajj Packages from the UK
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Oct–Nov 2025 | Register interest with 3 ATOL-licensed agents; open/verify Nusuk profile for each traveller. |
| Dec 2025 | Saudi Ministry releases country quotas; agents begin “pre-authorised” deposits (£500–£750 pp). |
| Jan 2026 | Final balance due for shifting packages; non-shifting (5-star) packages still available. |
| Feb 2026 | Economy flights start appearing (£650–£800 rtn). Book before Easter to avoid £1 200+ fares. |
| Mar 2026 | Vaccinations & meningitis certificate must be uploaded to Nusuk (valid 3 years). |
| Apr 2026 | Last realistic month to secure visas (processing can take 20 working days). |
| May 2026 | Travel. Most UK groups depart 21–23 May to allow 3–4 days in Makkah before Ihram. |
Step-by-Step UK Hajj 2026 Visa Process
Since 2023 the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has moved UK pilgrims to the Nusuk platform. Here’s the exact click-path you’ll follow:
- Create account at nusuk.sa (use Chrome; the mobile app still crashes on iOS).
- Upload passport bio-page (must be valid until 1 December 2026) and UK BRP if applicable.
- Select “Hajj from Europe” → United Kingdom → preferred language group (English, Urdu, Turkish, etc.).
- Pick package type:
- Caravan (budget) – Aziziyah apartments, shared buses.
- Domestic (mid) – hotels 500–900 m from Haram.
- External (VIP) – 5-star, Haram-view, private coach.
- Pay visa fee (£260) + admin fee (£95) online.
- Download “Hajj Permit” QR code – you’ll show it at UK check-in and again at Jeddah immigration.
External link: check the UK FCDO Saudi Arabia travel-advice page for security updates.
Major UK Airports Offering Flights to Jeddah for Hajj 2026
Scheduled direct flights (no domestic connection) are expected from:
- London-Heathrow – Saudia (daily), British Airways (4× week)
- Manchester – Saudia (3× week, increases to daily in Hajj season)
- Birmingham – Saudia (2× week)
Indirect carriers (Turkish, Qatar, Gulf, EgyptAir, Etihad) fly from Gatwick, Luton, Edinburgh and Glasgow with one stop; total journey 9–12 h including layover.
Insider tip: Saudia’s extra 2-piece baggage allowance (23 kg × 2) is a lifesaver for ihram clothing, dates and Zam-zam on the return leg.
How to Save Money on Hajj Flights & Packages
- Split ticketing – buy a Euro hub fare (e.g. Cairo, Istanbul) on a low-cost carrier, then pick up a Saudia regional fare. Savings £200–£350 pp.
- Shifting vs Non-shifting – “shifting” means you sleep some nights in Aziziyah apartments 6–8 km from Haram. Packages start £1 200 lower.
- Group of 8+ – most operators offer free visa or 1 free place in 8.
- Early-bird interest-free instalments – agents such as Safar e Kaaba let you lock a £5 950 rate with £50 deposit and monthly payments.
- Use a cashback credit card for the final balance; you’ll earn 1–1.5 % back on a £6 k spend.
Estimated UK package ranges (14 nights, 4-star hotels, return flights, visa, Qurbani, transfers):
| Year | Shifting | Non-Shifting |
|---|---|---|
| Hajj 2025 | £5 500–£6 200 | £6 800–£8 000 |
| Hajj 2026 (forecast) | £5 950–£6 750 | £7 300–£8 700 |
Prices rise 8–10 % each year because of hotel inflation and new 15 % VAT in Saudi.
Packing Checklist – Don’t Board Without These
- Two sets of Ihram (100 % cotton, not the polyester eBay ones that feel like plastic bags).
- Unscented SPF 50 – normal sunscreen contains fragrance; Himalaya makes a fragrance-free stick.
- Portable bidet bottle – saves queuing for the one hose in Mina.
- UK-to-Saudi plug adapter (type G → type G, identical pins, but most hotel sockets are loose; bring a multi-block).
- Foldable water-resistant phone pouch – sudden downpours in Makkah are rare but lethal for phones.
- £100 in crisp £20 notes – exchange inside Saudi airports gives better rates than UK kiosks.
Health & Safety Advice for UK Pilgrims
Compulsory vaccine (2026 expected to mirror 2025 rules):
- ACWY quadrivalent meningitis – not older than 3 years.
- COVID-19 – complete primary course; booster NOT required since 2023.
- Seasonal flu – strongly advised for over-65s and diabetics.
Desert heat survival checklist:
- Electrolyte sachets (bring 2 per day).
- SPF 50+ lip balm — most people forget and end up with cracked lips.
- Compression socks reduce ankle swelling on 12-hour coach rides between rituals.
- Foldable misting fan (£7 on Amazon) — allowed in Mina camps, NOT in Haram for security reasons.
Register with the FCDO’s “Locate” service before departure so British Embassy staff can alert you about any regional escalation.
External link:NHS Fit-for-Travel Hajj health page for vaccine centre locations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Hajj 2026
| Mistake | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Booking flights before Nusuk approval | Your visa is tied to the package. Flights can be moved; visa rejection cannot. |
| Choosing the cheapest package without checking Mina camp zone | Camp C (Mu’assim) is 4 km from Jamarat; you’ll walk 90 min each way. |
| Forgetting passport expiry rule | Must be valid 6 months after 1 June 2026 (i.e. until 1 December 2026). |
| Over-packing food | Every UK group has a dedicated chef in Mina; dates/cereal bars are enough. |
| Ignoring connecting-flight layover times | 2 h 30 min minimum coming back; you must collect Zam-zam and re-check it. |
Real-Life Stories from UK Pilgrims
“We paid £6 400 for a non-shifting package but shared a Majles al-Kabsh tent (300 m from Jamarat). My 70-year-old dad could walk back for a nap between pelting — priceless.” — Yusuf, Ilford
“Our group saved £900 by flying Gatwick→Istanbul→Jeddah with Turkish. Yes, it added 4 hours, but we used the stopover to pray Maghrib and stretch — no regrets.” — Naila, Glasgow
Conclusion – Start Today, Reap Barakah Tomorrow
Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation that demands spiritual, physical and financial readiness. Locking your Hajj 2026 plan early gives you:
- Lower prices
- Better Mina camp locations
- Ample time to increase ibadah without last-minute panic
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Share this guide with anyone in your family or WhatsApp group who keeps saying, “We’ll think about it after Ramadan.”
And when you’re ready, browse our hand-picked Hajj 2026 packages — all ATOL-protected, fully Nusuk-integrated and backed by 24-hour UK support.
May Allah invite you to His House and accept your pilgrimage. Ameen.
