How much does الحج cost?

The cost of الحج varies enormously depending on your country of origin, the type of package you choose, and the level of accommodation and services included. As a general guide for 2026, الحجاج should expect to budget between $4,000 and $15,000 per person, with significant variation on either end. The Saudi government requires most international الحجاج to book through licensed الحج operators in their home countries, and these packages typically bundle visa processing, flights, accommodation in مكة and المدينة, ground transportation between the holy sites, meals, and guidance services.

The major cost components break down approximately as follows: international flights typically represent 20-40% of the total cost, depending on distance; accommodation in مكة (especially proximity to al-المسجد الحرام) represents 25-35%, with hotels near the Haram being significantly more expensive; the Saudi الحج visa and service fees set by the Saudi Ministry of الحج; ground transportation between مكة, منى, عرفة, مزدلفة, and optionally المدينة; meals throughout the trip; the sacrificial animal (udhiyah/هدي), which typically costs $100-200; and miscellaneous expenses including الإحرام clothing, personal supplies, and gifts. Pilgrims from countries closer to المملكة العربية السعودية (e.g., Egypt, Jordan, Turkey) generally pay less for flights, while those from Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, or Western countries face higher airfare costs.

To manage costs, consider these practical tips: book well in advance (packages announced 6-12 months before الحج often have early-bird pricing); choose accommodation that is a short bus ride from the Haram rather than walking distance (significantly cheaper); travel during the standard الحج window without extending your stay in المدينة; join group packages through your local Islamic center or مسجد for negotiated rates; and set aside savings gradually using a dedicated الحج fund. Remember that الحج is واجب only when you have the financial means beyond your essential needs and debts — there is no obligation to go into debt for الحج.