Hajj 2026 Price in India: How Much Does Government Package Cost?

How much does Hajj 2026 cost through the Indian government?

The HCoI Hajj 2026 package costs between ₹3.43 lakh and ₹4.19 lakh per pilgrim, varying by departure city after the additional ₹10,000 differential airfare payment.

The package covers a 35 to 45-day stay in Saudi Arabia in most cases, with the exact duration determined by the flight schedule approved by Saudi civil aviation authorities.

The HCoI Hajj 2026 package includes:

• Return charter flights from your embarkation point to Jeddah or Madinah
• Accommodation in Makkah and Madinah arranged through the Consulate General of India
• Ground transport and Mina camp services during the pilgrimage rites
• Term life insurance through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
• Accidental insurance through SBI General Insurance
• A Haj Suvidha smartwatch and IoT SIM with roaming data

Qurbani (Adahi) is optional and costs an additional ₹17,280, payable through the authorised Nusuk Masar portal.

Hajj 2026 cost by embarkation point

Pilgrims from Ahmedabad pay the lowest total Hajj 2026 cost, while those from Vijayawada pay the highest.

The difference of nearly ₹76,000 between the cheapest and most expensive embarkation point is driven almost entirely by chartered airfare.

Here is the verified Hajj 2026 cost breakdown from the HCoI circulars on balance payments and differential airfare:

 

Pilgrims give two preferred embarkation points on their application, and HCoI reserves the right to reassign passengers between airports for operational or air-safety reasons.

Hajj 2026 payment schedule and deadlines

The HCoI Hajj 2026 cost is paid in three installments, with the third installment deadline extended to 6 April 2026, plus a separate ₹10,000 differential airfare payment due by 15 May 2026.

• First installment (advance): ₹1,52,300, payable on provisional selection through Qurrah (digital draw of lots)
• Second installment: ₹1,25,000, due by 31 October 2025
• Third installment (balance): Variable by embarkation point, due by 6 April 2026
• Differential airfare: ₹10,000, due by 15 May 2026

Payments can be made online through the HCoI portal or Haj Suvidha App, or through State Bank of India or Union Bank of India using the unique bank reference number issued by HCoI.

The HCoI circulars warn that flight booking confirmation and travel documents are subject to full payment and clearance of dues.

Refunds are processed by HCoI within roughly one month of cancellation, but only on medical or death grounds — Saudi Arabia’s e-pilgrimage system no longer permits routine changes to pilgrim records, so other cancellations attract penalties.

The new 20-day Short Hajj Package

For Hajj 2026, HCoI has launched a 20-day Short Hajj Package aimed at working professionals — shorter than the regular 35 to 45-day stay, and at a higher cost than the normal package.

The Short Hajj Package is capped at 10,000 pilgrims, with a separate Qurrah if applications exceed the quota.

The Short Hajj is operated only from seven embarkation points:

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Bengaluru
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Cochin
• Ahmedabad

The package option must be selected at the time of Haj Application Form (HAF) submission and cannot be changed later. Pilgrims who opt for Short Hajj and miss the 10,000 cap may be placed on a waiting list, while those not selected or waitlisted for the Short Hajj package are automatically allotted the regular package.

Buildings in Makkah are hired for the full Hajj season regardless of any individual pilgrim’s stay length, so pilgrims do not receive a refund based on actual duration of stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hajj cheaper through HCoI or through a private Haj Group Organiser?

HCoI is significantly cheaper. Private HGO packages typically start around ₹4.50 lakh and rise to ₹10 lakh or more for premium tiers, while HCoI prices range from ₹3.43 lakh to ₹4.19 lakh.

When will Hajj 2027 applications open?

Applications typically open in June or July the preceding year. For reference, Hajj 2026 applications were open from 7 July to 7 August 2025 through the HCoI portal and Haj Suvidha mobile app.

Can I get a refund if I cancel after paying installments?

Only on medical or death grounds. Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system no longer allows routine pilgrim changes, so cancellations for other reasons attract penalties as per HCoI guidelines.

Does the HCoI cost include Qurbani?

No, Qurbani is optional and costs ₹17,280 extra. Shia pilgrims opting for Johfa Meeqat via Jeddah flights must also pay an additional ₹5,520.

Can I perform Hajj more than once through HCoI?

No, the “once-in-a-lifetime through HCoI” rule remains in force. The only exception is acting as a Mehram or as a companion to a pilgrim aged 65 or above.

Sources

1. Haj Committee of India — Haj Policy 2026 (1447 H)
2. Haj Committee of India — Guidelines for Haj 2026 (1447 H)
3. Haj Committee of India — Circulars for Haj 2026
4. Haj Committee of India — Official Portal
5. Prime Minister of India — Bilateral Haj Agreement Signed with Saudi Arabia, India’s Quota Fixed at 175,025 for 2026
6. The Sentinel — Haj 2026 Pilgrims Told to Clear Final Dues by March 31
7. Lokmat Times — Haj 2026 to Cost Over Rs 3.40 Lakh; Pilgrims Instructed to Deposit Last Installment by March 31
8. Ministry of Minority Affairs — Haj Information