File Photo: An aerial view shows Mecca's Grand Mosque with the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site in the centre. AFP
To ensure fairness, the ministry said that citizens who have already registered for the 2026 Hajj lotteries organised by the interior or social solidarity ministries will not be eligible to apply through the tourism ministry’s lottery this year.
The 2026 tourism Hajj packages offer a range of service levels to accommodate different social and economic groups.
A notable addition this season is the Five-Star Kidana Towers programme, which allows pilgrims to stay in hotel towers during the pilgrimage instead of traditional tent accommodations.
The five-star category includes 2,740 visas under the Kidana Towers programme, priced at EGP 645,000 per person. It also offers 5,000 visas for tented accommodation: Category A at EGP 560,000 and Category B at EGP 500,000.
Under the Economic category, 17,060 visas have been allocated, Category A priced at EGP 285,000, Category B at EGP 265,000, and Category C at EGP 245,000.
The Overland category includes 5,700 visas, with Category A at EGP 250,000, Category B at EGP 240,000, and Category C at EGP 220,000.
According to the ministry, all tourism Hajj programme prices have been reduced by between EGP 5,000 and EGP 20,000 compared to the previous season, as part of the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens while maintaining service quality.
The ministry clarified that the listed prices exclude travel costs such as air or sea transport for overland programmes. These prices represent the maximum allowable limits, and tourism companies must adhere strictly to the announced rates and service specifications.
Prices may be adjusted only if Saudi authorities impose additional costs, with the approval of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah and the minister's ratification.
The ministry also warned citizens against dealing with unlicensed entities promoting unauthorised Hajj programmes, cautioning that such arrangements could lead to fraud or legal repercussions in Saudi Arabia for visa violations.
Citizens were urged to apply only through officially licensed tourism companies accredited by the ministry.
Separately, the interior ministry announced that it will accept Hajj applications from 12 to 28 October.
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