Haj & Umrah 2026 — the Saudi season calendar and flight planning for Indian pilgrims
By Reyansh Mehta (Reyansh Mehta writes about hill-station travel, Himalayan and high-altitude trips, and the seasonal/festival timing of flights for Indian travellers. He maps real festival and bloom calendars against airline advance-purchase windows, and cross-checks fares against IRCTC, Uttarakhand Tourism, the Haj Committee of India and airline tariff pages before publishing.) · Published · Last updated · 12 min read
Haj flights are organised by the Haj Committee on a fixed calendar, while Umrah is on you to time and book. Here is the honest 2026 picture of both, from embarkation points to the new Umrah season dates.
Quick answer
Haj 2026 (1447 H) falls around 25-30 May 2026, with the Day of Arafah ~26 May and Eid al-Adha ~27 May, subject to moon sighting. Haj flights are not booked by individuals — the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) organises them on chartered/scheduled services from ~17 embarkation points, and the Haj 2026 application/selection cycle has already closed (HCoI was clearing waiting lists into late 2025/early 2026), per the Haj Committee of India. The estimated 'Normal' package runs roughly ₹3.4-4.25 lakh depending on embarkation point, driven largely by chartered airfare. Umrah is different — you book it yourself year-round, and Saudi Arabia's new Umrah season opens 31 May 2026 with entry to Makkah via Nusuk from 1 June 2026, per Gulf Business. Compare Saudi flights on FlightGPT.
Haj 2026 dates and how the Indian system actually works
Haj 2026 (1447 H) is expected around 25-30 May 2026, with Arafah ~26 May and Eid al-Adha ~27 May, subject to the moon sighting, per Wego. The crucial India-first point: Haj travel is not a normal flight booking. It runs through the Haj Committee of India (under the Ministry of Minority Affairs) on a fixed, government-organised calendar.
How the HCoI route works:
- Pilgrims apply via HCoI within the annual application window (for Haj 2026 this cycle has already closed; HCoI was releasing waiting lists into late 2025/early 2026).
- Selection is by Qurrah (computerised draw) when applications exceed the quota.
- HCoI then arranges the flights, accommodation and logistics; pilgrims do not buy their own air tickets for the Haj itself.
- Applicants must hold a passport valid at least until 31 December 2026 and be physically and financially fit, per the Guidelines for Haj 2026.
So for Haj 2026 specifically, the flight 'planning' is really about understanding your embarkation point, package and reporting schedule — not hunting fares. The Saudi Haj-visa issuance window for 2026 had closed by 20 March 2026.
Haj 2026 embarkation points and package costs
HCoI operates Haj flights from a set of embarkation points across India; for 2026 these include Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Srinagar, Varanasi and Vijayawada (restored for 2026), among others, per StudyIQ. Applicants choose two embarkation-point preferences.
Indicative 2026 package costs (HCoI 'Normal' category), per Wego and other reports:
- Total roughly ₹3.4 lakh to ₹4.25 lakh, depending on embarkation point.
- The gap between cheapest and costliest embarkation point (reportedly ~₹76,000) is driven almost entirely by chartered airfare — Ahmedabad among the lowest, Vijayawada among the highest.
- Payment is in installments — an advance (~₹1,52,300), a second installment (~₹1,25,000), and a final balance announced after airfare is fixed.
- The package typically covers a 35-45 day stay; HCoI also introduced a 20-day Short Haj package for working professionals in 2026.
India's 2026 Haj air operation deploys roughly 365 flights across carriers including Saudia, Air India, IndiGo and Flynas. These are official, indicative figures — confirm your exact package, installment and reporting details directly with HCoI, as amounts are finalised once airfare is locked.
Umrah 2026 — the season you DO book yourself
Unlike Haj, Umrah is performed year-round (outside the Haj days) and you arrange your own visa and flights. Saudi Arabia announced its new Umrah calendar for 2026-27, and the timing matters for planning:
- Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals begin 31 May 2026 for the new season.
- Pilgrims can enter Makkah and obtain Umrah permits via the Nusuk app from 1 June 2026.
- Entry for Umrah is permitted until 23 March 2027, with final departure by 7 April 2027, per Gulf Business and Outlook.
- An Umrah visa does not permit staying for Haj — the two are strictly separated.
For Indian pilgrims, Umrah visas are typically arranged via approved Umrah operators or the official Nusuk channel, and flights are your own normal booking. The most popular gateways are Jeddah (JED) for Makkah and Madinah (MED) for the Prophet's Mosque. Verify current Umrah visa rules and approved operators on official Saudi channels (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah / Nusuk) before paying anyone.
When to book Umrah flights from India
Because Umrah is self-booked, normal fare-timing logic applies — with a few season-specific twists:
- Ramadan Umrah is the peak. Umrah during Ramadan (in 2026, Ramadan falls roughly mid-February to mid-March) carries the highest demand and fares; book 2-4 months ahead for it.
- The new season's opening weeks (from 31 May 2026) and the cooler winter months also see strong demand from India.
- Off-peak Umrah (away from Ramadan and school holidays) is much cheaper and less crowded — a genuine money-saver if your dates are flexible.
- Book JED or MED depending on your itinerary; many pilgrims fly into one and out of the other.
Carriers Indians commonly use to Saudi Arabia include Saudia, Air India Express, IndiGo and the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad) one-stop. See live fares on Delhi to Jeddah, Mumbai to Jeddah and Hyderabad to Jeddah on FlightGPT. One honest note: Saudi-route fares move sharply around Ramadan and the Haj season, so a number you see today is only a snapshot.
Documents, health and practical prep
Whether Haj (via HCoI) or Umrah (self-arranged), the document and health basics for Indian pilgrims:
- Passport validity: for Haj 2026, valid at least until 31 December 2026; for Umrah, follow the standard six-months-plus rule and the operator's guidance.
- Vaccinations: Saudi Arabia mandates the meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine for Haj/Umrah pilgrims, and may require others (e.g. polio for certain travellers); get the certificate well ahead. Confirm the current list on official Saudi health channels.
- Mahram rules: women pilgrims should check the latest mahram requirements, which Saudi Arabia has relaxed in recent years but which still vary by category — verify before booking.
- Clear HCoI dues on time: Haj 2026 pilgrims were told to clear final dues by the deadline (around 31 March 2026) or risk losing flight bookings — a reminder that the HCoI calendar is strict.
Build buffer around your reporting/flight dates, carry digital and printed copies of every document, and never route Haj/Umrah payments through unverified 'agents'. For the broader logic of timing flights around peak seasons, see our festival fare guide and summer-break fare calendar.
Haj vs Umrah 2026 — the planning differences at a glance
The single most important thing to get right is which system you're in:
| Haj 2026 | Umrah 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Fixed: ~25-30 May 2026 (moon-dependent) | Year-round; new season from 31 May 2026 |
| Who books flights | Haj Committee of India (you don't) | You / your approved operator |
| Application | HCoI window + Qurrah draw (2026 cycle closed) | Umrah visa via Nusuk / approved operator |
| Indicative cost | ~₹3.4-4.25 lakh (Normal package) | Varies widely by season and package |
| Gateways | 17 embarkation points → JED/MED | Usually JED (Makkah) / MED (Madinah) |
For Haj 2026 the work is administrative — know your embarkation point, package and reporting schedule via HCoI. For Umrah, it's a normal-but-seasonal flight booking where avoiding Ramadan peak saves the most. In both cases, verify every date, fee and rule on the official HCoI and Saudi government channels, since they are finalised close to the season and can change.
Frequently asked questions
When is Haj 2026?
Haj 2026 (1447 H) is expected around 25-30 May 2026, with the Day of Arafah around 26 May and Eid al-Adha around 27 May, subject to the moon sighting. The Saudi Haj-visa issuance window for 2026 closed by 20 March 2026.
Do I book my own flights for Haj from India?
No. For pilgrims going through the Haj Committee of India, HCoI organises the flights, accommodation and logistics on chartered and scheduled services from about 17 embarkation points. Pilgrims do not buy their own air tickets for the Haj itself; the cost is built into the HCoI package.
How much does Haj 2026 cost from India?
Indicatively, the Haj Committee 'Normal' package runs roughly ₹3.4-4.25 lakh depending on the embarkation point, with the difference driven largely by chartered airfare (Ahmedabad among the lowest, Vijayawada among the highest). Confirm the exact amount and installments with HCoI, as the final figure is set once airfare is locked.
When does the Umrah 2026 season open?
Saudi Arabia's new Umrah season opens with visa issuance and arrivals from 31 May 2026, and pilgrims can enter Makkah and get Umrah permits via the Nusuk app from 1 June 2026. Entry for Umrah is permitted until 23 March 2027, with final departure by 7 April 2027.
When should I book Umrah flights from India?
For Ramadan Umrah (the peak; Ramadan 2026 is roughly mid-February to mid-March), book 2-4 months ahead. Off-peak Umrah away from Ramadan and school holidays is much cheaper. Fly into Jeddah for Makkah or Madinah for the Prophet's Mosque, and verify visa rules on official Saudi channels.
Which vaccinations are required for Haj and Umrah?
Saudi Arabia mandates the meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine for Haj and Umrah pilgrims and may require others depending on your profile. Get the certificate well ahead of travel and confirm the current requirements on official Saudi health channels before you fly.
Can I do Umrah on a Haj visa or stay for Haj on an Umrah visa?
No. The two are strictly separated. An Umrah visa does not permit staying for Haj, and Haj is organised separately (in India, via the Haj Committee). Always travel on the correct visa for the rite you intend to perform.