Those of you taking on the pilgrimage to Makkah (also known as Mecca) and traveling to Saudi Arabia may feel a little overwhelmed. Worry not, the Skyscanner guide to flying for Hajj 2018 aims to provide some clarity for your trip this August, highlighting areas of ambiguity – you’ll need to speak to your airline or travel agent directly – as well as general information to help with your travels.
Please note: Skyscanner has tried to simplify the process and requirements, however, travelers have very different policies to follow depending on their Hajj and Umrah packages, airline and the country they are flying from. This should only be used as a general guide so please always contact your agent, airline and embassy with any queries. We’ve also included helpful information such as dates, how much Zamzam you can take on the plane and this year’s ‘must have’ Hajj app!
When is Hajj 2018?
Entry and exit dates for those travelling on Hajj visa:
| First Date | Last Date | |
| Entry | 14 July 2018 | 15 August 2018 |
| Exit | 26 August 2018 | 25 September 2018 |
Where can I go on a Hajj visa?
If you’re traveling on a Hajj visa, you’re only permitted to travel to certain areas in Saudi Arabia. Responsibility for obtaining the correct visa and booking the right flight does fall on the passenger, and without the correct documentation, you’ll not be able to board the flight or receive a refund.
The three different visa types are Hajj, Umrah and Visit and where you can go is determined by which visa you are traveling on. With a Hajj visa, you must disembark in the cities of Jeddah or Madinah (also known as Medina) and are not allowed to travel to other parts of Saudi Arabia. There is also the flip side to this law that means anyone on a Visit or Umrah visa is not allowed to enter Jeddah or Madinah during the Hajj period.
| Visa type and nationality | Jeddah | Madinah | Taif | Other Saudi destinations |
| Singaporeans holding Hajj permit | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Singaporeans without Hajj permit (not able to perform Hajj) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other nationalities holding Hajj visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
What is the baggage policy for Hajj flights?
Airlines all have their own standard baggage policies. However, there may be a specific Hajj 2018 allowance imposed by Saudi Arabian authorities that you must follow. These differ depending on the airline and agent. For example, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington D.C. states the maximum baggage weight is 32kg and size is 56x45x25cm, regardless of airline policies that allow larger luggage. However, traveling on Emirates, Hajj passengers will be able to enjoy extra generous baggage allowance up to 35kg in Economy Class, 40kg in Business Class, and 50kg in First Class.
Any excess baggage must be shipped and to make this easier there is now Authorized Hajj cargo service centers in Makkah and at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Our advice: make sure you contact your Hajj and Umrah package agent and airline directly to check the baggage policy. If in doubt speak to your local Saudi Arabian Embassy.
Can I bring back Zamzam (holy water)?
Most airlines allow passengers returning from this pilgrimage to bring up to five litres of Zamzam as checked baggage at no additional cost. On flights from Jeddah, Hajj passengers flying Emirates can bring up to 5 litres of Zamzam which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold. But again, we would strongly recommend you check with your airline, they may even have organized complimentary Zamzam for you. Make sure your Zamzam bottle is properly packed in the special plastic Zamzam bag to avoid leakage.
What time should I check-in at the airport when leaving after Hajj?
When it comes to checking-in at Jeddah and Madinah after completing the pilgrimage, there are different rules for different airlines. In general, passengers traveling on international airlines, such as Emirates, must report to the airport check-in desk six hours before the scheduled departure time. While, travelers flying on a Saudi based airline, such as SAUDIA, need to arrive at the airport three hours before departure time. However, as the rules vary so much from airline to airline, national or international, please always consult with your airline directly to make sure you arrive at the airport at the correct time. Word of warning: during the Hajj period airports can be extremely busy and lines long so it is advised to be prepared for a lot of waiting around. You are encouraged to arrive as early as possible!
Can I take photographs?
There are certain rules regarding photography that you should follow in Saudi Arabia. It is forbidden to take photos of any government buildings, military installations or palaces, so make sure you know what is around you before taking a snap. Authorities also advise avoiding taking photos of Saudi locals. Binoculars can be confiscated if brought into Saudi, so best to leave those at home!
What is this year’s ‘must have’ Hajj app?
MANASIKANA
Manasikana is a handy app to provide guidance when on a Hajj journey and definitely a must have this year! It has been updated for Hajj 2018 and is now available in several languages, including Arabic, English, Urdu and Malay, and offers a variety of features, such as maps of Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah and Holy sites, highlighting places of interest. The map feature helps to identify current location and provides the journey time to the next destination. There are also safety features such as important telephone numbers and allows family and friends to track your location in real time. You can even find prayer times, weather conditions, currency conversion and news.
*Published July 2018. Information based on desktop research, speaking directly to airlines and the UK Saudi Arabian Embassy. Whilst the information was, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of publication, we’d recommend that you check the details with your Hajj and Umrah package agent, airline, embassy and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah directly.
Originally published and adapted from Skyscanner AE.
