February 9, 2025. That’s when the Nusuk Hajj portal opened for UK pilgrims trying to secure spots for 2025. Within three hours, all 3,500 custom package slots were gone. Three hours. My cousin sat at his laptop refreshing the page, managed to get through, and by the time he selected his package option and went to payment, it was sold out.
He’s been trying for four years now.
For British Muslims, Hajj applications have become a race against thousands of others, technical problems on the Saudi portal, and confusion about how many spots are even available. One source says there are 3,500 spots for UK Muslims, while another says there are 12,348. Which is it? And why does it feel like winning the lottery just to fulfill your religious duty?
For 2026, nothing’s getting easier. The application window opens in early February — likely around February 3-4 based on past years, so it may already be live by the time you’re reading this. Hajj itself falls around late May (estimated May 25-26 for the Day of Arafah). And UK Muslims are already stressed about securing spots before they’ve even thought about the £5,000-12,000 price tag.
The Quota Numbers That Don’t Make Sense
Here’s where everyone gets confused, and honestly, I had to call the Council of British Hajjis (CBHUK) myself to understand this.
What the data shows:
- Initial custom package quota for 2025: 3,500 slots
- Total UK allocation cited in reports: 12,348 pilgrims
- 2024 quota: just over 7,000 (doubled from 3,500 in 2023)
So what’s the real number?
It just so happens that both numbers are correct in a technical sense. The 3,500 is the number of “custom packages” in one “batch.” This is what UK-based Hajj operators market as group packages, where everything is included. This is what happens when you open up in hours.
The higher number of 12,348 is for applications from individuals, booking directly with a Saudi-based operator, and further phases that will open in the future. The problem is that this extra space isn’t guaranteed, the time is unknown, and most British Muslims don’t even know it opens because there are no publicity releases.
One brother in Birmingham said he had missed a surge of new slots in early February, only to find out that more had opened up soon after, although there was no explicit notice. He had already read about it in a WhatsApp group, and they were gone too.
The “one pilgrim per 1,000 Muslims” formula:
Post-COVID, Saudi Arabia restructured quotas based on Muslim population. With roughly 3.9 million Muslims in the UK, the 12,348 allocation actually tracks with this formula. But the distribution of those slots across different booking phases creates chaos for people trying to plan.
The February Application Window (And Why It’s So Stressful)
Based on the last two years, here’s what to expect for 2026:
Expected opening: February 3-4, 2026 (could shift by a few days)
Hajj dates: Around May 25-26, 2026 for Arafah
Payment deadline after acceptance: 7-10 days
Visa issuance: 2-4 weeks before departure
The Nusuk platform (hajj.nusuk.sa) is the only official route. No visitor visas, no alternative applications. You must:
- Create a verified account with UK passport details
- Upload required documents (passport scan, residency proof like utility bill or BRP, vaccination certificates, medical clearance if you’re over certain age)
- Select a package from authorized UK providers
- Pay within the tight deadline if your application is accepted
I asked someone who successfully got through last year what the experience was like. He said the portal crashed twice during his application. He had three devices ready – laptop, tablet, phone – and when one froze, he switched to another. His wife was on her laptop at the same time as backup. They treated it like Black Friday shopping, except instead of a discounted TV, they were competing for a spot to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam.
That’s what it’s come to.
What You’re Actually Paying For (Breaking Down the £4,500-12,000 Range)
Hajj packages from UK operators span a massive price range. When I contacted different companies asking “why does one package cost £4,500 and another £12,000,” here’s what I learned.
Budget Packages (£4,500-5,500):
- Flights: Indirect routes (2-3 stops via Cairo, Istanbul, Jeddah)
- Makkah accommodation: Older 2-3 star hotels in Aziziyah area (6-8km from Haram, shuttle buses required)
- Madinah accommodation: Similar distance hotels
- Mina tents: Shared basic tents (30-50 people), simple meals
- Arafat: Basic tent accommodation, communal facilities
- Muzdalifah: Open ground sleeping (you bring your own mat)
- Group size: Large groups (100-200 pilgrims), less individual attention
A family member went on a budget package in 2023. He said Mina was manageable but challenging – tents were crowded, heat was intense, and walking distances were long. For an able-bodied person in their 30s-40s, it’s doable. For someone elderly or with health issues, it’s genuinely difficult.
Mid-Range Packages (£5,500-8,000):
- Flights: 1-stop routes (usually via Jeddah or Riyadh)
- Makkah: 3-4 star hotels closer to Haram (2-4km, better shuttle frequency)
- Madinah: Walking distance or short shuttle to Prophet’s Mosque
- Mina tents: Medium capacity (15-25 people), better meals
- Arafat: Improved tent quality, better sanitation
- Muzdalifah: Organized sleeping areas with mats provided
- Group size: 50-100 pilgrims
This tier is where most British pilgrims end up. You’re not staying in luxury, but you’re not completely exhausted from walking 8km daily in 45°C heat while fasting.
Premium Packages (£8,000-12,000+):
- Flights: Direct routes (Saudia or British Airways)
- Makkah: 5-star hotels within walking distance or adjacent to Haram
- Madinah: 5-star, direct Haram access
- Mina: VIP tents (6-10 people), air-conditioned, premium catering
- Arafat: Private sections, AC tents, better facilities
- Muzdalifah: Organized camps with proper bedding
- Group size: 20-40 pilgrims, dedicated guides
- Additional: Airport lounges, private transport, comprehensive support
Someone from our masjid took his elderly parents on a premium package. His father has diabetes and mobility issues. He said the extra £6,000 (compared to budget) was worth it because his dad could actually manage the rituals without collapsing from heat and exhaustion. The proximity to the Haram meant his mother could go back to the hotel to rest between prayers instead of being stuck in Mina all day.
But not everyone has an extra £6,000 per person. For a family of four, that’s £24,000 additional. That’s a deposit on a house.
The Mandatory Costs You Can’t Avoid
Regardless of which package tier you choose, these costs apply to everyone:
Vaccinations:
- Meningococcal ACWY: £50-80 (required, verify recent booster accepted)
- COVID-19: Usually free on NHS (check current Saudi requirements)
- Polio booster: Free on NHS if needed
- Total: £50-100 per person
- Visa fee: Built into package cost but worth noting it exists separately. Saudi Hajj visas aren’t the same as tourist visas.
- Travel insurance with Hajj coverage: Not technically mandatory but absolutely necessary. Standard travel insurance doesn’t cover Hajj-related incidents. Specific Hajj insurance runs £80-150 per person.
- Ihram clothing and supplies: £30-60 for proper Ihram garments, money belt, supplies
- Emergency funds: You’ll need extra money for taxis if you miss group transport, medical needs, phone cards, incidentals. Budget at least £200-300 buffer.
A family of four faces £600-800 in these mandatory costs before even paying for the package itself.
What Changed Post-COVID (And Why Everything Costs More Now)
Someone asked me, “Didn’t Hajj packages used to be £3,500-4,000 a few years ago?” Yes. They did.
Here’s what changed:
- Saudi Vision 2030 taxes: 15% VAT on tourism services plus 5% municipality tax. That’s 20% added to hotel costs that didn’t exist pre-2020.
- Quota reduction: The “one per 1,000 Muslims” formula cut global capacity. Less supply, same demand equals higher prices.
- Inflation buffer: UK operators build 10-15% inflation buffers into advance bookings because they’re booking hotels and flights a year ahead with uncertain economic conditions.
- Enhanced facilities costs: Saudi Arabia upgraded Mina and Arafat facilities significantly. Those improvements get passed to pilgrims through higher package costs.
- Stricter regulations: New health requirements, mandatory tracking apps, enhanced security measures all add operational costs.
Pre-2020, budget packages genuinely existed at £3,200-3,800. The same tier now costs £4,500-5,500. That’s a 35-40% increase in five years, and it’s unlikely to reverse.
How Costs Break Down (Where Your £6,000 Actually Goes)
I asked an operator to break down a £6,000 mid-range package. Here’s what he showed me:
- Flights: £900-1,200 (15-20% of cost)
- Makkah hotel (15 nights): £1,400-1,800 (23-30%)
- Madinah hotel (8 nights): £600-800 (10-13%)
- Mina/Arafat/Muzdalifah (5 days): £1,200-1,600 (20-27%)
- Transport (buses, shuttles): £300-400 (5-7%)
- Meals during Hajj days: £250-350 (4-6%)
- Visa processing: £150-200 (2-3%)
- Operator profit margin: £600-800 (10-13%)
- Emergency/admin buffer: £200-300 (3-5%)
The Hajj days themselves (Mina/Arafat/Muzdalifah) represent nearly a quarter of total cost. This is where budget vs premium makes the biggest difference – a basic shared tent costs £300-400 for those 5 days, while VIP AC tents run £1,500-2,000.
Payment Plans and Financial Support
Most UK operators offer payment plans because nobody has £6,000-12,000 sitting around in February.
Typical structure:
- Deposit: £500-1,000 to secure spot
- Installments: Monthly payments from February through April
- Final payment: Usually due 30-45 days before departure
Some operators partner with Islamic finance providers for interest-free payment plans, though these often require credit checks.
Charity support:
Certain charities offer Hajj financial assistance for those genuinely unable to afford it, but criteria are strict – usually requiring proof of savings attempts, household income verification, and demonstration that this would be your first and only Hajj.
Zakat funds can be used for Hajj if you qualify as someone in need (While Zakat is primarily designated for the poor and needy, using Zakat funds for Hajj is a subject of scholarly debate, generally permitted only if the recipient is already qualified as “needy” (𝑓𝑎𝑞ī𝑟 or 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑘ī𝑛) , though there’s scholarly debate on this. Best to consult your local imam.
The Physical Reality Nobody Prepares You For
Cost matters, but there’s another reality: Hajj is physically brutal even in the best conditions.
Someone who went last year told me straight: “I’m 32, I go to the gym regularly, and I’ve never been that exhausted in my life. If you’re not physically preparing months in advance, you will struggle.”
What you’re facing:
- Walking 5-10km daily in 40-45°C heat
- Standing for hours in Arafat under the sun
- Sleeping on the ground in Muzdalifah
- Crowds of 2+ million people
- Fasting for part of the journey
- Minimal sleep during Hajj days
- Emotional and spiritual intensity
UK operators now recommend:
- Start walking 30-45 minutes daily at least 3 months before
- Build heat tolerance if possible
- Lose excess weight (every kg matters when you’re walking hours in heat)
- Address any medical issues well in advance
- Get fitness clearance from your GP, especially if over 50
My friend’s father (62 years old, slightly overweight) went without proper preparation. He ended up needing medical attention in Mina for heat exhaustion and couldn’t complete tawaf without wheelchair assistance. The package included medical support, but it wasn’t the Hajj experience he’d envisioned for 20 years.
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Spot in February?
This is the question that keeps people up at night. You’ve saved for years, you’re spiritually ready, you hit that February application window, and… nothing. Sold out.
Tips From People Who Successfully Applied
I collected advice from British Muslims who secured spots in 2024 and 2025:
“Have everything ready days before the portal opens.”
Don’t wait until the portal opens to gather documents. Have scanned copies of passport, utility bills, vaccination certificates saved and ready. Test your Nusuk login a week early.
“Use multiple devices and internet connections.”
The portal crashes. It freezes. It times out. Have backup devices ready and consider mobile data as backup if your WiFi fails.
“Select your package choice in advance.”
Research UK operators beforehand. Know which package tier you want. When the portal opens, you don’t have time to compare – you need to click through fast.
“Apply as early in the window as possible.”
If the portal opens 8 AM Saudi time (6 AM UK time), be logged in and ready at 5:45 AM. Every minute counts.
“Have payment method ready.”
Once accepted, you have 7-10 days to pay, but having your payment details ready speeds up the process. Some people lost spots because their bank flagged the large international payment as fraud and blocked it.
“Don’t rely on agents to do everything.”
Some UK operators offer application assistance, but ultimately it’s your Nusuk account and your responsibility. Stay involved in the process.
The Question You’re Really Asking
Is it worth £6,000-12,000? Is it worth the stress of the application race? Is it worth the physical exhaustion?
These questions seem weird to ask for the Fard (obligatory) pillar of Islam that every able Muslim must do at least once in their life. But these are serious questions since not everyone has £6,000, not everyone can take 4–5 weeks off work, and not everyone is able to do so.
I spoke with someone who eventually went after saving for 12 years. He drives a taxi, has a family to take care of, and lives in a council flat. When he could, he would save £400 to £500 a year. He had to use his savings for emergencies for a few years. But he kept going, and when he finally stepped on Arafat, he stated he understood why Allah made this job only for those who can do it. “Able” doesn’t just mean being able to perform something physically. It means you can pay for it without making things harder. It is being able to live without putting your family in debt or putting their health at risk.
If you have to borrow money with interest, your family will have a hard time making ends meet without you, and you won’t be able to pay rent for six months after you go, then maybe you’re not “able” yet in the way Allah meant. And that’s not something to be ashamed of.
The Kaaba will still be there when things go better for you. The job doesn’t go away. If you saved money that was halal and went on Hajj at 65, that’s better than going on Hajj at 35 with money you borrowed with interest.
What to Do Right Now (January/Feb 2026)
The Reality of British Muslim Hajj Today
The Hajj experience for UK pilgrims has changed dramatically. It’s more expensive, more regulated, more stressful to secure a spot. But it’s also safer, better organized, with facilities that previous generations couldn’t imagine.
Our parents’ generation had to deal with distinct problems. For example, they had to take the bus for weeks at a time, dwell in rudimentary camps, and get little medical help. We now have air-conditioned tents, hospitals nearby, and tracking systems, but we have to pay £10,000 for the privilege and fight with millions for quota slots.
There were problems with both systems. Both need you to give up something. The nature of that sacrifice has changed from physical suffering to financial pressure and stress from having to deal with paperwork.
What hasn’t changed: strolling between Safa and Marwah, round the Kaaba, standing on the plains of Arafat, and following the footsteps of Ibrahim (A.S) and Hajara (S.A) and Muhammad ﷺ. The same things happen at those times for people with a £4,500 package and people with a £12,000 plan.
May Allah make it easy for those who want to go on Hajj. No matter when you book your spot, whether it’s in February 2026 or February 2030, whether you choose a budget or premium package, or how old you are when you finally stand on Arafat, your Hajj will be accepted. The most important thing is that you are honest and do the rituals.
If you can’t go on Hajj this year, remember that doing Umrah during blessed months like Ramadan, Rajab, or Shaban is a great way to get ready for your time. Even if the Hajj quota isn’t full, the doors to Allah’s abode are always open.
