The government has announced the Hajj packages for 2027, reducing airfare by Tk 24,830 compared to the previous year.

Two packages have been introduced under the government scheme--Package-1 with Tk 6,15,263 while Package-2 (Economy) will cost Tk 5,05,648. 

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad unveiled the Hajj packages and guidelines at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning.

The minister said Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced an integrated service model for the 2027 pilgrimage, combining accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation, catering, tents and other services into unified packages.

He noted that while there were four service categories (A, B, C and D) for Mina and Arafat during the 2026 Hajj, the number has been reduced to three for 2027. In addition, half-board catering has been made mandatory. He expressed hope that these measures would significantly improve the quality of services for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Highlighting the prime minister's personal initiative to lower airfares, the minister said Hajj airfare stood at nearly Tk 2 lakh in 2023. It was reduced to Tk 1,67,820 in 2025 under the interim government, and for the 2027 Hajj it has been fixed at Tk 1,30,000. He described the reduction as "a milestone" in determining Hajj airfares.

The minister also compared the airfare with that of previous administrations, alleging that the Hasina’s government had sought to increase Hajj flight fares, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had worked to reduce the financial burden on pilgrims.

Responding to a question on whether Hajj costs had increased or decreased, the minister explained that the lowest-priced package in 2026 did not include meal costs. However, mandatory catering, the elimination of Service Package D and the appreciation of the Saudi riyal have added Tk 66,574 to the overall cost for 2027. Even after factoring in those additional expenses, he said the 2027 Government Hajj Package-2 is Tk 28,063 cheaper than the comparable lowest-cost package from the previous year.

The minister also announced new facilities for Bangladeshi expatriates intending to perform Hajj. From 2027, expatriate pilgrims will be able to undergo medical examinations, receive required vaccinations and apply for Hajj visas from their country of residence, instead of travelling to Bangladesh to complete those formalities.

He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is also working to enable Bangladeshi expatriate pilgrims to travel directly to Saudi Arabia from their countries of residence.

The briefing further announced a standard package for pilgrims travelling through private Hajj agencies. The General Private Hajj Package has been set at Tk 5,13,648.