Hajj Costs Rise Sharply in 2026, Fueled by Iran Conflict

The cost of undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage in 2026 has seen a considerable increase, creating financial strain for many prospective pilgrims, particularly from countries like Egypt.

The six-day religious journey to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam, has become notably more expensive compared to previous years. According to the Egyptian Travel Federation, a significant factor contributing to this rise is the increased cost of air travel. The average price for a flight ticket has reportedly jumped to 50,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately RM3,786), a substantial increase from the previous rate of 30,000 pounds.

While the article text provided is brief and does not elaborate further on the specific reasons beyond mentioning the "Iran war," this conflict is understood to be impacting regional stability and potentially disrupting travel routes or increasing insurance premiums, thereby driving up overall costs for international travel to Saudi Arabia.