Taking children and parents to Hajj is a big decision. At AL Islam Travels, a London agency in East Ham that arranges Hajj and Umrah for UK pilgrims, we hear the same worries from families every season. Who looks after the kids in Mina? How far is the hotel from the Haram for a grandmother who walks slowly?
Family Hajj packages answer these questions before you fly. They bundle your Hajj visa, flights, hotels, transport and camp places into one plan, so you can focus on worship. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (2024) counted about 1.83 million pilgrims that year, so a clear plan matters.
This guide covers package types, a price comparison, the booking process and how to choose a provider. We wrote it for families in London, Birmingham, Manchester and beyond who want a comfortable pilgrimage together.
Why UK families book through a licensed operator
Hajj asks a lot from the body. Pilgrims walk for hours between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, often in temperatures above 40°C. A loose plan can turn stressful fast when children or older parents are with you.
UK pilgrims also cannot simply book flights and turn up. Saudi Arabia limits places for each country, and you need a Hajj visa issued through an approved provider. After the 2024 season, Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel reported 1,301 pilgrim deaths, and officials said most of those pilgrims held no official Hajj permit (Saudi Ministry of Health, 2024). Registered pilgrims receive assigned camps, transport and medical support.
Family Hajj packages add another layer of comfort. They keep your group in connected rooms, place you in the same Mina camp section and give you one guide to ask when a child feels unwell. Hajj 2027 is expected around mid-May. Are your parents’ passports valid for at least six more months?
Shifting, non-shifting and economy options
Not every package suits every household. The biggest choice sits between shifting and non-shifting.
A shifting package moves you between hotels. You may stay farther from the Haram for part of the trip, then move closer, and your luggage moves with you. A non-shifting package keeps you in one Makkah hotel for the whole stay. That saves repacking with children, but it usually costs more because the hotel sits closer to the Haram.
Economy packages cut the price with a longer walk or shuttle ride and shared quad rooms. Premium packages add 4 or 5-star hotels, air-conditioned Mina tents and fewer pilgrims per guide. Mina tent category matters more than many families expect, because you sleep there for several nights. Ask which Mina zone you get and how far the camp sits from the Jamarat.
Start with family rooms. Many Makkah hotels offer triple and quad rooms, and some link adjoining rooms on request. Elderly pilgrims should check lifts, wheelchair access and the walking distance to the nearest Haram gate.
| Option | Indicative price per adult | Hotel moves | Best for | Watch out for |
| Economy shifting | £3,800 to £4,500 | Yes | Tight budgets | Longer walks, shared rooms |
| 4-star shifting | £4,300 to £5,000 | Yes | Balanced comfort and cost | Hotel distance varies |
| 5-star shifting | £4,650 to £4,850 | Yes | Families wanting better rooms | One or two moves |
| 5-star non-shifting | £4,450 to £6,800 | No | Young children, older parents | Highest price |
Prices come from recent UK listings and trade norms. They change by season and trip length, so confirm every figure with your provider.
The process from booking to return
Booking early keeps the paperwork calm. A licensed provider usually handles these steps for your group:
- Registering your family and collecting passports valid for at least six months
- Applying for each person’s Hajj visa
- Checking the meningococcal ACWY vaccine certificate for every traveller
- Booking flights from London, Birmingham or Manchester
- Running a pre-departure briefing on rituals and health
- Assigning Makkah and Madinah rooms and Mina camp places
Your pilgrimage then follows a set rhythm. Most groups perform Umrah on arrival, move to Mina on 8 Dhul Hijjah, and stand at Arafat on the 9th. That night you rest in Muzdalifah. Over the next days you stone the Jamarat, complete the sacrifice and perform Tawaf al-Ifadah.
For flight-inclusive packages, ask for ATOL protection, which the UK Civil Aviation Authority administers. It protects your money if the operator fails. Many families also hire wheelchairs for older relatives, so ask whether your package arranges them.
Costs, and how to choose a provider
What shapes the price
UK operators advertise 5-star shifting packages from about £4,650 per person and 5-star non-shifting packages from around £4,450 to £6,800. Six factors move those numbers most:
- Hotel star rating and distance from the Haram
- Shifting or non-shifting stay
- Trip length, from 14 to 27 days
- Mina tent category
- Departure airport and airline
- Child fares and room type
Take a family of five from East London: two adults, two children aged 9 and 12, and a grandmother. The gap between £4,650 and £6,800 looks like £2,150 per person. Across five travellers, that is £10,750 if children pay adult rates, so ask what the child fare is.
Questions to ask before you pay
A licensed Hajj group leader in London advises families to check the Mina camp location before the hotel star rating. Tent distance to the Jamarat decides how much walking your elderly relatives face.
A specialist Hajj and Umrah agency, such as AL Islam Travels in East Ham, handles Saudi visa paperwork, family rooms and wheelchair requests every season. A general high street agent or online booking site rarely deals with Hajj visas or Mina camps directly. Questions about them can wait on a reply from a third party.
Before you pay, ask for these six things in writing:
- Proof that the operator is licensed and approved for Hajj
- ATOL protection details for flights
- Hotel names with walking times to the Haram
- Your Mina zone and camp category
- The number of pilgrims per guide
- Refund and cancellation terms
Never hand over a deposit without a written receipt.
Questions families ask before they book
What do family Hajj packages usually include?
Most family Hajj packages cover your Hajj visa, return flights, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, Mina camp places, ground transport and a guide. Family rooms, child fares and wheelchair help vary by provider, so ask for a written list of inclusions before paying.
How much do Hajj packages cost for UK families?
Listed prices per adult run from roughly £3,800 for economy to £6,800 or more for 5-star non-shifting packages. Children may pay a reduced fare, depending on age. Multiply by each traveller, then add spending money, vaccinations and travel insurance to your budget.
How much is a Hajj package from London for a family of four?
Two adults and two children on a 5-star shifting package at about £4,650 each would total around £18,600 at full price. Child discounts can lower that figure. Ask your provider for a quote that lists every traveller’s fare separately.
Can children perform Hajj from the UK?
Yes, children can travel, though Hajj is only obligatory for adults who are able. Saudi health officials urge caution with very young children because of heat and crowds. Talk to your GP, check each child’s vaccines and keep walking days short.
Do women need a mahram for Hajj?
Saudi rules have relaxed in recent years, and women in approved groups may travel without a mahram in some cases. Rules change from season to season. Confirm the current position with your provider before you book and apply for visas.
Which vaccines do UK pilgrims need for Hajj?
Saudi Arabia requires proof of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, given at least ten days before arrival. Other jabs, such as seasonal flu, are advised. Book a GP or travel clinic appointment early, and carry your certificates in hand luggage.
What is the difference between shifting and non-shifting Hajj packages?
Shifting packages move you between hotels during the trip, which lowers the price. Non-shifting packages keep you in one Makkah hotel throughout. Families with young children or elderly parents often prefer non-shifting for lighter packing and shorter daily walks.
Are Hajj packages available from Birmingham and Manchester?
Yes. Many UK operators offer departures from London, Birmingham and Manchester, and some arrange coach links to the airport. Fares differ by airport and date, so compare totals rather than headline prices. Ask whether the baggage allowance covers a full family.
How hot does Hajj get, and how do families cope?
Daytime temperatures in Makkah often pass 40°C in the Hajj season. Plan walking for cooler hours, drink water often, carry umbrellas and cooling towels, and rest at midday. Air-conditioned Mina tents help children and elders sleep better.
When should I book Hajj 2027 packages from the UK?
Book as soon as your chosen operator opens registration, usually months before the season. Early booking gives better room choice and flight seats. Passports need at least six months of validity, and deposits should always come with a written receipt.
Planning Hajj with children and parents takes patience, but the right package carries most of the load. Start by choosing between shifting and non-shifting, then compare Mina camp details and total cost for every traveller. Check your passports and book vaccines early. When you are ready, reach out to AL Islam Travels with your family size, preferred dates and departure city, and ask for a written quote that lists every inclusion. Take your time, ask every question, and choose the plan that lets your family worship in comfort.
