Bangladesh has reduced the cost of its 2027 Hajj packages, including airfare, in a move the government says is intended to ease the financial burden on pilgrims. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, known as Kaikobad, announced the reductions in a statement to parliament, describing them as part of several measures to make next year's pilgrimage more affordable.
The cuts run against the usual trend of rising service costs and were framed by the minister as an exceptional step taken in the interest of pilgrims. Notably, food costs have now been folded into the package prices rather than charged separately.
Lower package prices
According to the minister, the price of Hajj Package-1 was TK 690,577 in 2026 and has been reduced to TK 615,223 for 2027, a cut of TK 75,354. Food costs of TK 39,136 are now included in this package.
Hajj Package-2, which cost TK 558,881 in 2026, has been reduced to TK 505,648 for 2027, down by TK 53,233. Food costs of TK 29,000 are included in this package as well. The inclusion of meals means the reductions represent an even larger saving in practical terms, since pilgrims previously budgeted for food separately.
Cheaper airfare
The minister said airfare for Hajj pilgrims would also fall. Airfare stood at TK 154,830 in 2026 and has been fixed at TK 130,000 for 2027, a reduction of TK 24,830 per pilgrim. He said the government had chosen to lower both airfare and package prices even as costs across various services normally increase over time.
Surplus returned to pilgrims
The minister also pointed to the handling of the 2026 season as evidence of the government's approach to transparency. A total of 4,381 pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia under the government's Hajj management in 2026. After the accounts were finalised, TK 48,723,014 remained as a surplus because spending in several areas came in below the allocated amounts.
He said the surplus was returned directly to the bank accounts of the pilgrims concerned, without any intermediary, through an electronic transfer system. The minister said the refund was possible because of the government's commitment to accountability, and added that the Saudi Hajj minister had praised Bangladesh's management of the 2026 season.
Why the cuts matter
Bangladesh sends tens of thousands of pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah each year, and the cost of the journey has long been one of the biggest financial hurdles for aspiring pilgrims. Airfare and accommodation in Saudi Arabia typically make up the largest share of the bill, and both tend to rise year on year. A reduction across package prices and airfare, rather than an increase, is therefore unusual and eases pressure on households saving for the pilgrimage.
Folding meal costs into the package price also brings more of the real cost into a single, transparent figure. Pilgrims previously had to set aside additional money for food during their stay, which made it harder to compare the true cost of different options. With food now included, the advertised package price reflects a fuller picture of what a pilgrim will actually spend.
Practical tips for Bangladeshi pilgrims
Compare the two packages on total value. With meals now included, the headline price reflects more of the real cost, so weigh Package-1 and Package-2 on services, location and inclusions. Budget for the fixed airfare of TK 130,000 as a separate confirmed line item. Keep your bank details current with the authorities, since refunds and any surplus are returned electronically to registered accounts. Register and pay only through official government or licensed channels, and retain all receipts. Watch for the formal booking timeline and complete medical and documentation steps early to avoid last-minute delays.