Booking a Jeddah Stay During Hajj Season 2027: Permits, Prices and Lead Times
Hajj changes Jeddah for several weeks every year. The airport handles waves of pilgrim flights, Makkah closes to most visitors, and Saudi families travel for Eid al-Adha. If you plan to be in Jeddah at this time, the rules and the timing matter as much as the room.
This guide explains what happens in Jeddah during Hajj season 2027, who can and cannot travel to Makkah, and how to plan and book a stay. It is written by Best Trip Hotels, which runs serviced apartments in Jeddah and hosts guests through every Hajj season.
Hajj 2027 Dates at a Glance
Islamic dates are confirmed by moon sighting, so they can move by a day. The dates below follow the Umm al-Qura calendar as reported by Wego.
Day
Expected date in 2027
1 Dhul Hijjah
Around 7 May 2027
8 Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims move to Mina
Around 14 May 2027
9 Dhul Hijjah, Day of Arafah
Around 15 May 2027
10 Dhul Hijjah, Eid al-Adha
Around 16 May 2027
11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, Days of Tashreeq
Around 17 to 19 May 2027
The busy period in Jeddah lasts much longer than these days. Pilgrim flights started arriving about five weeks before Hajj in 2026, and departures continue for weeks afterwards.
The 2027 Hajj Season Timeline
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah publishes the season calendar each year. Here is what is known for 1448 and what to expect based on the 2026 pattern.
Stage
2026 (actual)
2027 (expected)
Last date for Umrah visa holders to leave Saudi Arabia
18 April 2026
7 April 2027, per the 1448 season calendar
Makkah entry permit period
13 April to 31 May 2026
Expected to start in early April 2027; official dates to be announced
First Hajj pilgrim flights land in Jeddah
Around mid-April 2026
Expected around early April 2027
Umrah permits suspended on Nusuk
Until 31 May 2026
Expected until shortly after Hajj
Umrah visas and permits resume
31 May and 1 June 2026
Expected in late May or early June 2027
Sources for the 2026 dates are Wego, Arab News and Khaleej Times. The 7 April 2027 Umrah exit deadline comes from the 1448 season calendar reported by Khaleej Times. Check the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Nusuk for the official 2027 dates.
Who Can Travel to Makkah During Hajj Season
This is the most important point for anyone staying in Jeddah. During the permit period, checkpoints on every road into Makkah, including those from Jeddah, turn back anyone without the right documents.
Allowed to enter Makkah
According to Wego’s guide to the Makkah entry permit, entry is allowed for:
Pilgrims with a Hajj visa or official Hajj permit, who must carry the Nusuk Card.
Residents with an iqama or Saudi ID issued in Makkah.
Workers with a permit issued for the holy sites.
Some residents with a Makkah entry permit issued through Absher, or through Muqeem by their employer.
Not allowed to enter Makkah
Tourist and visit visa holders. These visas do not qualify for Makkah entry during the permit period.
Jeddah and Riyadh residents without a valid permit, even if they normally drive to Makkah.
Umrah visa holders after the deadline to leave Saudi Arabia.
Penalties
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced heavy penalties for Hajj 2026, applying from 18 April to 31 May. Arab News reported fines of up to SAR 20,000 for performing Hajj without a permit or for visit visa holders entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites, with deportation and a 10-year entry ban for violators. Anyone who transports, shelters or accommodates visit visa holders in Makkah faces fines of up to SAR 100,000, multiplied by the number of people involved.
Staying in Jeddah on a tourist or visit visa during Hajj season is not a problem. Travelling on to Makkah without a permit is.
If your main aim is Umrah, choose a different time of year. In 2027, Ramadan falls in February and March, before the Umrah deadline, and our guide to staying in a Jeddah hotel during Ramadan covers that season. Otherwise, wait until Umrah permits reopen after Hajj.
Why Jeddah Gets So Busy
Several things happen at once during Hajj season:
Pilgrim arrivals. Most international pilgrims fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport. In 2025, the Passports Directorate reported more than 1.25 million pilgrims had arrived from abroad by 1 Dhul Hijjah, almost 1.19 million of them by air.
Eid al-Adha travel. Saudi schools close for the Eid al-Adha break, about 7 to 22 May 2027, and private sector workers usually get four days off.
Services and staff. Companies working on Hajj operations bring in seasonal staff, many of whom stay in Jeddah.
Returning pilgrims. After Hajj, pilgrims fly home through Jeddah for several weeks.
Our guide to Eid stays in Jeddah covers the Eid al-Adha holiday in more detail.
Who Stays in Jeddah During Hajj Season
Our guests at this time of year usually fall into a few groups.
Families of residents. Relatives visiting for Eid al-Adha, often on visit visas, stay in Jeddah for the holiday.
Business travellers. Work carries on in Jeddah during Hajj, though traffic and the airport are busier.
Pilgrims before or after Hajj. Some pilgrims spend a night in Jeddah before their group transfer or after returning from the holy sites, depending on their Hajj package.
Umrah travellers planning ahead. Some arrive just before Umrah resumes after Hajj. Our guide to staying in Jeddah for Umrah explains how a Jeddah base works once permits restart.
The Airport During Hajj Season
KAIA runs at full capacity during Hajj season, with dedicated Hajj and Umrah terminals handling much of the pilgrim traffic. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, because terminals are far apart and some airlines have moved during the airport’s current transition. Our guide to Jeddah airport terminals explains each one.
Arriving
Allow extra time for immigration and baggage, especially on peak arrival days. Our guide to Jeddah airport to city center shows transfer times to each district.
Departing
Departures are busiest after Hajj, when pilgrims fly home. Our guide on how early to leave for Jeddah airport gives drive times by district and the extra time to allow in peak periods.
Choosing Where to Stay in Jeddah During Hajj Season
Your plans decide the best area.
Near the airport
For short stays around flights, north-central Jeddah keeps the airport close. Best Trip Paris and Best Trip City Zone in An Nuzhah are both about 5.5 km from KAIA.
Central Jeddah
For family visits and evenings out during Eid, Al Andalus Tolen in Al Baghdadiyah is close to Al Balad and the central Corniche.
South and east Jeddah
For families who need more space, Best Trip Milano in Al Ajaweed has units up to three bedrooms, and Best Trip Marsilia is on Sayed Al Shuhada Street in the Al Amir Fawwaz Al Junoobi district.Best Trip Istanbul in Al Rawabi is a monthly property for longer stays.
Remember that roads towards Makkah have checkpoints during the permit period. A location close to the Makkah road only helps those who are allowed to travel.
When to Book and What to Check
Accommodation in Jeddah tightens in the weeks around Hajj and Eid al-Adha. Our Jeddah booking calendar shows how this period fits into the year.
Lead times
Around Eid al-Adha (about 14 to 19 May 2027): book six to ten weeks ahead.
Large family units: book as early as you can.
Short stays around flights: book as soon as your flights are confirmed.
Flexible terms
Hajj dates can shift by a day, and flight schedules change. Choose terms you can adjust. At Best Trip Hotels, cancelling at least 24 hours before check-in is free on prepaid bookings. Our guide to the hotel cancellation policy explains late cancellations and no-shows.
Booking direct makes it easier to arrange early arrivals, extra beds or a change of dates. Our guide to booking direct vs booking sites compares the two.
Practical Tips for Hajj Season in Jeddah
Expect heat. May is hot and humid in Jeddah, so plan outings for the evening.
Plan around traffic. Roads near the airport and towards Makkah are busier than usual.
Keep documents with you. Checkpoints may ask for ID, especially on roads out of the city.
Use luggage storage if your flight leaves after check-out. At Best Trip Hotels, it is free before check-in and after check-out.
Do not book Umrah plans for the permit period. Wait until Nusuk reopens Umrah permits after Hajj.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Hajj 2027?
Hajj is expected around 14 to 19 May 2027, with the Day of Arafah around 15 May and Eid al-Adha around 16 May, subject to moon sighting.
Can I visit Makkah on a tourist visa during Hajj season?
No. During the Makkah entry permit period, tourist and visit visa holders cannot enter Makkah. You can stay in Jeddah.
When does Umrah stop before Hajj 2027?
The 1448 season calendar sets 7 April 2027 as the last date for Umrah visa holders to leave Saudi Arabia. Umrah permits are then suspended until after Hajj.
When does Umrah resume after Hajj?
In 2026, Umrah visas resumed on 31 May and Makkah entry for Umrah on 1 June. Expect a similar pattern shortly after Hajj 2027, and check Nusuk for the official dates.
Is Jeddah busy during Hajj?
Yes. The airport handles large numbers of pilgrims, and Saudi families travel for Eid al-Adha. Book early and allow extra time for travel.
Do I need a permit to drive from Jeddah to Makkah during Hajj season?
Yes, unless you hold a Hajj permit, a Makkah-issued iqama or ID, or a holy sites work permit. Checkpoints on the roads turn back anyone without one.
Can Best Trip Hotels help with my stay around my flights?
Yes. Our reception is open 24 hours, luggage storage is free before check-in and after check-out, and we can help you plan around arrival and departure times.
Stay in Jeddah This Hajj Season With Best Trip Hotels
Whether you are visiting family for Eid al-Adha, travelling for work, or passing through Jeddah around your flights, a calm apartment makes the busiest weeks of the year easier.
Near the airport: Best Trip Paris in An Nuzhah, about 5.5 km from KAIA.
Central Jeddah: Al Andalus Tolen in Al Baghdadiyah.
Large families: Best Trip Milano in Al Ajaweed and Best Trip Marsilia on Sayed Al Shuhada Street in the Al Amir Fawwaz Al Junoobi district.
Longer stays: City Zone in An Nuzhah and Istanbul in Al Rawabi, our monthly properties. Contact us for terms.
Our rates are not fixed and change with the season, and Hajj and Eid al-Adha are among the busiest weeks of the year. For updated and accurate rates, visit the branch page of the hotel you want. You can also ask our team on +966 547010115 by phone or WhatsApp, 24 hours a day.
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