Hajj Section

Departure Phase

The departure from the Kingdom is either from Jeddah or Madinah. Some pilgrims who came via Jeddah may go back from Madinah. All the pilgrims should make sure of their departure schedule well in advance so as to avoid any last minute surprises.

All the pilgrims should follow the advice of the Moallims and the Indian Mission officials for the departure phase. It is the requirement of the Saudi Government that all the pilgrims should reach the Airport before 8 hours of departure of the Flight. Add to it the travel time from Makkah to Jeddah Airport; so all the buses leaves 12 hours before the flight time from their respective buildings. Working backward all the buses are stationed 15-14 hours before the flight time at the respective buildings. It is essential for all the pilgrims that they are prepared at least by the time the buses arrives at the building for departure. All their baggage should have been packed and brought to the lobby of the building. Any last minute shopping and visit to other places should be avoided.

Pilgrims should remember to carry enough money to buy food and water at the Haj Terminal for the waiting time. Airlines only supply food packets if delays are more than 6 hours beyond scheduled time of departure. Saudi authorities also prohibit the Consulate and other welfare agencies to provide any eatables to the Pilgrims at the terminal. All pilgrims have to buy their own stuff at the terminal. Therefore, it is advisable if pilgrims could carry some snacks, fruits and water along with them from Makkah to the Jeddah Haj terminal.

The Pilgrims should stick to the baggage allowance. Any excess baggage should preferably be sent by cargo beforehand. There have been delays in past because of the excess baggage from the pilgrims. Also if the baggage is more than the allowance it may so happen that baggage of all the pilgrims traveling in a bus may not come in that bus. In such cases the Indian Haj Mission has no role to play and Moallims may decide to transport that baggage in separate vans and it may be difficult for the pilgrims to identify their baggage after reaching the airport. So it is absolutely essential that the pilgrims stick to the baggage allowance and give the excess baggage to the Cargo service in advance. It should also be remembered that giving the excess baggage to the Cargo means less charge than paying for the excess baggage at the check in as accompanying baggage. For example in Madinah if they exceed the prescribed weight, they will have to pay excess baggage charges at the airport at the rate of SR13/- per kilo.