UK to Saudia Arabia via Alexandria (no flying)
 

Hi,

I am considering a once in a lifetime adventure and that is to travel from the UK to Saudia Arabia without flying to perform the Hajj which is religious pilgrims that muslims must strive to do once in their lifetime.

Due to the situations in Syria/Iraq I would avoid going that way.

Top of Africa, Morocco - Tunisia - Algeria - Libya etc seems to dangerous also which leaves me with probably having to do the journey by sea.

What options have I got?
What routes should I consider?
I would say that I somehow need to get to the port in Alexandria and then can make my way across the red sea to Jeddah in Saudia Arabia.
Question is what options do I have in getting to Alexandria? Where can I get a ferry from ?
In an ideal situation I would love to inclue Morocco in my journey (few people to visit as part of the journey).

I am confident I can get through Europe on public transport / trains etc and once I get into Egypt I should have help from family of friends to get me to the crossing to Jeddah in Saudia Arabia.

Any thoughts / suggestions?

Thanks

I might be wrong, but as far as I know, a Hajj visa issued in the UK would be valid for entry by air only. Before making any plans I would enquire with either the Saudi Embassy, or whatever organisation issues Hajj visas.

I am pretty sure that the Morocco - Algeria border is still tightly shut, and has been for decades.

Good luck, would love to read the trip report if you manage to do it!

Thanks for this, was aware and looking into this.
Am aware of others who travelled by land to Hajj a few years ago so there are definetely options.

have edited this comment at 10:30 after ringing the saudi embassy.

You are right - they have said UK Umrah/Hajj visa's are by air only and via authorised groups.
I did ask if I could join an Egyptian group but they kept repeating 'UK Umrah/Hajj visa's are by air only'
I did ask what happens if I was in Dubai/UAE/Yemen would I have to come back to the UK and then 'fly' back out and they said 'UK Umrah/Hajj visa's are by air only'.

Still not 100% convinced by what they say - will try and investigate further.

They sound like a helpful bunch!

Looks like you need to make some friends in Egypt and go with an Egyptian group.

One thing is for sure thou, it requires a lot more investigation.
I think this is a recent rule as some of my teachers who have studied in Yemen have crossed from Yemen to Saudia through the desert etc will find out how long ago that was.

Even thou there are these hurdles my original post still stands .. whatoptions would be available to get to Alexandria? where can I get a ferry from in europe etc and is there anything from Morocco?

hello brother
well i just dont want to make you down
im from Egypt and im trying to go all over the world on motorbike and last June i was planing to go to Saudi Arabia and further East the the gulf countries , till now im waiting for the visa ,
yes June 2013
maybe as many Egyptian goes work their they are afraid that i may stay there illegal and work in a restaurant
they only reply i get was nothing yet come next week
or why don't you take it by air as that what we can issue you
of course a visa to visit Saudi by air for me is useless :thumbdown:
so i had to cancel my trip and hopefully there is still other countries i would like to go by my motorbike
good luck and keep trying to get a visa by land as i met a man from Pakistan who made it walking all the way
and a fellow biker from Jordan managed to get the visa few weeks ago
Salam

Hello
Getting a visa to Saudi Arabia is not easy, especially a Hajj visa or during Hajj season. Even if you get it, it has to be in an organised group.
There is a ferry crossing from Port Sudan to Jeddah for Hajj, but the question is do you have to be Sudanese to get in that boat heading for Hajj?
I'm not sure if that only for Sudanese citizens and/or visas obtained in Sudan. You need to investigate this route and find out if it is possible to join a Sudanese Hajj group with your visa obtained in the UK. Good luck.

So far all the answers seem to be no.
As a UK citizen it has to be from a UK group and has to be by air.
If I was to travel by air and in an organised group then it shouldn't be too difficult (there is a new law out thou saying if you have been in the last 5 years you are unable to get another visa - thats for Hajj only).

In answer to the initial request, a google search for "ferry to Egypt from Europe" or "from Turkey" does come up with a few hits. Crossing land borders without the correct paperwork is much easier if you're on foot and with local "assistants" although I wouldn't like to try this particular route/destination myself owing to my lack of, erm, "suitable ethnic credentials"!
Pilgrimage is not meant to be easy.
Travel safe,
Simon.

Thanks for your reply Simon - I am aware of google searches but would be nice to hear from people who have actually travelled and could share their experiences/insight and first hand experience.

From what I know about the Saudi hajj rules, pretty hopeless unless you have some really good high level contacts. In my old airline days we operated some hajj flights, the rules were pretty clear - no bearer of any passports other than the nationality of the origin country will be allowed to leave the aircraft - even if they have an otherwise valid Saudi visa (that applied to crew as well). You may attempt to get a tourist visa AND a hajj visa, using the first to get there, then the second to perform the pilgrimage, but I would not place any bets on your chances...

These group of brothers gave it a go.

Friends go to Hajj by road (From Asian Image)

Trying to get in touch with them to see if they can offer any advise.

They seemed to have gone through Jack Straw to obtain a land visa.

https://twitter.com/RTM2012UK