Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj, which can only be performed on specific dates, Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year. The primary purpose of performing Umrah is to fulfill a significant act of worship in Islam, seeking spiritual purification, closeness to Allah, and blessings in this world and the hereafter.
Planning for Umrah involves several key steps. Here’s a detailed plan to help you organize your journey. In Islam, everything begins with the Niyah (Intention). Make a sincere intention in your heart to perform Umrah solely for the sake of pleasing Allah.
Read on to find out how you can plan and execute Umrah completely on your own. For ease, I have broken them into various planning steps in the form of questions or headings.
Can you Plan Umrah on your own or should you get a package? Group or just by yourself
Umrah packages are offered by local masjids, various websites, travel agents, etc.
Going in a group/getting a package is mainly for convenience and logistical ease as all details are handled by the organizers. Another reason people prefer going with a group is that most groups are led by religious scholars so you get guidance, support, a spiritual environment, and you learn more.
If you decide to go with a group, make sure to compare various Umrah travel packages available to get the best deal.
DIY Umrah or planning all the details yourself does require more legwork but offers flexibility. This in my opinion is more important especially when traveling with kids or seniors as you don’t know how things will go around that specific time. When you opt for a group package, you have to follow a set schedule, and if for any reason you are not able to participate in that planned activity, you end up missing the opportunity. When doing Umrah yourself, you can plan the activities/ziarats on your schedule. Also, in most instances, you get a better deal.
Know your Budget
Start saving as soon as the thought of doing Umrah crosses your mind. You can do a simple Google search to get an idea of how much will it cost you for the total number of travelers. The sooner you start to plan, the more you end up saving.
Keep in mind that Umrah during school breaks or Ramadan is more expensive than going during an off-peak season.
Number of travelers and their ages
Start with making a list as to who will be going to Umrah. Your planning will be a bit different if you have kids or seniors with you. For example, you might have to look for accommodations closest to the Holy places so they don’t have to walk a lot and how many rooms will be needed. With kids and seniors, it is better to spend a little extra and book nearby hotels.
Credit Cards or Cash
If your country of origin’s credit card has a high foreign fee, using cash will be a better option. If using a credit card, make sure that your credit card company knows that you will be doing international transactions, or else you might end up having issues when making the bookings.
A fellow traveler ran into a similar issue when they booked a hotel just before they started their journey and had no access to wifi/ mobile data throughout. It was only when they landed and connected to the wifi, that they found out they had no reservation as the credit card had been declined.
Can I apply for a Saudi visa online? What type of Visa do I need for Umrah?
Saudi Arabia has opened up the country to tourists and pilgrims. The Umrah visa application process is pretty simple these days. If you are a US, UK, or Canadian citizen you can apply online and get a visa in less than 30 minutes from the comfort of your home. For countries not on the list, you have to apply via an agent.
To apply from USA/UK/Canada use this link: SAUDI VISA
I highly suggest choosing the Tourist Visa option as it is valid for one year. It is a Multi-entry visa with a maximum stay combined of 90 days. This is valid for Umrah and seeing other cities if you decide to do so. If you chose the Umrah Visa, then you have to stay in the Holy Places only.
Start by adding traveler details….name, passport number etc. You do not need a professional photo but one with a solid background so you can take them with your mobile phone and resize it to fit the slot.
You have to choose a medical insurance provider from the list, the fee to which is added on top of the visa.
Last is agreeing to the terms and conditions and paying the fee based on your county. You will get an email that it is under review and if all the info is correct, the visa is issued in less than 10 minutes. The whole process takes less than 30 minutes.
Airlines and Hotels
Which airport to land into
Nowadays it is super easy to book flights and hotels online.
First, let’s discuss which airport you should land at.
Every major airline flies to Jeddah and most to Madinah. Unless you are only planning to visit Makkah or if you are getting a better deal, I suggest landing in Madinah. If you are traveling with seniors or children, then landing at Madinah’s Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport is way better since it is a smaller airport, has a calmer vibe, and is also closer to Masjid Al Nabawi.
As far as airlines go, you might be able to find good deals if you are not going during peak periods like Ramadan, school breaks, etc. All airlines have sales throughout the year. As soon as you are confirmed that you will be going for Umrah, start looking for flight deals. Do not wait to purchase the tickets unless you make a last-minute plan. Google Flights is an excellent resource for tracking flight prices.
Sometimes you might save money by booking each leg separately via two airlines and sometimes by flying into Madinah but flying out of Jeddah. Check all options.
If you are a part of some loyalty program, use the miles/points to book a flight or hotel room.
As far as hotels go, again it will depend firstly on your budget, secondly, if you are traveling with kids or seniors.
Best Hotels in Makkah and Madinah
Use the online booking platforms for booking the hotels as you will find the best deals. Like the flights, start looking into booking the hotel as soon as your trip is confirmed. Best rates can be found for non-refundable options. If you are not sure of the dates or if there is a chance that you might end up moving the trip or canceling altogether, I highly suggest paying a little extra and choosing the refundable option.
Again you are a part of a loyalty program, look into that. You might end up with a significant discount, an upgrade, or an altogether free night stay.
In Makkah, Clock Tower hotels still have the best Haram views. I still love them as you have direct access to Haram courtyard and the food court is pretty awesome. Yes, there is heavy traffic in and around that area and escalators and lifts take a long time but they are the closest to the haram area and you have direct access to the courtyard.
Other good ones to check out are Jabal Omar Hotels like Conrad. You do have to cross a road but the walk is still short.
In Madinah, Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick and Madinah Hilton are really good. They are towards the North end of the masjid (Gate no. 20, 21, 22). Women’s entrance is not that far from these hotels.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and are okay taking shuttles/uber you will be surprised to find some budget-friendly hotels at some distance from Haram.
Most hotels have the option of 3-4 beds in a room so the entire family can stay in one room but make sure that when you book it clearly states that it will have so many beds. Sometimes it might say Quad room but you might end up having just 3 beds in the room and you might be charged for a rollaway bed. If booking online, make sure to read all the details and fine print.
I would highly suggest calling the hotel a few days before your trip to confirm your booking is intact and also you are getting all the options listed on the website. You might assume you will be getting some upgrades as is listed on the website but there might be a fine print and it was time stipulated promotion and your stay is outside that date. In short, it is better to call and double-check so that there are no last-minute surprises.
Best time to go for Umrah
You can go for Umrah any time of the year except during Hajj season.
If possible the most blessed month to do Umrah is during the holy month of Ramadan. Outside the month of Ramadan, the best season is Winter as the temperatures are not super low and you can do ziarats comfortably with family. Keep in mind that this too is a busy season. Some people also prefer springtime when temperatures start climbing but are still bearable.
During the Summer season, the temperatures are extremely hot, and due to that these months are relatively less busy and Umrah packages are more affordable.
To be honest, the best time for you to perform Umrah will depend on your circumstances, preferences, and your budget.
Cashback?
I love using RAKUTEN to earn cashback on all my purchases. There is always some travel platform offering cashback and I make sure to book using that link. Why not get some extra cash 🙂 You don’t have to use this app for just Umrah purposes. I use this for all my online purchases.
Transport between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
The best option between Jeddah and Makkah is either Taxi or Uber/Careem. You can also use the train but with the taxi/uber you can get directly to your hotel which is more convenient.
If you have to go to Madinah from Jeddah Airport, the Harmain Train is the best option. Harmain Train is also an ideal option when traveling between Makkah and Madinah.
The only downside with the train is the baggage limit. If you are a family with more suitcases than allowed on the train, a van/big SUV is the best option. Many private companies rent out cars with drivers which can be used for this very purpose.
NUSUK App
If you plan to go to pray inside the Rawdah you need to get a permit via the NUSUK App.
Download it on your phone/tablet/iPad before you go. Make an account and click on pray in Al-Rawdah icon.
Add your name and select the time. Approve and get the permit.
Make sure you are in the line a little before your permit time.
What to pack for Umrah
Here is a comprehensive list of what is generally needed. You can buy some of the items in Makkah/Madinah too but I highly suggest taking these along with you.
Physical/ Health Preparations/Build Immunity
Visit your healthcare professional for a checkup to ensure you are fit to travel. If there is any vaccine requirement, make sure you are up to date on that.
There is a lot of walking involved so unless you have some kind of health limitations, I suggest you up your walking game so you do not end up getting too tired at the end of each day.
Up your Vitamin and immune supplements and get in the habit of drinking plenty of water.
Spiritual Prep
Review and learn the steps of Umrah including Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq/Taqsir. Make sure you understand the significance of each along with the sequence.
Increase your ibadah and daily dhikr and strive to continue it once you return.
Most importantly, reflect on why you are going for Umrah, your personal reasons, and what you plan to achieve from this spiritual journey.
Conclusion
When planning for Umrah, consider the points mentioned above to decide the best time that works with your circumstances. I hope this guide gives you clarity and confidence to plan the Umrah on your own. Remember to check the latest travel regulations. By following these steps and planning meticulously, you can ensure a smooth and spiritually rewarding Umrah journey.
May Allah accept your intentions and grant you a blessed and fulfilling Umrah.
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