Planning Umrah travel from the UK comes down to six decisions: when you'll go, how long you'll stay, which hotel tier suits your group, which airport you'll fly from, what paperwork you need, and who you'll book with. Packages at Al Muslim Travel start from £490 per person for 7 nights, so you can build a plan around your budget and dates.
Where Should You Start Planning Your Umrah?
Start with your dates and the people travelling, because those two things shape every other choice. A school-holiday departure with young children needs a different plan from a quiet mid-week trip for two adults.
Before you look at prices, settle these basics:
Who is going, including anyone who needs a wheelchair or extra rest
Whether this is a first Umrah for some or all of the group
Which weeks you can realistically travel
Roughly what you'd like to spend per person
How Far Ahead Should You Plan?
Three to six months is comfortable, but it isn't essential. Hotels near the Haram fill first, especially around school holidays and Ramadan, so earlier planning gives you more choice. If your trip is closer, the team holds live hotel availability and can confirm a full package within 5 to 7 days of departure, subject to availability.
How Long Should You Stay in Makkah and Madinah?
Most UK pilgrims choose between 7 and 14 nights. Al Muslim Travel offers 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14-night stays, plus longer packages built around Ramadan, and the nights are split between Makkah and Madinah.
Stay | Who it suits | 3-star from |
|---|---|---|
7 nights | Pilgrims short on time, a first visit, or a school half-term | £490 |
10 nights | A calmer pace with extra time at both mosques | £630 |
12 nights | Those wanting a long stay without a full fortnight | £720 |
14 nights | First-timers, elderly parents, and anyone who wants rest days built in | £830 |
Seasonal departures can be priced differently, so use these as a guide and ask for your exact dates. You'll find the details for a 14-night package on the site.
Which Hotel Tier Is Right for Your Group?
Choose the tier that works for your slowest walker, not the one that fits the budget best on paper. Flights, visa, and transport are the same across 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star packages. The difference is how close you are to Masjid al-Haram and how comfortable the rooms are.
3-star: roughly 800 metres to 1 km from the Haram, a good fit for fit adults or tighter budgets
4-star: around 300 to 500 metres away with larger rooms, the most popular choice for UK families
5-star: directly adjacent to the Haram, including Pullman Zamzam Makkah, best for elderly pilgrims or those with mobility needs
Compare the options on the 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star pages.
Which UK Airport Should You Fly From?
Pick the airport closest to home that gets you to Saudi Arabia with the fewest changes. Standard departures are from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds Bradford, and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Newcastle are available on request via connecting hubs.
Flights are booked with Saudia, Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Flydubai depending on where you leave from, and direct flights can be arranged on request. Prices differ by city, so it's worth comparing. For example, a 14-night 3-star package is listed from £888 from Manchester and £925 from Birmingham.
What Paperwork Do You Need for Umrah Travel From the UK?
You need a valid passport, one passport-sized photograph, and a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, and the agency handles the visa application for you. No embassy visit is needed, and your visa is delivered electronically.
Standard processing takes 4 to 7 business days, with urgent processing in 24 to 72 hours at additional cost. Pilgrims also register for Umrah permits through Saudi Arabia's Nusuk platform, and a good agent will guide you through it.
Before you travel, it's sensible to:
Check each passport's validity well before you book
Read the UK Government's FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia
Check current health requirements on the NHS-backed TravelHealthPro site
Keep digital and paper copies of your passports, visas, and bookings
What Will Umrah Travel Cost?
Packages start from £490 per person for 7 nights on 3-star, £665 on 4-star, and £800 on 5-star. Ramadan, Easter, summer, and Christmas departures cost more, so your travel dates affect the price as much as the hotel tier.
Entry-level prices assume four people sharing a room, and double or triple sharing costs more per person. Set aside a little extra for meals not included, optional Ziyarat tours, and personal spending, and ask what's included in writing before you pay.
Are There Savings for Groups and Families?
Yes. Children under 2 travel at a reduced cost, and connecting rooms can be requested for families. Groups of 10 or more can receive negotiated hotel and flight rates, with one coordinator handling visas and seating, and qualifying group bookings include one free place for every 15 paying members.
How Do You Plan Around Elderly Parents and Children?
Plan the days around rest rather than around fitting everything in. Umrah can be done at a gentle pace, and the right hotel distance makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
For elderly parents:
Choose a 4-star or 5-star hotel closer to the Haram
Ask about wheelchair-accessible hotels, which are available in Makkah and Madinah on request
Carry regular medication in hand luggage
For young children:
Request connecting rooms when you book
Do Tawaf and Sa'i in shorter sessions
Bring a lightweight pushchair that copes with crowds
How Do You Choose a Travel Agent You Can Trust?
Check for an ATOL number, IATA certification, and Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah accreditation before you pay a deposit. Al Muslim Travel holds ATOL licence 74904 issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, is IATA certified, and is accredited by the Saudi Ministry.
You can verify the ATOL number on the CAA website, and it's worth asking for your ATOL Certificate and checking that every part of your trip is listed on it. The team speaks English, Urdu, and Arabic, and the Google rating shown on the site is 4.9 from 254 reviews.
A Simple Planning Timeline
Working backwards from your departure date keeps things calm:
Three to six months out: decide dates, group size, and hotel tier, then request quotes
Eight weeks out: book your package and check passport validity
Four to six weeks out: submit your documents, including your vaccination certificate and photograph
Two weeks out: confirm flights, transfers, and hotel details, and arrange wheelchair assistance if needed
One week out: pack, print your documents, and keep your agent's contact details to hand
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Umrah travel from the UK cost? Packages at Al Muslim Travel start from £490 per person for 7 nights on 3-star, £665 on 4-star, and £800 on 5-star. Longer stays and peak dates such as Ramadan and school holidays cost more.
How do I book Umrah travel from the UK? Choose your hotel tier and dates, then call 0203 290 0001, message the team on WhatsApp, or use the quote form on the website. They confirm availability and price, then arrange your flights, hotels, and visa together.
How long should I plan to stay for Umrah? Most pilgrims stay between 7 and 14 nights. Seven nights suits a first trip or a short break, while 10 to 14 nights gives you a calmer pace and more time at both mosques.
What documents do I need for an Umrah visa from the UK? You need your passport, one passport-sized photograph, and a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate. Standard processing takes 4 to 7 business days, and urgent processing is available in 24 to 72 hours at extra cost.
Which UK airports can I fly from for Umrah? Standard departures are from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds Bradford. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Newcastle are available on request.
Is Umrah travel booked through Al Muslim Travel ATOL protected? Flight-inclusive packages are covered under ATOL licence 74904. Ask for your ATOL Certificate and check that all parts of your trip are listed on it.
Can I book a last-minute Umrah trip? Yes, subject to availability. The team can confirm a full package within 5 to 7 days of departure, with urgent visa processing in 24 to 72 hours.
