Booking your first trip to Makkah can feel like a lot of small decisions stacked on top of each other. Al Islam Travels, a London-based agency that works only with Umrah pilgrims, sees the same question from most first-time travellers: what does a 3 star Umrah package actually get you? The short answer is comfort without the price tag of a 5 star stay, and that balance is exactly why so many London families choose it.
3 star Umrah packages sit in the middle of the market. You get clean, well-run hotels, a short walk or shuttle ride to the Haram, and flights that don’t eat your whole budget. For a lot of pilgrims, that’s the sweet spot between spending sensibly and staying somewhere decent after a long day of worship.
This guide walks through what these packages include, what they cost, and how to pick a provider who won’t leave you guessing about your booking.
What a 3 star Umrah package actually gets you
A typical 3 star Umrah package from London bundles return flights, hotel stays in both Makkah and Madinah, visa processing, and ground transport between cities. Most run for seven to fourteen nights, split roughly evenly between the two holy cities.
Rooms are usually twin or triple sharing rather than private suites. Breakfast is often included, sometimes with a half-board option for a small extra fee. Why does this matter? Because the room and the food are what shape your day-to-day comfort, far more than the star rating on paper.
Hotels at this tier sit within 500 metres to 1.5 kilometres of the Haram in Makkah, with a free or low-cost shuttle covering the gap. In Madinah, most 3 star options are closer still, since the walkable zone around Masjid an-Nabawi is smaller.
Types of 3 star Umrah packages: what fits your trip
Not every 3 star package is built the same way. Some prioritise hotel location over flight timing, others do the opposite, and a few are built specifically around Ramadan crowds.
Economy 3 star packages use budget airlines and hotels slightly further from the Haram, saving you money but adding walking time or shuttle waits. Standard 3 star packages balance a mid-range airline with hotels inside the main walking radius. Family 3 star packages add connecting rooms or triple-sharing options built for parents travelling with children. Ramadan 3 star packages carry higher prices because demand spikes, but they include priority hotel bookings during the busiest weeks of the year.
| Package Type | Avg. Cost (per person) | Duration | Hotel Distance from Haram | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 3 Star | £1,100–£1,400 | 7–10 nights | 1–1.5 km | Solo travellers, tight budgets |
| Standard 3 Star | £1,400–£1,800 | 10–14 nights | 500m–1 km | Couples, first-timers |
| Family 3 Star | £1,600–£2,200 | 10–14 nights | 500m–1 km | Families with children |
| Ramadan 3 Star | £2,200–£3,000 | 10–14 nights | 500m–1 km | Ramadan-specific worship |
A family of four from London last Ramadan chose the standard tier over the family package to save on cost, then paid a small supplement for a connecting room once they saw the triple-sharing layout wouldn’t work for their two younger children. That kind of trade-off comes up often, and it’s worth thinking through before you book rather than after.
The booking process, step by step
Booking rarely happens in one sitting. Here’s roughly how it plays out with most London-based agencies.
You start with a consultation, usually a phone call or in-person visit, where the agency asks about your travel dates, group size, and budget range. Next comes the visa application, which requires a valid passport, a passport photo, and in some cases proof of vaccination. Saudi Arabia processes most Umrah e-visas through the Nusuk platform within a few working days.
Once your visa is approved, the agency confirms your flights and hotel bookings and sends you a full itinerary. A pre-departure briefing usually follows, covering what to pack, how ihram works for men and women, and what to expect at the airport in Jeddah or Madinah.
Cost factors for a 3 star Umrah package
Price swings more than people expect, and it’s rarely one single factor driving it. Flight cost depends heavily on the season. According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, foreign Umrah pilgrim numbers reached roughly 16.92 million in 2024, more than double the 2022 figure, and that surge in demand has pushed peak-season flight and hotel prices up across the board.
Ramadan and school holiday periods carry the steepest markups, sometimes 40 to 60 percent above off-peak rates. Hotel distance from the Haram is the next biggest lever. A room 1.5 kilometres away can cost several hundred pounds less than one 400 metres out, even within the same star category.
Group size changes the maths too. Triple-sharing rooms bring the per-person cost down compared with twin rooms, which is why families often land in that Family 3 Star tier from the table above.
How to choose a provider you can trust
This is where most of the disappointment in Umrah travel actually starts, not with the hotel, but with the agency. What separates a solid provider from an average one?
A contractor who works only on Umrah travel from London, rather than general holiday packages, will already know the Saudi visa process, current hotel availability near both mosques, and which flight routes actually connect well through Jeddah or Madinah. Agencies like Al Islam Travels that focus specifically on this one type of trip tend to catch problems, like a mismatched visa document or an overbooked hotel, before they become your problem at the airport.
Check that any UK agency you use is ATOL protected. This means your flight and package payments are covered by the Civil Aviation Authority if the company collapses before you travel, a real safeguard rather than a marketing badge. A licensed travel consultant based in London put it simply: ask for your ATOL certificate number in writing before you pay a deposit, and if an agency hesitates, that’s a signal worth paying attention to.
Read recent reviews that mention specific hotel names and dates rather than vague praise. Ask what happens if your visa is delayed. A provider with a clear answer has usually handled that exact situation before.
FAQs about 3 star Umrah packages in London
What does a 3 star Umrah package from London actually include?
Most packages cover return flights, hotel stays in Makkah and Madinah, Umrah visa processing, and airport-to-hotel transport. Meals beyond breakfast are usually optional extras you can add during booking.
How much do 3 star Umrah packages cost from London?
Prices typically range from £1,100 to £3,000 per person, depending on the season, hotel distance from the Haram, and room sharing arrangement. Ramadan dates sit at the top of that range.
Are 3 star Umrah hotels close to the Haram in Makkah?
Most sit between 500 metres and 1.5 kilometres away, with a shuttle service covering the distance. Madinah hotels at this tier are usually closer, since the walkable zone around the mosque is smaller.
Do I need a visa to travel on a 3 star Umrah package?
Yes, and your agency should handle the application through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk e-visa system. You’ll need a valid passport and a recent passport photo to start the process.
Is a 3 star Umrah package good enough for families?
For most families, yes. Look specifically for the family-tier packages that offer connecting or triple-sharing rooms, since standard twin rooms can feel cramped with young children.
What is the best time of year to book a 3 star Umrah package for UK Muslims?
Outside of Ramadan and UK school holidays, prices and crowds both drop. Late autumn and early winter tend to offer the best combination of good weather and lower cost.
How far in advance should I book my Umrah package from London?
Three to four months ahead is a safe window for standard travel dates. For Ramadan packages, six months or more gives you a much better shot at hotels near the Haram.
Can women travel on Umrah packages without a mahram?
Saudi Arabia has relaxed mahram requirements for many visa categories in recent years, and women now make up close to half of all pilgrims. Rules can still vary by visa type, so check current requirements with your agency before booking.
What is the weather like in Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan Umrah trips?
Temperatures often climb above 40°C during summer Ramadan periods, while winter Ramadan dates bring milder days closer to 25–30°C. Pack light, breathable clothing and check the forecast for your specific travel dates.
Are flights included in 3 star Umrah packages?
Yes, return flights from a UK airport are standard in almost every 3 star package. Some economy packages route through a connecting city rather than flying direct, which lowers the price.
What is the difference between 3 star and 5 star Umrah packages?’
The core difference is hotel distance and room quality. 5 star packages put you steps from the Haram in larger private rooms, while 3 star packages ask you to walk a bit further or take a shuttle in exchange for a lower price.
Is my money protected if I book through a UK travel agent? I
t should be, as long as the agency is ATOL protected under the Civil Aviation Authority. Always ask for your ATOL certificate before making a deposit.
Before you book
Picking a 3 star Umrah package really comes down to matching your budget against how much walking you’re comfortable doing each day. Compare a couple of providers, check their ATOL protection, and ask direct questions about hotel distance before you commit. If you want a London-based team that only handles Umrah travel, Al Islam Travels offers a free consultation to walk through package options and current pricing for your dates.
