Planning a first pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah raises a lot of questions. Which hotel sits close enough to walk? What does the visa involve? Here at Al Islam Travels, we field these questions from UK families every week, so this guide answers them in plain English.
Most Umrah packages from the UK bundle return flights, Saudi visa processing, hotels in both holy cities and ground transport into a single price. That sounds simple. Yet two offers that look alike can sit hundreds of pounds apart. We will show you what causes that gap and what to check before you pay.
Below, we cover the main package types, the booking steps, price factors and how to pick a provider. Each section speaks to travellers flying from London, Birmingham and Manchester. Ready to get started?
Why UK pilgrims choose all-inclusive Umrah deals
Demand from abroad keeps climbing. According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (2024), more than 16.9 million foreign pilgrims performed Umrah that year, up from 13.56 million in 2023. The Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Vision 2030, now targets 30 million a year by 2030. Busier seasons mean tighter flight seats and fewer hotel rooms near the Haram.
So why do UK travellers pick a bundle over booking each piece alone? Time is the first reason. Saudi Arabia issues Umrah visas through its Nusuk platform, and a licensed provider handles that step for you. The provider also books hotels within walking distance of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi, which matters when you pray five times a day.
Cost control is the second reason. A single quote lets you compare like with like, and one ATOL certificate protects the whole booking. Piecing it together yourself often leaves gaps, such as a hotel far from the Haram or a transfer nobody booked.
Hotel ratings and package types compared
Hotel choice shapes the whole trip, so start there. Three-star packages suit fit travellers on a budget. Expect a walk of 10 to 15 minutes or more to the Haram, and often four-person room sharing.
Four-star deals sit in the middle. They usually place you closer, with better rooms and meals, and many UK agents describe them as the sweet spot.
Five-star Umrah packages put you in towers beside the Haram, such as the Clock Tower complex in Makkah. You pay a premium for that view and short walk. Older pilgrims and travellers with limited mobility often find the extra cost worthwhile. Have you thought about how far you can walk in 40 degree heat?
Peak-season deals work differently. Ramadan, December and Easter departures can carry a 20 to 40 percent premium over the same hotel in January or February, according to published UK price guides. Book Ramadan trips nine to twelve months ahead. Off-peak trips need four to six months.
Take a family of four from Birmingham travelling in October with children aged 8 and 12. One four-star room shared by the whole family keeps the hotel cost per head low, and some providers discount child places by 20 to 30 percent. That single choice can trim the bill by a noticeable amount.
Prices below are indicative and shift with season, airline and hotel distance.
| Package type | Typical price per person | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star, 7 to 10 nights | £600 to £1,000 | Fit travellers, tight budgets | Longer walk to the Haram |
| 4-star, 7 to 14 nights | £800 to £1,500 | Couples and most families | Costs more in school holidays |
| 5-star, Haram-facing | £1,300 to £3,000+ | Elderly or less mobile pilgrims | Highest price |
| Ramadan departure | 20 to 40% above off-peak | Travellers set on Ramadan | Very early booking needed |
| Family or group deal | Lower per head | Families, mosque groups | Fixed dates and room types |
How booking works, from Umrah visa to return flight
Once you pick dates and a hotel tier, the process follows a clear order. A licensed provider handles most of it for you. Your part comes down to the first two steps.
- Choose your dates, hotel tier and departure airport.
- Send your passport details. Saudi rules usually require six months’ validity.
- Your provider applies for the Umrah visa. You must enter Saudi Arabia within three months of issue, per the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
- Receive your ATOL certificate, e-tickets and hotel vouchers.
- Fly to Jeddah or Madinah and transfer to your hotel.
- Perform Umrah, visit Ziyarat sites and fly home.
Step four deserves attention. Any package holiday sold in the UK must carry ATOL protection, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which has run the scheme since 1973. Each protected traveller adds £2.50 to a fund that refunds or repatriates you if the seller stops trading. Ask for your ATOL certificate before you pay the balance. The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 give you further rights if a trip changes.
Price factors and how to choose a provider
Two questions decide most bookings: what will it cost, and who should you book with?
What moves the price
Distance to the Haram drives most of the cost. Travel month comes next, followed by trip length, flight type and room sharing. Direct flights from London cost more than one-stop routes, and 14 nights cost more than seven. Meals, private transfers and guided Ziyarat tours add to the total when they are left out of the base price.
As one ATOL-licensed travel consultant in London puts it, walking distance matters more to most pilgrims than the star rating. The same prayers happen at the same mosque either way.
How to choose a provider
So how do you spot a solid provider? Start with the licence. Check the ATOL number on the CAA register, ask for a written price breakdown and confirm what happens if a flight changes. When you compare Umrah packages, line up hotel distance in minutes, flight type and inclusions side by side.
Local companies like Al Islam Travels focus on Umrah and Hajj travel from UK cities, with flights to Jeddah or Madinah from London, Birmingham and Manchester. A specialist like this handles Saudi visa steps, group bookings for mosques and family rooms week after week, which a general online seller may not. Ask any specialist for its ATOL number before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in Umrah packages from the UK?
Most deals include return flights to Jeddah or Madinah, Saudi visa processing, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, and transfers between airports, hotels and the two cities. Meals, guided Ziyarat tours and travel insurance vary by provider. Ask for a written list of inclusions so you can compare offers fairly.
How much does Umrah cost from London?
Off-peak prices for a 7 to 10 night trip usually start around £600 to £1,000 per person for a three-star hotel. They rise to £1,300 or more for five-star stays near the Haram. Ramadan and December departures cost more. Quotes change with airline and hotel distance, so ask for a current written price.
What is the cheapest time to go for Umrah?
January and February are usually the lowest-priced months, along with quieter weeks in the autumn. Ramadan, Easter, school holidays and December cost the most. Travelling outside those windows can cut a package price by 20 to 40 percent, and flight costs still shift by route and airline.
Can I find cheap Umrah deals from Manchester or Birmingham?
Yes. Providers run departures from Manchester, Birmingham and London, and off-peak dates carry the lowest fares. Compare direct and one-stop flights, check how far the hotel sits from the Haram, and confirm the price includes the visa and transfers before you commit.
How many nights should I plan for Umrah?
Seven nights covers the rites and prayers at a steady pace. Ten nights adds more time in Madinah and Ziyarat visits. Fourteen nights suits older pilgrims who want rest days. Most UK providers offer all three lengths, and longer stays raise the hotel cost.
Do UK travellers need a visa for Umrah?
Yes. You need an Umrah visa, which your provider usually arranges through Saudi channels such as the Nusuk platform. Check your passport validity, as Saudi rules usually require six months. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says you must enter the Kingdom within three months of visa issue.
What does ATOL protection mean for my booking?
ATOL is a UK scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority. If your provider stops trading, it can refund you before travel or bring you home from abroad. It does not cover cancelled flights or replace travel insurance. Check the ATOL number on your certificate against the CAA register.
Is Makkah too hot for Umrah in summer?
Summer temperatures in Makkah often pass 40°C, which makes long walks tiring. Winter months from November to February are cooler and more comfortable. If you travel in summer, choose a hotel close to the Haram, pray in the early morning or after dark, and drink water often.
How far ahead should I book?
Book four to six months ahead for off-peak dates. For Ramadan, aim for nine to twelve months, because rooms near the Haram sell out early. Early bookings give you more choice of hotels and flights, and they let you spread payments over a longer period.
Are family Umrah trips from Birmingham suitable for children?
Yes. Many UK providers offer family rooms, and some discount child places, often around 20 to 30 percent for ages 2 to 11. Infants pay less still. Ask each provider for child pricing in writing, and check room sizes before you book.
