Performing Umrah for the first time can feel like a lot to hold in your head. Al Islam Travels hears the same worries from UK pilgrims every season. What comes first, what do the words mean, and what if we get a step wrong?
This Umrah step by step guide answers those questions in plain English, from Ihram to the final haircut. We wrote it for first-timers, parents planning a family trip and anyone who wants a quick refresher.
Many people call it the minor pilgrimage to Makkah. Unlike Hajj, you can perform it in any month of the year. That freedom is why families from Sheffield, Nottingham, Blackburn and Coventry plan trips around school holidays and Ramadan.
Below, you will find the rituals in order, the main package types, cost factors and tips for choosing a provider. Read it once before you book, then keep it on your phone for the trip.
Why UK pilgrims plan ahead and which package fits
Most people in the UK pick this pilgrimage for practical reasons. It needs less time off work than Hajj, it runs all year, and it fits around school terms. Many families add a few nights in Madinah, which turns a short trip into a full ten-day visit.
Demand keeps rising. According to the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia (2025), more than 6.5 million international pilgrims performed Umrah in the first quarter of 2025, up 10.7 percent on the same period in 2024. The same report found that 82.2 percent of them arrived by air.
Saudi Arabia now handles Umrah visas through the Nusuk platform and licensed providers. You will need a valid passport, an approved visa, confirmed accommodation and the health documents Saudi authorities ask for at the time. Those have included the meningitis ACWY vaccine, so check the current list with your provider and your GP before you pay a deposit.
Which format suits you? A group package works for solo travellers and first-timers, because a leader explains each ritual as you go. A family package keeps parents and children on one booking, with rooms close together. A private package gives couples and larger families control over dates, hotels and pace.
Each choice has a trade-off. Group trips follow a fixed schedule, so you give up some freedom. Private trips bend around your needs, but you make more decisions yourself. A self-arranged trip cuts out the provider and leaves you to handle visas, transfers and hotels alone.
Where you live matters too. Pilgrims in Sheffield, Nottingham or Coventry usually fly from Manchester, Birmingham or London, so check the departure airport before you commit. Local companies like Al Islam Travels focus on Hajj and Umrah travel for UK pilgrims, so they know these routes well. Searches for family Umrah packages from Sheffield or Umrah packages from Nottingham return many options, so compare them using the table below.
| Option | Best For | Flexibility | Guidance | Hotel Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group package | First-timers, solo travellers | Low | Leader on site | Set by provider |
| Family package | Parents with children | Medium | Leader or guide | Family rooms |
| Private package | Couples, large families | High | On request | You choose |
| Self-arranged trip | Experienced pilgrims | Highest | None included | You book |
The rituals in order, from Miqat to Halq
If you are asking how to perform Umrah for the first time, the answer is a fixed sequence of four rituals. This Umrah step by step guide assumes you fly from the UK, so the first step begins before you land.
Ihram and the intention
Ihram is the sacred state you enter before the Miqat, the boundary point for pilgrims. Men wear two plain white unstitched sheets. Women wear modest everyday clothing and keep the face and hands uncovered, which settles what to wear for Umrah.
Most UK pilgrims change before boarding or on the plane, then make the intention when the crew announces the Miqat. Say “Labbayk Allahumma Umrah” and begin the Talbiyah. From then on, avoid perfume, cutting hair or nails, and arguments.
Tawaf around the Kaaba
Enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot and walk towards the Kaaba. Tawaf is seven circuits anticlockwise, starting and ending at the line facing the Black Stone. Keep the Kaaba on your left, and men uncover the right shoulder during this ritual.
Make dua in any language you like. When you finish, pray two rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim if space allows, then drink Zamzam water. Experienced group leaders in the UK often advise first-timers to use a tally counter, because crowds make it easy to lose count.
Sa’i between Safa and Marwa
Walk to Mount Safa next. Sa’i is seven trips between Safa and Marwa, starting at Safa and finishing at Marwa. The route is indoors and air-conditioned, and men move briskly between the two green markers.
Make dua on each hill as you wish. Wheelchairs are available for pilgrims who cannot walk the full distance.
Halq or Taqsir
Men shave the whole head or trim the hair evenly. Women trim about a fingertip length from the ends of their hair. Once you finish, you leave Ihram and your Umrah is complete.
The full sequence usually takes a few hours, and crowds can stretch it.
What shapes the cost of a trip from the UK
Prices vary a lot between providers, so ask what drives each quote before you compare totals. Season is usually the biggest factor. Ramadan, school holidays and the weeks before Hajj cost more than quieter periods.
Next comes the flight. A direct route from Manchester, Birmingham or London costs more than a one-stop route, but it saves hours with children or older relatives. Hotel choice follows, and distance from Masjid al-Haram, star rating and room sharing move the price more than most people expect. The split of nights between Makkah and Madinah matters as well.
Take a family of five from Coventry travelling in February half term. They chose a hotel a short walk from the Haram over a cheaper one a taxi ride away. The extra nightly cost was offset by savings on taxis, and their grandmother avoided a long walk after each Tawaf. Would your family make the same choice?
UK law protects you when a package includes flights. Look for ATOL protection from the Civil Aviation Authority, and read your rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Ask for a written breakdown covering flights, visas, hotels, transfers and insurance, so you can see what the price includes.
How to pick a reliable provider near you
Before you pay a deposit, get clear answers to these points:
- The provider’s ATOL number and booking terms
- Named hotels with walking distance to the Haram
- The licensed Saudi company that handles your visa
- The group leader and the size of each group
- The refund policy if dates change
- A full day-by-day itinerary
Why does the Saudi partner matter? A provider that works only on pilgrimage travel, like Al Islam Travels, will already know the Saudi visa steps, the hotel areas around the Haram and the documents UK passport holders need. A general high-street agent may arrange a pilgrimage only a few times a year, so they have fewer chances to spot problems early.
Before you fly, a good provider will talk you through the same Umrah step by step guide on a pre-departure call. If a team cannot explain the rituals, the hotel area and the visa timeline clearly, keep looking.
Frequently asked questions
Can you give an Umrah step by step guide in one paragraph?
Put on Ihram, make your intention at the Miqat and recite the Talbiyah. Enter Masjid al-Haram, complete seven circuits of Tawaf and pray two rakat. Walk seven trips of Sa’i between Safa and Marwa. Finish by shaving or trimming your hair.
How long does Umrah take to complete?
The rituals usually take a few hours from Tawaf to Halq. Crowds, heat and your walking pace change that. Most packages allow several days in Makkah, so you can perform Umrah at a calm time and rest between prayers and visits.
What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj?
Umrah is the minor pilgrimage, and you can perform it at any time of year. Hajj takes place on set dates in Dhul Hijjah and includes extra rituals such as standing at Arafah. Hajj is a pillar of Islam for those who are able to perform it.
How much does Umrah cost from the UK?
The total depends on the season, flight route, hotel distance from the Haram, room sharing and trip length. Ramadan and school holidays cost the most. Ask each provider for a written breakdown of flights, visa, hotels, transfers and insurance so you can compare quotes fairly.
What affects the price of family Umrah packages from Sheffield?
Family size, child fares, room type and departure airport shape the price most. Flying from Manchester, Birmingham or London changes the fare, and a family room often costs less than two separate rooms. Ask whether child rates apply and which hotel they cover.
Do I need a visa and vaccine to perform Umrah from the UK?
Yes, you need a Saudi Umrah visa, which licensed providers or the Nusuk platform can arrange. Saudi health rules have asked for the meningitis ACWY vaccine, so confirm current requirements with your provider and GP. Packages that include flights should carry ATOL protection.
Can I perform Umrah during Ramadan with my family from Nottingham?
Many families from Nottingham do. Expect large crowds, higher prices and limited hotel choice, so book early. Pick a hotel close to the Haram for children and older relatives, and ask your provider about quieter times for Tawaf.
What happens if I make a mistake during Tawaf or Sa’i?
Stay calm and ask your group leader or a qualified scholar as soon as you can. Many small slips have a simple remedy, and some cases need compensation such as an animal sacrifice. Do not guess, because the ruling depends on the mistake and your school of thought.
Is Umrah comfortable in the summer heat?
Makkah temperatures often pass 40 degrees Celsius from June to August. Perform Tawaf early in the morning or late in the evening, drink water often and use the shaded or indoor levels. Pilgrims with health conditions should talk to a GP before booking.
How do I choose an Umrah travel agent in Blackburn?
Ask for an ATOL number, named hotels with walking distance, the licensed Saudi partner that handles visas and a written refund policy. Speak with past pilgrims from your area. A provider who explains each ritual clearly before you fly is usually well prepared.
You now know the order of the rituals, what drives the price and which questions to ask before you book. The next step is simple. Write down your travel dates, your group size and your preferred hotel distance, then speak with Al Islam Travels about package options that match them. Ask for a written itinerary and take your time reading it. A calm, well-planned trip lets you focus on worship, not paperwork, from the moment you put on Ihram until the final haircut.
