Booking Umrah should feel calm, not stressful. Yet many pilgrims spend weeks comparing flights, hotels, visas and transfers before they pack a bag. That is why all inclusive Umrah packages from travel companies like AL Islam Travels have become the first choice for families, couples and solo travellers. One price, one itinerary, one team to call.
We hear the same questions again and again. What does the price really cover? How close is the hotel to the Haram? Who handles the visa? This guide answers each one in plain English, so you can compare your options and book with confidence. We wrote it for pilgrims in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.
Demand is high. According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (2026), more than 14.8 million Umrah performances took place in the month of Rajab alone. Hotels near Masjid al-Haram fill first, and flight prices climb as dates get closer. Early planning protects your dates and your budget.
Why pilgrims prefer a bundled trip to Makkah and Madinah
A typical Umrah trip needs at least six separate bookings. You need a visa, return flights, a Makkah hotel, a Madinah hotel, transport between the two cities and ziyarat tours. A package bundles these into one price with one point of contact.
Simplicity is the biggest draw. With all inclusive Umrah packages, your provider handles visa processing, hotel contracts, airport transfers and often daily meals. First-time pilgrims, parents with children and elderly relatives gain the most, because every handover is planned for them.
Cost is the second draw. Providers buy hotel rooms and flight seats in bulk, so a package often costs less than the same trip booked piece by piece. Travellers flying long-haul from the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia can see a real difference.
Saudi rules add a third reason. In 2025, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah began requiring Umrah companies to document housing contracts for every pilgrim. A licensed provider already works inside that system, which keeps your hotel booking on record. Under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to welcome 30 million international Umrah performers a year by 2030, so services and capacity keep growing.
Package types: budget, mid-range and 5 star Umrah options
Not every pilgrim needs the same level of comfort. Budget packages usually place you in a three-star hotel, with a shuttle or a 10 to 15 minute walk to Masjid al-Haram. They suit solo travellers and groups who plan to spend most of the day in the mosque. The trade-off is longer walks, which feel tiring in summer heat.
Mid-range packages offer four-star hotels within a few hundred metres of the Haram. They give a good balance of price and convenience, and they work well for families with children. In Madinah, look for a hotel near Masjid an-Nabawi so you can reach every prayer easily.
Then come 5 star Umrah packages. These place you in towers such as those in the Abraj Al Bait complex, with Haram views, buffet meals and private transfers. They cost the most, but they save energy for elderly pilgrims and anyone with mobility needs.
Ramadan sits in its own bracket. Prices rise sharply, the last ten nights sell out first, and many providers ask for full payment months ahead. Do you plan to go in Ramadan? Book at least six months early.
The table below gives rough per-person ranges for a 10 to 14 night trip. Treat them as a guide, since prices shift with season and departure city.
| Package type | Est. price per person | Hotel distance to Haram | Best for | Main trade-off |
| Budget (3 star) | $1,800 – $2,800 | 800 m – 1.5 km | Solo travellers, tight budgets | Longer walks |
| Mid-range (4 star) | $2,800 – $4,200 | 200 – 500 m | Families | Fewer luxuries |
| 5 star | $4,500 – $8,000 | 0 – 200 m | Seniors, comfort seekers | Highest cost |
| Ramadan | $4,000 – $9,000+ | Varies | Last ten nights | Early booking, crowds |
How your Umrah trip works, step by step
Knowing the order of events removes most of the stress. Most providers follow the same six steps:
- You choose your dates, hotels and room type, then pay a deposit.
- You send passport scans, photos and your meningitis ACWY vaccine certificate.
- The provider files your visa through the Saudi system, which usually takes a few working days to a couple of weeks.
- You fly into Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz Airport or into Madinah, where a driver or coach meets you.
- You enter ihram, then complete tawaf and sai at Masjid al-Haram, followed by halq or taqsir.
- You travel to Madinah, often by the Haramain high-speed train, visit Masjid an-Nabawi and fly home.
A licensed travel consultant in London told us that most delays begin with a passport valid for under six months. Check yours before you pay anything.
Take a family of four flying from Manchester in February. They chose a mid-range package with four-star hotels in both cities and a rail transfer to Madinah. Because the provider handled the visas, they only brought passports and vaccine certificates to the airport. Would that level of planning save you time too?
Umrah package prices and how to choose a provider
Price is where most pilgrims feel unsure, and rightly so. A few clear factors explain why two packages that look alike can differ by thousands of dollars.
What drives the cost
Season matters most. Ramadan, school holidays and the weeks before Hajj push prices up, and weeks outside those periods usually cost less. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (2024) reported 16.92 million Umrah performers from abroad, so peak weeks stay busy.
Hotel distance comes next. A room 100 metres from the Haram can cost far more than one a kilometre away. Flights, night count, meals, room sharing and extras like ziyarat tours make up the rest. A direct flight from London or Toronto costs more than a one-stop route via Istanbul or Doha, but it saves hours.
How to pick a provider
Start with the licence. Saudi Arabia only lets approved companies and agents sell Umrah visas, so ask for licence details and check them. In the UK, look for ATOL protection and cover under the Package Travel Regulations, which protect your money if a provider fails. Canadian buyers in Ontario can check registration with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.
Next, look at specialisation. A provider that focuses on Umrah, such as AL Islam Travels, deals with Saudi visa timing and hotel contracts as everyday work. A general agent or national chain may book only a few Umrah trips a season. That experience helps when a flight changes or a hotel needs swapping.
Before you pay, ask these questions:
- Which hotels are included, and how far are they from the Haram?
- Is the flight direct, and which airline flies it?
- What does the price leave out?
- What are the refund and change rules?
- Who is my contact in Makkah?
Never pay in full before you see the licence and hotel names in writing.
Common questions before you book
What do all inclusive Umrah packages cover?
They bundle your visa, return flights, Makkah and Madinah hotels, airport transfers and usually daily meals into one price. Many also add ziyarat tours and a guide. Ask for a written list of inclusions and exclusions before you pay a deposit.
How much do Umrah packages from the UK cost?
Most UK departures run from about £1,400 for a basic 10 to 14 night trip to £6,000 or more for 5 star stays in Ramadan. Prices depend on hotel distance, season and airline. Request quotes for Manchester, Birmingham and London departures to compare.
What is the price of Umrah packages from Canada or Australia?
From Canada, expect roughly CAD 2,800 to 6,500. From Australia, budget is around AUD 3,500 to 7,500. Long-haul flights drive most of that gap. Packages from Toronto and Sydney often cost less outside school holidays.
Do I need a visa and vaccine for Umrah?
Yes. You need an Umrah visa or eVisa approved by Saudi Arabia, a passport valid for at least six months and proof of a meningitis ACWY vaccine. Licensed providers file visas for you, but rules change, so check current Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requirements.
Are cheap Umrah packages safe to book?
They can be, if the provider is licensed and lists hotels and flights in writing. Very low prices often hide long hotel walks, shared rooms or extra fees. Ask what is excluded, and avoid anyone who refuses to share licence details.
Is Makkah too hot for Umrah in summer?
Summer temperatures in Makkah often pass 40°C, so outdoor rituals feel tough. Pick a hotel close to the Haram, perform tawaf in the early morning or late at night, and drink water often. Winter brings milder weather and suits older pilgrims better.
How many nights do I need for Umrah?
Most packages run 7 to 14 nights. The rituals take only a few hours, but many pilgrims split their stay between Makkah and Madinah, often four to six nights in each. Longer stays give more time for prayer and rest.
Can I book Umrah packages from New Zealand or Ireland?
Yes. Providers serving New Zealand and Ireland usually route you through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul to Jeddah or Madinah. Expect at least one connection and a longer trip, and check transit visa and baggage rules for each leg.
How do Ramadan Umrah packages differ from regular ones?
Ramadan packages cost more, sell out earlier and often include iftar meals. Crowds are larger, especially in the last ten nights. Book at least six months ahead, and expect stricter payment deadlines and fewer refund options.
Can I take children or elderly parents on family Umrah packages?
Yes. Family Umrah packages often include connected rooms, wheelchair help and shorter walking distances. Choose a hotel close to the Haram, and tell your provider about mobility needs early so they can arrange help at the airport and the mosque.
Your next step is simple. Write down your dates, budget and preferred hotel distance, then ask two or three licensed providers for itemised quotes. Compare what each price covers, not just the total. If you want a clear quote with no pressure, reach out to AL Islam Travels and ask about packages for your travel dates. A calm, well-planned Umrah starts with good questions, and you now know which ones to ask.
