DIY Umrah from the UK
How to plan your own Umrah from the UK
The whole process in order, from your flights to your final checks: what to book, when to book it and where to check. Each step links to the free planner and to a guide that goes further.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026.
The steps, in order
This is the order most people book in. Each step matches a step in the planner, where you can compare providers and tick it off.
Book your flights
Start here. Umrah flights from the UK usually land at Jeddah, for Makkah, or at Madinah. Compare the same dates on more than one site, and check whether flying into one city and home from the other suits your plans. If you are not sure which visa your passport needs, check before you pay.
Choose hotels in Makkah and Madinah
The walk to the Haram shapes both the price and the comfort of your stay. Look at the distance, whether there is a shuttle, and the route itself, as hills and road crossings add time.
Apply for your visa
With your flights and hotels booked, apply for your visa or travel authorisation: some applications ask for your travel details. Your options depend on your passport. British citizens can apply online, while other passports need to check the official Saudi platform. You also need a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate.
Arrange your transfers
Most trips have three legs: the airport to your first hotel, Makkah to Madinah (by road, or on the Haramain High Speed Railway, which links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah) and your last hotel back to the airport.
Plan any Ziyarat
If you have a spare half day, guided visits cover sites such as Jabal al-Nour in Makkah and the Quba Mosque and Uhud in Madinah.
Pack the essentials
Two sets of ihram for men, loose and modest clothing for women, sandals that come off easily, and a small bag for the Haram. Carry some cash for small shops alongside your cards.
Get mobile data sorted
You will want data from the moment you land, for maps, WhatsApp and the Nusuk app, where Umrah permits are booked. An eSIM installed at home connects when you arrive.
Decide on travel insuranceOptional
GOV.UK says the tourist e-visa includes health cover up to 100,000 Saudi riyals, while the ETA and the visa waiver include none. A travel policy can also cover cancellation and delays.
Run your final checks
Before you fly: passport valid for 6 months after arrival, visa approved, vaccination certificate ready, Umrah permit booked in Nusuk, and every confirmation saved on your phone in case you have no signal.
Plan it yourself, or buy a package?
Both are valid ways to go. Planning it yourself gives you more choice and a clear view of each price. A package puts one company in charge of the whole trip. Here is how they compare.
| Topic | Plan it yourself | Package from a UK company |
|---|---|---|
| Who you book with | Each airline, hotel and transfer company directly | One travel company |
| Choice | You choose the hotels, flights and dates | Set options, sometimes with some flexibility |
| Prices | You see each price before you pay it | Usually one total price |
| Protection | Each provider's own terms; paying by credit card can add protection | ATOL protection when the package includes flights and the company holds an ATOL |
| Changes | You can change one part without touching the rest | The company handles changes, on its terms |
| Company on the trip | You travel independently | Some packages include a group leader |
If you buy a package, GOV.UK advises checking that the company is ATOL protected. If you plan it yourself and get stuck on one part, you can ask TravAir on WhatsApp: we can advise, send a quote or make that booking for you.
Travelling with children or older relatives
With children
- Every child needs their own visa application and a passport valid for 6 months after arrival.
- Ask the travel clinic about the meningitis ACWY vaccine for each child.
- A hotel close to the Haram makes it easier to go back and rest between prayers.
- Agree a meeting point inside the Haram in case you get separated in the crowds.
With older relatives
- Choose the shortest walk you can afford, or a hotel with a shuttle, and check it has lifts.
- Request assistance at the airport when you book your flights.
- Look for travel insurance that covers any existing medical conditions.
- Bring enough medication for the whole trip, plus extra in case your return is delayed.
What changes the cost
We do not publish typical prices, because they change daily and depend on your dates. These are the things that move the total most:
- When you go. Ramadan, and especially its last ten nights, is the busiest time. UK school holidays are busy too.
- How close you stay. Hotels nearest the Haram, and rooms with a view of it, cost the most.
- Your flights. Direct flights, weekends and school holidays usually cost more than connecting flights on quieter days.
- How long you stay, and who shares. Sharing a room spreads the hotel cost, which is often the largest part.
The planner's links show live prices on each provider's own site.
Umrah guides
- First-Time Umrah: A Practical Timeline From Booking to DepartureA realistic week-by-week outline of what to sort out between booking your Umrah trip and boarding the flight.
- Saudi Arabia ETA for UK Passport Holders 2026: Everything You Need to KnowWhat the Saudi ETA for UK citizens covers, what it costs and how to apply, checked against GOV.UK and the official KSA Visa platform on 29 September 2026.
- How Close is Close Enough? Understanding Hotel Distances Near the HaramainA hotel listed as "5 minutes from the Haram" doesn't always mean what you'd expect. Here's how to actually judge distance.
- Umrah Transfers: Jeddah Airport to Makkah, and Makkah to MadinahThe three transfers on a UK Umrah trip, and how to choose between a pre-booked car, the Haramain High Speed Railway and a taxi for each one.
- Makkah Hotel Guide: Where to Stay Near the HaramThe three practical zones around Masjid al-Haram, what each actually costs, and how to pick between walking distance and a shuttle.
- Madinah Hotel Guide: Where to Stay Near Masjid an-NabawiWhy Madinah is easier to walk than Makkah, why that doesn't make it cheaper, and how to choose the right hotel near the mosque.
- Umrah 2026/2027 Hotels: Where to Stay in Makkah and MadinahWhere to actually stay for Umrah in 2026 and Ramadan 2027, what hotels near the Haramain really cost, and how to compare prices before rates climb.
- Best eSIM for Saudi Arabia 2026: The Complete Guide for UK Umrah TravellersFive eSIM providers for Saudi Arabia, compared honestly for UK Umrah travellers, so you land connected instead of stuck in an arrivals hall queue.
- Umrah Packing List: What You Actually NeedIhram, a light bag, comfortable sandals: what actually matters when you're packing for Umrah, and what you can safely leave at home.
- Umrah Essentials 2026: What to Actually Buy Before You GoA shopping guide, not a checklist. The Umrah essentials genuinely worth buying before you fly, from ihram sets to unscented sunscreen, with real Amazon UK options for each.
- Makkah Attractions Guide: What to See Beyond the HaramThe Clock Tower terrace, the Kiswa factory tour, and a half-day trail through the Prophet's own footsteps: three ways to spend a spare afternoon in Makkah.
- Madinah Attractions Guide: What to See Beyond the MosqueFrom a hop-on hop-off bus to Uhud and Badr Ziarah tours, a day trip to AlUla, and horse riding tied to a Sunnah, here's what's worth booking in Madinah.
Questions
Can I do Umrah without a travel agent?
Yes. Outside the Hajj season you can book flights and hotels directly, apply for your own visa online and book your Umrah permit in the Nusuk app. The planner takes you through each step in order.
Do British citizens need a special Umrah visa?
No separate Umrah visa is needed outside the Hajj season. GOV.UK lists the ETA, the tourist e-visa and the electronic visa waiver as options for Umrah. Hajj needs its own Hajj visa.
Do I need a vaccination for Umrah?
Yes. GOV.UK says you must have a valid certificate of vaccination against the ACWY strains of meningitis 10 days before arriving for Umrah. Ask a travel clinic or pharmacy, and ask about children too.
How do I book the Umrah permit?
Through Nusuk, the app and website run by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Ministry lists the permit as free for visitors: you choose a date and time slot once you have your visa.
Does TravAir sell Umrah packages?
No. TravAir does not sell its own packages. The planner links to booking partners, who confirm your bookings. If you would like help, we can advise, send a quote or make bookings for you.
Ask TravAir for help
Would you rather have some help?
Tell us your dates, your departure airport and who is travelling. We can talk you through the options, send you a quote, or make the bookings for you.