Umrah Guide

Most travellers need an Umrah visa, which we handle as part of any package we arrange. If you're booking flights and hotels yourself, check the visa requirements for your nationality well before you plan to travel — processing can take longer during Ramadan and the weeks around it.

There's no universal vaccination requirement, but Saudi authorities do ask for specific vaccines depending on the season and your country of departure. Check with a travel clinic a few weeks out rather than the week before.

Ihram for men is two pieces of unstitched white cloth — bring at least two sets, since you'll want a change. Women wear modest, loose clothing in any colour; there's no required uniform. Comfortable, easy-to-remove sandals matter more than anything else you pack, since you'll be walking a lot and removing shoes often.

Makkah and Madinah get warm even outside summer. A small bag for the Haram (phone, water, a few dates) is more useful than a large one — bags get checked and queued at entry points, and a lighter load moves faster.

The Haramain are busiest around Fajr, Maghrib and Isha, and during the last ten nights of Ramadan they're busiest at almost any hour. If you want space to pray comfortably, the hour after Dhuhr or Asr tends to be calmer.

Distances can be deceptive from photos. A hotel listed as "5 minutes" from the Haram usually means a brisk walk, not a stroll, particularly in the heat. If walking distance matters to you, it's worth asking directly rather than assuming from marketing copy — we list it plainly on every hotel we recommend.

Cards are widely accepted in Makkah and Madinah, but it's worth carrying some cash for smaller shops and taxis. A local eSIM is usually cheaper and simpler than roaming — see our Travel Essentials page if you'd like us to sort one for you.