# Umrah Plus Trips: Adding Dubai, Turkey or Al-Aqsa

Source: https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/umrah-plus-guide/

Category: Travel Tips. Published 2026-10-22, updated 2026-10-22.

How to combine Umrah with Dubai, Istanbul, Al-Aqsa, Egypt or a family visit: stopovers or separate trips, Ihram timing and planning tips.

**Quick answer:** You can combine Umrah with another destination either as a short stopover on the way there or back, or as a longer second leg of the same trip. Popular choices from the UK are Dubai, Istanbul, Al-Aqsa via Jordan, Cairo and family visits to Pakistan, India or Bangladesh. Plan the order carefully, check visa and entry rules for every country, and make sure you are in Ihram before you cross the Miqat into Makkah.

## What is an "Umrah plus" trip?

An Umrah plus trip is simply Umrah combined with time somewhere else. For many British Muslims, Umrah is the biggest journey of the year, so it makes sense to add a few days in a city they have always wanted to see, or to visit relatives on the way home.

There are two main ways to do it:

- **A stopover:** one to three nights in a hub city where your flight connects anyway, such as Dubai, Istanbul or Doha.
- **A two-centre trip:** a longer, planned stay of several days or more, often with a separate flight between Saudi Arabia and the second country.

You can see the combinations we arrange on our [Umrah plus packages](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus/) page.

## Should you add a stopover or plan a separate trip?

A stopover is the easiest option. Many airlines that fly from the UK to Jeddah or Madinah connect through their home hub, so you are passing through anyway. Breaking the journey for a night or two adds little travel time and can make a long trip less tiring.

A separate leg makes more sense when the second destination needs real time, for example visiting the historic mosques of Istanbul properly, spending days at Al-Aqsa, or staying with family abroad. In that case it is often better to treat it as two trips joined together, each with enough nights to enjoy it.

StopoverTwo-centre trip
Typical length1 to 3 nights4 nights or more
FlightsUsually the same ticket via a hubOften an extra flight between countries
Best forBreaking the journey, short city breakSightseeing, Ziyarat, family visits
Planning effortLowHigher: more visas, bookings and luggage

## Should you do Umrah first or last?

There is no single right answer, but most of the pilgrims we speak to prefer one of these patterns:

- **Umrah first, holiday after:** you complete the main purpose of the trip while you are fresh, then relax afterwards. This works well for families and for anyone who wants to rest before going back to work.
- **Holiday first, Umrah last:** you finish your journey with Umrah, so it is the last thing you experience before coming home. Some people find this spiritually meaningful.

Think about energy and weather too. Umrah involves a lot of walking, and Makkah is very hot in summer. Doing the worship part first means you are not already tired from sightseeing.

## When do you put on Ihram on an Umrah plus trip?

This depends on where you fly into Saudi Arabia from, not where you started.

- **Flying into Jeddah from anywhere (Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo and so on):** the flight crosses the Miqat before landing, so enter Ihram and make your intention on the plane, just as you would from the UK.
- **Flying into Madinah first:** no Ihram is needed on the flight. You enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah when you travel to Makkah.
- **Doing the other destination after Umrah:** you leave Saudi Arabia already out of Ihram, so nothing changes.

If you stop in Dubai or Istanbul first, it is easiest to bathe and put on Ihram at your hotel or the airport before the Jeddah flight. Our guide to [Ihram rules for men and women](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/ihram-rules-men-and-women/) covers the details.

## Which destinations can you combine with Umrah?

### Dubai

Dubai is the most popular add-on, thanks to frequent flights and plenty of family-friendly activities. It suits a short, relaxing stopover after Umrah. See our [Umrah plus Dubai](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-dubai/) options.

### Istanbul and Turkey

Istanbul is rich in Islamic history, with the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the Topkapi Palace collection of sacred relics. Allow at least three or four nights. Many pilgrims also add Bursa or Konya. Have a look at [Umrah plus Turkey](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-turkey/).

### Al-Aqsa

Masjid al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam, and many pilgrims long to pray there. Trips are usually arranged through Jordan. Entry and the security situation can change quickly, so check the latest advice before booking and expect us to confirm the current position. Our [Umrah plus Al-Aqsa](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-al-aqsa/) page explains how these trips work.

### Egypt

Cairo offers Al-Azhar Mosque, the historic mosques of Islamic Cairo and, of course, the pyramids. It pairs well with Umrah for families who want history and culture. See [Umrah plus Egypt](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-egypt/).

### Family visits and other destinations

Many British Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi families combine Umrah with time back home, which can save a separate long-haul trip later in the year. Others add Qatar, the Maldives, Thailand or Ziyarat in Iraq and Iran. Our [Umrah plus Pakistan](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-pakistan/) trips are a common example.

## What should you check before booking?

- **Visas and entry rules:** each country has its own rules, and they depend on your passport. Check the official [GOV.UK foreign travel advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for every country on your route.
- **Passport validity:** many countries want six months' validity and blank pages.
- **Saudi visa dates:** make sure your Saudi visa covers your entry date, and remember Umrah visas usually pause around Hajj.
- **Connections:** if your flights are on separate tickets, a delay on one may not be protected on the next. Leave generous gaps.
- **Insurance:** your policy must cover every country you visit.
- **Luggage:** extra flights may have smaller allowances, which matters if you are bringing Zamzam or gifts home.

## How much extra does an Umrah plus trip cost?

The extra cost depends mainly on the hotel and the number of nights in the second destination, and whether an additional flight is needed. A stopover in a hub city on the same ticket usually adds less than a separate two-centre trip.

The Umrah part is priced in the same way as our standard packages, starting from £490 per person for 7 nights with 3 star hotels. Prices depend on dates and are confirmed in your quote, and Ramadan and school holidays cost more. For a fuller picture, read [how much Umrah costs from the UK](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-umrah-cost-from-the-uk/).

## Practical tips for a smooth two-centre trip

- Keep your Umrah clothing and essentials in hand luggage, in case a checked bag is delayed between countries.
- Carry a little local currency for each country, or a card that works abroad without high fees.
- Plan a rest day after arriving in each destination, especially with children or elderly parents.
- Dress modestly at religious sites everywhere, and check opening times around prayers.
- Save your hotel addresses offline in case you have no data on arrival.

If you have a destination in mind, tell us your dates and how many nights you would like in each place, and our team will put together a combined plan. You can start by [contacting us](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/contact/) with your ideas.

**Related guides:** [Umrah Package vs DIY Umrah from the UK: Pros and Cons](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/umrah-package-vs-diy/) · [Difference Between Hajj and Umrah: A Clear Guide](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/difference-between-hajj-and-umrah/) · [Is 5 Star Umrah Worth It? 3, 4 and 5 Star Compared](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/blog/is-5-star-umrah-worth-it/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I visit Dubai before Umrah?

Yes. Just make sure you are in Ihram before your flight from Dubai crosses the Miqat on its way to Jeddah. If you fly into Madinah instead, you can enter Ihram later.

### Is it better to do Umrah before or after the holiday?

Many people prefer Umrah first, while they are rested and focused. Others like to finish with Umrah. Both are fine; choose what suits your family.

### Can I combine Umrah and Al-Aqsa in one trip?

Yes, these trips are usually arranged through Jordan. Entry rules and the security situation can change, so check the latest travel advice and we will confirm the current position before you book.

### Do I need separate visas for each country?

Usually, yes, depending on your passport. Check the entry rules for every country on your route well before you travel.

### How many nights should I add?

One to three nights is enough for a stopover. For sightseeing or family visits, allow at least four nights so the trip does not feel rushed.

## Contact Umrah Gateway

- Phone: 0207 112 8522
- WhatsApp: +44 20 7112 8522
- Email: info@umrahgateway.co.uk
- Office: 9 Station Road, West Drayton UB7 7BT
- Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm