Umrah guides and travel tips
Practical guides for pilgrims travelling from the UK: preparing for Umrah, what to pack, visa rules, the best time to travel and how to choose hotels in Makkah and Madinah.
Umrah Gateway Blog
Umrah Guides & Travel Tips
Clear, practical advice from our UK team to help you prepare for Umrah with confidence, from ihram and tawaf to packing, visas and hotels.
LatestZiyarat & PlacesZiyarat Places in Makkah and Madinah: A GuideThe main Ziyarat sites in Makkah and Madinah, from Cave Hira and Arafat to Quba, Uhud and Qiblatayn, with their history and practical visiting tips.Read the guide 
Umrah GuideZamzam Water Guide: History, Dua and Bringing It HomeThe story of Zamzam, the Sunnah way to drink it and the dua, where to find it in the Haram, and how UK pilgrims can bring Zamzam home on the flight.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah in a Wheelchair: Guide for Disabled PilgrimsHow wheelchair users and pilgrims with limited mobility can perform Umrah: wheelchairs and carts at the Haram, hotels, airline help and companions.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah Shopping Guide: What to Buy in Makkah and MadinahWhat to buy in Makkah and Madinah, the best Umrah gifts, where to shop, how to bargain, spotting fakes and staying within your luggage allowance.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah Plus Trips: Adding Dubai, Turkey or Al-AqsaHow to combine Umrah with Dubai, Istanbul, Al-Aqsa, Egypt or a family visit: stopovers or separate trips, Ihram timing and planning tips.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah Package vs DIY Umrah from the UK: Pros and ConsShould you book an Umrah package or arrange flights, visa and hotels yourself? An honest look at both, and what to check before paying any agent.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah on a Budget from the UK: How to Save MoneyPractical ways to do Umrah on a budget from the UK: when to travel, 3 star packages, room sharing, cheaper flights, food and low-cost Ziyarat.Read more 
Travel TipsUmrah Health Tips: Heat, Feet, Cough and VaccinationsHow to stay healthy on Umrah: coping with heat, looking after your feet, avoiding the Umrah cough, medicines, vaccinations and care for elderly pilgrims.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah for Women: Ihram, Periods, Mahram and TipsA practical guide to Umrah for women: what to wear in Ihram, what to do if your period starts, travelling without a mahram and prayer areas.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah for Couples and Newlyweds: A Practical GuidePlanning Umrah as a married couple or newlyweds: choosing dates and rooms, ihram rules for each spouse, separate prayer areas and keeping worship first.Read more Travel TipsUmrah Flights from the UK: Direct, Ihram & Baggage TipsA practical guide to Umrah flights from the UK: direct vs one-stop, Jeddah or Madinah first, Ihram on the plane, baggage, Zamzam and when to book.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah Duas and Talbiyah: What to Say at Each StepThe Talbiyah and the well-known duas for Umrah, from Ihram to Tawaf, Safa and Marwah and Zamzam, in transliteration with their meanings.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah Badal: Performing Umrah on Behalf of OthersWhat Umrah Badal is, who you can perform it for, the conditions scholars mention, and how to make the intention and complete it step by step.Read more Travel TipsBest Apps for Umrah: What to Download Before You FlyThe apps that make Umrah easier: Nusuk for permits, train booking, Careem and Uber, maps, prayer times, Qur'an and translation, plus tips for data.Read more Travel TipsPerforming Umrah Alone from the UK: Solo Travel GuidePlanning Umrah alone from the UK? Safety tips, planning steps, rules for women travelling without a mahram, joining a group and staying connected.Read more Travel TipsRawdah Permit: How to Book a Rawdah Visit on NusukHow to book a Rawdah permit in the Nusuk app, what to expect on the day in Masjid an-Nabawi, and tips for women, families and elderly pilgrims.Read more Travel TipsMoney for Umrah: Currency, Cards and Cash GuideHow to handle money on Umrah: Saudi riyals, cards and contactless, how much cash to carry, ATMs, exchange tips, daily spending and tipping.Read more Travel TipsMakkah Clock Tower Hotels: Are They Worth It?Staying in the Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower complex: location, Kaaba-view rooms, lifts at prayer times, prices and alternatives in Jabal Omar and Ajyad.Read more Umrah GuideLaylatul Qadr: Last Ten Nights in Makkah or MadinahHow to seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan in Makkah or Madinah: its virtues, the key dua, itikaf, and planning around crowds and hotels.Read more Travel TipsJeddah Airport to Makkah: Transfer, Train or TaxiHow to get from Jeddah airport to Makkah by private transfer, Haramain train or taxi, with journey times and tips on Ihram and arriving tired.Read more Travel TipsIs 5 Star Umrah Worth It? 3, 4 and 5 Star ComparedIs a 5 star Umrah worth the extra cost? An honest comparison of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels in Makkah and Madinah, with prices and who should pay more.Read more Umrah GuideIhram Rules for Men and Women: Dos and Don'tsWhat is and is not allowed in Ihram for men and women, what to wear, and what to do if you break a rule by mistake during your Umrah.Read more Travel TipsHow Many Days Do You Need for Umrah from the UK?How many days you need for Umrah from the UK: 7, 10, 14 or 21+ nights compared, the Makkah and Madinah split, who each length suits, and rest.Read more Travel TipsGroup vs Private Umrah: Which Package Suits You?Group Umrah or a private tailor-made package? An honest comparison of cost, flexibility and guidance, who each suits, and what to ask before booking.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah While Fasting in Ramadan: Suhoor, Iftar & TimingHow to perform Umrah while fasting in Ramadan: the best time for Tawaf and Sa'i, iftar in the Haram, suhoor near your hotel, Taraweeh and staying hydrated.Read more Umrah GuideDifference Between Hajj and Umrah: A Clear GuideHajj vs Umrah explained simply: obligation, timing, rites, how long each takes, cost and crowds, with a side-by-side table for UK pilgrims.Read more Umrah GuideCommon Umrah Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemThe religious and practical mistakes first-time UK pilgrims often make on Umrah, from Ihram and Tawaf to visas, hotels and packing, and how to avoid them.Read more Travel TipsHow to Choose Umrah Hotels in Makkah and MadinahHow to pick Umrah hotels in Makkah and Madinah: walking times, star ratings, the best areas, Haram views, rooms for families and elderly, and budget.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah with Family: Women, Children and Elderly PilgrimsHow to plan a comfortable Umrah for the whole family, with practical advice for women, young children and elderly parents travelling from the UK.Read more Umrah GuideRamadan Umrah Guide: Planning, Prices and TipsWhy Umrah in Ramadan is special, when to book, what it costs, where to stay and how to make the most of the last ten nights in Makkah.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah Packing List: What to Take from the UKA practical checklist of documents, Ihram clothing, medicines and essentials for your Umrah journey from the UK, plus what to leave at home.Read more Umrah GuideBest Time to Perform Umrah from the UKWeather, crowds and prices month by month, so you can choose the right time for your Umrah from the UK, whether for value, comfort or reward.Read more Umrah GuideHow Much Does Umrah Cost from the UK? Prices ExplainedWhat an Umrah package from the UK costs in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, what is included, and the things that make the price go up or down.Read more Umrah GuideUmrah Visa from the UK: Requirements and How to ApplyWho can perform Umrah from the UK, which visa to use, the documents you need, how long the visa takes and how the Nusuk app fits in.Read more Umrah GuideHow to Perform Umrah: A Step-by-Step Guide for UK PilgrimsThe four parts of Umrah explained simply: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i and cutting the hair, with practical tips for pilgrims flying from the UK.Read more Ziyarat & PlacesThe Kaaba and the Black Stone: A Pilgrim's GuideThe Kaaba, Black Stone, Kiswah, Maqam Ibrahim, Hijr Ismail and Multazam explained: what each means, what pilgrims do there and how to stay safe.Read more Ready to plan your Umrah?
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Written by the Umrah Gateway team
