Umrah Cost Overview 2026/2027
Umrah is the "lesser pilgrimage" to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year, and its cost varies enormously depending on when you travel, which hotel tier you choose, and how far your accommodation is from the Haram. Unlike Hajj, there's no fixed visa quota or single travel window, which means UK pilgrims have far more flexibility to time their trip for the best price.
As a rough guide, most UK pilgrims spend between £650 and £1,500 per person depending on season and hotel grade. Below is a snapshot of what you can expect to pay across the three main package tiers, based on a typical 7–10 night trip covering both Makkah and Madinah.
| Package Tier | Hotel Distance from Haram | Duration | Off-Peak Price (pp) | Peak/Ramadan Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy / 3-Star | 1–2 km (shuttle bus) | 7–10 days | From £650 | From £1,000 |
| Standard / 4-Star | 400–800m (walking) | 7–10 days | From £750 | From £1,250 |
| Premium / 5-Star Haram-Facing | 0–150m (Haram-view towers) | 7–12 days | From £1,300 | From £1,550 |
| Group / Family Package (6+) | Varies by tier selected | Custom | Custom quote — enquire here | |
*Prices are indicative estimates for planning purposes and vary by departure airport, exact dates and current airfares. See our full range of Umrah packages from the UK for live pricing.
Full Umrah Cost Breakdown
An Umrah package price is made up of several individual costs bundled together. Understanding each one helps you compare quotes properly and spot what's actually included versus what you'll need to budget separately.
Always check the itemised quote: Two packages at the same headline price can include very different things. Ask your operator exactly what's covered — meals, visa fees, transfers and Ziyarat trips — before comparing prices. Our Umrah booking team will give you a fully itemised breakdown for any package.
Umrah Cost by UK Departure City
Where you fly from affects your total Umrah cost, mainly through flight fares and route options. Here's how the main UK departure cities typically compare on price and choice:
| Departure City | Flight Options | Typical Return Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Heathrow/Gatwick) | Direct & connecting, widest choice | From £280 | Most competition between airlines keeps fares low |
| Manchester | Direct & connecting | From £310 | Good value for pilgrims across the North |
| Birmingham | Connecting via Gulf or Turkish hubs | From £330 | Fewer direct options, but competitive connecting fares |
| Glasgow / Edinburgh | Connecting via London or Gulf hubs | From £350 | Consider a positioning flight to London for savings |
Departure city isn't the biggest driver of cost. Your travel dates and hotel tier matter far more than which UK airport you fly from. See our full guide to flights to Saudi Arabia from the UK to compare every departure city and route.
Umrah Cost by Family & Group Size
Room-sharing arrangements make a big difference to your per-person Umrah cost. Larger groups sharing quad or family rooms bring the hotel cost down significantly compared to a solo traveller booking a private room.
| Travelling As | Typical Room Type | Standard Tier — Per Person | Standard Tier — Total Group Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveller | Private or shared room | £2,000 – £2,800 | £2,000 – £2,800 |
| Couple | Twin/double room | £1,700 – £2,500 | £3,400 – £5,000 |
| Family of Four | Quad room | £1,500 – £2,800 | £6,000 – £11,000 |
| Group of Six or More | Quad/quint room + group airfare | £1,300 – £2,400 | Custom quote for your group |
Travelling with family? Our Umrah booking team will build a custom quote around your exact family or group size, so you only pay for the room configuration you need.
Which Month Is the Cheapest for Umrah?
Because Umrah can be performed year-round, timing your trip is the single most powerful way to reduce cost. Prices follow a predictable pattern tied to the Islamic calendar, UK school holidays, and demand around Ramadan and Hajj.
Muharram & Safar
Quietest months of the Islamic calendar — lowest flight and hotel ratesRabi al-Awwal & Rabi al-Thani
Steady demand, still good value outside UK half-term weeksJumada & Rajab
Rajab sees a moderate rise in demand ahead of Sha'ban and RamadanSha'ban
Prices climb as pilgrims prepare for Ramadan Umrah tripsRamadan (especially last 10 nights)
Peak demand for Laylat al-Qadr — highest flight & hotel prices of the yearShawwal (first 2 weeks after Eid)
Post-Ramadan Umrah rush keeps prices elevatedLate Shawwal to Dhul Qi'dah
Demand drops back down before Hajj preparations beginDhul Hijjah (Hajj season)
Umrah is paused during peak Hajj rites; surrounding weeks are expensiveTripNext tip: For the lowest possible price, target Muharram, Safar or the weeks right after the Hajj season ends, and travel outside UK school holidays. Browse our cheapest Umrah packages to see current off-peak availability.
Best Budget Umrah Packages Explained
"Best budget Umrah package" doesn't have to mean lowest quality — it means the smartest combination of hotel distance, room sharing and travel dates for your money. Here's how the main tiers compare:
Economy / Budget 3-Star Package
The cheapest way to perform Umrah without cutting corners on safetyQuad or quint-sharing rooms in hotels 1–2km from the Haram, connected by regular shuttle buses, with economy flights and travel outside peak season. This is our best-value option for first-time pilgrims and students.
Best For
- First-time pilgrims on a budget
- Solo travellers & students
- Flexible, less time-pressured travellers
Consider
- Longer walk/shuttle to the Haram
- Shared rooms (4–6 pilgrims)
- Fewer departure date options
Standard / 4-Star Package
Walking distance hotels with better privacy and comfortA balance of comfort and cost — hotels within a comfortable walk of the Haram in both Makkah and Madinah, twin or triple-sharing rooms, and a choice of direct or one-stop flights. Our most popular tier for couples and small families.
Best For
- Couples and small families
- Pilgrims wanting easy Haram access
- Shorter, more efficient trips
Consider
- Higher price than economy tier
- Books out earlier during peak season
Premium / 5-Star Haram-Facing
Towers with direct views of the Kaaba and minimal walkingHotels within steps of the Haram, private or double rooms, minimal walking for elderly or less mobile pilgrims, and premium ground service throughout your trip — ideal when comfort and proximity matter most.
Best For
- Elderly or less mobile pilgrims
- Families wanting maximum comfort
- Ramadan & last-10-nights trips
Consider
- Significantly higher cost
- Very limited rooms — books out first
How to Find the Best Travel Agency for Umrah Packages
With so many Umrah operators advertising online, it's easy to be tempted by the cheapest headline price. But the real cost of choosing the wrong agency can be much higher — lost deposits, unlicensed visas, or no financial protection if a flight or hotel falls through. Here's what to check before you book:
- ATOL protection: This guarantees your flights and package are financially protected if the operator or airline runs into trouble. TripNext is fully ATOL protected.
- Membership of a recognised travel body: Look for PTS or similar accreditation alongside ATOL for extra reassurance.
- Transparent, itemised pricing: A trustworthy agency will break down exactly what's included — flights, hotels, visa, transfers — with no hidden extras added later.
- Direct contact options: A real phone number and WhatsApp line you can reach before and during your trip, not just a contact form.
- Verifiable reviews and a track record: Look for consistent, detailed reviews from UK pilgrims rather than a handful of generic five-star ratings.
Why UK pilgrims choose TripNext: We're an ATOL-protected travel agency specialising in Hajj and Umrah packages, with transparent pricing, flexible payment plans and a dedicated Hajj & Umrah support team. See our full range of Umrah packages from the UK or get a personalised quote today.
Group Umrah Packages — Are They Cheaper?
Yes — travelling as a group of 6 or more is one of the most reliable ways to reduce your per-person Umrah cost. Operators can negotiate lower group airfares and block-book hotel rooms at a discounted rate, passing the savings on to your group.
Lower Per-Person Cost
Group airfares and block-booked rooms typically save 10–20% per person compared to solo booking.
Scholar or Imam-Led Guidance
Many UK mosque and community groups travel with a scholar to guide rituals — ask if this is included.
Guaranteed Room Blocks
Booking as a group secures rooms together in the same hotel, even during busy periods.
Mosque & Community Trips
TripNext works directly with UK mosques and Islamic centres to organise annual group Umrah trips.
Flexible Payment Plans
Group organisers can often access instalment plans to make the trip easier to budget for across the group.
Dedicated Group Coordinator
A single point of contact manages the whole group's flights, rooming lists and documentation.
Planning a group or family Umrah trip? Call TripNext on +44 7478 061159 or request a group quote online — we'll build a custom package around your group size, budget and dates.
Umrah Visa from the UK — Cost & Requirements
UK pilgrims need a Saudi Umrah visa to perform Umrah, processed through the official Nusuk platform or by a licensed UK Umrah operator on your behalf. Most Umrah package prices already include the visa fee, but it's worth understanding the cost and requirements in case you're comparing packages or budgeting separately.
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Umrah Visa Fee | £80 – £140 | Often bundled into your package price |
| Mandatory Travel Insurance | £15 – £40 | Usually required as part of the visa |
| Operator Service Fee | £0 – £30 | Varies by agency — ask before booking |
Umrah Visa Requirements for UK Applicants
- Passport validity: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
- Recent passport photo: Meeting Saudi visa photo specifications.
- Vaccination records: Meningococcal meningitis (ACWY) vaccination is required for all pilgrims.
- Mahram requirement: Women under 45 travelling without a male relative may need to travel as part of an approved group — always confirm current rules with your operator.
- Booking through a licensed operator: Independent visa applications are possible via Nusuk, but booking through an ATOL-protected UK agent like TripNext bundles the visa with your flights and hotel for simplicity and protection.
Processing time: Umrah visas are typically processed within a few working days once your documents are submitted, but allow 2–3 weeks before travel to account for any delays, especially during busy periods like Sha'ban and Ramadan.
Umrah Cost vs Hajj Cost — What's the Difference?
Umrah and Hajj are often confused, but their costs are very different. Umrah is far more affordable, shorter in duration, and can be booked at almost any time of the year, while Hajj is a longer, once-a-year pilgrimage with fixed visa quotas that pushes prices much higher.
| Factor | Umrah | Hajj |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Package Price (pp) | From £650 | From £6,500 |
| Typical Duration | 7–10 days | 12–18 days |
| Available Dates | Year-round | Fixed dates in Dhul Hijjah only |
| Visa Quota | No fixed quota | Limited quota per country |
Planning your once-in-a-lifetime Hajj instead? See our dedicated Hajj 2027 packages guide for full pricing and visa information.
Ramadan 2027 Umrah Packages — What to Expect
Ramadan 2027 (1448 AH) is expected to begin around 8 February 2027 and end around 9 March 2027, with Eid al-Fitr expected around 10 March 2027. As with all Islamic calendar dates, this is an estimate based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and will be confirmed by official moon sighting closer to the time.
Ramadan is consistently the most expensive — and most spiritually rewarding — time to perform Umrah, particularly during the last ten nights when pilgrims seek Laylat al-Qadr. Demand for flights and Haram-facing hotels rises sharply, so early booking is essential.
| Ramadan 2027 Period | Demand Level | Indicative Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| First 10 Nights | Moderate | From £1,600 |
| Middle 10 Nights | High | From £2,200 |
| Last 10 Nights (Laylat al-Qadr) | Peak | From £2,800 – £4,500+ |
*Ramadan 2027 dates and prices are estimates. Exact Ramadan dates depend on moon sighting; exact 2027 pricing depends on airline fares and hotel allocations released closer to the season.
Book early for Ramadan 2027: Haram-facing hotels for the last 10 nights routinely sell out 6–9 months in advance. If Ramadan Umrah is your plan, register your interest now on our dedicated Ramadan Umrah packages page or get a quote today.
Flights to Saudi Arabia from the UK
Flights typically make up 20–35% of your total Umrah cost. UK pilgrims can fly direct or with one stop from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED), with fares varying widely by season, airline and how far in advance you book.
| Departure City | Arrival Airport | Direct Flight? | Flight Time | Indicative Return Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London (Heathrow/Gatwick) | Jeddah (JED) / Madinah (MED) | Yes | ~6.5 hrs | From £280 |
| Manchester | Jeddah (JED) / Madinah (MED) | Yes | ~7 hrs | From £310 |
| Birmingham | Jeddah (JED) | Connecting | ~8–10 hrs | From £330 |
Cheaper to fly connecting than direct. One-stop flights via hubs like Riyadh or Istanbul are often noticeably cheaper than direct routes — worth comparing if you're on a tight budget. See our full guide to flights to Saudi Arabia from the UK to compare all routes and fares.
Money-Saving Tips for Umrah
Travel Outside Ramadan
Choosing Muharram, Safar or the post-Hajj months can cut your total cost by more than half compared to Ramadan.
Travel as a Group
Groups of 6+ unlock better airfares and block-booked hotel rates per person.
Choose Shuttle-Distance Hotels
Hotels 1–2km from the Haram cost significantly less than Haram-facing towers, with only a short shuttle ride.
Book 2–4 Months Ahead
For off-peak dates, booking 2–4 months in advance secures the best flight and hotel rates before prices rise.
Ask About Payment Plans
Spreading the cost over several months makes budgeting easier without needing to pay the full amount upfront.
Compare Itemised Quotes
Always compare what's actually included, not just the headline price, to avoid hidden extras later.
Ready to see live prices? Head to our main Umrah packages page to get an instant, tailored quote based on your dates, group size and budget — or call us on +44 7478 061159 to speak to a specialist.
