Umrah Guide
A practical guide for first-time pilgrims: what to prepare before you travel, what happens on arrival, and what to expect at each stage of the journey.
Before you book
Check that every traveller's passport is valid well beyond your intended travel dates — visa applications are commonly refused for passports nearing expiry. Confirm each name exactly as it appears on the passport, including middle names, before you enter it anywhere.
- Passport valid for the period required at the time of application
- A recent personal photograph meeting visa photo requirements
- Any required vaccination certificates
- Agreement among your group on dates, budget, and hotel proximity to the Haram
Choosing a package
Packages differ in more than price. The two factors that most affect the experience are distance from the Haram and what is actually included.
- Hotel distance — a few hundred metres changes how many times a day you can comfortably pray at the Haram
- Meals — full board, breakfast only, or none
- Flights — included or booked separately
- Visa handling — included in the package price or charged separately
- Ground transport between Makkah, Madinah and the airports
- Whether a guide accompanies the group
Ihram and preparation
Pilgrims enter the state of ihram before crossing the miqat boundary. Men wear two unstitched white cloths; women wear ordinary modest dress. Prepare ihram clothing, comfortable sandals, and an unscented personal care kit, since scented products are avoided while in ihram.
The rites of Umrah
Umrah consists of entering ihram with the intention to perform it, performing tawaf — seven circuits around the Kaaba — then sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and finally cutting or shortening the hair, which concludes the state of ihram.
Allow more time than you expect for each stage, particularly during peak seasons when the Haram is crowded. Your provider's guide, where one is included, will set the group's schedule around prayer times.
Practical tips
- Carry a printed copy of your booking reference and hotel address, in Arabic if possible
- Agree a meeting point with your group before entering the Haram — phone signal is unreliable inside
- Stay hydrated; the walk between Safa and Marwah is roughly three kilometres in total
- Keep medication in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription