How much does it cost to go to Umrah?
Every year, millions of pilgrims from across the globe arrive through cheap Umrah packages in Saudia Arabia to offer the holy rituals of the Umrah pilgrimage. Though a sunnah pilgrimage, Umrah holds similar rewards to the Hajj Pilgrimage. That’s why it is also known as ‘lesser or Minor Pilgrimage’.
Just like any other international trip, travelling for Umrah also requires you to spend your financial and physical resources. Let it be visa fees, travel and accommodation expenses or other expenditures of the Umrah journey – a pilgrim has to bear all of it while following the necessary rules and regulations imposed on them.
While the cost for an Umrah can vary for every individual pilgrim based on his/her specific preferences and budget, here’s an estimated cost involved in going for an Umrah pilgrimage.
Visa Fees.
Every pilgrim arriving in the holy region for Umrah pilgrimage needs to obtain a visa for it. It can be a specific Umrah visa or an Umrah permit on your work, visit, or family visa to the kingdom.
The visa fees for Umrah remain significantly influenced by your;
- Visa type.
- Travel region.
- Nationality.
- Time of the year, etc.
However, you can expect to spend approximately £75 to £225 or more for your visa fee. Additionally, if you are hiring an Umrah travel package from a travel agency, you may bear an extra ‘visa processing fee’ as well and its amount is subjective to the particular travel agency selected for your trip.
Airfare.
Airfare is a significant component of Umrah travel, in fact, one of the two major expenses involved with your trip. The amount you will be spending on your airfare would depend upon the type of airline you choose as well as the cabin class. For instance;
- Economy Class tickets can range from £300 to £1,100 (for a return flight).
- Business Class tickets can range from £1,200 to £3,000 or more as they offer a more comfortable and premium experience.
- First-class tickets can range from £3,000 or up for an upscaled and luxury travel.
Accommodation.
Accommodation is another major concern for a traveller as getting a peaceful, clean and comfortable place to stay results in a relaxed journey. However, factors such as the type of hotel, proximity to the Haram (the holy mosque in Makkah and Madinah), hotel quality, as well as the amenities provided affect the price of accommodation you get.
There are two primary categories of hotels that you can stay in;
- Budget Accommodations can range from £40 to £80 per night.
- Luxury Hotels with premium amenities can cost you from £150 to thousands of dollars per night i.e. 7-star hotels.
Transportation.
Transportation is another factor affecting your overall travel cost for Umrah, whether you need a car for your daily commute or require it to travel intercity for Ziyarath purposes, local transportation: is available. However, the costs vary based on the mode of transportation opted for i.e. taxi, shuttle, etc. Yet, on average, you can expect to spend from £50 to £150 per person on a daily basis for your transportation needs in Saudia Arabia.
Meals and Other Expenses.
Budgeting for daily meals is something that most pilgrims don’t do, resulting in overspending their budget. For your daily meals, you can have an estimate of £15 to £30 per day, depending on personal preferences and choices of restaurants (budget to fine dining).
On the other hand, the miscellaneous expenses should also be counted i.e. shopping, souvenirs, and any additional personal costs which can range from £50 to £100 per person.
Package Inclusions.
The type of package inclusions also affects your Umrah trip cost. For instance;
- Guided tours.
- Travel insurance.
- Religious lectures.
- Ziyarath Travel, etc.
Time of Year.
Last but not least, umrah travel costs can fluctuate based on the time of the year you are travelling i.e. peak season, shoulder months, or off-peak travel season. Typically, the month of Ramadan and the winter season in Saudia Arabia are counted as peak travel season. On the other hand, off-peak travel season is during the summer months.
Since a larger number of pilgrims are arriving during the peak season, high demand for hotels and flights results in low availability and thus a price hike. On the other hand, off-peak season brings affordable travel and accommodation costs because of the high availability and low demand.
So, that’s how much it can cost you for the Last 10 Days Ramadan Umrah Packages.