For Muslims living in the UK, doing Umrah is a beautiful way to get close to Allah and seek forgiveness from Him. So, thinking about its great importance in Islam, making the religious trip to Mecca more enjoyable and memorable is an important matter for every Muslim. However, sometimes, doing this task can be difficult for UK travellers, particularly for those who are going to Mecca for the first time. But don’t worry. You can make your Umrah from the UK with ease if you know about some useful tips, like booking an Umrah Package from Manchester or any other city in the United Kingdom.
Top Tips to Consider for Your Umrah Journey from the UK
UK Muslim travellers must think about a number of useful guidelines when they are planning to perform Umrah in Mecca. These guidelines include the following:
- Spiritual Preparation
- Choosing the Right Time
- Obtaining a Valid Saudi Visa
- Booking Your Travel Arrangements
- Maintain Your Physical Fitness
- Packing Your Luggage
Spiritual Preparation
Every Muslim must remember that Umrah is more than any physical travel. It is a religious trip to Mecca that has great importance in Islam. People should learn about Umrah, its importance, and its rituals if they want to fulfil their religious duties in a correct way. They must remember that Umrah is a non-mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca that can be done at any time of the year. This holy journey has different rituals including wearing Ihram clothing, Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), and Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwa), among others.
Additionally, everyone must set a true intention for Umrah before leaving for Mecca. Remember, your pilgrimage should be only for the sake of Allah. You should avoid any worldly motives or showing off. Additionally, travellers should be aware of the history and importance of the holy sites in Mecca and Medina, such as Masjid Al Haram, Masjid Al Nabawi, Mount Uhud, and others. Visiting these sites will give you more knowledge about Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Choosing the Right Time
Selecting the right time is a crucial task when planning your Umrah from the UK. There are a number of factors that decide the best time for your travel to Mecca, depending on your particular needs. These factors may include weather, cost, the crowd levels, school holidays, etc. If we select an ideal time for Umrah according to the weather conditions in Mecca and Medina, the winter months (December to February) are generally thought for visiting Saudi Arabia. During these months, the temperatures in Mecca and Medina can range from 12°C to 3o°C.
The level of crowds at holy sites in Mecca and Medina is also a main factor. During major Islamic events (Ramadan), Mecca and Medina are very crowded. So, if you have issues with large crowds, going for Umrah during off seasons is helpful.
If we talk about the cost of travel arrangements for Umrah, it is also a major factor that decides the right time for Umrah. The cost of travel options is not fixed; it varies depending on the particular time of the year. For example, if we go for Umrah in Ramadan, the minimum cost (for a 3-star package) of travel arrangements is approximately £1000. However, the cost is around £700 if we go to Mecca outside of Ramadan. So, if you are doing a budget-friendly Umrah trip, selecting the off seasons is helpful.
Obtaining a Valid Saudi Visa
Getting a valid visa is a crucial step for every UK citizen to enter Saudi Arabia. Generally, UK citizens can apply for a Saudi visa (tourist visa, Umrah visa, or other types) through trusted UK travel agents approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Every visa has its own rules & regulations. For example, a Saudi tourist visa with double entry is valid for 1 year. With it, you can stay in Saudi Arabia for more than 90 days.
Several necessary documents are required to apply for a Saudi visa. A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining and passport-sized photographs are the required documents.
Note: According to the new announcement by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, all foreign travellers will submit hotel booking documents on NusukMasar if they apply for an Umrah visa. They will not be able to get their Umrah visa if they do not submit hotel booking documents.
Booking Your Travel Arrangements
Today, in this modern era, technology has made a number of things easier for human beings in every field of life. It also affects religious travel to Mecca. Now, with new technological innovations, UK travellers can arrange Umrah on their own. If you have a Saudi tourist visa, it is an ideal option for you. However, some travellers (first-time) may face issues with this method. For these travellers, looking for a reliable UK travel agent is helpful. Remember, to select a travel agency that is authorized by ATOL and approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Before buying your travel arrangements from any travel agency, check its customers’ reviews on Google, Yell, and other similar platforms.
Book your travel arrangements for Umrah through your chosen tour company after checking its reliability. Generally, travel options for Umrah may include:
Umrah Flights from the UK
UK travellers generally select direct flights from major UK airports, such as Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, or Gatwick to Jeddah or Medina. However, if you are going for Umrah on a low budget, selecting indirect flights is important.
Accommodation for Umrah
If you want to seek a comfortable stay in Mecca and Medina during Umrah, select lodging options that are close to Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi. However, if you have a tight budget, look for hotels that are within a few minutes’ walking distance of the Haram in Mecca and Medina.
Ground Transport
When you arrive in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, you will go from one location to another. Think about the ground transportation within Saudi Arabia that best meets your needs. There are different means of ground transportation within the Saudi Kingdom, such as buses, cars, taxis, and the Haramain High-Speed Railway.
Maintain Your Physical Fitness
Every task requires energy to complete in this world.When it comes to Umrah, it is more than any task for every Muslim around the world. Travellers must remember that Umrah can be a challenging journey because it has a lot of walking and long rituals. However, you can do this challenging task with ease if you have good physical health. So, if you want to get proper physical fitness, think about some crucial steps. Starting regular walking, eating healthy food, and taking enough sleep are the steps that are necessary for improving your physical health.
Packing Your Luggage
Packing your suitcase in a proper way is a crucial task that every UK traveller should do before going to Mecca. You must select things that you will need during the lesser pilgrimage. Pack your luggage with these things because they are necessary for you. Travel documents, two sets of Ihram clothing, comfortable and loose-fitting clothing, personal hygiene items, cash, a mobile phone, emergency contact numbers, etc. are the necessary items for Umrah.
Additionally, packing your luggage according to the weather in Mecca and Medina is crucial. If you are doing Umrah during summer, packing light clothing is helpful. However, pack warm clothing if you are going for Umrah during winter with booking January Umrah Packages.
Final Thoughts
Doing Umrah from the UK is a beautiful wish for every Muslim who is living in the United Kingdom. However, it can be challenging for some travellers who are going to Mecca for the first time. Knowing about many useful tips, which include choosing the right time and booking your travel arrangements, will make your sacred pilgrimage more enjoyable and memorable.
