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Top Tips for Umrah Road Trips

One of the perks of living in the GCC for me has been the long road trips to explore the neighboring countries of the Arabian Gulf, the closest being UAE and Saudi Arabia. Since my childhood we have taken many a road trip from Doha to Saudi Arabia for Umrah , around once every two – three years. While Jeddah or Madinah may be just an hour by flight, there’s always something exciting about an overland journey, especially if you are a large group – the long drives, the stopovers, and the excitement of reaching your destination after traveling for a day is just wonderful!

A bus tour or your own car?

NOTE: As of now, only GCC locals are allowed to go by their own car. Expats are allowed to go only by registered tour operators.

Personally most of our trips were by car and only a few by bus. I absolutely loved it when we went in our own cars as literally you are in the driver’s seat and get to stop as you like. Traveling by car can cost you less especially for a large family as you pay only for the visas and the hotel you book. The only additions would be a small sum for insurance and the fuel charges.

As for buses, there are a lot of tour operators in the gulf who do bus tours around the year ranging from luxury tours to the more affordable ones. They are package tours including the visa + transport + hotel charges so once booked you don’t have to worry about any more planning, just pack your bags and you are set to go. The prices of course vary but 1000 AED/- per person would be a good average. The prices also increase during Ramadan and the other busier seasons. If you are looking for a chauffeur service but would want the privacy of your own vehicle, though a bit pricey, you can book a minibus or an SUV with some of these operators. They charge separately for the car and the driver. About 7000 AED/-

Approximate Numbers Involved

Distance: 1500 km
Timings: Stop at border – 1 hr
Stop at Saudi border – x hrs
Driving time – 13 hrs
Breaks – 4 hrs (including Miqat)
Night stop (if traveling by car) – 6 hrs
Thawab: n x 10 – 700 or more InshaAllah!

Here are a few tips we have learned over the years for those who intend to travel for this blessed journey.

1) The essentials:

Prepping the car – Make sure your car is prepared for the trip. A general inspection and checked tyres goes without saying. In addition, you will need to sand proof the front of the car which will be sand-blasted as you drive at top speed on the highways in the desert. A fancy spray or sand coating can be done at any petrol station. A quick and effective DIY trick would be just coat the front with some dishwashing liquid using a sponge.
Wether travelling by bus or car make sure you have all the documents ready. of course, this is a no brainer but I have seen people returning from Abu Samrah because of missing papers / discrepancies in documents
Divide the luggage according to how you will be using it. The items required on the road can stay with you. The ‘meeqat bags’ (see below) should be somewhere accessible. The rest of the luggage for your stay is best stored overhead in a rooftop carrier.

2) Ready for the night:

If you are traveling by your own car, the whole journey from Doha / Dubai to Makkah is roughly a day including all the breaks and a stop at night (which is highly recommended for safety reasons as you shouldn’t be driving in a sleep deprived state in any case).
Riyadh is a usual choice for pitstop. But depending on how much distance you have covered by the time it’s night you may find you have to stop in another area. We usually are hunting for a place soon after crossing Riyadh. If you are lucky, you might find good, clean rooms at a petrol station for a cheap price. Many charge an hourly rate, but you can negotiate and book a room for a few hours for about 200-300 riyals. When you plan to stop and rest for the night, keep checking for a place at every station on the way until you find a reasonable one but don’t expect much.
here are things you might want to include for a comfy stay: a clean, fresh single bed sheet per person – so even if you meet dusty sheets you can just get your clean bedspreads over the whole bed and sleep peacefully and blankets – make sure to pack something really warm if traveling in the colder months as you will be smack in the middle of the desert and its going to be frigid cold.`

If you are traveling by bus, carry blankets and travel pillows for neck support as the bus drivers always drive through the night. On crossing the Saudi Border, the time to Makkah is roughly 12 hours including about 3 or 4 pitstops for meals, bathroom breaks, prayers, etc.

3) Packing for Miqat :

One of the last stops in the journey before you reach Makkah is going to be at one of the designated Miqat . where you will be freshening up, making ghusl, donning on the ihraam, making the niyyah (intention) for Umrah before leaving the area and reading the Talbiyyah until you reach Makkah. For people traveling from UAE or Qatar, the Meeqat is Qarn Al Manazil or the village of Sail Al Kabeer.

Now you have 2 options for this,

you can stop at a lodge at a petrol station around the area for an hourly rate. This way you can also get a place for a brief nap, your own bathrooms and also hot water for the bathrooms.
or you can directly make your way to the well designed and clean public bathrooms. These areas are located near the mosque, completely segregated for men and women, quite well maintained (although hot water may not be available depending on the rush there) and also include huge shopping areas where you can buy everything from soap to ihraam to books etc.

In each case, pack 2 separate ‘meeqaat bags’ – one for the ladies and one for the gents in the family. Include:

Toiletries – soap, shampoos, shower gels and other essentials.
The Ihraam clothes – which is going to be the special dress for the men and the usual dress for the women. Make sure to launder these clothes with unperfumed detergent before packing.

This way nobody needs to be rummaging among the whole luggage to look for their towels and ihraams. The gents and ladies group each grab their bag and go their own way.

4) Let’s talk about food:

Now, there are a lot of restaurants and grocery shops all along the way so you don’t usually need to pack for the road, but if you are traveling as a large family or group of families, then it might be a good idea to pack a meal or two for two reasons – one is you can’t predict how much time you will be spending at the borders for immigration and checking which can range from 2 – 8 hours depending on the rush and there might be no restaurants in the area and second reason is you can’t guarantee finding a restaurant of your choice of food or hygienic enough when on the way. So if you have kids and picky eaters, its good to prepare for the journey. Here are some tips:

Don’t bother with an ice box. Prepare for one or two meals which can stay good for about 12 hours (like stir fries, dry fried meat, pickled sauces etc.)
You can always buy arabic bread / pita bread on the way.
Pack a picnic basket with the food in hotpots and disposable plastic ware.
A large travel mat – so literally you can sit down in a quiet spot and have a picnic if there are no restaurants around or if you are stuck at the border for hours together as we experienced many a times.
Don’t carry too many packaged snacks like biscuits, chips, drinks or bottled water as you will find a lot of groceries on the way and you wouldn’t want to be carrying around excess weight.

5) Traveling with kids :

Road trips with kids isn’t going to be easy but it can be done and will be a great learning experience for them. Here are a few tips to make the long drive easier.

For infants – of course a well stocked diaper bag – with lots of diapers, a changing pad – as you are unlikely to find any changing tables so you may have to do the job in the car, nappy creams, several changes of clothes and all the necessary feeding supplies.
Lots of tissue papers and hand sanitizer for the way.
Toys for entertaining them in the car. If your kids are small and have a security object, don’t forget to pack that. For older kids a small coloring book, reading book can be great. It could be a book on Prophets stories or a kids book about Umrah to build the anticipation. Personally, we also loved playing a lot of memory games and islamic quizzes on the way!
Baby food – If you have a baby or toddler who is just starting out on solid food, I recommend packing a lot of baby food jars not only for the journey but for your stay as I found that it was not readily available in the area around Haram. Had to walk a long distance and the shops / pharmacies that did stock it had a limited choice of brands / flavors. So do include a good stash of your baby’s favorite food jars in your luggage.

Lastly but most importantly don’t forget to pack your heart full of imaan and the intention to do everything you do for the pleasure of Allah and to repent as indeed every son of Adam is a sinner and the Umrah erases the sins. The longer journey means more opportunity to make dua’a as a traveller for it is on of the prayers that is not rejected inshaAllah. So remember to make lots of dua’a for yourself, your family and the ummah.

Plan Your Own Umrah: The Ultimate Guide on How to Do a DIY Umrah

The most popular question is how to do a DIY Umrah. Do-it-yourself Umrah is becoming extremely easy and popular. There are so many ways to plan and save when planning an Umrah on your own.

For the past ten years, I have helped over a million readers go for Umrah by understanding the Umrah visa fees and procedures.

In this blog post, I will share with you the best ways to plan your Umrah DIY, save money with the most cost-effective tips, find the best time to go, and much more.

I perform Umrah several times per year thanks to living in Saudi part-time and I keep with all the latest info. So I definitely know what I am writing about!

I performed Umrah the first time I did Umrah on my own for under £300 in 2013. I know crazy!

So when I talk about how to plan the most amazing DIY Umrah, I have a trick or two up my sleeve. No wonder they call me the “Umrah girl”.

Can you Plan Your Own Umrah DIY package?

I have been writing about Umrah for the past 10 years, and yes, you can certainly plan and book your own Umrah package and save thousands on fees for agents.

Planning your own Umrah package, especially for countries that can issue tourist visas and all other types expect Umrah visas to be approximately 30% cheaper than with an agent.

This is, without a doubt, one of the cheapest ways is booking Umrah yourself by planning and organising everything.

Saudi Arabia as a country has started promoting tourism, and in part of this DIY Umrah to attract more people into the country. With millions already coming for pilgrimage, it is the perfect audience to explore other parts of the country as well.

Their 2030 Saudi vision sees them welcoming 30 million tourists into the country and establishing a tourism industry. I can testify that things I really changing.

This Ultimate DIY Umrah guide below is to help you prepare for what to expect in every aspect of the Umrah procedure.

But in short, you can plan and book your own Umrah visa, book your own Umrah hotels and create your own package.

Below I will share with you the steps and how you can save thousands on your Umrah planning journey.

Blog Post Content #1 In Planning Your Own Umrah Package – Tips & Prices #2 What Visa Do You Need for Umrah #3 DIY Umrah and Women Travelling Alone #4 The Best Flights and Hotels for Umrah Options #5 Transportation from Jeddah to Makkah and Medinah #6 Approximate costs of your DIY Umrah #7 Practical Umrah Tips

#1 In Planning Your Own Umrah Trip Package

The Ultimate guide on how to perform Umrah on your own

Before I start planning an Umrah trip, or any other for that matter, I go through a series of questions and actually plan my whole trip to save as much money as possible. I have a full blog post on this and how / why I do it.

I know the below might sound really simple and silly to you, but you will surprised how many people simply decide one morning they want to go to Umrah and have lost on deals and offers that could have saved them thousands.

Here are the most important questions to ask yourself when planning Umrah alone.

Decide you want to go for Umrah

Deciding you want to go for Umrah and starting to plan the whole Umrah process well in advance can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in pounds. Many people leave it until the last minute.

Then they wonder whether a DIY Umrah package will be cheaper or just booking with an Umrah agent because they don’t have the time to plan it.

If you are planning on going for Umrah, start saving at least six months in advance . Look out for the best promotions on flights and hotels. Hotels and airlines offer discounts of up to 40% every 3-4 months.

I have a FREE Guide you can download here for the best time and how to plan DIY Umrah & save money

What is your budget?

Once you decide you want to go for Umrah at least 3-6 months in advance, you start looking or the package cost. First, however, I always suggest looking at your budget and then the packages.

We have an idea of always increasing the budget depending on the cost of umrah packages we see online.

Here is a rough guide for you to keep in mind if you are planning an Umrah package for 2 people. We do have a full DIY Umrah packages examples for each month for you as well.

UK Umrah DIY package for a 3 star hotel / budget airline from £500 per person
UK Umrah DIY package for a 4/5 star hotel with budget airline from £800 per person
UK Umrah package done yourself of a similar standard to 4/5star and airline from £1000 per person.
For US Umrah packages, I would add around $500 more per person for each package and this is for the flights.

On average, my readers save 25% to 40% doing a DIY Umrah package than booking with an Umrah agent or planning in advance.

How many people are you travelling with and their ages

It is essential to know the people you will be travelling with and their requirements. For example, how many children do you have? Their ages and their mobility.

The same applies to elderly parents who might not be able to walk far to get to Haram. So you might have to think about upping your hotel budget for convenience for them.

Also very important when you are looking at DIY Umrah or Agent packages because agents charge for children even if they share a bed.

We’ll talk about hotels further below, but many hotels nowadays accommodate up to 4 or 5 people in a room, which is especially good for families.

Note that there will be a surcharge in most cases, but it will be cheaper than standard Umrah packages, when splitting the cost, it will be less.

The Best Tips for Umrah with Kids From Over 7 Umrah
The Best Tips for Umrah with a baby from an experienced mum

Which Airport should you land in Saudi Arabia

It is important to know whether you will be visiting Medinah and Mekkah when doing Umrah. Sometimes, especially during busy periods, it is better to actually fly into Medina.

Medinah airport is smaller and closer to Masjid Al Nabawi; it usually takes less than 30 minutes to get from the airport to the Masjid, making it a more accessible destination to arrive at first.

If you travel with kids or coming from afar it is also good to get into Medinah because then you can relax prior to going to Makkah.

The Best Airport for Umrah

When are you going to Umrah

It is vital to know when you will be going for Umrah. Umrah during school holidays is much more expensive. Also, Umrah during Ramadan and especially the last 10 nights, can be 20x more than going during the off-peak season.

Now, let’s be clear. Saudi Arabia received 7 million pilgrims last year for Umrah, there is not much of an off-peak season. Low-cost airlines like Wizz Air which now flies cheaply for Umrah also make it busier.

This means the prices of hotels also increase sadly.

Your best option is to go a week or two after busy periods like Christmas, Ramadan and school holidays. Also just after Hajj opens it is a little less busy.

Note: You cannot do Hajj & Saudi closes Makkah

Can you go for Umrah after Ramadan?

Do you have loyalty miles or points?

If you live in the USA, the UK, or any other country that helps you accumulate loyalty programs, you should consider saving money with them.

I have saved over $100,000 using loyalty points for Umrah and stayed in hotels costing over $4000 for only $400 in Ramadan.

Loyalty points for hotels and flights for Umrah can really save you thousands, especially during peak season, so you are better learning how to use them and planning your holidays with them in mind.

I have a full book on how to use loyalty points and save yourself over 70% on hotels

If you want to find out how to collect miles and points for Umrah and Dream Destination travels check out my Loyalty Points guide.

All international hotel chains are located in Makkah and Medinah. You can earn points throughout the year and redeem them when on Umrah. This is my strategy, and it saves me thousands every time.

This, of course, is the same for international airlines since pretty much every airline flies into Jeddah airport for Umrah.

Here are some more articles you can read:

American Express Gold Card: Why I still believe it is the best card for Muslims who want to travel
My travel credit card strategy
Umrah Price comparison packages: Agents or DIY
Best Airport for Arrival and Departure During Umrah

#2 What Visa Do You Need for Umrah

In the past three years, Saudi Arabia has done so much in terms of opening the country to tourists and Umrah pilgrims. It is now so easy to go for Umrah on your own that sometimes my brain still catches up.

From when I had to beg agents to give me an Umrah visa to now 10 years on it is as easy as an online application or visa on arrival.

The Ultimate Guide on how to book a DIY Umrah 3resized

The Types of visas you can issue for Saudi Arabia

1. tourist visa.

This visa allows you to go on tourism and also perform Umrah. The visa is provided for 1 year and you can stay in the country for 90 days maximum. You can enter and exit as many times as you want. This tourist visa is open to several countries around the world and also those holding US, UK and Schengen visas. You can also issue this visa on arrival at immigration.

You can read all about the Saudi Tourist visa here.

2. Visa Waiver for UK citizens

This is a new type of visa currently open to UK citizens and works similar to the US ESTA. It is a permission to enter the country, it is only for one-time entrance, and you can stay up to 6 months. This visa also allows you to perform Umrah.

Read everything on the Visa Waiver Program here

3. Transit Visa with Saudi Airlines

The transit visa allows you to perform Umrah and stay in the country for 3 days approximately. You must book your flights with Saudia and leave with the same airline. You can only issue this at the time of booking your flight. You can also get a free night’s accommodation in some cases.

Read everything on the Transit visa here.

4. Umrah Visa

If you are a passport holder of a country that cannot issue any of the above visas for Saudi Arabia to do Umrah, then you will need to go to an agent and get an Umrah visa. They have some more restrictions than the above types and can only be issued by agents in your home country.

More information on the Umrah visa

With all the above visas for Saudi Arabia which pretty much also allow you to perform Umrah, it has become very easy for so many countries to plan a DIY Umrah without the need for agents.

#3 DIY Umrah and Women Travelling Alone

the best abaya to wear for umrah and hajj muslim travel girl

Solo Muslim Women can go for Umrah on their own without the need for a Mahram. By the law of the country, there is no restriction on what gender can issue a visa, hence, even solo female travellers can go.

If you are a Muslim woman who is happy and travels alone, this is an option for you as well.

This is the law of the land, and I know Islam has some restrictions, so make sure you are comfortable and speak with your local imam. I am not a scholar.

I have a full Youtube video of what Umrah solo looks like, even as a first-timer.

Many women have reported to go for Umrah alone and have been safe while enjoying it.

#4 The Best Flights and Hotels for Umrah Options

How to find the best deals on flights and hotels when doing a diy umrah.

I always start my search for flights with Skyscanner because you can check out flights with dates and months as well. Some flexibility can really save you money,

Wizz Air offers some of the cheapest flights to Saudi Arabia from several European cities if you are happy to go with a budget airline and are okay with paying extra for luggage. I mean, who can beat £100 return to Saudi?

Conrad Makkah View from room on DIY Umrahresized

Every major international airline flies to Jeddah, and some fly to Medinah as well. If you are looking for prices from London to Jeddah, they are about £500 direct with Saudia via Gatwick off-peak, and you can find them cheaper if you take a stopover for around £350.

Flights from the US for Umrah have also significantly decreased, and I have seen options to fly for less than $800 return trip from New York to Jeddah.

We have package examples with flights from the US for Umrah as well as from the UK.

Here are my favourite options for getting cheap flights.

Booking flights during sales: Airlines have about 3-4 deals per year where you can find cheaper options, even by 40% from anywhere in the world. One big mistake people make is booking flights when they think they have to instead of looking at the time period.

For example, deciding to go for Umrah in April, people will start booking flights in February or March. Had they decided to go in April, they could have booked over the Christmas sale and saved some cash on them.

These sales usually occur during December, April, June, and September. They have validity for up to one year of travel in some cases, making it easy to plan your trips around the cheapest dates.

I always find flights with Skyscanner as I love their monthly view and their yearly cheap flight option.

Know when to book your flights: If you have missed the sale period (oops!) you can still find a decent deal by monitoring your flights with Google Flights . I love this as I can see how volatile the flight prices are and how much they fluctuate.

I have found some good deals for four to six weeks for international travel and even two weeks before travel. This, of course, is harder if you are not a risk-taker as prices can increase.

People will usually book flights two months before travel, so you will start looking at routes at the same time as thousands of others, making the prices go up. If you wait for the surge in traffic and you monitor via Google Flights, you can avoid this.

Use low-cost airlines and split tickets : Sometimes, not booking the entire ticket for Jeddah can save you money. If you are going during peak times, flights can be expensive from London to Jeddah.

Look for options to book an open-jaw ticket to Medina and return from Jeddah. Many times this will save you money and hassle.

Plus, now, with the Haramain train, it is easier and more convenient to travel between Makkah and Medinah.

Other times, I love using low-cost airlines that have become very handy. You can easily combine a holiday with them.

For example, a flight from London to Jeddah with Pegasus Airlines can be cheaper to split in half (London-Istanbul, Istanbul – Jeddah) than booking into one flight. This is because of demand and supply.

My all-time favourite tip is taking advantage of WizzAir’s cheap flights from Europe to Dammam and then from Dammam to Jeddah and Medinah with any of the many airlines. This way, I have saved hundreds, and also I have combined a post-Umrah holiday along the way.

Loyalty Programs: If you collect miles, you can definitely use them for flights to Makkah and Medinah from anywhere in the world. Personally, I prefer to use cash if I am not redeeming for business class. Still, you could also upgrade your travel experience from economy to business.

My best tip for the cheapest option of redeeming, especially if you have a large family, is to fly to a nearby country and then redeem for a business class to Jeddah. I love it when I end up first out of the plane to immigration and finish before the crowd!

DIY-Umrah-Ebook-promo-Muslim-travel-girl-plan-like-a-pro-

Travel Hack your Umrah and save up to 70% on 5-star hotels in Makkah and Medinah.

The updated 2.0 version of this book can save you thousands every year on your Umrah and general travels.

Best Hotel Options in Makkah and Medina

Makkah is opening so many new hotels that it makes me excited to go and review them all. My poor husband was so lovely last time since we went for a week, and we changed three different hotels so that I could review them .

Five-star hotels in Makkah are becoming cheaper now because there are more and more properties opening up competition, especially in non-peak season, bringing the prices down.

One question I get asked a lot about is where should you stay in Makkah. Which side is better traffic-wise and for the elderly and children while on Umrah?

I have a full Youtube visa on this if you want to listen

A few years back, the Clock Tower was the place to be; I personally never liked it as the traffic to the mall, and the hotels always made it very busy.

The lifts to the hotels took ages, and people outside selling things made it even harder to move. Plus, the Haram construction on that site didn’t help the situation.

However , if you want the best views of Haram, this is the place to be!

I find that hotel options are personal preference, and you will find many comments under my video about people siding with or against me. 🙂

The best hotels for young children and the elderly

taking your pram in the haram mosque with umrah and children

The Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhid and the now Makkah Hotel and Towers (old Hilton Hotel and Towers ). When we stayed in both properties, we were in the Haram in 5 minutes, and because it is in the courtyard, it is easy to move with a stroller or a wheelchair.

My other preference, which I will use with my family, is the new Jabal Omar hotels, such as the Conrad Makkah , Hyatt Makkah , and Hilton Convention Makkah . You do have to cross the road for them, but it’s not a big issue, and you still get to Haram in about 5-7 minutes.

I like these hotels because they are newer and offer the 4-star standard of European and American hotels. If you are paying money for convenience, you might as well pay for the comfort of a new hotel.

Also, many new hotels are further away but are excellent value for money. Holiday Inn Azziziya is a new property; Ibis Makkah can be found for really cheap in Ramadan here and several others. Check out the post on budget hotels here.

These hotels can be found for as little as £40 per night! Yes, you do need to take their shuttle or order an Uber, but if you are on a budget and don’t mind the distance, you honestly can’t go wrong.

I like using International chains because I feel safer and that I have more rights as a customer.

If I go and my stay is not as expected (don’t make false complaints), I can contact their International office and make an official complaint.

How many times have I had people email me and say their Makkah and Medinah hotels were horrible or they lost money and nothing could be done.

Umrah with babies the best tips
Umrah with children the best tips

Hotel Sales in Makkah and Medinah

Same to airlines, hotels have sales every few months. Ensure you check in advance (see above when planning) which hotel you would like to stay in the sign-up for their newsletter.

One hotel starts its sale; you can expect that every other one will follow in a week or so. Again, competition in the travel industry is fierce.

Most of these sales have either non-refundable options or semi-flex, so make sure you are happy with your dates before booking, as you might not be able to cancel them.

During a sale, you can find hotels in Makkah and Medina for as little as £70 per night at Hilton and around £90 for Hyatt. The majority of their rooms can also accommodate families with children, up to 4-5 adults or kids.

The best advice on this is to actually call the hotel and make sure you ask them if they charge for children because sometimes the online system is rigid.

Loyalty points and free nights for Umrah

Again, I rarely book via third-party sites unless it is one stay in a place with a significant discount. This is because my travel strategy includes staying in hotel chains to receive points that I can redeem for expensive properties worldwide.

Like Makkah during Ramadan. This is how we saved over £2000 per night during our Hyatt stay in the last 10 nights of Ramadan for several years now in a row. I used all my points with Hyatt to stay there and save.

Yes, this strategy takes years sometimes and persistence, but I prefer spending a little extra for benefits like complimentary breakfast, upgrades, and lounge access than saving £20 a room. Because I know I can receive good value for my spending.

I always make sure my money goes further and return double of what I spent. I lived 8 months in hotels to earn points.

If you want to find out more about using points for hotel stays and saving, you can check my Umrah Book for more information .

Cashback on Hotels

If you don’t want to bother with points but still want to save money on your hotel stays I highly recommend using cashback websites like Topcashback to earn throughout the year and on your Makkah hotel of course.

Many third-party online agents like Expedia , Hotels.com and Booking.com have loyalty programs where you can save money and combine cashback with their offers.

When to Book Your Hotels for Umrah

I usually book my hotels during the sale period with semi-flex terms even if it is more expensive . I like the flexibility. It can be about 8 months in advance.

If, for some reason, the rates go down and it’s closer to time the time of my Umrah, I will cancel them and rebook the cheaper rate.

Best hotels in Makkah Best budget hotels in Makkah Best hotels in Medinah

If you book on loyalty points, you are usually more flexible than booking non-refundable rates. So if you need to cancel, you can, and you can still show them to the agent with no problem.

Overall I book my hotels for Umrah the same way I would book them for any other trip, just double-checking the prices and cancellation terms before I book, as some hotels in Ramadan are non-refundable.

I will book flights when the best price appears, and in most cases, they are non-refundable, so they will be confirmed flights.

Here are some posts to read on the topic:

Amex Gold: The Best card for Muslims to travel without interest
Oman Air Business Class Redemption with Etihad Miles Jeddah to Muscat, the best deal ever!

#5 Transportation from Jeddah to Makkah and Medinah

I have an extensive Umrah transportation guide that can help you with the best options and prices available for every transport option for Umrah and for travel in Saudi Arabia.

But in short, I would like also to cover them here and make it easier for you.

Jeddah to Makkah: The best way to arrive in Makkah from Jeddah is to take a taxi from the airport. You can negotiate with a driver once you exit the airport or order an Uber or Careem (the Middle Eastern version of Uber). As a techno girl, I prefer the latter options. The cost is approximately £50.

Makkah to Medina: By far, the best option to travel between the Holy cities is to use the Haramain Train.

It is easy, convenient and comfortable, plus it takes the least time. I don’t enjoy Saudi driving, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. You can book the train online, which costs £20 per person. Read more about it here.

Taxi is another option , and there are plenty of choices of taxis outside the Conrad and Hyatt hotels. If you are a large family they usually make sense between the two cities or to Jeddah. You can negotiate with them the rate.

Ziara trips around Makkah, and you can do an hourly rate as well with taxis outside your hotel. Start low and find a price you are comfortable with, but around £20-30 is good for a few hours. You can also get Uber for this as well.

In Medinah, they have a tour bus that can get you around to Ziara, and it’s a hop-on and off so you can get off and enjoy the sights before getting the next one. It is the same company that runs the ones in other cities around the world.

Medinah to Jeddah: If your flight departs from Jeddah, you can take the train to Jeddah as the train stops just outside terminal 1 KAIA in Jeddah.

TIP: I suggest arriving in Medinah and then departing from Jeddah. Medinah airport is smaller, so easier to get out of, and also, the train now makes it easy to reach Jeddah. On departure, Jeddah is closer and more convenient.

Locations for Trains in Makkah and Medinah:

Haramain Train location in Makkah: Al Rasaifah, Ar Rusayfah, Makkah 24232, Saudi Arabia
SAPTCO bus stop in Medinah: King Faisal Rd, Bani Khidrah, Crowne Plaza Hotel، Medina 42311, Saudi Arabia
Haramain Train location in Medinah: Al Hadra, Medina 42368 8183, Saudi Arabia

Make sure you read our full Umrah transportation guide

#6 Approximate costs of your DIY Umrah

We have created a Do-It-Yourself Umrah with examples you can click on and book on your own. This will help you realise the cost of doing Umrah yourself.

Read the post here:

Done for Your Umrah Packages

As I have mentioned above, I price and plan Umrah now in a similar way as I do our other holidays.

I know the timing of when I have to send my Umrah visa (3-4 weeks in advance), and then I book my hotels and flights when I find the best deals.

I would suggest an average price for a week-long DIY Umrah is about £800 per person in a 4 or 5-star hotel. Depending on your location and preferences.

You can see below some estimated costs, but note these are at the time of writing, so for accuracy, please click the links for individual hotels.

Tourist visa fee cost: £120 / $150
Flights from New York to Jeddah for Umrah: $950 (one stopover in Istanbul)
Flights from London to Jeddah for Umrah: £550 (direct off peak) £200 (budget airline)

Hotels in Makkah for five nights

Options for 4-5 star hotels with closest to Haram first

Makkah Towers (0.3 miles) £600 / $780 for two people
Hyatt Makkah Jabal Omar (0.3 miles) £600 / $780 for two people
Jumeirah Hotel Makkah (0.3miles) £800 /$1000 for two people
Hilton Convention hotel (0.4 miles) £530 / $650 for two people
Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba Hotel (0.5 miles) £330 / $430 for two people
M Hotel Makkah by Millennium (1.6 miles) £190 / $250 for two people

Options for 3-star hotels closest to Haram First

Voco Makkah (1.1 miles) £250/ $400 for two people
Ibis Styles Makkah (1.9 miles) £116 / $150 for two people
Three Points Musali Makkah (2.3 miles) £185 / $240 for two people
Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem (4.2miles) £145 / $200 for two people

Hotels in Medinah for five nights

Dar Al Iman Intercontinental (0.1 miles) £600/ $850
Pullman Zamzam Madina (0.2 miles) £375 / $490
Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel (0.3 miles) £600 / $780
Taiba Hotel Madinah (0.3 miles) £410 / $540
Crowne Plaza Madinah (0.3 miles) £334 / $ 420
InterContinental Dar Al Hijra Madinah (0.5 miles) £355 / $460

Transportation from Jeddah to Makkah: £40 / $55 for two people on taxi or Uber

Transportation from Makkah to Medinah: £70 / $90 for two people on the Haramain train (add double for return if needed)

Ziara tours depend on you and if you would like them but around £50 / $65 for two people

Food also depends on your personal circumstances, we do spend about £10- £20 ($25) per day per person in the food court but I also buy from the supermarket and make sandwiches for afternoon snacks and fruits.

In total performing, a Do-it-Yourself Umrah comes much cheaper than buying an Umrah package as you can make it as expensive or inexpensive as you wish. Plus, if you use some of the tips above, it can be very cost-effective.

Price Comparison (DIY) Do-It-Yourself Umrah VS Umrah Agent Packages

#7 Practical Umrah Tips

Nusuk app for umrah .

You will need to book a Rawdah slot for Medinah. They are very strict and won’t let you go otherwise. The slots open every hour, and you should check multiple times per day. They usually release availability about four weeks prior, but slots are booked very fast. I have a reel on Instagram with great tips for you.

If you have young kids a usually you don’t need separate appointment and those with wheelchair only need for the wheelchair person. This makes it easier as sometimes families cannot go togehter. I would also advice for you to go about 1 hour before your slot. There is a lot of waiting.

You need to have your visa number in order to register. You can do this on an international SIM as well.

For Umrah slots, you really don’t need it; they don’t check, but for men in Ihram, there have been rumours of being stopped and asked because usually only those on Umrah perform tawaf in the Kabah area. Many will wear ihram just for this. Women don’t get checked as you wear your abaya. 🙂

The best apps for Umrah

International Currency Using Credit Cards in Saudi for Umrah

You might be wondering what you should use for currency and whether it is better to exchange it prior to arriving from Umrah in, Saudi. Personally, I use Revolut for pretty much all my international transactions within a country as they don’t have foreign exchange fees for SAR.

Revolut works great for pretty much any country that is visiting Saudi and doesn’t have free foreign exchange fees. I will also take my cash out of Revolut. I do have the free plan, so I think it is around £200 cash per month I can use. I use the cash for a Taxi for Ziara and also a charity in Haram.

If you are in the UK you also have the option for Monzo bank etc. Personally I stick with Revolut and I just transfer the amounts needed for my small shopping expenses like supermarket, gift shops etc.

,For big purchases like hotels and flights I use my American Express card due to consumer protections. ,

If you are in the US many banks waive the transaction fees and give you extra points like Chase or Amex so you might better off changing to those providers for your trip.

If you are new to Revolut you can use my referral link for extra credit.

Zamzam water

One of the frequent questions is about ZamZam water and how you can take it. You have to buy it from the airport, though, so it is sealed and packed and ready for transportation.

I think it was about 20SAR for the 5 lit ones, and you buy it from the kiosk outside next to departures at Jeddah & Medinah airport.

Suppose you are staying longer in Saudi Arabia as a tourist. In that case, you can also buy Zam Zam water from major supermarkets in the country.

If you are on a split ticket, you will have to put water into your suitcase, and it will be from your luggage allowance. And you risk transferring to another country and being taken away on split tickets. Split tickets are those booked like budget airlines or those with two separate bookings.

You can take a few bottles 0.5 lt of ZamZam in your suitcase, but make sure they don’t leak because they will be removed. So seal them properly. This will also count towards your baggage allowance.

Mobile Phone SIM Umrah

If you don’t have International data for your phone, you can buy a local sim card; it costs £20 / $30 and comes with a local number and data.

They have tourist SIM cards valid for a few weeks. You will need your passport to get them, and the Mobily office in the Jabal Omar development has excellent customer service.

You can also buy them just after you exit the luggage area at the airport.

I also use an E-SIM provider called Holafly, which I can buy before entering the country. They are super easy to install and use and I have done so in many countries. You can use my referral link for 5% off your next e-sim

Inside the Haram

Big cameras are not allowed in Haram, and your bags will be searched, but you can take a small backpack for your shoes, prayer mat and food for kids. You can have your mobile and take photos, though.

Also, I would recommend you bring a bag for your shoes as well as a prayer mat. I have linked several on my Amazon account for ease for Hajj & Umrah products I use.

Wheelchair for Elderly

For children and the elderly, there are free wheelchairs you can use to transport them around so they don’t walk. You can also hire one of the guys to help with doing tawaf and Sa’i.

There are also electric scooters that you can rent to perform Tawaf and Sa’i this way.

taking the scooters for umrah with kids makes it fun and easy

Pram in the Haram

You can take your baby pram to Haram without a problem when you go for Umrah or prayers. You will have to use the ramps on each side of the mosque, and it takes you on the second mataf.

You can check this post here:

The Best Tips for Umrah with a Baby Tried and Tested tips for Umrah with Kids that work! What to Wear When Going for Umrah & Hajj as a Woman From Experience

Are you wondering the best time to book Umrah & save money?

I have created an 18-page guide to help you plan an Umrah at the best time. Sharing tips and tricks in one place to save you time & of course, money.

I love planning and organising my own Umrah trip package. It is easy and much cheaper. It allows me to enjoy what I value most: prayer in the Haram without feeling pressure and also flexibility in my dates.

I hope this ultimate guide on how to plan a DIY Umrah yourself will give you the confidence to try it for yourself if you haven’t done it already.

If you have more tips for Muslim pilgrims or want to share your experiences, please do so below.

May Allah invite us to his house soon because no matter how much planning, we can’t go if we don’t have the invitation.

Check out my book as well as the many articles with helpful information on Umrah we have on the website.

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Monday 12th of February 2024

Salam Alaykoum, Do you know if there are still lockers for our luggage. The last day of our trip, we will come back to Makkah to spend the day there, but we are looking for a solution to store our luggage somewhere? Do you have any experience with this?

Muslim Travel Girl

Thursday 22nd of February 2024

No lockers, as far as I know. Only hotels luggage storage. They used to have

Monday 27th of November 2023

Asalaamolaiykom

Just came across your site whilst planning the journey for my team of 5.

Just wanted to thank you for laying everything out for us so clearly!...May Allah bless you and accept your efforts.

I will for sure be delegating some of this to my daughter to help me now :-) ...JazakAllah Khair sister!

Monday 22nd of May 2023

Assalamalaikum sister Elena, JazakAllah Khair for sharing your experiences and the wealth of knowledge Allah has bestowed upon you. I intend to take my mum for Umrah this year In Sha Allah. She would like to also do Qurbani while there (around Aug this year) in addition to seeing the various sites of Makkah Mukarramah (Muzdalifah, Namirah Mosque, Mina, Arafat, etc.). Are any of these possible to do while there for Umrah? We have never been there before and would like to make the most of our stay as visitors. JazakAllah in advance for your insights on the local rules / laws that you are aware of. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Tuesday 23rd of May 2023

Yes you can go to those places, there are taxis you can take and they can take you to ziara places. No laws other than what we would normally do as muslims outside of these cities really. Be respectful to fellow Muslims and the guards. Enjoy your Umrah :)

Monday 8th of May 2023

As salaam u alaikum sister, I intend to travel from Manchester at around 22nd/23rd July 2023 for a 2 week Umrah followed by a trip to Mumbai from Jeddah before returning to Manchester. My question is that because of the Hajj season ending in July and then following a closure of all facilities before Umrah season reopens, will be be allowed to enter Jeddah for Umrah on the 22nd or 23rd of July? Would we be able to apply for our e-visas now itself in May for this? JazakAllah khair.

Wednesday 10th of May 2023

So we don't have a date for opening again, however, based on last year they should open around 20th of July. Again this is an estimation and not specific. I have an article on thisCan You Go for Umrah After Ramadan 2023?

Friday 3rd of March 2023

Al Salam Alikum I have booked a flight (2 adults and 2 kids) to Jedah. The flight arrives at 12 mid night in Jedah. Can we stay the night in Jedah. The next day in the morning wash, say the neyah, put the ihram then go miqaat and then go to Makkah?

Saturday 11th of March 2023

I dont believe you can, i am not a scholar so you better ask your local Imam but you can still be in Ihram and rest before Umrah.

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AlHaram Travel – A Trustworthy Pilgrimage Travel Agency

Thinking why we are always the first choice of USA pilgrims to Book Hajj & Umrah Packages? Take a look below:

Associated with ICAO registered airlines, we compare & reserve the best yet cheapest direct & indirect flights from any airport in USA to KSA.

Partnered with 750+ 3-star, 4-star to 5-star hotels around Haram, we arrange any hotel at any date & month of the year at prescribed budgets

Collaborated with transportation service providers in KSA, we organize on-time transportation from airport to Holy cities including Ziyarats.

Our IATA-certified mavens discern pilgrims’ traveling needs & help them find the most suited airport to fly from, flights, hotels, & stopovers.

Plan Umrah in advance or on a whim, we offer all from pre-bookings to last-minute deals, thanks to our allied hotels & airlines.

From Economy to business-class Umrah deals, 4-days to 21 days Umrah offers, & January to December Umrah packages, we provide all!

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Include Ziyarat: Yes

AlHaram Travel Offers Best Hajj and Umrah deals at lowest prices for USA Citizens

AlHaram Travel provides Hajj and Umrah services to Muslim brothers and sisters from USA at lowest possible rates. Being the leader of Islamic tourism industry for almost a decade, we facilitate almost 5500 customers only from USA with flight reservations, hotel bookings, visa processing and transportation arrangements along with complete deals for Umrah and Hajj. Our expert and dedicated agents with IATA certification and especial trainings are dexterous enough to handle all the administrative & managerial tasks to let you free from all worldly worries during spiritual journey of Umrah & Hajj. With our advanced real-time ticketing systems and affiliations with 750+ handpicked hotels in Makkah and Madinah, we are committed to provide the best airline tickets and best available accommodation at lowest possible rate and along with this we offer transportation facility from airport to your reserved hotel. Due to good business tactics and massive in-field experience, AlHaram Travel has a huge contact based developed with many hotels available for accommodation in Makkah and Medina. We provide peerless services to reserve any hotel of your demand. Our experienced agents would recommend you the closest and clean accommodation in Makkah and Medina.

Our huge satisfied customer base is guarantee of our superior Hajj and Umrah services

AlHaram travel is into this service for almost 10 years. We feel proud to serve thousands of Allah (SWT) guests and facilitate them to enjoy their spiritual journey to Allah’s Abode on Earth. By the grace of Allah (SWT) we have formed 100% satisfied customer base. Our reviews on authentic review websites like Trustpilot and Yelp are guarantee of our exceptional Hajj and Umrah services. Most of our customers come to us after getting a recommendation from their colleague or friend or family member that means our biggest advertisement is our customer’s trust on our company. That’s why, AlHaram Travel can now claim to provide the best possible Hajj and umrah services in United States. We are a registered company and member of ARC and IATA. To those travelling first time with us must not be afraid because we are experienced in this field and always follow all the procedures to make hajj or umrah trip secure and as per committed.

Our 10 years of experience in the field of Hajj and Umrah services allow us to offer a huge variety of best tailored made Umrah packages, specially designed Hajj deals and other Islamic tours. AlHaram travel is pleased to offer a number of departure option from USA for Hajj and umrah tour. With the help of our expert travel consultants and qualified tourism arrangement officers, we have designed a roadmap for whole year with different dates of different months from different locations. Our customized hajj and umrah packages allow you to have an opportunity to stay in Makkah and Madinah for a span that is suitable for you.

Having carefully designed all of our Hajj packages and Umrah packages for smaller groups of 4 to 10 people, larger ones from 11 to 50 persons, lone goers, senior citizens, newlywed couples, ladies only, and families traveling with little kids, we at AlHaram Travel, have taken excellent care of all the arrangements for them during their Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage. Our professional tour operators are always available & up-to-date with the weather and other conditions and give excellent guidance to pilgrims about what should be carried, when to go for Umrah, best suited conditions, best hotels, best flights and everything like that.

Why AlHaram Travel is being the first choice of pilgrims to book Hajj & Umrah Packages?

We can arrange any dates for travel from USA to KSA including holiday seasons of December, Easter and the February/May half term breaks for an Umrah journey.
We have a wide range of well-designed Umrah packages for first time pilgrims and lone goers with all managerial & administrative tasks pre-done.
Affiliated with 750+ 3star, 4star & 5star hotels in both Holy cities, we can arrange the most affordable accommodation in hotels closest to vicinity of Haram
As we are authorized from Hajj & Umrah Ministry KSA, We can also arrange Umrah visa upon your request in shortest time span.
We offer a huge range of flights from 100+ airlines for Hajj & Umrah from you can choose your required one as per you nearest airport & budget.
We offer a massive variety of well-catered Umrah packages with hotels & other facilities of different levels ranging from cheapest 3 star Umrah Packages, affordable 4 star Umrah Packages to luxury 5 star Umrah Packages.
Group Umrah Packages, Family Umrah Packages, Senior citizen Umrah Packages, And couple Umrah Packages are also available
Along with Umrah deals, we also have a massive range of specially designed Hajj packages including economical 3 star shifting Hajj Packages, reasonably priced 5 star Shifting Hajj packages and deluxe 5 star Non-Shifting Hajj packages.
All our Hajj packages include Mina camps, Qurbani, Transportation, flights, visa and accommodation.
If you are searching a way to get best and cheapest Umrah deals, then AlHaram Travel should be your first choice. We are expert in designing customized Umrah offers and deals which fulfil individual requirements and suit prescribed budgets.
We are best known as one of the most trusted Hajj and Umrah Service provider in USA due to our continuous efforts to provide our customers the most budget-friendly, cheapest and luxury Hajj and Umrah deals.
Our supportive ESRs are always available and just a call away from you. Let them know your requirements and problems before or during Holy pilgrimage and they will surely solve them in matter of minutes.

However, as a top tour operator in USA we hosts experienced and professional Travel advisors and agents for providing best travel facilities for Hajj and Umrah let you personalise every inch of your Umrah packages for you complying with your needs. Our IATA certified package designers assist you to the best of their ability to choose the most suited accommodation, flight, and transport options to be added in these tailor made Umrah packages. Specify dates, choose flight, add destination stop if required, select hotel and our knowledgeable travel advisors include them in these Umrah packages as per your preferences to make your holy pilgrimage memorable one.

AlHaram Travel is the best provider of cheapest to luxury Umrah and Hajj packages for USA citizens living in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and many other states. We are able to take care of specific needs of every pilgrim. We are focused & dedicated to conduct a deep research about needs, demands and preferences of pilgrims coming from different cities of USA. That allows us to design a wide range of Hajj & Umrah packages with effective service plan. Affordability is a guaranteed factor when you plan to avail our Hajj & Umrah tour services.

Real Reviews by Real Customers

We are an accomplished Travel Agency that has sent 55000+ pilgrims from USA to Allah’s abode on Earth. Discover below what customers have to say about our Hajj Umrah packages:

I was a lone goer and it was my first time to perform Umrah, that’s why I was really confused and nervous about what to do and how to do. I was concerned about how I would travel from Jeddah airport to Makkah, how I will find my hotel in both holy cities, or will I receive guidance during Ziyarat. But to my surprise, all my worries immediately vanished when a representative of AlHaram Travel was at the airport to meet and assist me in my holy journey ahead. He greeted me with open arms, dropped me right in front of my hotel in Makkah and took me to do Ziyarat in both Makkah and Madinah. Other than that, whenever I required assistance in any other on-trip circumstances, the travel agents of AlHaram were friendly and always stood by my side to guide me at every step.

I subscribed to their newsletter, next day I got an e-mail that included last-minute offers, seasonal specials, exclusive perks & discounted Umrah deals. Fortunately, in the very next mail, I received an irresistible offer that had a flight departing from my nearest airport, perfect for my strict budget limit, included hotel I had my eyes on, and even ground transportation was of my standards. I booked it without a second thought as me and my mother were looking to travel and this deal helped us fulfil our desire to perform Umrah. Great prices and excellent service.

I've used AlHaram Travel in the past and found their services to be reliable and professional. They saved me as I was having a lot of financial crisis and could not pay lump sum amount. They resolved my worries by suggesting me to pay amount in equal installments and offer me an easy to follow installment plan that did not prove to be a burden on my pocket and helped me fulfil my hearty desire to perform Umrah. They didn’t even charge me a single penny above the original package price.

Last month, my family event got cancelled at very last moment, so we planned to go for Umrah but knew that it was very late and booking Umrah trip in last moments was very difficult. But my colleague suggested me to contact AlHaram Travel and I was really impressed with their exceptional services. Their team was dedicated to cater my needs even at such short notice and brought a perfect last minute deal that has everything included I required for me and my family during an Umrah journey. Thank you for such an outstanding service.

Traveled with AlHaram Travel in three different months and diverse requirements. And I am delighted to say that their services were stellar & professional every time. They always have plenty of packages pre designed for every month and after listening my needs, they provided me the best package that had all the things I preferred to receive and perform Umrah with a peaceful mind.

Super impressed by the customer service I received from the team of AlHaram Travel and its team. They went an extra mile to understand my travel requirements and suggested me the nearest airport to fly from, assisted me to find hotel that had all amenities I needed to make my Umrah journey comfortable, provided on-trip support and arranged inter-city transport for hassle-free traveling. Really thankful for their cooperation at every step.

Have Any Queries?

Below you'll find answers to some common questions revolving around our Hajj Umrah Packages, services, quality standards & pricing policies. Every human psyche is different though, so don't hesitate to reach out to us and get answers regarding anything else you might be wondering.

Yes, absolutely! Each all-inclusive Umrah package you book with us includes complete visa processing without any excessive charges or hidden costs. However, you can still avail our visa processing services at minimal charges even if you do not wish to book a complete Umrah package with us.

No it isn’t. But you can include sightseeing of the holy sites in your Umrah package by inquiring with our experienced travel advisors who use their alliance with the best transport service providers and arrange a cheap yet comfortable car service for you that will pick you up from right outside your hotel, take you for sightseeing and then drop you at your designated hotel. Moreover, the driver appointed for you will be educated enough to act as your tour guide for better Ziyarat experience.

No, to keep the prices of Umrah packages low & affordable, we do not include ground transport in them. But no need to worry as we can arrange it for you and include it in your Umrah packages on special request. Whether you need comfortable Sedan for couples, luxury SUV for family, or spacious buses for whole a group of friends & colleagues, we use our partnership with the best transportation service providers in KSA to arrange a comfy ride for you as per your requirements.

With the help of our experienced agents of ticket reservation department, & up-to-date real time ticketing system, we design your Umrah packages with cheapest flights of top-rated airlines departing from airport of your respective cities no matter where you are in USA.

It all depends upon what type of package you select, what is your budget and what kind of amenities you are looking for. However, due to our alliance with 750+ handpicked hotels in the nearest vicinity of Kaaba and Al Masjid an Nabawi, all our Umrah packages include top class hotels with all necessities at affordable prices. But if you want to change the hotel included in your Umrah Package, we have shortlisted some of them from which you can choose one that best suit your needs.

We have all types of well-catered & expertly arranged Umrah packages for every month of the year available in our vicinity ranging from cheapest Umrah deals, 3star economical Umrah Packages, 4star affordable Umrah offers, to 5star luxury packages. Our IATA certified travel advisors use their extensive industry knowledge and expertise to pre-design special Umrah packages to facilitate our huge customer base of every norm and perfectly cater to their need of performing Umrah pilgrimage without excess worries or paying more than standard prices. No matter what your requirements maybe, we are sure to have a suitable Umrah package to cater your pilgrimage needs.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Millions of people from around the world undertake the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca every year. Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be completed at any time of the year.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah offers an electronic portal for Hajj registration and bookings. The portal allows for electronic Hajj visa applications and provides additional information, such as an FAQ page and awareness guides.

In order to participate in Hajj, U.S. citizens must have a permit issued through the Saudi Arabian Ministry Website. That rule applies whether you are visiting or living in Saudi Arabia. If you participate in Hajj without a permit, you may be deported, detained, fined, or banned from future visits to Saudi Arabia.

Refer to https://hajj.nusuk.sa/ for all related information, including required vaccines and medical insurance, specific mobile apps needed to enter holy sites, and other details. Please also see the current Travel Advisory and Country Information page for Saudi Arabia.

Note: Once you arrive in Mecca for Hajj, you must get permission from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before leaving Saudi Arabia. This rule applies until Hajj is over.

Personal Security

Travelers seeking to perform Hajj and Umrah are often targets for scammers. Watch out for dishonest guides or people pretending to be tour operators, who may leave pilgrims stranded without paying their bills. Also, be cautious of hotels that demand fees to return passports.

There are reports of pickpocketing, theft, and other crime in Mecca, particularly in the area of the Grand Mosque. There are also reports of crime in Medina, where there are large crowds of people. Always carry contact information for your hotel and tour operator.

Keep travel documents (your U.S. passport or U.S. “green card” residency permit) secure during your trip. Make two copies of your passport—including pages stamped with Saudi visas—with one saved digitally and the other in a safe place while you travel.

Emergency Contact Information for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Riyadh: (966) (11) 835-4000
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah: (966) (12) 220-5000
U.S. Consulate General Dhahran: (966) (13) 839-5700

Between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time in Saudi Arabia, Sunday through Thursday, ask for the American Citizen Services Unit. For emergency cases outside of those hours or during holidays, use the same numbers listed above to reach a duty officer for assistance.

Visa Information

The Hijri calendar is used in Saudi Arabia for all official functions. Please review the dates on your visa carefully, and make sure you know when it expires.

Do not overstay your Hajj or Umrah visa . If you stay in Saudi Arabia longer than you are allowed, you may have to pay fines in order to depart the country. Fines can be thousands of dollars. You might also be held in detention until your deportation proceedings. Additionally, you could be banned from returning to Saudi Arabia in the future.

Permitted areas of travel and duration of stay: If you are unsure, ask Saudi airport officials or the Passport Office (jawazat) for clarification upon arrival.

Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage) visas are not valid for work or residency .
Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to Mecca and the portions of Medina which are considered sacred.
All pilgrims visiting for Hajj must leave Saudi Arabia after the completion of Hajj.

Women Pilgrims

Women can register for Hajj without a male guardian if they go in a group with other women.

Travelers With Disabilities

Be prepared for standards of accessibility and accommodation below the minimum of what is required in the United States. While most of the Holy Sites, such as the Grand Mosque in Mecca, are accessible to disabled people , most hotels and transportation options are not. Check with your tour group provider to ensure your needs are well known and can be accommodated.

Photographs

You are not allowed to take photos (still or video, even with your phone) at the Holy Mosque in Mecca or the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. If you break this rule, your device may be taken away.

Safety and Emergency Information

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow us on Twitter @KSA_ACS and @TravelGov as well as the U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia , Consulate General Jeddah , and Bureau of Consular Affairs Facebook pages.

Emergency Contact Information for Hajj Authorities

The National Tawafa Company for Pilgrims of Turkey and Muslims of Europe, Americas, and Australia Telephone: +966-920-012-013 Fax: 966-920-006-620 Website: http://www.teaa.com.sa/ Street Address: Mecca Al Mukarramah, Al Nuzha Road, near Alnuzha Bridge
Health Affairs : 012-530-8812
Lost Pilgrims: 012-530-8813
Emergency Services : For all emergencies including ambulance service call 911.

What The United States Government Can and Cannot Do

We hope you have a trouble-free hajj or umrah like thousands of other pilgrims from the united states do every year. if something goes wrong, u.s. embassy riyadh and consulate general jeddah can help you with consular services, such as:.

Arranging for emergency U.S. passports and “boarding foils” for lost I-551 (“green cards”) for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. After Hajj, please bring a report from the police station regarding the theft or loss, and a copy of your U.S. passport or green card if possible.
Seeking to contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been arrested .
Providing contact information for local lawyers and hospitals.
Arranging for a spouse or next of kin to be informed if you are involved in an accident, are arrested, or die, and advising them on the appropriate procedures.

The U.S. government cannot:

Arrange for travel outside of the designated areas in Mecca and Medina.
Resolve alleged or actual immigration violations.
Become involved in any disputes involving a travel agency, hotel, airline, or any other service provider.
Manage airline, hotel, or other travel bookings.
Pay for hotel, legal, medical, travel, or other bills.
Obtain your release from prison.
Provide legal advice or intervene in court cases or criminal investigations.

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

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Learn about your destination

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

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Umrah Journey: Things To Do Before Leaving And While Traveling

Before beginning their Umrah journey , devotees should spend time in the remembrance of Allah and his Messenger. embrace loved ones, ask for forgiveness and request their dua.

The Umrah pilgrimage is a very important part of a Muslim’s life. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has to be performed during the five days from the 9th-13th of Dhul Al-Hijjah , the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

In the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, more than 750,000 pilgrims travel to perform the rites of Umrah or Hajj every year. It is every Muslim’s dream to see the home of God, Kaaba, at least once in his/her lifetime. The experience of performing this pilgrimage leaves a life-transforming spiritual change in a Muslim. Therefore, before going to Umrah, there are a lot of spiritual and mental preparations to make that will help you in your journey to the house of Allah.

Before Leaving for your Umrah Journey

1. seek forgiveness from kin.

Umrah is a journey for the mind, body and soul. It has a lot of personal and social relevance in Islam and therefore there is a lot of joy and excitement among the families of pilgrims. Family, friends, and relatives help the person going for Umrah in many ways. They help them plan their journey, arrange all the essentials they would need for the trip and create an atmosphere of calm, homeliness, and peace.

Aspirants ask for forgiveness before the Umrah journey for any wrongs/ hurtful actions done in the past. They spend time visiting their neighbors, friends, mentors, and teachers for this. It is an opportunity to clear grudges and bid them farewell before the pilgrimage. Also, it is suggested to make duas for all of them while performing Umrah in Makkah .

One of the popular duas when leaving home for Umrah that one can make for their family and friends is,

Dua: Astawdi’ukumu-llaha-lladhi la taḍi’u wada’i’uh – Ibn as-Sunni (506), an-Nasa’i (508), and al-Futuhat (5/114). Ibn Hajar states that this is a ḥasan hadith

What it means: I now leave you to be in Allah’s care, the almighty who ensures that nothing entrusted to Him is lost.

2. Pay Zakat

Zakat or charity is one of this important pillars of Islam. If you are preparing for Umrah, it is important to perform all duties that are expected of and obligated upon the intending pilgrim. Helping those in need through charity, in the form of food and donations is one of the important deeds to perform while intending to be a guest at Allah’s house at the Kaaba , Makkah.

3. Perform Salah and recite Dua

Salah and duas are said for varying purposes and with many different intentions. For those going for Umrah, it is suggested to pray for their safety during the journey. Pilgrims must perform two rak’ahs of salah as they leave from their home. Scholars suggest choosing from a few Surahs intended at the well-being of pilgrims while going for and coming back from the Umrah pilgrimage.

After the prayer, make dua for a smooth trip, requesting Allah’s assistance and blessing throughout the journey. Some of the suggested prayers one must recite at the doorstep while leaving are:

Dua: Allahumma ilayka tawajjaht, wa bika-‘taṣamt. Allahumma-kfini m hammani wa ma la ahtammu lah. Allahumma zawwijni-t-taqwa wa-ghfir li dhanbi, wa wajjihni li-l-khayri aynama tawajjaht – Ibn as-Sunni (496) and al-Futuhut (5/11)

What it means: O Allah, to You I turn, and hold. Be my sufficiency, one that preoccupies me and also the one that does not. Forgive my sins, and always turn me towards the good and the pious.

Dua: Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Allahu akbar. Subḥana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin wa inna ila Rabbina la-munqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’aluka safarina hadha-l-birra wa-t-taqwa, wa mina-l-‘amali ma tarḍa. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha, wa-twi ‘anna bu’dah. Allahumma Anta-s-Sahibu fi-s-safari wa-l-Khalifatu fi-l-ahl. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’i-s-safar, wa ka’abati-l-manzari wa su’i-l-munqalabi fi-l-mali wa-l-ahl

What it means: Allah is the Greatest. Glory is to Him, who has provided us with this opportunity (for pilgrimage), which we could never have had with our own efforts. O Allah, we ask You for goodness and piety through our journey, and to make us do what pleases You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and its distance quick to cover. You are our companion on the road and the One in whose care we leave our family. I seek refuge in You through this journey’s hardships, to save and protect us from the wicked sights, and also keeping our family safe upon return.

Exceptions for Pilgrims on Long Umrah Journey

Pilgrims often travel long distances to reach Makkah. Some fly across continents to complete their dream pilgrimage. However, traveling can leave one exhausted, and there are some exceptions that provide them some relief. In historic times, the pilgrimages were far tougher. Devotees often walked long distances to reach the holy mosque in Makkah to seek blessing of Allah. In modern times, travel might not be as long and strenuous, it is tiring nonetheless. That’s why, pilgrims are allowed a few exceptions that are applied as soon as one leaves the boundaries of his/her hometown. Let’s understand them in detail.

Praying during Umrah Journey: If you are praying alone, you can shorten Asr, Isha and Maghribsalah from four rak’ahs to two rak’ahs. However, the same cannot be applied to Maghrib and Fajr Salah. Pilgrims must continue to perform salah during Hajj or Umrah unless they are in the city for more than 15 days.

You can also combine prayers. The practice of combining two prayers within one prayer time is called Jama’. This is valid in the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools of thought. It is not applicable to Hanafis.

Pilgrims can combine prayers in two ways – one at the time of the initial prayer (known as Jama’ al-Taqdim) and the other at the time of the latter prayer (Jama’ al-Takhir).

Fasting during Umrah Journey : If you are traveling, you may postpone or put off the Ramadan fasts.

Praying during a flight: During the journey through a plane, one must observe the necessary prayers without disturbing other travellers.

Ihram for those flying into Saudi for Umrah: Ihram is the holy state a Muslim must enter before performing the rituals to Umrah and Hajj. One can change into his/her Ihram attire before boarding the plane or in the plane and then make his/her intention to enter into Ihram upon approaching the Miqat.

Wudhu on plane: Before wearing Ihram , pilgrims may first perform Wudhu by washing their face, arms, both feet and more than one-fourth of the head.

Face the Qiblah: As it is important to stand while performing prayers, one must face the Qiblah and find the most appropriate location to pray while in a moving plane or train.

Salah on plane: And as for Salah, one can begin Magrib, Fajr and Isha by looking out of the window. Saudia airline offers a designated area for you to perform Salah whereas other airlines don’t. So, you can stand or sit in the prayer if there’s a space constraint or the plane is unstable. But, if you are unable to perform the prayers as per the norms, you can perform them again upon arriving at your destination. There are different opinions from scholars regarding the rules of praying on the plane, so it is advisable to take cautious steps and perform the prayers to the best of one’s abilities.

While this is the guide on what to do before going on Umrah journey, there is a lot more that is needed in terms of intentions and actions. This is a pious journey that needs all Muslims to have a clean heart and pure intentions. One should not indulge in any form of misconduct and violence. They must seek forgiveness and perform their devotees towards humanity and Allah. It is a journey that requires one to perform deeds of kindness and charity, and lead a life of righteousness. Saying your daily prayers, fasting, being humble and generous, are some of the important aspects of completing your Umrah journey successfully.

Suggested Read: Kiswa Of Kaaba – The Holy Cloth That Adorns The House Of Allah

Rules Before Going To Umrah

Pilgrims are required to enter a state of Ihram, which is the combined sacred act of Niyyah and Talbiyah required to perform Umrah, before entering the sacred boundary of Makkah. Niyyah refers to the inborn desire to engage in worship, whereas Talbiyah refers to a specific prayer offered in supplication. A pilgrim must get ready for Ihram by taking the following actions, as prescribed by the Prophet (PBUH), in order to become a Muhrim (a pilgrim who has attained the state of Ihram):

1. It is preferable for Ihram to perform ablutions, or cleansing of the body to achieve physical purity, which includes some rituals that are required (Mushtahab) and others:

– (Mustahab) Ghusl

– Perfuming the head & beard. (Mustahab)

2. Trimming finger and toenails

– Shaving off the mustache

– Remove unwanted body hair by shaving

3. Putting on the sacred clothing, which consists of two-piece white Ihram sheets (Izar and Rida) for men and regular Islamic clothing for women. Both men and women should wear sandals or flip-flops that show the midfoot’s middle bones.

4. Making the two Rakats of Salah al-Ihram with the head covered.

5. Saying the Niyyah when the Miqat arrives

6. Reciting Talbiyah repeatedly while moving through the Miqat stations in the Grand Holy Mosque’s sacred perimeter until the start of Tawaf, then proceeding to Makkah for the final stage of the Umrah.

Umrah Journey FAQs

What should be done before leaving for umrah.

People should spend time with friends, family, teachers and mentors before leaving for Umrah. One should ask forgiveness for their past wrong actions and also offer duas.

What is Ihram?

Before performing Umrah and Hajj, every Muslim has to enter into a holy state known as Ihram. Ihram is also referred to as the prescribed clothes that one must wear upon reaching the Miqat.

What is Zakat?

Muslims aspiring to perform Umrah, should offer charity to poor and needy. The charity done is known as Zakat.

What is Wudhu?

Wudhu is the act in which a pilgrim wash his/her arms, feet, face and more than 1/4 th of the head before wearing Ihram.

How to perform Salah on a plane?

One can look out from the window of the airplane and offer Magrib, Fajr and Isha to perform Salah.

Dr Omar Ayoub

Dr. Omar Ayoub is a tech enthusiast and a part time researcher and accounts authorship of several international publications. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from USA and has an experience of more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia working in tourism, hospitality, education, technology and retail sector. His interests include traveling, writing, and exploring trending technologies.

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Information for Travellers During COVID-19

2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech
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A visitor must enter their immunization data into the Saudi vaccination registration system “Muqeem” before arrival into Saudi Arabia. The vaccination registration website address is: https://muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home .
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At Travel Umrah, we understand how important your Umrah is and how essential it is to get all the details right. With so much choice, itâs not just about snapping up the cheapest deal, itâs about finding your perfect package â be it hotels minutes from the Haram or the shortest duration flights to Jeddah â as well as a host of other factors such as star rating, board basis and review rating.

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DEPARTURE DATES & FLIGHT
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ECONOMY CLASS WITH TAX

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Departure Dates 2023

15-25 MAR (Past Departure)

APRIL (UMRAH RAMADAN)

12-26 APR (Past Departure)

MAY (UMRAH SYAWAL)

10-20 MAY (Past Departure)

20 to 31 July (Past Departure)

2 to 12 August Awal Makkah | 11 Days

(Past Departure)

21 to 30 August Awal Madinah | 10 Days

6 to 16 September Awal Makkah | 11 Days Revival of Faith with Ustazah Liyana Musfirah All Ladies Group Umrah

6 to 16 September Awal Makkah | 11 Days Seerah Umrah with Ustaz Zulkiflee Bachik

25 September to 4 October Awal Makkah | 10 Days

15 to 25 November Awal Makkah | 11 Days

29 November to 9 December Awal Makkah | 11 Days

29 November to 11 December Awal Makkah | 13 Days

13 to 23 December Awal Makkah | 11 Days

18 to 29 December Awal Makkah | 12 Days

18 to 30 December Awal Makkah | 13 Days

23 December to 3 January 2024 Awal Makkah | 12 Days

FULLY BOOKED

Departure Dates 2024

17 to 27 January Awal Makkah | 11 Days

PAST DEPARTURE

22 to 31 January (Premium Package) Awal Madinah | 10 Days

22 to 31 January (Classic Package) Awal Madinah | 10 Days

7 to 17 February (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

19 February to 04 March (Umrah + Turkiye) Awal Makkah | 15 Days

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01 to 11 March (Deluxe Package) Awal Madinah | 11 Days

09 to 18 March - Awal Ramadan (Deluxe Package) Awal Madinah | 10 Days

APRIL (UMRAH RAMADAN / SYAWAL)

27 March to 10 April - Akhir Ramadan (Classic & Deluxe Package) Awal Madinah | 15 Days

24 April to 04 May - Umrah Syawal (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

1 to 11 May - Umrah Syawal (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

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17 to 27 July (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

07 to 17 August (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

28 August to 07 September (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days Revival of Faith with Ustazah Liyana Musfirah All Ladies Group Umrah

04 to 14 September (Deluxe Package) Umrah Seerah with Ustaz Zulkiflee Bachik

18 to 28 September (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

17 to 27 October (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

06 to 16 November (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days Umrah Journey with the Quran with Ustaz Syafiq Azman in English Language

20 to 30 November (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

27 November to 07 December (Classic Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

29 November to 09 December Awal Makkah | 11 Days Revival of Faith with Ustazah Liyana Musfirah All Ladies Group Umrah

4 SEATS LEFT

06 to 16 December (Deluxe Package) Awal Madinah | 11 Days

18 to 28 December (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

18 to 30 December (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 13 Days Healing Umrah with DonJany

27 December 2024 to 06 January 2025 (Deluxe Package) Awal Makkah | 11 Days

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12 February to 22 February Awal Makkah | 11 Days

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Optional Tours

Karva Travel & Tours provides optional tours with an additional cost such as Taif City Tour, Jabal Magnet & King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, Al-Wahyu Museum, Jabal Al Nour (Gua Hira) and many more!

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1 MIN WALK TO MASJID

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MAKKAH HOTEL & TOWERS

Overlooking the Holy Haram Mosque and the Kaaba, the Makkah Hotel is set in the heart of Makkah Saudi which is located infront of Masjidil Haram. Experience the extensive onsite shopping mall with 450 brand shops and a food court. Makkah attractions on the doorstep of the Makkah Hotel including the Kaaba and the ZamZam Well.

The Oberoi, Madina is naturally the destination of your choice. It enjoys an unrivalled position just steps away from the Prophet's Mosque, and offers unforgettable views of the mosque’s green dome and the canopied courtyards of pilgrims at prayer.

THE SOFITEL SHAHD

Situated in Al Madinah, a minute's walk from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, a few minutes from the ladies entrance, located in the pedestrian area ,Sofitel Shahd Al Madina offers accommodation with free WiFi. This 5-star hotel offers a concierge service and transportation services.

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Umrah course will be conducted at Karva Travel & Tours, 1 month before date of departure.

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Umrah Guide

Umrah consists of four essential practices. Firstly, you get changed into the Ihram garments before the Miqat , perform two rak’ahs of salah and make your niyyah as the Miqat approaches, thereafter reciting the Talbiyah frequently. Secondly, you perform Tawaf al-Umrah of the Kaaba followed by two rak’ahs of salah, preferably near Maqam Ibrahim. Thirdly, you do Sa’i of Safa and Marwa . Lastly, you shave ( Halq ) or shorten ( Taqsir ) your hair, allowing you to leave the state of Ihram and complete your Umrah.

2 Tawaf al-Umrah
3 Sa’i
4 Halq or Taqsir

Main article: Ihram Please refer to this article to learn more about the Ihram and its prohibitions.

Physical Purity

Before getting changed into the Ihram garments, take care of your personal hygiene by clipping your nails and removing the hair under your armpits and beneath the navel. You should then do ghusl , a highly emphasised sunnah for those intending to enter into a state of Ihram. If you can’t perform ghusl, doing wudhu will suffice. Men may apply attar/perfume to their heads/beards, ensuring not to get any on the Ihram garments. This should all be carried out at your place of residence before your journey.

Ihram Garments

You will then get changed into your Ihram garments which for men consist of two, normally white, clean seamless pieces of cloth. The sheet which wraps around the waist covering the lower body is known as the izar, and the sheet that is draped over the upper body like a shawl is known as the rida. Sandals shouldn’t cover the heel and ankle. The Hanafi school of thought stipulates that the top part of the foot should also remain exposed.

Ensure you put on your Ihram attire before crossing the designated Miqat. Where you wear the garments depends on your point of departure and your destination.

If you’re travelling to Makkah via Jeddah on an aeroplane, it is advisable to get changed into your Ihram at home or at the airport before departure or during a stopover if you have one. At the airport, you can check in first and get changed in the prayer room or bathroom. Alternatively, you can put on your Ihram in-flight although bear in mind that aeroplane bathrooms are usually very limited in space, and there may well be a rush of people intending to do the same thing as the Miqat approaches. If you decide to change into your Ihram attire on the plane, do so at least an hour before the Miqat is crossed. Opting to get changed mid-flight is the least recommended option.

If you’re going to Madinah before Makkah, you don’t need to enter into the state of Ihram and may wear regular clothing during your stay there. Before leaving for Makkah, you should don the Ihram at your hotel in Madinah or the designated Miqat for Madinah, Masjid Dhul Hulayfah . The taxi/coach will stop at the mosque on the way so you can enter into Ihram there if you need to do so. If you’re taking the train to Makkah, you should put on your Ihram at the hotel or at the train station prior to departure.

Main article: Miqat

You may delay making your intention until the Miqat approaches. Just before crossing, remove any articles of clothing that you may still be wearing that violate the conditions of Ihram, such as socks, headwear and underwear. On planes, trains and coaches, you will hear an announcement regarding the upcoming Miqat as you approach the designated point.

Women aren’t required to conform to a specific dress code. Clothing should be normal modest Islamic dress with a head covering of any colour. Hands and faces must remain exposed, although socks may be worn.

Salah al-Ihram

It’s sunnah to perform two rak’ahs of salah before entering into the state of Ihram. This can be performed at home, after getting changed at the airport or in-flight before crossing the Miqat , providing there are prayer facilities on board. If you’re in Madinah, you can perform the prayer in your hotel, in Masjid Nabawi , at the designated Miqat point or on the train. Observe the prayer with the intention of performing two rak’ahs nafl for Ihram.

Since you’re not yet in the spiritual state of Ihram, the prayer may be observed with the head covered. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first rak’ah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second, although other surahs may be read. Don’t forget to make du’a after this salah.

The niyyah for Umrah should be made at the Miqat or close to it as you move in its direction. Ideally, you should delay making the intention until the last moment so you aren’t restricted by its prohibitions for longer than need be. It is recommended ( mustahabb ) that you make the intention verbally, as well as reiterating it internally.

Following are three examples of intentions that may be uttered in Arabic:

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah. اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrah.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah. اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ʿUmrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

After making your niyyah, you must recite the Talbiyah to validate your intention and enter into the state of Ihram. The utterance of the Talbiyah is wajib according to the Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought. The Shafi’i and Hanbali schools consider it a sunnah.

You must recite the Talbiyah at least once after making your intention for Umrah. Failure to do so will result in an invalid Umrah!

The sunnah method of reciting the Talbiyah is to briefly pause at four places, indicated by the dashes. The prayer is as follows:

Labbayka Llāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-niʿmata, laka wa l-mulk, lā sharīka lak.

Main article: Talbiyah

After uttering the Talbiyah, you will now be in the state of Ihram and be known as a Muhrim . Make sure you’re well aware of the prohibitions of Ihram and ensure you don’t fall foul of its rules. If a rule of Ihram is violated, Damm or Sadaqah will be required as expiation .

Main article: Violations & Penalties

It is recommended to send Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ after reciting the Talbiyah and to make du’a for yourself and others. Continue reciting the Talbiyah for the rest of your journey until you reach one of the doors of Masjid al-Haram prior to performing Tawaf.

Haram of Makkah

The Haram of Makkah is a sacred area that extends several miles around Masjid al-Haram in all directions. In this area, it is forbidden to:

Cut or damage grass, trees or any other type of vegetation.
Harm or kill wild animals. This includes scaring away pigeons and other birds.
Carry weapons.
Fight or behave in a way that will violate the sanctity of this area.

Although you’re unlikely to breach one of these rules, keep in mind the sanctity of Makkah.

Note: If you intend to perform an additional Umrah later on, you must assume Ihram outside the boundary of the Haram before going back to Masjid al-Haram to perform Umrah. Many choose to enter into Ihram at Masjid Aisha , which is the nearest and most convenient location from Masjid al-Haram. Transportation to get there is available near the mosque.

Entering Makkah

As you reach the limits of the Haram, constantly recite the Talbiyah, do dhikr and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ. Recital of the following du’a is recommended upon entering the Haram:

Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ʿala n-nār(i), wa aminnī min ʿadhābika yawma tabʿathu ʿibādak(a), wa jʿalnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭāʿatik.

After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you may want to freshen up or take a rest before making your way to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah . If you decide to take a shower, ensure you don’t use any items that are prohibited in the state of Ihram, e.g. scented soap or shampoo. It is recommended you present yourself at Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.

When you’re ready, decide which of your belongings you want to take with you, bearing in mind there are thieves that operate in the mosque.

Tip: It is recommended that you take a drawstring bag for your shoes. Keep them close to you because they can get lost.

Entering Masjid al-Haram

It is sunnah to enter Masjid al-Haram via Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace). This may not be possible as the authorities have designated entrances to the mosque for pilgrims performing Umrah. Proceed through one of these entrances. Step through with your right foot first and recite the supplication for entering a mosque. Either or both of these supplications may be recited:

Bismi Llāh. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad. Allāhumma-ghfir lī wa-ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.

In the name of Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, forgive me and open for me the doors of Your Mercy. أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ ❁ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ ❁ وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ ❁ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

Aʿūdhu bi-Llāhi l-aẓīm(i), wa bi-wajhihi l-karīm(i), wa sulṭānihi l-qadīm(i), mina sh-shayṭāni r-rajīm.

Don’t perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid (the Prayer for Greeting the Mosque) if you intend to; your Tawaf will suffice as the “greeting” for Masjid al-Haram.
If you don’t have the intention of performing Tawaf immediately, you may perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid.
In Masjid al-Haram, it is permissible for anyone to walk across those performing salah. However, their place of prostration should be avoided.

First Sight of the Kaaba

After entering the mosque, keep your gaze lowered until you reach the mataf area, which is the open space where Tawaf takes place. When you’re ready, with humility, awe and reverence, lift your gaze to set sight on the beatific vision of the Holy Kaaba.

Upon seeing the Kaaba for the first time, raise your hands and make du’a with the utmost concentration and sincerity, as this is among those places where prayers are answered. Remember to recite Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ when making du’a. Umar ibn al-Khattab I narrated:

Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet ﷺ. [Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]

Imam Abu Hanifa I would use this opportunity to make du’a to Allah that he be among those whose supplications are always accepted.

Recite the following three times:

Allāhu akbar. Allāhu akbar. Lā ilāha illa Llāh.

It’s a sunnah to recite the following du’as:

Allāhumma zid hādha l-bayta tashrīfan wa taʿẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu aw iʿtamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa taʿẓīman wa birrā.

Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety. اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ ❁ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ ❁ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ

Allāhumma anta s-salām, wa minka s-salām, ḥayyinā rabbanā bi s-salām.

Do dhikr, make du’a and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ in abundance here. Make the most of this opportunity before you begin your Tawaf, especially if it’s the first time you’ve set eyes on the Kaaba.

Tawaf al-Umrah

Main article: Tawaf

For the Tawaf to be considered valid, the following is necessary:

To perform Tawaf yourself.
To make an intention (verbally or not).
To do Tawaf in Masjid al-Haram.
To be in a state of wudhu and free of anything that requires ghusl, e.g. menstruation.
To conceal the awrah .
To start Tawaf from Hajar al-Aswad .
To move in an anti-clockwise direction.
To avoid the Hatim (the semi-circle area outside the Kaaba).
To perform Tawaf by foot, for those who are able.
To perform seven circuits.
To perform two rak’ahs of salah after the Tawaf.
Preparation

Ensure you’re in a state of wudhu, and if you’re a male, uncover your right shoulder by passing the top sheet of your Ihram under your right armpit, allowing the garment to hang over your left shoulder ( Idtiba ).

Starting Point

Position yourself in line with the corner of the Kaaba where the Hajar al-Aswad is situated. This corner is the one that faces a single minaret (the other three corners face two minarets). There is a green light on the wall of the Masjid opposite the Kaaba, which indicates where the Tawaf starts from. This is the starting point of each shawt (circuit). Stand just before this starting point facing the Kaaba.

As with any other act of worship, make the niyyah to perform Tawaf solely for Allah. You may also ask for acceptance and ease of your Tawaf. The following words may be said:

O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah of the Kaaba for your sake and your sake alone. Please accept it from me and make it easy for me.

You may make the following intention, which is in Arabic:

The niyyah doesn’t have to be verbal.

Kissing, Touching or Saluting the Hajar al-Aswad (Istilam)

Although kissing the Hajar al-Aswad is very virtuous, it’s almost impossible to reach it. Don’t harm others around you in an attempt to get to it.

Kissing – If you reach the Hajar al-Aswad, place your hands on it, put your face between your hands, say “Bismi Llāhi wa Llāhu akbar (بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” and kiss it lightly. Some scholars have said it is preferable to kiss it three times if you have the chance.
Touching – If you’re in reaching distance but unable to kiss it, touch it with your hand(s) and kiss your hand(s).
Saluting – If it isn’t possible to reach the stone, as is likely to be the case, perform a symbolic Istilam from afar by directly facing the Hajar al-Aswad and raising your hands up to your earlobes (as you would do when starting salah). Ensure your palms are also facing it, as though your face and hands are on the Hajar al-Aswad, and say “Bismi Llāhi wa Llāhu akbar (بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ).” You may kiss your palms if you wish.

If you decide to attempt to kiss or touch the Hajar al-Aswad, it is important to be aware that the experience can be intense. Due to the large number of people gathered around it, there is often a significant amount of pushing and shoving, which can potentially lead to injuries. It is nearly impossible to reach the Hajar al-Aswad without having to force your way through people vying to reach the sacred stone. Therefore, it’s recommended you remain safe and perform Istilam by saluting.

The following supplication, a du’a of Ali I , may be recited when coming parallel to the Hajar al-Aswad in each circuit:

Bismi Llāhi wa Llāhu akbar. Allāhumma īmānan bika wa taṣdīqan bi kitābika wa wafāʿan bi ʿahdika wattibāʿan li sunnati nabiyyika Muḥammad ﷺ.

Other forms of dhikr, such as Tahlil ( lā ilāha illa Llāh ) and Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ may also be uttered at this point.

Start the Tawaf

Turn to your right and start the first circuit of your Tawaf, ensuring the Kaaba is on your left. Proceed in an anti-clockwise direction and avoid walking through the Hijr Ismail . If you happen to walk through it, the circuit won’t count, and it will have to be repeated.

In the first three circuits, men should perform Raml , which is the practice of walking briskly, lifting the legs forcefully and sticking out the chest. However, if there is congestion, which is likely to be the case if you’re closer to the Kaaba, only perform this sunnah if you’re sure you won’t harm or inconvenience others. During peak times, you’re unlikely to be able to perform this action.

Dhikr & Du’a

During your Tawaf, you may recite prayers and supplications of your choice. du’as are accepted during Tawaf, so make the most of the occasion and remember Allah with sincerity and devotion. It’s perhaps advisable not to read from a du’a book, especially if you don’t understand the Arabic. Imam Ibn Hibban V said:

Specifying a du’a would take the moment away, because with specific du’as, one will merely be repeating words, whereas this occasion is for any du’a and for remembering one’s Lord with humility and sincerity.

Thus you should supplicate in any language and in any manner that you prefer. If you want to make Quranic and Prophetic supplications during your Tawaf, make an effort to memorise and learn the meanings of them. Reciting Quran and sending Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ during Tawaf is also recommended.

Rukn al-Yamani

Upon reaching the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner), the corner preceding the Hajar al-Aswad, if you manage to get close enough, touch it with your right hand or both hands and say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. If there’s too much congestion, as is likely to be the case, proceed without saying Takbir or gesturing towards it.

It is a sunnah to recite the following du’a between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad:

Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba n-nār.

Imam Shafi’i V recommended this du’a to be recited throughout the Tawaf.

End of Circuit at the Hajar al-Aswad

Returning to Hajar al-Aswad marks the completion of one circuit. Begin the second by doing Istilam of Hajar al-Aswad as previously described and saying “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. You should say Allāhu akbar while doing Istilam in all subsequent circuits. You will be performing Istilam eight times in total during the Tawaf, one before the start of the Tawaf and one at the end of each of the seven circuits.

During Tawaf

The Tawaf should be completed in a continuous manner with no interruptions between circuits. However, if a congregational prayer is due to start, you must join the congregation and resume your Tawaf from the position that you stopped. The circuit need not be repeated. These rules also apply if you need to repeat your wudhu.

Complete the Tawaf

Proceed in the same manner until you have completed seven circuits. Performing Istilam at the start of Tawaf and at the end is a highly emphasised sunnah, and performing Istilam on the other six occasions is desirable.

If you are in a state of Idtiba , cover your shoulder with your Ihram.

Upon finishing the Tawaf, perform two rak’ahs of salah, preferably in a position where Maqam Ibrahim is between you and the Kaaba. However, keep in mind that since Maqam Ibrahim is situated within the mataf, there is often nowhere for pilgrims performing Tawaf to move except around and almost over the top of those praying just beyond Maqam Ibrahim, resulting in a great deal of congestion. If it isn’t possible to perform the prayer there as a result of crowding, it can be performed anywhere in Masjid al-Haram .

While moving to the place where you intend to perform the two rak’ahs, it is recommended to audibly recite the following:

Wattakhidhū min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla.

It is sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first rak’ah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second, after Surah al-Fatiha . Make sure you make plenty of du’a after completing the prayer.

Zamzam is available throughout the Haram

After completing salah and making du’a, drink your fill of Zamzam water which is available around the Tawaf area and from various water fountains and dispensers in Masjid al-Haram . The entrance to the old well of Zamzam has been covered to allow for more room to do Tawaf.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.” Before drinking the Zamzam water, make an intention that its consumption will be a means of fulfilling your wishes, whether that is good health, success in this world, or protection from the tribulations of the grave. When drinking the water, it is mustahabb to stand and face the Kaaba, say Bismillah, pause to take a breath three times, and say Alhamdulillah after finishing. You can also rub it on your face and body. You may recite the following du’a after drinking the water:

Allāhumma innī as’aluka ʿilman nāfiʿan, wa rizqan wasiʿan, wa ʿamalan mutaqabbalan, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.

You may also make any other supplication of your choosing as it’s another station where du’as are accepted.

Pilgrims clinging on to the walls of the Kaaba

After you have finished drinking Zamzam water, you may proceed to the Multazam , which is the area between Hajar al-Aswad and the door of the Kaaba.

The Multazam is almost impossible to get to during Hajj season due to the large crowds that gather. However, it is sometimes accessible during other parts of the year.

If it is possible to reach the Multazam, raise your hands above your head, cling to the wall and press your chest and cheeks against it. It is a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and yet another station where supplications are accepted, so you should lengthen your du’a here.

If you can’t reach the Multazam due to the crowds, you may face it and supplicate from a distance.

Main article: Sa’i

It is a sunnah to perform Sa’i immediately after Tawaf, although you may take a break if you need to. If you feel tired after Tawaf or your feet are aching, you may take a rest until you feel you’re ready. Remember, you will be covering over three kilometres during Sa’i, so make sure you have sufficient energy to complete the rite before starting.

For the Sa’i to be considered valid, the following is necessary:

To perform Sa’i yourself.
To have entered into Ihram before performing the Sa’i.
To stay in Ihram until the Sa’i has been completed.
To perform Sa’i at its correct time.
To begin Sa’i at Safa and finish at Marwa.
To perform Sa’i after having done Tawaf.
To perform Sa’i on foot unless you have a valid excuse.
To perform seven laps.
To cover the complete distance between Safa and Marwa.

Istilam of the Hajar al-Aswad

Before Sa’i, it is sunnah to do Istilam of Hajar al-Aswad one last time. This will be the ninth time, following the eight times you performed Istilam during Tawaf.

If you’ve forgotten to perform this Istilam, or you’re finding it difficult to return to the line of the Hajar al-Aswad due to crowding or tiredness, it may be omitted. However, you can do Istilam anywhere else in Masjid al-Haram , as long as you’re facing the Hajar al-Aswad.

Proceed to Safa

Proceed to the hill of Safa, which is located inside Masjid al-Haram in line with the Hajar al-Aswad. There are signs which indicate where it is. As you’re approaching Safa, it is sunnah to recite the following:

Inna ṣ-Ṣafā wa l-Marwata min shaʿā’iri Llāh.

Abda’u bimā badā’ Llāhu bih.

These should only be recited once before Sa’i and not at the start of each lap.

The hillock of Safa which is now enclosed

Make Du’a at Safa

Upon reaching the hill of Safa, face the direction of the Kaaba and raise your hands in supplication. Your view of the Kaaba may be obscured, so make an educated guess about its location and face this direction. Don’t raise your hands up to your earlobes or gesture towards the Kaaba as you would have done during Tawaf. You may say Takbir (Allāhu akbar), Tahlil ( lā ilāha illa Llāh ) and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.

It is sunnah to recite the following du’a:

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa li Llāhi l-ḥamd.

Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise. لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ ❁ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ❁ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ ❁ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

La ilāha illa Llāhu waḥdahu la sharīka lah, lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamd, yuḥīī wa yumīt, wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr.

There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death, and He has power over everything. لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ ❁ اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

La ilāha illa Llāhu waḥdah, anjaza waʿdahu wa naṣara ʿabdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.

After reciting this du’a, you may recite your own supplications. Read the du’a a total of three times, making your own supplications in between each time, as was the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Proceed to Marwa

From Safa, make your way towards Marwa. Between Safa and Marwa, you will encounter two sets of green fluorescent lights approximately 50 metres apart, which indicate the distance that Hajar ran in order to get to higher ground. These two markers are known as Milayn al-Akhdharayn (the Two Green Mileposts). Between these two lights, it is sunnah for men to run at a medium pace while women should continue normally.

There is no fixed dhikr or du’a that has been prescribed to be read during Sa’i, so you may recite any prayers or supplications of your choice and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.

Make Du’a at Marwa

Upon reaching the hill of Marwa, face the direction of the Kaaba, raise your hands in supplication and repeat the same supplications you recited at Safa.

This completes one lap of Sa’i. Returning back to Safa is considered a second lap.

End of Sa’i

Repeat this procedure until you have completed seven laps, at which point you should be at the hill of Marwa.

Dua and Salah

It is recommended to make a final du’a here and also to perform two rak’ahs of nafl salah in Masjid al-Haram following Sa’i.

Leave the Haram

As you leave Masjid al-Haram, step out with your left foot and recite the following du’a, as was the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ when leaving the mosque:

Bismi Llāhi wa ṣ-ṣalātu wa s-salāmu ʿalā rasūli Llāh. Allāhumma innī as’aluka min faḍlik.

Halq or Taqsir

After Sa’i, you must have your hair shaved ( Halq ) or trimmed by at least an inch ( Taqsir ) in order to leave the state of Ihram and complete your Umrah. It is more virtuous for a man to have his head shaved completely.

Women may only have their hair trimmed.

There are a number of licensed barbershops in Makkah, which are open 24 hours a day and generally only close during salah times. There are many barbershops in the Zamzam Towers, Hilton shopping complex and al-Safwa Towers. You will also see many barbers located outside the Marwa door after you finish Sa’i.

Alternatively, you may shave or trim your own hair in order to come out of the state of Ihram.

Congratulations on your Umrah!

You are now free from the restrictions of Ihram, and you may change into regular clothing . If you plan on performing another Umrah, you must travel to the boundary of the Haram in order to once again enter into Ihram. Most pilgrims choose to enter into Ihram at Masjid Aisha , which is the nearest and most convenient location from Masjid al-Haram. Taxis are available near the mosque.

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Jazak Allah, Masha Allah, Thank you very much for this useful guideline. May Allah bless you and, may Allah add me and my family to the list of honors to attend Insha’Allah hu ma amiin.

JazakAllah May Allah bless you

Jazak Allah, Masha Allah, Thank you very much for this useful guideline. May Allah bless you

Jazakh Allah Khair.

May Allah bless you

Jazzak Allahu khair.. Masha Allah may Allah reward you abundantly.. Aamin

Thank you very much my Allah bless you

Jazakum Lah Khaeran

JazakAllah ❤️

Alhamdulillah. Very happy and very useful articles for Umrah. Zazak Allah Kahir

Ma sha Allah ,Jazak Allah. May Allah S.w.t reward you for this beautiful effort!

Thanks bro for describing the exact way to perform Umrah so neatly. God bless you. Jazaikhair.

Very helpful for those who are going for the first time in their life

Masha Allah God bless you Thank u very much for the most helpful information

First, i would love to thank you so much for your efforts, this is truly very helpful! Second, would it be possible to send it to me in PDF? I intent to do Umrah next month inshallah and this will be my guide. Thanks again!

Complete Guide for Umrah

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rrA4MZE-JpDtNKMOzErK76Gnp_luYxDv/view?usp=sharing

Ma Sha Allah . Very helpful. I learnt many things about Umrah . SubhanAllah .Alhamdulillah . جَزَاكَ ٱللَّٰهُ خَيْرًا

Thank you very much..It was my guide in the just concluded Umrah

Jazak Allah. May Allah S.w.t reward you for this beautiful effort!

Masha Allah, a very detail and complete step by step guide for Umrah. May Allah swt Bless you. A suggestion: Many Muslims from western countries go to Umrah with their young children. These children, generally converse in English or a European language. It would be nice if you can develop a short guide (with necessary steps) for such children in English Duas. Jazak Allah Khairen.

May Allah reward you for helping by detailing the entire process of Ummrah. As the first timer I really appreciate your effort!

Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah I thank Allah after thank you very much may Allah bless you more than you are expecting I’m so happy it’s making getting everything cleared I’m from Africa/Ghana

Assalaamu Aliakum! Jazak Allah Khair for detailing this process step by step. May ALLAH (SWT) reward you for this and give us lots and lots of oppurtunity to perform qubool Hajj and Umrah’s insha’Allah Ameen!

> Your view of the Kaaba may be obscured, so make an educated guess about its location and face this direction.

The floor tiles point in the direction of the Kaaba so you won’t need to play a guessing game.

Jazakhallah. May Allah bless you and yours for this wonderful description of performing Umrah.

Masha Allah Tabarakallah.Am so humbled seriously.i didn’t know anything about Umra.i was going to destroy my umra.barakallahufiik for this beautiful lecture.

Mashallah Very well described May Allah bless you

Jazakhallahu khairan . Can you please send it as PDF on to my email.

Alhamdulliah thank you

The very best information ever read alhumdulillah May Allah reward you in both worlds and increase your work of this kind.jazakallah

Alhamdulillah, used this to guide me with my umrah. May Allah reward you

Assalam alikum Can I get the pdf version of it? Regards

Ma sha Allah I have four wives . can I take all four to umrah.

Ma sha Allah very helpful, may Allah reward you. Would u send it in pdf format.. To my email please…

Salams, would be great to a way to download this page with audio on a fone…

Mashallah Brother, Allah will grant you the bounty for this act as you are help first timers like me with all the necessary guidance to make Umrah a memorable.

Can you send me this in pdf format…

My email [email protected]

Did you get the pdf?

Ma Sha ALLAH….

Very beautifully and thoroughly explained….

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Jazāk Allāhu khayran

Ma Sha Allah very well written. I didn’t have to refer to any other site for any details

Also have forwarded the link to few others who intend to do Umrah soon

Very helpful MashAllah

JazaakAllah khair for writing down these guidelines. It usually involves a lot of physical and financial effort to perform umrah. So it is worthwhile, rather essential to come fully prepared. These guidelines helped me a lot. JazaakAllah once again. One minor thing, that I found missing (because I was looking for advice on it) was to identify situations where “Dumm” (دم) becomes mandatory. For example if I dry my face with a cloth / towel, while in Ihram, it would be considered a mistake, making Dumm mandatory. What if my own Ihram, or someone else’s touches my face unintentionally, due to wind, or any other reason, whatsoever? There may be other doubtful situations too. So a brief account of that would be highly appreciated.

Mashallah Very helpful

Jazakah llah Khair Fi dunia w ali akhira bro I get more than i expected

Mashallah. Thank you so much for this step by step guide. May Allah reward you.

Maa shaa Allaah. Very helpful. May Allaah reward you immensely. Aamiyn

Also thanks to hajjumrahplanner.com for this guide and your website. Very helpful!

Assalam O Alaikum ! So many people contacted me via Google Drive to have an access for the FLASH CARDS. If someone is living in OMAN kindly message me personally, I will send them flash cards via courier too as a sadqa e jariya !! Just pray for me ! JazakAllah

https://wa.me/96879416731

can u email them ? going in 2 weeks inshallah

Ma sha Allah very detailed and understandable described

I would like to announce you that I’ve converted the above all the information as a sadqa e jariya into flash cards which is easier for pilgrims to carry them while performing Umrah. Please send me a msg to share with you google drive link of flash cards free of cost.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ivFrfzy4OX4RaoN–DGdjGz_ionVKv9n/view?usp=drive_link

Salam can you please give access to google drive link I have requested access.

thankyou brother Arsalan. I will very much appreciate the flash cards.

As salaam mu alaikum I was goin to Umrah blind folded in 2 weeks time until I found this flash cards, ma Shaa Allah so helpful. May Allah swt reward u in abundance in this world and the nxt Ameen. My heart is making a whole lot of dua for u…Ameen

Thank you so much for your kindness, my work is appreciated !! Allah bless you always.

Assalamualaikum can u share me the google drive

Please click on the above link provided in the comment.

Thank you brother! I got the flash cards and it so helpful. May Allah (SWT) reward you for your effort.

Jazakaallah

Asalam alikum, Please send me flash cards in sha Allah. Jazak Allah khair.

Jazakallah Kheyr for the excellent explanation. May Allah reward you abundantly.

JazakAllah khair . Very helpful during the Umrah! Very thorough step by step guide

Jazak Allah khair Very helpful

JazakAllah khair for the best step by step guide. Alhumdulillah I was able to complete my first Umrah based on your guidance and everything went so well. Thank you once again!

Jezakemullah Kheyr, very elaborate

By far the best umrah guide.

Assalaamu Alaikum hope all well this guide is put out very well.Easy and understanding for a person to follow.May Allah reward you well Ameen

Jazakallah khair for this best umrah guide..

Hamdulillah, this makes it so easy to understand what to do when and where.

Appreciate the step by step to perform umrah.

Allah pls bless this person who created this page

Masha Allah before I am worried about but now alhamdlillah for the guide

Assalamualaikum, i was a bit worried how am i going to perform umrah this Saturday coming, afer reading your best guide of performing umrah, mashahallah now i am going there with confidence jazakallah khair

Jazakallah kheir for this amazing guide. I found this so useful.

We are leaving Madinah for Makkah tomorrow, where is most appropriate for us to assume the Ihram? What do we do when we arrive Makkah? Can we go to our hotel first before Haram?

Assalamo Alaikum, MashAllah the best guide for Umrah. I tried to download so I could take a print out, InshAllah I will be going for Umrah next week, but I couldn’t. What’s the best way for me to take the guide with me, including the guide and supplications for Medina. JazakAllah

My advise would be to creat a OneNote account (free) and copy and past the contents on it and then use your smart phone to access the Duas and instruction you can also usr Google Drive as well.

Salam…. This step has really help me to perform my Umrah. Alihamdulillah

Mashallah. Very concise and greatly helpful. Jazakalla khair

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah

This website literally made our umrah so easy alhamdulillah. Even though we had the flip book, it was easier to use the app as we could zoom into the duas and scroll through easily Walhamdulillah.

May it weigh heavy on the developers scales and all those who were involved in putting it together.

It’s really useful.. jazakallah haira..

JazakAllah. You helped me by creating this! I literally memorized a lot of it in order to perform my Ummrah! Thank you!

Thank you so much for this information. JazakAllah, may Allah swt reward you for your efforts. Literally used the info from this to create my own personalised guide to print out. Saved me £13. May Allah swt bless you endlessly.

Very useful piece. Thanks for sharing. May Allah reward your efforts.

Very clearly explained jazakallahu khairan

Jazak Allah for this information. This was really helpful and detailed.

Jazak Allah Khair

very helpful and if this was available in pdf file it will be easy to read

Jazak Allah Khair. May Almighty ALLAH reward you for your hard work. MashaAllah.

Assalamu Alaikum Wr Wb

May I have this whole guide in PDF, please?

Really very simple and easy to understand may Almighty Allah bless you

Thank you so much.. may Allah reward you jannah in return to this guidance

Very in detail,

May Allah bless you here and hereafter.

Jazzak Allah.

Best detailed information provided..jazakallah o khairaa

JazakAllah khair, May Allah reward you for this Article.

Salam Is it obligatory during Umrah to vist Madina or it’s just optional?

Does anyone know if the free shuttle us from Jeddah Terminal 1 to Makkah is still running ?

its just optional and highly recommended

Jazzak Allah khair

Your detail information was very effective. But I got it late. Insha Allah I will go through this next time if Allah tabarak ta aalaa permits me to visit this holy place next time in this given life.

Salaam, I am traveling from the states and landing in jedah, where is the most convenient place to enter state of ihram.

Wether you take the plane or Al haramain train, there will always be a verbal notification from the crew to let you know you are approaching the miqat and that you can start the intention of umrah and thus be in state of ihram. Ensure to be ready before hand such as the clothes and the shower.

Jazakhallahumma Khairan, may Almighty Allah accept our Umrah and other Ibadat, Allahumma amin.

You have not mentioned how women should cut their hair after sai.

They can keep the small scissors and cut by themselves about an inch

Are you sure ? As they are still in state of Ihram. Her (mahram) can do this for her when he has shaven his head.

Thanks and masha allah

It is very useful. Jazak Allah Khair.

Masha Allah barakallah fiikum wajazakumullah Khair Fifi ddunia wal akhirah

Masha allah. Jazakallah

Excellent … may Allah bless you.

Mashallah .jazakallah khair for mentioning all arkan in details .may Allah SWT give reward and Ajar azim to you .

Thanks for sharing this info about umrah in simple steps .this article will be very helpfull because i do umrah next month throgh this website.

Alhamdulillah Jazakhallahu khair may Allah reward you with Janna fiddausi

Alhamdulillah Jazakhallahu khair

JazakaALLAH Khair.

I just read this and my heart crying at the moment. I’ve applied before Eid and still didn’t recieved my Visa.. I understand it’s all about calling from Allah.. May he forgive my all major and minor sins and invite me to his beloved home.

JazakAllah for this beautiful blog, and please do pray for me.

JazzakAllahu kheiran for these detailed wery well explained.

Very well detailed and explained. JazzakAllahu kheiran

Jazakallha khair

I used this guide as procedure and reference on my Umrah !!!

May Allah pay you reward (Jannah)! Shukre!

May Allah pay you reward (Jannah)!

Alhamdulillah, very good guide lines for all to perform Hajj & Umrah.

Very much helpful. Thankyou 🙏🏽

Jazzakkah llahu khayran

May Allah SWA reward you emenseley aneen

Alhamdulillah.. this is a very easy and simply step by step guide/ information how to perfume of hajj and umrah. Thank you for sharing it. Jazak Allah Khairan.

JazakAllah Khair! May Allah bless you and reward you for helping so many perform the Umrah!

Jazakallah khair!

Jazakallah May Allah Bless you

Masha Allah may Allah reward you. You made it very clear to understand. May Allah accept our prayers and Dua l.

Masha Allah may Allah reword you. You made it very clear to understand. May Allah accept our prayers and Dua and may Allah accept whoever visits his house. Al haram.

may allah reward you for this effort

Msha allah ❤️ ♥️ 🙏 thank you for your help

Mashallah. Jazakallah khair for the step by step instructions. Very informative. May Allah reward you abundantly inshaallah Ameen.

JazakaAllah kheyr very well explained may Allah reward you for this

Jazak allah khir. You will gain many dua for this perfect guide to Ummrah

Salaam, this is a very clear, easy to understand guide and it has reassured me for my upcoming first trip to perform umrah Inshaa’Allah. May Allah reward you abundantly for creating this.

Jazakallahu khairan. May Allah reward you for these amin ya rabbi

Jazakh Allah Khair ! For the well explaining. May AllAH SWT bless you .

Jazakh Allahu Khairan Brother ♡

Jazakumullahu. This i really find very helpful. May Allah increase your knowledge for the benefit of the muslem ummah.

Mash’Allah, may Allah SWT reward you.

Maa Shaa Allah. Jazakallah. This piece has really enriched my general knowledge of Umrah and it’s rites. However, it will be helpful if Mu’allim will respond to a question raised above by Safiyya as to whether one can relax from the stress of journey from madina like sleep for some hours and take some meals before going start umrah? Pls I need your response as I am right now on my way to Makkah from Madina

Thank you so much for this information. Very helpful Al hamdallah

JazakAllah Can u share PDF

Jazakallah for explaining in detail the Umrah process. Very good step by step instructions made it easy for us. Thank you

Well explained. thanks. JazakAllah Khair.

Jzk. May Allah reward you for giving the muslim ummah step by step guide. InshaAllah I am going Umrah end of this month. May Allah accept my Umrah.

Great summary, thanks so much.

Jazakallah khair.may Allah reward you.very informative.

May Allah bless you with infinite rehma Jazak Allah ul khair for such easy to understand article. May Allah always be with you

JzakAllah…. It was so easy to understand… May Allah bless you … in this dunya and akhira

JzakAllah…. It was so easy to understand… MayAllah bless you

Salaam brother I have a question I saw a lot of people wearing shoes while they were on Safa and Marwa. I mean is that okay.

Ma Sha ALLAH Awesone Message & Procedure to perform the Umrah in perfect Manner. Jazak ALLAH Khair , Thank U.

Thank you Thank you 1000 times Thank youuuuuuuuu for preparing this detailed guide ❤️ JAZAAAAAK ALLAH

You can not imagine how finding this page has put a smile on my face. I was so anxious, worried and overwhelmed about doing ummrah the right way. So much information all over the internet, its nice to have just the right info in one place and follow a easy step by step plan. I am so grateful for this planner. I had no idea on how to perform ummrah, jazakaAllah kheran. May Allah bless you with janatul fardosa and elevate you to the highest station. Amen

ماشاعالله، جزاک اللہ خیرا

Masha Allah 🙏,it’s so understandable ,jazahallahu khaira

MashaAllah you have described and explained Umrah details in very easy way. May Allah bless you lots more .

I have no words as to how to express my gratitude to the writer who has given such intricate details and beautiful description of the process. May Allah bless you infinitely. Aameen.

جزاك الله خير

May Allah accept this your efforts as ibada..

Jazakumullahu khayran for this elaborate explanation

Jezakumullah its very helpful.

Thank you so much. May Allah bless you with the highest place in Jannah Amen

May Allah Bless you for the information very detailed and informative. Shukran Jazaka Allah Khairan

SubhanAllah!!! Complete step by step guide, Ya Elahi grant you abundance sustenance..

JazaakAllah

Excellent description

MashaALLAH IT IS REALY HELPFUL AND FULLY INFORMATIVE

Jazakumullahu on this well explained procedure May Allah accept your efforts and may jannatul Firdaus be your final abode. Ameen

This is was so helpful!! JazakAllah Khair! May Allah reward you immensely

Beautifully explained with details, Alhamdulillah. May Allah (swt) reward you. Ameen.

Best explanation that I’ve found so far. Concise and easy to understand. JazakaAllah

Jazakallah khair…May Allah blessed with you Jannah for your work.

Can author or anyone comment on any revision(s) to this article now that we are post-covid? I heard there is an app we have to use to enter Haram at specific times?

May Allah bless you. Very easy to understand explanation

Jazakallahu Khairan….All praise to be Allah!!!

Jazakallahu Khairan….

May Allah bless you جزائک الله خیرا کثیرا I found your guidance very helpful

JazakAllah-al-Khair

SubhanAllah …. JazakAllah Khair…. May Allah bless you with best of Both the worlds. very well explained and Indeed it’s very good documentation… May ﷲ reward you. Thank you . JazakAllah Khair

Thanks a ton for explaining in simplest way and very easy to understand… May Allah shower his blessings upon you and the team. Jazakh Allah Khair

Alhamdulilla. All information is very good. But I wanted to know the Arabic Dua during the Tawaf and said time.

Alhamdulillah Jazakallah Much appreciated

jazakallah hair may Allah grant you jannat firdaus AMIN

Jazakallah Khair

Jazakallahu Khairun

Jazakh Allah Khairan

Masha allah.

Nicely written and illustrated.

May allah grant us all an opportunity to be in that place in our lifetime.

Alhamdulillah and Jazakallah Khair. Very well explained. May Allah( SWT) bless you immensely with His blessings in both worlds.

God Almighty bless you. Perfectly elaborated….Jazakallahkhair!!

Jazakallah for this great and helpful information. May Allah reward with Jannatul firdous

This is the best brief i have ever read completely, jazakallah hu qhair, may ALLAH free you and me from all the sins and grant us jannah Ameen

Jazakumullahu

Jazakkallah…easy and clear

Ma shaa Allah wa barakallahu it’s a rich and well explained article. Kudos to the writer

subhanAllah, May Allah Pak bless you.

Jazak Allah Khair for this very thorough and easy to follow guide on performing umrah. I was looking into buying a guide but wasnt sure which to get, but problem solved. This guide is simple and very comprehensive and includes points where i should do dua and read durud sharif on our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . May Allah swt bless you immensely for your efforts. It would be useful if this was made into a pdf or booklet.

Jazak Allah may Allah reward you for this effort and bless you Endless.

Jazakallah! Well explained.

Alhadulillah, this article is beautifully scripted. May Allah SWT be pleased with the scribes. Jazakmullahu Khairan!

Thanks a lot. I have learnt a lot about how to do umrah.

Jazak Allah Khair for taking the time to write this in-depth and easy to understand article.

Very nicely explained and very simple way allah s.w.t. give you a good reward. Aameen

Thank you for the time spent writing and publishing this useful information, I am planning for Umrah again next month iA. This has helped me to refresh from scratch. May Allah reward you and everyone performing and those who are still planning.

Jazak allah

Jazakallah Khair, a very well written article. Highly appreciated

Very nice and helpful information thank u

May Allah reward you with Jannatul Frudauz for the detailed explanation. Ameen

thank you, I will follow this in feb 2023, much appreciated.

Excellent piece. Jazakallahu Khairan

Jazakh Allah Khair

جزاك الله خيرا

Jazaaallah, May Almighty Allah bless you with Janatul alfardos for this explained procedure

Very well explained

Jazakh Allah Khair – so well explained and very informative. May Allah be pleased with your work and grant you jannat firidaus – Allahuma Ameena

Jazakallah for creating this easy to understand guide! I used this during my Umrah step by step and Alhamdilillah it was my best Umrah experience. The English translations are gold and I loved that I just have to scroll to get to the next step. May Allah reward you abundantly for each person who used this to perform their Umrah 🙂 just a suggestion to pls make the comment section collapsible so it doesn’t increase the page length, because it kept scrolling all the way down each time I put my phone away, and I have to scroll back up, and secondly pls include subsections in the table of contents with a collapsible sticky sidebar if possible for quick navigation to various sections of the table of contents.

subhanAllohi wabihamdi adada khaliqihi wariduo nafsihi wa zinata arshihi wa midada kalimatihi SubhanAllohil azeem alhamdulillahi kathiro Allohu akbar kabiro subhanAllohi bukratau uasuila, Allohumma solli ala Muhammad wa bareek ala Muhammad innaka Hameedum Majeed, may Allah accept from me, you and all of us

Thank you very much yr explanations on umrah. It is very clear and easy to understand……..may allah bless you. .. .jazakumullahu khair

Very clear & informative,easy to understand.Jazak Allah

Jazakumallahu khaira khairan katheeran. Ma shaa Allah well done. You have explained so well.

جزاک اللہ خیرا ❤️

Jazakallahu Khair for sharing in simple words.

JazakAllah khair for suxh a beautiful clear and informed article. This will be my guide for my upcoming umrah in shaa Allah. Allah reward you immensely.

Well explained!

Jazak allahu khairan kaseera for the guidance,it was really really helpful and easily understandable. May Allah reward you with abandoned of goodness and grant you jannah Ameen

Jazakallah khair for paving the way for the first time performers of umrah.

بارك الله فيك It really helped me a lot and surely a lot of other Muslims also May Allah bless you for your hardwork.

Masha Allah and Jazak Allah Khair for such detailed information. May Allah Subhanu Tallah accept all your efforts. Ameen Ya Rabul Kareem

Jazak Allahu khayran

Jazak Allah Khair for your detailed information. May Allah bless you and your family.

Ma shaa ALLAH Very helpful may Allah make us among those who visit HIS HOLY HOUSE Barakallah fiikm wa jazaakum Llah khaira Very good information and full package

Jazzakallah khairan .Well explained n very informative. May Allah reward you for all your good deeds.

JazakAllah khair for this step by step guide. May Allah accept our Duas and Ibada. Ameen

JazakAllah khair for this step by step guide.

Thank you so much for this Hajj and Umrah guidelines, it’s clear and understandable. I pray to The Almighty Allah to reward you with what you need most in abundance. InshaAllah.

Nicely articulated in a lucid way. Easy understanding makes better execution. Kudos to author Ma sha Allah Allah bless you

Amazing help. JazakAllah Khair

we use this information its very help . we did over Umra in Feb 2022. may allah blessed you for the guidance of Umra. Jazkhala kheer

I love ❤️ Allah talha I love you 😍 gher

Jazakaalahu bil khair.

Sukran for this Umrah guide

Jazakallah. Very well and lucidity explained, leaving no doubt in mind. May Allah reward you for this great effort. Sincere regards and thanks

JazakAllah Khairan, very well explained.

Masha Allah thanks you for the guidance of umrah. Jazakallah khairan may almighty Allah bless you with Janatulfardos for the explained the procedure.

Very precise and concise MashaaAllah barakaraw fiikum

Ma sha allahh…ur explanation is easier to understand and step by step well explained ma sha allahh ..may allah n his Rasool allah bless u immensely in both the world ameen

As Salaam Alaikum

Thanks for the details of Umrah

JazakAllah Khair very well explained ❤️💯

All good i just com back from umrah please do doa alla exept my umrah thanks

Ma Sha Allah Its a super explanation .

ma sha . Allah . jazak . Allah. Great effort and complete knowledge about Umra. one must read carefully and learn it and remember it and tell others so that every one may perform Umra rightly. Really great work has been done which has made the task much easier for every one.

Jazakalahu Khayran

Shukran for putting this together . May Allah SWT reward your good deeds

Jazakallah khair for explaining it in detail! May Allah bless you!

Great Efforts May Allah Success u…

Jazahk Allah Khairan for the well explained guide.

Thanks for the education about umrah it has been great i need to raise money and perform both umrah and hajj it self inshallah.

I have gone through this entire article of yours. This is well planned and easily comprehensible. I’ve indeed hugely benefited having read this. May Allah help us all who are about to perform Umrah.

Allah Akbar

Ameen and Ameen

thank you so much. may allah blessed you for the guidance of umra

Masha Allah thanks you somuch for this comprehensive articles on how to perfum ummara.may Allah reward you aboundantly ameen.

Jazakallah khair

Jazakamullah khair, briefly explained in simple language in accordance with Quran and Sunnah.

Good and precised explanation. JazakumulLahu khairan.

Maa Shaa Allah. Jazakhallah Khairan

Masha Allah, thank you.

Allahu Akbar

Thank you very much. Jazakallahu khairan

Masha Allah…Jazakh Allah Khair.

جزاك اللهُ خيراً‎

Jazakumullah Khaeran

Fantastic explanation

Jazakallahu Khairan

Masha’Allah very indepth information and easy to understand.jzkm.May Allah reward you.

Thank you for all your help i did not understand it in Arabic and just wanted the transcript and the steps we follow during umrah all i can say is may allah take you to janah.

JAZALLAH KHAIR. REALLY HELPFUL.

I am thankful, your guide was indeed helpful…

May Allah Blessed you for the information very details and informative. Shukran Jazaka Allah Khairan

Mashallah very well explanation about details of umrah may Allah subhanatalla rewards you place of jannatul firdaus and accept our duas

JhazakhAllah Khair! Really appreciate the well detailed rep by step instructions. May Allah swt reward you immensely with His blessings in both worlds.

Jazakallah khair brother Very very clearly everything has been explained

Jazakumullahu on this well explained procedure may jannatul Firdaus be your final abode. Ameen

May Allah reward you an accept this from you, and place it on your scale of good deeds

Can I relax from stress of journey from madina like sleep for some hours and take some meals before going start umrah

yes you can sister…

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. I just did a second Umrah, first time was with a guide then a few weeks later I did by myself using these instructions..mashallah it was helpful but I have a few doubts I want to clarify. At safa we make a Dua, then at Marwa we make the same Dua – do we repeat it 3x like we began at safa? Also do we say the Dua again at safa until we finish the 7 laps? I did the Dua at both safa marwah but first time I did it three times then every other time just once. The guide that took me the first time only said it at safa and only once. Jazakallahu Khairan

praise worthy full of sunnah

Very useful information.

Sa'i (Arabic: السعي) is one of the integral rites of Hajj and Umrah and refers to the ritual of walking back and forth seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwa, located adjacent to the Kaaba in Masjid...

Umrah: Introduction

Umrah (Arabic: عمرة‎), sometimes referred to as the ‘lesser’ or ‘minor’ pilgrimage, consists of carrying out a set of rites in the precinct of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It consists of four essential practices and can...

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV, in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees.
Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic!

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
Cost: USD $15.00
Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
Cost: Free!
Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
Cost: USD $8.00
Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
Cost: Free to enter
Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
Cost: USD $5.00
Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for!

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture!

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
Cost: Free!
Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months. A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov. The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner!

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres.
Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics.

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 – USD $228.00 based on seat location.
Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
This museum is fun for both adults and children!
Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

Television and radio tower in Moscow
Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

Closed on Mondays
Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy!

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage and Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided! Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Description

Day 1 arrival in moscow. city tour.

After the tour is over, you are taken to the hotel and check-in. Till the afternoon, you have spare time on hand, so you can either book extra tours or have a rest after the flight.

DAY 2 Kremlin, Cathedrals and the Armory

As a cherry on the pie, this excursion includes a visit to the Armory. Besides the genuine ancient armor collection, the Armory remains a range of Faberge eggs and Russian art pieces. Make sure you have a reservation in the Armory in advance, as it is quite hard to get there on the spot without a booking.

If you want to book an optional tour of Moscow Metro and Old Arbat, the Kremlin part will be rescheduled for the afternoon, as you can participate in metro guided tours only till 1 p.m. Here you will enjoy the most beautiful metro stations, looking like tsar palaces or exquisite theatre halls; when you leave the last underground station, you will be taken to a relaxing walk along the famous pedestrian Arbat Street, with cozy buildings, unusual shops, and restaurants. You may be lucky to see street performances while you are walking and fall into the stream of Moscow youth vibes.

DAY 3Tretyakov Gallery. Departure transfer

After the museum, you say goodbye to your guide and head to the airport with the driver. See you next time!

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring, Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya. Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya. This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war. The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station, and change onto the 3/Blue line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya. Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar. One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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21 Things to Know Before You Go to Moscow

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Umrah consists of four essential practices. Firstly, you get changed into the Ihram garments before the Miqat, perform two rak'ahs of salah and make your niyyah as the Miqat approaches, thereafter reciting the Talbiyah frequently. Secondly, you perform Tawaf al-Umrah of the Kaaba followed by two rak'ahs of salah, preferably near Maqam Ibrahim. Thirdly, you do Sa'i of Safa and Marwa.
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Our Umrah Packages Include: Educational training and books will be provided before the Umrah pilgrim. Personalized ID Badges. Daily Breakfast during Umrah. 5-Star Hotels in Makkah & Madinah. Visit Islamic Sites in Makkah & Madinah. Group escorted by a Qualified Guide. Our Umrah 2024 packages from the USA offer the best in class Umrah services ...
Roshan Haj Umrah Tours And Travels
The Umrah in this blessed month is considered equal to the hajj in reward, When it is performed during this month of Ramadan, Which is a great season for Good ... and appointed experinced local representative to take care of all your travel needs. We have built a solid reputation for travel services in the countries in which you perform Haj ...
EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024 Guide)
EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024) Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit! Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city ...
MOSCOW CITY CENTRE TOUR. PART 1 /// RUSSIA TRAVEL VIDEO ...
There are lots to see in the city centre of Moscow, so we decided to start our series of Russia travel videos by showing you around the most historical part ...
Moscow Tours from Dubai
Moscow Tours from Dubai. 6,999.00 د.إ. Our Available Tours Options for Moscow are: The Kremlin Tour (8 Hours) City Sightseeing Tours ( 8 Hours) Golden Ring Private Tour ( 10 Hours) Private Guide Walkin Tours Half Day (4 Hours) or Full Day ( 7 Hours) Best Moscow Food and Coffee (4 Hours) Add to cart.
How to get around Moscow using the underground metro
Just avoid rush hour. The Metro is stunning andprovides an unrivaled insight into the city's psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi,butalso some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time ...