Mecca Umrah Trips: First Visit or Return

Travel advisory: The US State Department says to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, citing regional conflict, and Houthi missiles and drones have been aimed at Saudi cities. The UK’s advice concerns the Yemen border area plus Abha and Khamis Mushait only, which leaves out Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. Look at US travel advice and UK FCDO guidance when you set dates.

A first Umrah wants a simple plan, and a return trip can afford to widen it.

Entry to Mecca’s Haram area is restricted to Muslims under Saudi law, enforced at road checkpoints. These routes are for Muslim pilgrims. Jeddah, on the final day of the longer route, is open to all.

First visit: the 7-day circuit

  • Days 1 to 4, Mecca: fly into Jeddah, take the Haramain train (about 30 to 45 minutes) to Makkah Station, check in near the Haram, and perform the first Umrah. Spend the remaining days in prayer and, if you like, one cultural visit such as the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture.
  • Day 5: the morning train to Medina takes about 2 hours. Check in near the Prophet’s Mosque.
  • Days 6 and 7, Medina: the Rawdah visit, Masjid Quba and Mount Uhud, then fly home from Medina’s airport.

Permits matter on a first trip. Book the Nusuk Umrah permit for Mecca, and a separate Nusuk Rawdah permit for Medina, which is limited to once every 365 days. The tourist eVisa lets you do Umrah outside Hajj season, but not Hajj.

Return trip: the 10-day Hejaz route

Pilgrims who have done Umrah before often prefer five days in Mecca, three in Medina and two in Jeddah’s UNESCO Al-Balad district, with a walk along the Corniche. The Jeddah leg is the one part of the route open to non-Muslim companions. Train fares vary by class and route, with Mecca to Medina starting about 150 SAR in economy and business costing several times more. Book at sar.hhr.sa .

When to go

Hajj 2027 is expected around 14 to 19 May, with the Day of Arafah on Saturday 15 May; the exact days depend on moon sighting. The 1448 AH Umrah season is reported to end with the last visa on 9 March 2027, and departure by 7 April 2027, so check nusuk.sa . Between May and September, expect 45 to 50C, and plan outdoor movement for the early morning or after sunset.

Women travelling

Since 10 October 2022, women of any age may perform Umrah and Hajj without a mahram, with an approved group. Home-country authorities can add conditions, so confirm them with your operator.

Rooms and next steps

Compare Makkah and Madinah hotels on Booking.com for rooms close to each mosque. For shorter plans, the 3-day Mecca itinerary and 4-day Mecca itinerary set out day-by-day options.

Tip: book the Medina train seat at the same time as your permits, since popular morning trains fill early.