Saudi Arabia, in 2019, made a historic development that allows Muslims from all over the world to plan their own Umrah trip. They are allowed to book Umrah flights, choose their accommodation, and apply for visas online. At the same time, Umrah pilgrims are also allowed to combine a visit to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with other cities and places in Saudi Arabia. This announcement launches a new era of Saudi tourism. To make things easier and more convenient, Umrah Companions provides customized Umrah Packages 2025 to make your Umrah journey as seamless as possible. Umrah pilgrims can now select accommodations in Makkah and Madinah and choose the type of transportation, duration of stay, traveling date, and departure city.
Why Umrah Companions?
Many pilgrims plan to book their Umrah accommodations online through booking websites without involving dedicated Umrah agencies. Sometimes, it proves useful, and other times, things don’t go as planned. The room that appeared in the online picture turned out to be a different room on arrival. There have also been reports of problems with advance payments. Umrah Companions make sure pilgrims receive all the Umrah services they paid for and stay in the exact room they booked.
By choosing Umrah Companions for your Umrah trip, you not only save money but also can plan Umrah according to your budget needs and preferences. Umrah Companions allow pilgrims to choose their travel dates and visit other cities in an Umrah Plus trip. Umrah services by Umrah Companions enable pilgrims to make their Umrah more comfortable and stay in hotels offering Haram view and even Kaaba view rooms. You can also get the details of hotels located closer to Haram and find out about the hotels located further away with a free shuttle service.
Plan Well Before Booking Umrah Package
Give yourself sufficient time to plan your Umrah trip. It is recommended to book Umrah Packages 2025 2-3 weeks in advance to have ample preparation time. Choose travel dates thoughtfully, booking flights on weekdays proves to be cheaper than on weekends. Moreover, availability can be limited on weekends and at the most popular times, so advance booking of flights and accommodation is recommended. If you want to perform Umrah during a quieter time, the best time to do so is around three weeks after the Hajj season. The weather in Mecca is best from November through to February.
Entry Requirements for Saudi Arabia
It is important to note that visa requirements change quickly in Saudi Arabia. To have the best experience, it is better to check the official Saudi websites and Nusuk platforms for any changes in visa regulations. Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit Makkah, a person with a non-Muslim name must provide a certificate from a local mosque or Islamic center. Women can travel without a Mehram or a guardian when visiting Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Umrah travelers must have a valid passport with at least 2 empty pages and 6 months of validity. Two passport-size photographs are required for a visa application. It is also important to note that the visa fee varies with visa type, so check carefully when applying. Before traveling for Umrah, make sure you have travel insurance. Women can wear any modest dress during Hajj and Umrah, but men are required to wear Ihram clothing. Ihram can be easily bought at shops and is also available online.
Choose Transport Wisely
Umrah pilgrims can travel between Madinah and Makkah by road transport and train. The Haramain High Speed Railway enables pilgrims to travel between Makkah and Madinah easily. It takes 2.5 Hrs to travel between these cities. Tickets can easily be booked online, or you can ask your Umrah Packages providers to add traveling through Haramain Train to your package.
Choose Your Hotels For Umrah Wisely
Umrah Companions offers a wide range of hotels in Makkah and Madinah. Many budget hotels offer Haram-view rooms or Kaaba-view rooms. You can ask your package provider to add a Haram or Kaaba view room to your package. It is also important to check the distance of the hotel from Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah. If you are choosing a hotel located within walking distance, check how long the drive is and whether the hotel provides a shuttle service. When booking hotels for Umrah, keep factors like budget, essential room amenities, and proximity to the Haram in mind. Makkah hotels are more expensive than Madinah hotels. If you are on a budget, then it is better to stay for a few nights in Makkah and the rest of the days in Madinah.
Prepare Yourself Spiritually and Physically Well For Umrah
Umrah rituals are energy-draining. Once you have taken care of everything related to travel, prepare yourself practically and spiritually for Umrah. Engage yourself in spiritual activities to enhance the experience. It is also important to get your body used to strenuous activities, as Umrah involves walking for long distances and praying in huge crowds. Finding a reliable Umrah agency is recommended. Umrah Companions, through their carefully crafted Umrah Packages 2025, offers seamless Umrah services. We hope this guide will help you plan your Umrah journey more confidently.