Can You Perform Umrah During a UK School Holiday? What Families Should Know
Planning a Family Umrah Around the School Calendar
Yes, families can perform Umrah during a UK school holiday, provided the chosen dates fall outside the restricted Hajj period and every traveller meets the current Saudi entry, health and permit requirements.
School holidays can be convenient because children do not need to miss lessons and parents may find it easier to arrange annual leave. However, half terms, Easter, Christmas and summer holidays can also bring higher flight prices, limited family rooms and heavier demand for hotels close to the Haram.
The best school holiday for your family depends on your budget, the age of your children, expected weather conditions and how busy you are comfortable with Makkah and Madinah being.
Quick Answer: Which School Holiday Is Best for Umrah?
School holiday |
May suit |
Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| February half term | Families wanting cooler conditions | Short break and potentially higher fares |
| Easter holiday | Families wanting 7–14 days | Can overlap with Ramadan in some years |
| May half term | Shorter family journeys | Dates may fall close to Hajj restrictions |
| Summer holiday | Families needing maximum flexibility | Very hot weather and long daytime journeys |
| October half term | Short Umrah trips | Limited availability for popular flights |
| Christmas holiday | Families wanting a winter journey | High seasonal travel demand |
Check Your Child’s Exact School Holiday Dates
School holidays are not identical across the UK. Dates can vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as between councils, academies and individual schools.
GOV.UK directs parents to their local council for school term and holiday dates because schedules differ across the country. Schools may also set their own inset or training days.
Before booking:
- Check the school’s published calendar.
- Confirm inset and teacher-training days.
- Allow enough time to return before lessons restart.
- Avoid assuming another council follows the same dates.
- Check the dates for every child if they attend different schools.
A one-week half term may only leave five to nine practical travel days once flight timings are considered.
Can Children Miss School to Perform Umrah?
Families should not assume that a pilgrimage will automatically justify taking children out of school during term time.
In England, parents cannot usually take children away during term time, and unauthorised absence can lead to fines or legal action. A holiday is generally not treated as an exceptional circumstance.
Wales and Scotland also state that family holidays should not normally be authorised during term time except in exceptional circumstances.
Policies and sanctions differ across the UK, so parents should:
- Speak to the school before making a non-refundable booking.
- Request permission through the school’s official process.
- Avoid describing approval as guaranteed.
- Check the rules applied by their local authority.
- Plan around published holidays wherever possible.
A religious journey is important to the family, but the school or local authority decides how any absence is recorded.
Can Umrah Be Performed Throughout the Year?
Umrah can generally be performed throughout most of the year, but not during the restricted Hajj period. The official Nusuk platform describes Umrah as available at any time except the Hajj period.
This matters particularly for families considering the May half term or early summer. Dates that appear suitable on the UK school calendar may fall close to the suspension of overseas Umrah entry before Hajj.
Do not book solely because flights and hotels are displayed online. Confirm:
- Whether Umrah entry is permitted for your dates.
- The final permitted arrival and departure dates.
- Whether the correct visa or entry permission is available.
- Current Nusuk and permit requirements.
- Whether your travel company has verified the itinerary.
Saudi timelines can change each pilgrimage year, so older social media posts should not be treated as reliable confirmation.
Choosing the Best UK School Holiday for a Family Umrah Trip
February Half Term: Cooler but Short
February half term can suit families who want more manageable temperatures and are comfortable with a shorter itinerary.
A seven-day trip may be possible, but flight schedules can reduce the amount of usable time in Saudi Arabia. A late arrival or early return can leave only a few complete days for Makkah and Madinah.
February half term may suit:
- Families with older children
- Repeat pilgrims
- Travellers choosing direct flights
- Families focusing mainly on Makkah
- Parents with limited annual leave
Check whether the package includes enough time for rest. Completing an international flight, airport transfer and Umrah too quickly can be difficult for children.
Easter Holidays: Often the Most Practical Option
For many UK families, the Easter holiday provides the best balance because it may allow a 10- or 14-day trip without missing school.
The extra time can make it easier to:
- Divide the stay between Makkah and Madinah.
- Allow children to recover from travel.
- Avoid performing every activity on consecutive days.
- Include rest between Tawaf, Sa’i and Ziyarah.
- Choose a Madinah-first or Makkah-first itinerary.
However, Easter can overlap with Ramadan in some years. When this happens, demand for flights and hotels may rise sharply, and the Holy Mosques can be considerably busier.
Families should book early but should not make payment until the flights, hotel names, room occupancy and cancellation terms are clearly confirmed.
May Half Term: Check the Hajj Calendar Carefully
May half term may appear attractive because the weather is usually warmer and the break can work for a shorter journey.
The main risk is its proximity to Hajj in certain years. Saudi authorities restrict Umrah travel before the Hajj season, and the exact deadlines must be checked annually. UK guidance confirms that ordinary Umrah entry routes apply outside the Hajj season and that Hajj requires separate arrangements.
Families should not assume a tourist e-visa or electronic visa waiver allows Umrah during restricted Hajj dates.
Before booking a May trip, obtain current confirmation from official Saudi sources and your travel provider.
Summer Holidays: Flexible but Physically Demanding
The summer holiday gives families the greatest flexibility. Parents can choose longer itineraries and may find it easier to travel for 10 or 14 days.
However, summer conditions can be physically demanding. Children may struggle with high temperatures, long walks, crowded transport and movement between air-conditioned buildings and outdoor areas.
Saudi health and FCDO guidance advises travellers to check current health recommendations before departure. Pilgrims should also prepare carefully for heat, hydration and existing medical needs.
A summer Umrah may work well when families:
- Choose a hotel with an easy route to the Haram.
- Avoid unnecessary walking in the hottest part of the day.
- Build regular rest into the itinerary.
- Keep children hydrated.
- Use suitable transport between hotels and stations.
- Avoid filling every day with Ziyarah and shopping.
Read Itimaar’s guidance on performing Umrah with children or elderly family members before finalising a family itinerary.
October and Christmas Holidays
October half term can suit a shorter family Umrah, particularly when cooler conditions begin and the dates remain outside the Hajj period.
The Christmas holiday may allow a longer trip, but UK airport demand can be high because many people are travelling internationally. Flights, family rooms and conveniently located hotels may cost more than during ordinary weeks.
Christmas travel can also involve:
- Busy UK airports
- Limited direct-flight availability
- Expensive regional connections
- Higher family-room demand
- More restrictive cancellation conditions
Compare the complete cost before assuming a school holiday package offers good value.
Why School Holiday Umrah Packages Cost More
Flights and hotels are priced according to demand. When thousands of families can travel at the same time, prices usually rise.
School holiday costs may be affected by:
- Limited direct flights from the UK
- Demand for triple and quad rooms
- Hotels close to Masjid al-Haram
- Ramadan or seasonal demand
- UK airport departure dates
- Length of stay
- Private transfers
- Baggage allowance
A cheaper package may use inconvenient flights, a hotel farther from the Haram or shared transfers involving long waits.
When comparing Umrah packages from the UK, assess what is included rather than focusing only on the advertised price.
Choose Family Accommodation Carefully
Hotel location can have a greater effect on a family journey than the star rating.
Before booking, check:
- The actual walking route to the Haram
- Room occupancy and bed arrangements
- Lift waiting times
- Step-free access
- Breakfast or meal options
- Shuttle frequency
- Access for pushchairs
- Nearby supermarkets and pharmacies
A hotel described as “close to the Haram” may still involve slopes, road crossings or long internal walkways.
Families with young children should also confirm whether a quad-room price includes four proper beds or temporary arrangements.
Select Flights Around Your Children’s Needs
Direct flights usually reduce journey time and remove the pressure of changing aircraft. They may be particularly helpful for babies, younger children and families carrying pushchairs or several bags.
Connecting flights can cost less, but parents should check:
- Total journey time
- Stopover length
- Terminal changes
- Through-checked baggage
- Meal timings
- Pushchair arrangements
- Airport assistance
- Whether all flights are on one ticket
A cheap itinerary with an overnight stop or separate tickets may not provide good value for a family.
Check Documents, Health Rules and Travel Protection
Before travelling, confirm current requirements for every adult and child.
UK guidance states that eligible travellers may use an e-visa or electronic visa waiver for Umrah outside the Hajj season. An electronic visa waiver does not include health insurance, while an e-visa includes limited health cover; separate travel insurance should still be considered.
Pilgrims must also check current vaccination requirements. FCDO pilgrimage guidance currently requires a valid ACWY meningitis certificate at least 10 days before arrival for Umrah.
Families should keep:
- Passports and entry permissions
- Flight and hotel confirmations
- Insurance documents
- Vaccination certificates
- Medicine records
- Emergency contacts
- ATOL Certificate where applicable
- Digital and printed copies
Use Itimaar’s Umrah preparation guide to organise practical and spiritual preparation before departure.
School Holiday Umrah Booking Checklist
Before paying, confirm:
- The dates match your child’s school calendar.
- The trip is outside restricted Hajj dates.
- Every traveller meets current entry requirements.
- Flights and baggage are clearly stated.
- Exact hotel names are confirmed.
- Family room occupancy is suitable.
- Airport and intercity transfers are included.
- Cancellation terms are provided in writing.
- The booking is ATOL protected where applicable.
- Travel insurance covers the whole family.
- The itinerary includes enough rest for children.
- You have reviewed the complete Umrah guide.
Is a School Holiday the Right Time for Your Family?
School holidays are often the most practical time for families to perform Umrah because they avoid unauthorised school absence and provide more flexibility.
The trade-off is that flights and suitable family accommodation may cost more. Short half terms can also create a rushed journey, while summer holidays bring more demanding weather.
For many families, Easter or a longer winter break offers the best balance between trip length and comfort. February or October half term can still work for a focused seven-day itinerary, while summer may suit families who need a slower 10- or 14-day journey.
Choose the holiday that fits your children’s age, health, school dates and travel tolerance—not simply the package with the lowest price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children perform Umrah during UK school holidays?
Yes. Children can travel for Umrah during school holidays, subject to valid passports, Saudi entry requirements, health rules and any applicable permits. Families should plan the itinerary around the children’s age and stamina.
Can I take my child out of school for Umrah?
Schools do not usually authorise term-time holidays automatically. Rules vary across the UK, so parents should speak to the school and local authority before booking. Travelling during published school holidays is generally the safer option.
Which UK school holiday is best for Umrah?
Easter often gives families enough time for a 10- or 14-day journey. February and October half terms may suit shorter trips, while summer provides flexibility but brings hotter weather. The best choice depends on the Hajj calendar, budget and family needs.
Are Umrah packages more expensive during school holidays?
They often are because demand for flights, family rooms and hotels near the Haram increases. Booking early may provide more choice, but families should still verify all inclusions and cancellation terms before paying.
