What Should You Check Before Booking an Umrah Package?

For UK travellers, financial protection should be one of the first things checked when booking a flight-inclusive Umrah package.

ATOL, or Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing, is a financial protection scheme managed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. It applies to eligible flight-inclusive package bookings and is intended to protect customers if the ATOL holder stops trading. ATOL protection is not the same as travel insurance.

Do not assume a booking is protected simply because an ATOL logo appears on a website. Search for the travel business using its name or ATOL number through the Civil Aviation Authority’s official ATOL checker. Confirm that the name and number match the company taking your payment.

When you pay any money towards an ATOL-protected booking, including a deposit, the travel company should provide an ATOL Certificate. This document explains which parts of the trip are protected, who is covered, and which company provides that protection.

Ask the travel company:

• Is this specific booking ATOL protected?
• Under whose ATOL is the booking protected?
• When will I receive my ATOL Certificate?
• Does the certificate cover the flights and complete package?
• Is the company taking payment the same company named on the certificate?

Keep the certificate, booking confirmation, receipts and all correspondence until your journey is complete.

The phrase “Umrah package” does not always mean the same thing. One package may include flights, hotels, transfers, and visa assistance, while another may include only accommodation and transport within Saudi Arabia.

Official Nusuk Umrah packages may contain different combinations of accommodation, transport, catering, Ziyarah and other services. The Nusuk platform also allows users to view authorised service providers and compare available package components. Check exactly which services are included in the specific package you are booking.

Ask for an itemised list of everything included in the price.

A genuine comparison is only possible when you know what each package contains.

A lower advertised price may exclude baggage, meals, transfers or visa-related services that another package includes. Compare like for like and confirm in writing what is included.

Flights can significantly affect the comfort, duration and total cost of an Umrah journey.

Do not accept a description such as “London to Jeddah flight included” without further details. Ask for the operating airline, departure airport, flight times, route, baggage allowance and connection information.

Check whether the flight is direct or connecting

A direct flight usually provides a simpler journey, particularly for families, elderly travellers and passengers with limited mobility. Connecting flights may cost less but can involve longer travel times, airport changes or extended stopovers.

For a connecting itinerary, ask:

• How long is each stopover?
• Will I remain in the same terminal?
• Will my luggage be checked through to the final destination?
• Is a transit visa required?
• Is the connection long enough if the first flight is delayed?
• Are all flights on one ticket?
• What assistance is available for elderly or disabled passengers?

Check the UK departure airport

A lower package price may be less valuable when you add the cost of travelling to an inconvenient departure airport, airport parking or an overnight hotel.

Compare the complete journey from your home, not only the international airfare.

Check the arrival and departure airports in Saudi Arabia

Some itineraries arrive in Jeddah and depart from Madinah, while others use the same airport in both directions. An open-jaw itinerary can reduce unnecessary travel between the two cities, but its value depends on the order of your stays and the included transfers.

Never assume all Umrah flights include the same baggage allowance.

Confirm:

• checked baggage weight;
• number of permitted checked bags;
• cabin baggage allowance;
• whether meals are included on the flight;
• charges for additional baggage;
• rules for travelling with mobility equipment;
• arrangements for transporting Zamzam water on the return journey.

Ask whether the baggage allowance applies to every flight in a connecting itinerary. Codeshare partners and different operating airlines can sometimes have different conditions.

You should also confirm whether Zamzam is handled separately from the normal checked baggage allowance. Airline and airport arrangements can vary, so obtain current information for your specific route rather than relying on someone else’s previous journey.

Do not book based only on phrases such as:

• “five-star Makkah hotel”;
• “hotel near the Haram”;
• “similar accommodation”;
• “walking distance”;
• “premium Madinah hotel.”

Ask for the exact hotel names in both Makkah and Madinah. Check them independently using recent maps, photographs and guest feedback.

The written booking confirmation should state:

• full hotel name;
• check-in and check-out dates;
• room category;
• number of guests in the room;
• meal plan;
• approximate location;
• whether the hotel may be substituted;
• what happens if the named property becomes unavailable.

A hotel’s star rating does not tell you everything about its convenience. Location, entrance route, lifts, room occupancy, accessibility and transport arrangements can have a greater effect on the pilgrimage experience.

“Close to the Haram” and “walking distance” are subjective descriptions.

A hotel may appear close on a map but still involve hills, busy roads, long internal walkways, or an entrance located on the opposite side of the building. The practical route may be longer than the straight-line distance shown online.

Before booking accommodation near Masjid al-Haram or Masjid an-Nabawi, ask:

• What is the approximate walking distance to the nearest suitable entrance?
• Is the route level or uphill?
• Is a shuttle service required?
• How frequently does the shuttle operate?
• Is the hotel suitable for wheelchair users?
• Are there enough lifts during busy prayer times?
• Is the route manageable for elderly family members?
• Does the package use different hotels during peak periods?

Staying close to the Haram may reduce reliance on walking and transport, which can be particularly valuable for elderly pilgrims, families with young children, and travellers with health or mobility concerns. Itimaar’s existing guidance on booking hotels near Masjid al-Haram can help travellers assess accommodation beyond the advertised star rating.

Some package prices are based on three or four people sharing one room. The lowest advertised price may not apply to a couple requesting a private room or a solo traveller.

Ask whether the price is based on:

• single occupancy;
• double or twin occupancy;
• triple occupancy;
• quad occupancy;
• family room;
• connecting rooms.

Also confirm the bed arrangements. A “triple room” may contain two standard beds and an additional temporary bed, depending on the hotel.

Families should ask whether children receive their own bed and whether adjoining or connecting rooms are guaranteed or merely requested.

Do not assume that a verbal request has been confirmed. It should appear on your booking documentation.

Ground transport can include several separate journeys:

• airport to hotel;
• Makkah to Madinah;
• Madinah to Makkah;
• hotel to airport;
• hotel shuttle services;
• Ziyarah transport.

Confirm whether each transfer is private, shared or by coach.

For shared transfers, ask:

• Will the vehicle wait for passengers arriving on other flights?
• How many hotel stops are expected?
• Is luggage assistance included?
• Is the vehicle air-conditioned?
• What happens if a flight is delayed?
• Who should you contact after landing?

For intercity travel, ask:

• Will the journey be by coach, private vehicle or Haramain train?
• Is the ticket included?
• Are hotel-to-station transfers included?
• Is luggage transport included?
• How long is the expected journey, and what should you expect on the route?
• Are comfort stops planned for coach travel?

A package should not simply state “all transfers included” without explaining which journeys and transport types are covered.

British nationals may be able to use an eligible e-visa or electronic visa waiver for Umrah outside the Hajj season, but eligibility, permitted travel dates and conditions must be checked before departure. An electronic visa waiver does not automatically include health insurance.

Ask the travel company:

• Is visa assistance included?
• Which visa or entry permission is suitable for my journey?
• Who submits the application?
• Is the visa fee included in the package price?
• Is health insurance included with the visa?
• What happens if the application is refused or delayed?
• Are there restrictions around the Hajj season?
• Which details and documents must I provide?

Visa and entry rules can change. Always check current Saudi requirements and the latest FCDO travel advice rather than relying entirely on an old article, social media post or previous traveller’s experience.

Keep digital and printed copies of:

• passport;
• visa or entry permission;
• flight confirmation;
• hotel vouchers;
• transfer information;
• travel insurance;
• ATOL Certificate;
• emergency contact information;
• relevant health documents.

Itimaar’s essential documents for Hajj and Umrah guide provides a fuller preparation checklist.

Health and vaccination requirements can change depending on the traveller’s circumstances, departure country, and current Saudi regulations.

The FCDO recommends checking the latest vaccine guidance at least eight weeks before travel. Travellers should also review Saudi entry requirements and obtain appropriate travel insurance.

Before booking, consider:

• whether you have enough time to arrange required vaccinations;
• whether the package dates suit any medical appointments;
• how prescription medicines will be transported;
• whether the airline has been informed about mobility or medical needs;
• whether the hotel and transfers are appropriate for your health requirements;
• whether your insurance covers existing medical conditions.

A travel company may provide general guidance, but medical decisions should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Meal arrangements can affect both convenience and the overall budget.

Check whether the package includes:

• room only;
• breakfast;
• half board;
• full board;
• meals on selected days only;
• Ramadan suhoor or iftar arrangements;
• meals during intercity travel.

Ask where the meals are served and whether the dining area is within the hotel. During busy periods, lift queues and crowded restaurants can affect how convenient an included meal plan actually feels.

Travellers with allergies, dietary restrictions or medical needs should ask what the hotel can reasonably accommodate. Do not assume that every request is guaranteed unless it has been confirmed.

Some packages include guided visits to religious and historical sites in Makkah and Madinah. Others offer Ziyarah as an optional extra.

Confirm:

• which city tours are included;
• which sites are planned;
• whether transport is provided;
• which language the guide speaks;
• the expected duration;
• whether entrance or other charges apply;
• whether the itinerary can change.

Also ask whether a group leader or religious guide will accompany the pilgrims. First-time travellers may value support with practical questions, meeting arrangements and the overall journey.

However, a guide’s presence should not replace personal preparation. Pilgrims should learn the core rituals and requirements before departure using a reliable Umrah guide.

Do not wait until your circumstances change before reading the booking conditions.

Check:

• whether the deposit is refundable;
• the payment deadline;
• cancellation charges at each stage;
• fees for changing passenger names;
• charges for changing travel dates;
• whether airline tickets are refundable;
• whether hotel bookings are refundable;
• what happens if a visa is refused;
• what happens if the airline changes the schedule;
• whether the company can substitute a hotel;
• what happens if the traveller becomes ill.

The words “non-refundable” can apply differently to flights, hotels, visas and service fees. Ask the company to explain which parts of the total payment can and cannot be recovered.

Travel insurance may help in certain covered circumstances, but it will not cover every reason for cancellation. Read the policy terms and exclusions carefully.

Request the total price in writing before paying.

The confirmation should make clear:

• deposit amount;
• remaining balance;
• payment deadlines;
• card charges, where applicable;
• visa charges;
• baggage fees;
• room supplements;
• transfer upgrades;
• Ziyarah costs;
• resort, city or local taxes, if applicable;
• currency used for the transaction;
• conditions that could cause the price to change.

Be cautious when the price seems unusually low, but the supplier will not provide exact flights, hotels or package inclusions.

Where possible, use a traceable payment method and keep copies of invoices and receipts. Avoid sending money to an unrelated personal account without first confirming who is legally responsible for your booking.

Reviews can be useful, but the average rating should not be your only check.

Look at:

• recent reviews rather than only old ones;
• reviews covering the same type of Umrah package;
• comments about hotel changes;
• communication before departure;
• airport and transfer support;
• refund handling;
• assistance during disruptions;
• recurring complaints;
• how the company responds to criticism.

Do not assume that a large social media following proves that a company is financially protected or reliable.

You should independently verify the ATOL status of any relevant flight-inclusive booking and ensure the business name on your documents matches the company receiving your money. The CAA warns travellers about websites that may falsely claim to offer ATOL protection.

Ask what happens when you need help outside normal UK office hours.

Confirm whether the package includes:

• a UK emergency number;
• a Saudi Arabia contact number;
• airport representatives;
• group leaders;
• hotel assistance;
• help after a missed connection;
• support when a transfer does not arrive;
• assistance with urgent hotel problems.

Request the emergency procedure in writing. Save the contact numbers on your phone and keep a printed copy in your hand luggage.

For group packages, ask how the organiser communicates timetable changes. Some companies use WhatsApp groups, while others rely on the group leader or hotel notices.

The cheapest package may not be the right package for every passenger.

Families should check:

• room occupancy;
• child bed arrangements;
• connecting-room availability;
• flight timings;
• meal options;
• luggage needs;
• distance from the Haram.

Elderly pilgrims should check:

• walking distance;
• lift access;
• wheelchair suitability;
• airport assistance;
• direct versus connecting flights;
• private or shared transfers;
• opportunities for rest.

Travellers with limited mobility should check:

• accessible rooms;
• step-free hotel entrances;
• vehicle accessibility;
• wheelchair carriage by the airline;
• assistance at UK and Saudi airports.

Solo travellers should check:

• single-room supplements;
• room-sharing arrangements;
• group support;
• meeting points;
• emergency contacts.

Choosing between a private and group journey may also affect flexibility, support and price. Read Itimaar’s comparison of private and group Umrah before deciding which travel format better suits your circumstances.

A useful Umrah package comparison should consider the full experience.

Package A may cost less but include:

• a connecting flight;
• less baggage;
• a hotel requiring shuttle transport;
• four-person room sharing;
• limited meals;
• shared coach transfers.

Package B may cost more but include:

• direct flights;
• better baggage allowance;
• accommodation closer to the Haram;
• fewer people per room;
• private or faster transfers;
• more flexible support.

The better-value package depends on your priorities. A younger solo traveller may be willing to take longer journeys and stay in shared rooms to reduce costs. A family or elderly couple may find that paying more for location, direct flights and private transfers makes the journey substantially easier.

Itimaar’s Umrah cost breakdown from the UK can help you assess the wider budget beyond the advertised package price.