Umrah UK 2026 Daily Questions Answered Honestly From Our Office

Our phones are answered 24 hours a day. Every day the same questions come in — from first-time pilgrims who do not know where to start, from families trying to plan around school holidays, from children trying to organise Umrah for their elderly parents.

I have been answering these questions for over 10 years. Here are the ones that come up every single day with the most honest answers I can give.

How Do I Know Which Agency to Trust?

This is always the real first question, even when it is phrased differently.

The answer takes 30 seconds and does not require reading any reviews or looking at any websites.

Go to atol.org.uk. Type in the agency name. If their ATOL licence appears and is currently valid — they are legally accountable. If it does not appear — do not book with them.

ATOL is the Air Travel Organiser's Licence. It is a UK government requirement. Every agency selling flight-inclusive packages must hold it. If they fail before your trip — your money comes back. If they fail while you are in Saudi Arabia — you get home.

Without ATOL, none of that protection exists.

Hajj and Umrah Experts ATOL licence: 11375 Verify at atol.org.uk. 30 seconds.

What Do I Actually Get in an All-Inclusive Package?

All-inclusive is used loosely. Here is what it must mean before you accept any quote.

These six things confirmed in writing before you pay a single penny:

1. Return flights from your UK airport. Both directions. Named airline. Confirmed routing.

2. Saudi Umrah visa included in the quoted price, not charged separately at checkout. Our fee: £49. Success rate: 100%.

3. Hotel in Makkah the specific hotel named. Not a hotel near the Haram — the actual name. And the exact walking distance to the Haram in minutes.

4. Hotel in Madinah same standard of confirmation. Specific hotel. Specific nights.

5. Ground transportation airport transfers in both Saudi cities and the journey between Makkah and Madinah.

6. ATOL protection certificate proof your money is legally protected.

If any of these six is missing do not proceed.

Does the Hotel Really Matter That Much?

More than almost anything else. And this is the thing experienced pilgrims consistently say they wish someone had told them before their first Umrah.

In Makkah you visit Masjid Al Haram constantly. Five daily prayers. Additional Tawaf. Personal worship. A devoted pilgrim visits the Haram 6 to 10 times every day. Every visit is a round trip from your hotel.

Hotel Distance Round Trip 8 Daily Visits 10 Nights 20 min 40 min 320 min 53 hours 10 min 20 min 160 min 27 hours 5 min 10 min 80 min 13 hours 2 min 4 min3 2 min 5 hours

Two 4-star hotels in Makkah can be 5 minutes and 25 minutes from the Haram. Same rating. Completely different daily experience.

Always ask: specific hotel name + exact minutes on foot from nearest Haram entrance.

Our Three Tiers

Silver 3-Star 10-15 minutes from Haram Most affordable. All 6 inclusions. ATOL protected. Best for: healthy adults, budget-conscious families.

Gold 4-Star 5-7 minutes from Haram ⭐ Breakfast included. Larger rooms. Most popular. Best for: families, elderly relatives, first-timers.

Platinum 5-Star 2-3 minutes from Haram Swissotel Makkah, Pullman Zamzam. Kaaba views. Best for: elderly pilgrims, young families, once-in-a-lifetime journeys.

Which Month Is Actually Best?

Honest answer it depends on your situation.

October: 28-34C. Smaller crowds. Cheapest month of the year. If dates are flexible — October every time.

February half-term: 18-22C. Best school holiday weather. One week, 7-night package fits.

December: 20-24C. Christmas break. Two weeks. Book by July.

Summer: 40-45C. Longest window. Plan Haram for Fajr and post-Maghrib. Gold/Platinum recommended.

Ramadan: Most spiritual. Prophet ﷺ said Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj in reward.

Book now fills months before it begins. Every year.

Do We Have to Drive to London?

No. And I say this to Northern and Midlands families every single day.

Manchester direct Saudia flights to Jeddah. 7-8 hours non-stop. For the North of England Manchester is the right departure city.

Birmingham 20-30 minutes from most Midlands Muslim areas. Via Dubai and Doha.

Leeds Bradford Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield all within 30 minutes.

London Heathrow most direct flights. Best for London and South East.

We arrange packages from all four cities.

How Long Does the Visa Take?

5-10 working days with us.

You provide three things. We do everything else.

• Valid UK passport x 6 months validity minimum
• Meningitis MenACWY certificate from GP (book this GP appointment now — needed at least 10 days before travel)
• Passport photograph

£49 per person. 100% success rate. Included in the package price.

Can You Actually Beat a Competitor's Price?

Yes. Same tier. Same departure. Same duration. All six inclusions. ATOL protected. We beat it.

Call 0203 475 4003 with your existing quote.

May Allah make your Umrah in 2026 accepted. Ameen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest complete Umrah package from UK in 2026?

Silver 3-star packages start from approximately £615 per person all-inclusive — return flights, visa £49, Makkah hotel, Madinah hotel, transport, ATOL protection. October and February are the most affordable months.

How do I verify ATOL for a UK Umrah agency?

Go to atol.org.uk and enter the agency name or licence number. Confirm it is current. Hajj and Umrah Experts ATOL licence: 11375. This check takes 30 seconds and must come before any payment.

What is the best hotel tier for elderly parents?

Platinum 5-star — 2-3 minutes from the Haram. Swissotel Makkah or Pullman Zamzam. Attending every prayer at the Haram becomes practically achievable. Complimentary wheelchairs available.

Can children perform Umrah from UK?

Yes. No minimum age. Every child needs a separate Saudi Umrah visa — valid passport, meningitis certificate, photo, birth certificate under 12. Our team handles all family visa applications.

Is there direct flight from Manchester for Umrah?

Yes. Saudia operates direct flights from Manchester to Jeddah. We arrange Umrah packages from Manchester for pilgrims across Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

What documents do I need for Umrah visa?

Valid UK passport (6 months validity from return), meningitis MenACWY vaccination certificate from GP (book now — 10 days minimum before travel), passport photograph. We handle the rest.

How far in advance should I book October Umrah?

2-3 months is comfortable for October. However Gold and Platinum hotel allocations at the best locations fill faster. Earlier booking is always better. Call 0203 475 4003.