Logistics guide for Umrah
Practical guide and logistics for pilgrims
Everything you need to know before, during and after your Umrah.
Useful applications
Install these applications before you leave to avoid connection problems once you arrive.
Official application to book the Rawdah visit in Medina and access services related to holy sites.
Booking of high-speed trains connecting Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and the airport.
Easily order a taxi in Saudi cities.
View bus routes to Mecca.
Travel by bus in Medina.
View Umrah packages and some services for pilgrims.
Before departure
Administrative formalities
- Obtain a Saudi visa if your nationality requires it.
- Go through an authorized agency in your country if necessary
- Check the validity of your passport
- Purchase travel insurance if needed
- Check health or vaccination requirements
Spiritual preparation
- Learn the pillars of Umrah
- Understanding the obligations and prohibitions related to ihram
- Study the rites in order to be able to perform them correctly
- Learn the main invocations
All the necessary rites and invocations for Umrah are included in our Ousrati guides.
Physical preparation
- Consult a doctor if necessary.
- Bring your own medications
- Train to walk regularly before departure, as days at the Haram often involve more than 10 km on foot.
Packing your suitcase
Use a travel checklist to ensure you don't forget anything: documents, ihram clothing, sandals, first-aid kit, etc. A complete checklist is provided in our Ousrati guide.
At Jeddah Airport
At King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, you will find several useful services upon arrival:
- SIM card sales points near the Al Baik restaurant
- ATM machines for withdrawing money
- Lost and Found Office and Baggage Service: If your suitcase hasn't arrived, you will need to fill out a report on site.
- Currency exchange shops to convert your currency into Saudi riyals (SAR)
Getting around from Jeddah Airport
The high-speed train departs from Terminal 1, at the far end of the entrance hall. It connects Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina quickly. Book via the HHR Train app.
Recommended optionBuses connect the airport to major cities. An economical option, but the journey takes longer.
Uber and Careem are available. A taxi ride between Jeddah airport and Mecca usually costs around 150 SAR.
~150 SARAccommodation in Mecca
Proximity to the Haram is the main criterion. The closer you are, the less walking you have to do between prayers, which makes a big difference to the length of your stay.
The closest area. Numerous hotels (Fairmont, Hilton, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, etc.). Direct view of the Kaaba from some rooms. The most expensive and busiest area.
Good value for money. 10 to 20 minutes walk from the Haram. Misfalah is very popular with French-speaking pilgrims; familiar food and services in Arabic are readily available.
Significantly cheaper, but the walk is long. Better suited for stays where you don't perform all the prayers at the Haram. Some hotels offer shuttle services.
- Book early, hotels near the Haram fill up very quickly, especially during Ramadan.
- Check the actual distance on Google Maps, not just the straight-line distance.
- Confirm the services included: breakfast, shuttles, etc.
Local SIM card
Having an internet connection is essential on site: for taxis, prayer times, navigation and staying in touch with loved ones.
The three main operators are STC , Mobily , and Zain . They can be found at Jeddah airport near the Al Baik restaurant, as well as around the Haram.
STC is generally recommended for its coverage, including inside mosques. Expect to pay around 50 to 80 SAR for a 7- to 30-day plan. A passport is required for activation.
To avoid queues, platforms like Airalo , Holafly , and Nomad offer eSIMs for Saudi Arabia that you can install from home. Check that your phone is compatible before ordering.
Moving around the Haram and the mosque
Transportation in the city
- Taxi, Uber or Careem: expect to pay around 20 to 30 SAR for an average distance within the city
- Urban bus (Makkah Bus app)
- Shuttles offered by some hotels
The main access gates
The mosque has many gates. Memorize the number of your entrance gate and take a photo of it, using the minarets as landmarks.
Some gates have two minarets, which makes them easier to identify.
Levels of Tawaf and Sa'i
- There are several floors, choose according to how busy it is.
- The courtyard of the mataf (ground floor) is reserved for people in a state of ihram.
- Check alharamain.gov.sa for real-time crowd information before you go.
Recommended times
- Late at night
- After Fajr
- Between Dhuhr and Asr
- After Maghrib
- After Isha
- During Ramadan
Duration of the Umrah
The duration depends on the number of people attending, the time of year, and the floor where you perform the rituals.
- 2 to 3 hours on average
- 1.5 to 2 hours on average
Tips for avoiding crowds
- Don't try to touch the Black Stone at all costs.
- Perform your Tawaf on the upper floors if necessary
- Walk calmly without pushing
- For prayers, arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.
- If necessary, opt for the spaces in the new extension (opposite the Anjum Hotel), which are more accessible and less crowded.
Elderly people and people with reduced mobility
- Tawaf in a wheelchair on the 1st and 2nd floors of the mataf
- Access possible via the Ajyad bridge
- Electric golf carts are available for hire; remember to book in advance to avoid waiting.
- Free wheelchairs are available at the Ash-Shubaikah Bridge.
Practical advice
- Use the shoe racks near the entrances, or keep them in a small bag in your backpack.
- Wear very comfortable shoes; the days involve a lot of walking.
- Fountains are distributed throughout the mosque
- Check that the inscription سقيا زمزم is present on the fountains (more specifically in Medina)
- It is recommended to make a supplication while drinking it.
- Located in the underground areas around the Haram and near the main entrances
- Go before prayers to avoid the crowds
- The climate can exceed 40°C in summer, drink plenty of water
- Wear comfortable shoes (except when in a state of ihram for men)
- Use sunscreen and a hat if necessary (outside of a state of ihram).
- Take regular breaks if you are tired
- Keep your important documents in a secure pouch
- Avoid carrying too much cash
- Note down the address of your hotel and take a photo of it.
- Use AirTags to locate your luggage or the people in your group
- The currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR)
- Bank cards are widely accepted
- ATMs and currency exchange offices are available everywhere.
Many restaurants and cafes are located in the Clock Tower (4th and 5th floors) and in Jabal Omar (4th floor).
- Supermarkets: BinDawood, Abraj Hypermarket, Lulu
- Pharmacies: An-Nahdi, United Pharmacy
- Define specific meeting points before each entry
- Use the Haram gate numbers as fixed reference points
- Share your Saudi number with each member of the group upon arrival
Etiquette and behaviors to respect
- Praying Tahiyyat Al-Masjid upon entering the mosque
- Respect the areas reserved for men and women.
- Do not take photos of people without their permission
- Keep the premises clean
- Show patience and kindness towards everyone
⚠️ Prayer in Masjid Al-Haram is equivalent to 100,000 prayers elsewhere. Take advantage of every moment to increase your acts of worship and supplications.
Medina (Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah)
Many pilgrims include Medina in their journey. While a visit is not obligatory for Umrah, it offers a tremendous opportunity for blessings.
Going to Medina
The fastest way (~2 hours). Book via HHR Train in advance, tickets sell out quickly in peak season.
Recommended optionEconomy option, journey time approximately 4 to 5 hours. Departure from the bus stations of Mecca or Jeddah.
Possible but expensive over this distance. Useful for families with luggage or unusual schedules.
The Rawdah
The space between the Prophet's ﷺ tomb and his minbar is described in a hadith as one of the gardens of Paradise. Visits are guided: book a time slot via the Nusuk app upon arrival, or even before departure, as slots are in high demand.
Places to visit
- Al-Baqi' — Historical cemetery where companions of the Prophet ﷺ are buried. Access is limited to certain hours.
- Masjid Quba — The first mosque built in Islam. Two rak'ahs here are equivalent to the reward of an Umrah. 5 km from the center.
- Masjid Al-Qiblatayn — The mosque of the two qiblas, a historical place for changing the direction of prayer.
- Jabal Uhud — Site of the Battle of Uhud, with the cemetery of the martyrs including the tomb of Hamza ibn Abd Al-Muttalib ؓ.
Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 nights in Medina to visit the main sites at a leisurely pace. Getting around between sites is easy by taxi or Uber (15 to 25 SAR per trip).
At the end of the Umrah and at the time of departure
Haircut or shave
- For men, several barbershops are available around the mosque and near hotels. For example, 30 Degrees Barber Shop, near the Clock Tower, starts at around 10 SAR.
- For women, the trimming of a fingertip is done out of sight, usually in a hotel.
Zamzam water at the airport
- Five-liter jerrycans are available in front of the departure gates at Jeddah airport.
- Allowed quantity: generally one container per person
- Price: approximately 12 SAR, purchase upon presentation of passport
- Check with your airline in advance to see if transporting Zamzam is permitted.
Everything you need for your Umrah in one guide.
May Allah accept your Umrah and your acts of worship 🤲
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