Logistics

Umrah Visa

How much does Umrah visa cost?

For e-visa:

Price: SAR 535 (around £114)
Application Fee: Included in eVisa price
Medical Insurance Fee: Included in eVisa price

For visa on arrival:

Price: SAR 480 (around £102)
Medical Insurance Fees: SAR 180 (around £38)

The main issue i found, on a tourist visa, if there is any medical issues, your not covered, even though you pay travel insurance when getting that visa, on a umrah visa its all covered

Ihram – What to Know

It is achieved by:

Recommended to do ghusl (bath) and perform 2 nafl salah

2. Before arriving at the meeqat

3. Wear the two pieces of unstitched cloth (slippers should be worn leaving middle bone uncovered)

4. Make intention Oh Allah, I intend to perform Umrah so make it easy for me & accept it from me

5.Saying the Talbiyah:

After Ihram you CANNOT

Cut or pluck your hair
Use perfume or scented items
Wear any stitched clothes
Cover your head
Trimming nails
Killing an insect (unless it poses a threat to you)
Smoking or taking drugs
Engaging in a quarrel or fight
Engage in sexual intercourse or propose for marriage

You can use:

A belt to carry personal belongings

Masjid al Haram, Makkah

Remember to take a card from your hotel so you can find your way back easily.
Identify the closest door to the Haram from your hotel
Arrive at least 30 minutes before salaah time to comfortably find a place in the Haram. For Friday prayers, it is recommended to arrive no later than 10am in off-peak periods.

Masjid an Nabawi, Madinah

“The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise.” [Bukhaari (1196) & Muslim (1391)]

Jannat al Baki

The main cemetery in Madinah, located to the southeast of Masjid al-Nabawi. It contains the graves of many companions and family members of the Prophet ﷺ

To book praying in the Rawdah in Madinah:

Money – Cash and Card Payments

Money

You will be able to use your bank cards in most shops and there are multiple locations to withdraw cash from cash machines. Regarding money exchange, it is generally better not to exchange money at airports but in Makkah or Madinah

Mobile – Sims and Internet

Register for a free eSIM
Purchase Data package (lasts 30 days) – 3GB is sufficient
Enable

High Speed Train

You can book High Speed Train connecting Jeddah Airport to Makkah and Madinah. The train station is located in the Airport and is easily accessible. You can book tickets at the station but these will be more expensive than if you book online or via the app.

You can book either via website https://sar.hhr.sa/web/portal/home#

Via App “HRR Train” – Android –https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.indra.haramain.pro&hl=en&pli=1

iOS – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hhr-train/id1533264335

Travelling between these locations is so much easier via the bullet train. If you decide to go from Jeddah airport (or Madinah) to Makkah, it will drop you on the outskirts of Makkah. You will then have an option of catching a taxi (should cost around 50 Riyal) straight to your Hotel or get a shuttle bus service straight to the Haram for around 6/7 Riyal.

Please note: If your suitcase is larger than the size below, they will charge extra and send it to be picked up 12-24 hours later. They will arrange that from the station easily also but it is extra hassle and cost for you to consider

Ziyarah (Visiting)

Makkah:

Jabal al-Nour: The ‘‘Mountain of Light’’ hosts Gar-e-Hira- the cave in which the Prophet Muhammad (saw) would go to for seclusion, contemplation and meditation. It is also the place where the first words of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) through Angel Jibreel.
Jabal Thawr – where the Prophet (saw) and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijrah
Mount Arafat: Mount Arafat is a holy site of Hajj and considered to be a blessed place to visit.
Maktaba Makkah-al-Mukarramah: This is the holy birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is located in She’eb Banu Hashim in Makkah. Previously a mountain, this place has been converted into a national library.
Masjid-e-Ayesha; The location where Aisha (ra) was told by the Prophet to go to and enter into Ihram. It is also a site where pilgrims can assure Ihram.
Masjid Jinn – where the Jinn heard the Prophet (saw) recite the Qur’an.
Mal’a Graveyard – where Khadijah (ra), the wife of the Prophet (saw) is buried

Madinah:

Masjid al-Quba: It was the first Masjid built in Madinah by the Prophet (saw). Situated on the outer area of Madina. If you make wudu from home and your intention and then proceed to Masjid Quba – you will earn the reward of an Umrah.
Mount Uhud: This is the site of the Battle of Uhud, and is a blessed site and is the burial site for martyrs, like Hamza (ra) the uncle of the Prophet, Mus’ab ibn Umayr – around 70 Martyrs amongst the Companions.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn: This mosque has two Qiblahs – where the Companions where praying towards Aqsa and the revelation of the change came down and they immediately turned towards Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
Khandaq – where the trenches were dug for the Battle of Ahzab
Badr – where the infamous Battle of Badr took place. This is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) outside Madinah.

Places to Eat

MAKKAH

1. Food Court Tower (Jabal Umar): Great for a variety of food options near the Haram, on the road from Dar at Tawhid Intercontinental.

2. Raydan (King Fahd Gate): Offers traditional Saudi food that is both delicious and authentic.

3. Biryani House, Between Hyatt regency and Conrad, all the way up the stairs and on the left. Romansiah (Left of the Biryani House) – get chicken and meat with 3-4 different rice types and a shared table where you can share.

4. Happy Chef do a nice prawn wrap but don’t try their pizzas.

5. Juice World: A good place to grab fresh fruit juices and cool off after a long day.

6. Conrad Tower: Contains restaurants and food outlets that cater to a range of tastes and budgets including Al Baik.

7. Other Options: Don’t hesitate to explore local spots like Munch or Koshary restaurants for more diverse food experiences.

8. Breakfast: Local shops have salted caramel croissants and Mango laban (yoghurt). You can pay for hotel breakfasts but they cost about £15.

9. Al Tuheed Pakistani food, Zam Zam Clock Tower Level 3

10. Wali restaurant fast good, Old Milllinium Towers Food Court

11. Café Moments, Zam Zam Towers

12. Smash Burger – Floor 4 of the Clock Tower

MADINAH

1. Olive and Chilli, local chicken – Quba Walkway (On Google maps, close to Haram gate No 310) walk down Quba Walkway until you reach Arabian Oud and then take a left and walk till you see it on your right

2. Zaytoun Local Chicken – First floor, Taiba commercial centre

3. Fatoum Shawaarma, outside the haram. Madinah Street – near Gate Fahd and walk straight near Gate 333

4. Food Master, Sayyid As Shuhada, 42313, Medina

5. Myraj restaurant, Next to Food Master

6. Romansiah Drive, King Abdul Aziz Road

7. Yemeni Gate – great breakfast

8. Hashi Basha – Al Qaswa Madinah

9. Shawaya Biladi, Khalidiya,Madinah

Packing Checklist

1. Passports

2. Tickets (copy)

3. eVisa (copies)

4. Proof of Vaccination

5. Convert £100 to Riyals

6. Cash / Debit

7. Emergency Contacts

8. Prayer mat

9. Dua Book

10. Dua List

11. Tasbeeh Counter

12. Umrah Guide Book

13. Suitcase with locking system

14. Hand luggage (Ihram, book)

15. Neck cushion

16. Eye mask cover and ear plugs

17. Snacks – nuts, biscuits

18. Clothing, accessories & flip-flops

19. Ihram

20. Waist Pouch

21. Bathroom Slippers

22. String Bag (for shoes)

23. Toiletries, Small Scissors & Sellotape

24. Medication & Vaseline

25. Plasters / Blister Plasters

26. Energy tablets

27. Phone, charger, powerpack & adaptor.

28. Notebook and pen

29. Personal Qur’an, Life of the Prophet & other dua books