Umrah from the UK in 2026: Complete Cost, Visa & Booking Guide

Planning Umrah from the UK in 2026 is easier than it has ever been — Saudi Arabia's Nusuk platform has replaced most of the old paperwork, budget airlines now fly direct to Jeddah and Medina, and accommodation near the Haram can be booked months in advance at realistic UK pound prices.

This guide is written specifically for UK travellers — pricing in GBP, visa rules as they apply to British passport holders, and flight routes from the UK's main Muslim population centres (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow).

Quick answers

Do UK passport holders need a visa for Umrah in 2026? Yes — you need either a Nusuk Umrah eVisa (new, recommended) or a traditional Umrah visa via a licensed UK agent. British tourist visas and GCC visas are also accepted for Umrah since 2023.

How much does Umrah cost from the UK in 2026? A 10-night Umrah trip from the UK in 2026 costs roughly £1,200–£2,400 per person all-in (flights, visa, hotels within walking distance of the Haram, transfers). Premium packages with 5-star accommodation run £3,000–£5,000.

What's the cheapest month for Umrah from the UK in 2026? The cheapest months are typically late February, May (outside Ramadan), and September–October. Avoid Ramadan, the final 10 days of Hajj, and UK school holidays (July–August, Easter, Christmas).

Can I do Umrah without an agent? Yes. Since 2023 you can book the Nusuk eVisa directly, book flights yourself on Skyscanner or JetMeAway, and book hotels on Booking.com or directly. An agent is optional, not mandatory.

The cost breakdown for 2026

Here are realistic per-person prices for a 10-night Umrah from the UK in 2026, for two adults sharing a hotel room. These are live market prices, not brochure estimates.

Flights (round trip, economy, from UK to Jeddah)

| Route | Typical price 2026 | Cheapest airlines | |---|---|---| | London (LHR / LGW) → Jeddah | £420–£620 | Saudia, flynas, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines | | Manchester → Jeddah | £440–£680 | flynas, Saudia, Turkish Airlines, Qatar | | Birmingham → Jeddah | £460–£700 | Saudia (seasonal), Turkish via IST | | Glasgow / Edinburgh → Jeddah | £480–£740 | Qatar, Turkish, KLM (via AMS) |

Medina (MED) arrivals are often £30–£80 more expensive than Jeddah (JED) but save you 5–6 hours on the road once you're there.

Visa

The Nusuk Umrah eVisa costs SAR 535 (~£113) including the mandatory medical insurance. Traditional agent-issued Umrah visas cost £180–£250 because agents bundle a service fee.

Accommodation (10 nights, 2 adults sharing)

| Category | Makkah (near Haram) | Medina (near Masjid an-Nabawi) | |---|---|---| | Budget (3-star, 10-15 min walk) | £280–£480 | £220–£420 | | Mid-range (4-star, 5-10 min walk) | £520–£900 | £440–£780 | | Premium (5-star, adjacent to Haram) | £1,400–£2,800 | £1,100–£2,300 |

Split your 10 nights as 6 nights Makkah + 4 nights Medina (or 7+3 if you arrive in Jeddah and want more Makkah time). Avoid hotels that advertise as "5 minutes to Haram" but are on the other side of Ibrahim Al-Khalil Road — that walk turns into 25 minutes with a trolley at 3am.

Ground transport

• Haramain high-speed train Jeddah → Makkah (£12–£18 one way, ~1 hour)
• Haramain train Makkah → Medina (£35–£55 one way, ~2 hours, books fast in peak season)
• Private car transfer Jeddah → Makkah (£35–£60, 60–90 min)

Total ground transport for the trip: £80–£140 per person.

Total for two adults, 10 nights, 2026

| Budget tier | Per-person total | Couple total | |---|---|---| | Budget / independent booking | £1,200 | £2,400 | | Mid-range / independent booking | £1,800 | £3,600 | | Premium package via UK agent | £2,800–£5,000 | £5,600–£10,000 |

Booking independently (Nusuk visa + your own flights + hotels on Booking.com) typically saves £400–£700 per person versus a UK agent package at the same quality tier.

How to apply for the Nusuk Umrah eVisa (2026 process)

The Nusuk platform launched in 2022 and was fully opened to UK passport holders in 2023. The process is entirely online — no embassy appointment, no passport mailing.

1. Create an account at nusuk.sa using your UK passport details. The platform is available in English.
2. Choose "Umrah" from the visa category menu (not Tourist — Umrah is a separate visa type with different rules).
3. Upload a passport-style photo (white background) and a clear scan of your UK passport information page. Passport must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in Saudi Arabia.
4. Pay the SAR 535 visa fee by card. Processing takes 24–72 hours.
5. Receive the eVisa PDF by email. Print 2 copies and save a PDF on your phone. Saudi immigration still checks physical prints at some land borders.
6. Book flights and accommodation only after the visa is approved. The visa is single-entry and valid for 90 days from issue.

Important 2026 notes:

• Women under 45 no longer need a male guardian (mahram) to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
• The Nusuk Umrah visa allows you to travel throughout Saudi Arabia — you can extend your trip with a few days in Jeddah, Riyadh or AlUla without a separate visa.
• You can also perform Umrah on a standard UK tourist eVisa, a UK-issued Schengen visa holder entry, or a valid GCC residence visa since 2023.

Best booking windows

For 2026, here is when to lock in each component of the trip:

| Trip component | Ideal booking window | |---|---| | Flights to Jeddah / Medina | 8–12 weeks before departure | | Nusuk eVisa | 4–8 weeks before departure | | Makkah / Medina hotels | 10–14 weeks before departure (longer for Ramadan) | | Haramain train tickets | 4–6 weeks before (opens 30 days ahead officially) |

Ramadan 2026 runs 17 February – 19 March. If you want to do Umrah during the last 10 nights (Laylat al-Qadr), book hotels by October 2025 — pricing doubles from January onwards.

What to pack

Beyond the usual, specifically for Umrah in 2026:

• 2 sets of Ihram per male traveller (plus a lightweight towel to use as a prayer mat)
• Unscented soap, unscented deodorant, unscented toothpaste — strictly no scents once in Ihram state
• Small crossbody pouch that fits a phone + eVisa printout + some riyals (Haram security requires clear pouches at certain entrances in 2026)
• Comfortable walking sandals — you will walk 6–10km per day between hotel, Haram and side visits
• Universal UK → Saudi power adapter (Saudi uses G-type plugs, same as UK, but newer hotels increasingly have USB-C only)
• Small pack of tissues and a refillable water bottle (Zamzam dispensers are everywhere in the Haram)

Common mistakes UK travellers make

1. Booking a "shifting" package without reading the small print. Cheap UK agent packages often move you between three different hotels during your stay. Factor in £30–£50 per shift for taxis and lost time.
2. Arriving into Jeddah when the cheaper option was Medina. Always compare both airports — flynas and Saudia frequently price MED lower than JED from UK airports.
3. Leaving visa application too late. The 72-hour processing is an average — during Ramadan and Hajj season it stretches to 5–7 working days.
4. Overpacking. Hotel laundry is £4–£8 per kg; packing 3 sets of everyday clothes is enough for 10 nights.
5. Not booking Haramain train in advance. In peak season the Makkah → Medina train sells out 10 days ahead and the alternative is a 4-hour bus or an £80+ private car.

When to use a UK agent instead of booking yourself

Booking Umrah independently saves money but costs time. Use a licensed UK agent when:

• This is your first Umrah and you want guided tours of the historical sites
• You are travelling in a group of 6+ and want shared transport
• You want an Arabic-speaking escort for the full trip
• You need a wheelchair-accessible room and guaranteed Haram-adjacent hotel (easier via agent networks)

Reputable UK agents are licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and hold ATOL / IATA credentials. Check their licence number on the Saudi Ministry website before paying any deposit.

Planning your Umrah from the UK

JetMeAway compares flights from all UK airports to Jeddah and Medina across Saudia, flynas, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air. Use our flight search to find the cheapest dates for your Umrah month, and our hotel search for live Makkah and Medina availability.

May your journey be accepted. أتمنى لكم رحلة مباركة.