Umrah costs have increased significantly over the last 8 to 10 years. Regardless of the hike in price, the number of Umrah pilgrims has been increasing as well (excluding the travel ban during the Covid-19 pandemic). The reason behind this contrast is that pilgrims have gotten smarter, and they try to go for Umrah during the off-season. They are always looking for All Inclusive Umrah Packages that make it easy for them to embark on this holy journey.

If you are one of them and finding the cheapest way to do Umrah, you are at the right place. In this guide, you will know everything about executing a cheap Umrah. But please keep in mind that when you opt to do Umrah at a low price, you might not get the same level of facilities as you would in a luxury Umrah package.

To do Umrah without breaking your bank, there are many factors that you need to consider. The most important of them all is the season. We will explain that first and in more detail.

When we say off-season or off-peak months, we mean the time when the number of pilgrims in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah is the lowest. It is a great opportunity for pilgrims to perform Umrah rituals peacefully without being pushed or pulled.

The biggest advantage is the low price of almost everything. Both airlines and hotels significantly cut their prices to attract more pilgrims. During these days, you can easily save up to 300 to 400 pounds if you are well-versed in booking flights and hotels. Here are the different months that fall under the category of off-peak season.

Muharram is very important for Muslims as it is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was also martyred during it.

It comes right after Dhul Hijjah, the month of Hajj, and the number of Umrah pilgrims is quite low compared to the other months. As Muharram falls during June and July, the weather is quite hot and many pilgrims prefer cooler months.

This trend is going to continue for at least a decade or until Muharram coincides with the winter months.

Just like Muharram, the month of Safar is also included in the low season. The heat increases as the month changes, and the number of pilgrims also reduces. The month of Safar will fall in August during 2025 and 2026 and this is the time when there is summer school break in the UK and US, inspiring pilgrims to book an Umrah Package for Family.

The low season continues till October as the weather of Makkah and Madinah gets quite humid during these months. Many pilgrims, especially those coming from colder regions, tend to avoid this window for pilgrims. The crowds are quite low as well but start to build up towards the end of October as the weather starts to cool down a bit.

Many people end up going above their budget because they prefer staying in hotels that are extremely close to holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. While doing this has its perks but it is not the right approach when you want to do a cheap Umrah.

There are many places at a distance of 2-3 kilometers from Masjid al Haram in Makkah that offer excellent facilities at highly affordable rates. Look for them if you want to do a cheap Umrah. And don’t worry about the distance as almost all of such hotels offer shuttle services that leave from the hotel every thirty minutes. Similarly, you can also find such hotels in Madinah that are extremely pocket-friendly.

Another tip to reduce the hotel fare is to book in advance. Pilgrims don’t book hotels until a week before their departure. This increases the overall price of the hotel. We would suggest that you book your accommodation as soon as your departure dates are confirmed.

A typical Umrah visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you are planning your Umrah yourself, you have the freedom to book flights when they are cheapest. A flight booked 40 to 60 days before the departure is usually the most affordable.

In this way, you can save impressively. Plus, avoid booking direct flights as they are costlier. Instead look for one that has a long layover. You will have to wait at the airport for quite some time but it will cut the overall cost of doing Umrah.

Once you land at Jeddah, you will need conveyance to reach your hotel in Makkah. Many Umrah deals come with airport-to-hotel transfers. If you have booked one of them, then use the provided transport. Otherwise look for buses or shared taxis as they are much cheaper than renting a private taxi.

Additionally, you will also need transport for ziyarats or traveling from Makkah to Madinah. Prefer public transport once again. SAPTCO buses for intercity travel are the best as they offer maximum comfort at highly affordable prices.

Another area in which you can save impressively is food. There is a plethora of high-end and street-side food options in both holy cities. Go for the latter if you want to cut Umrah costs. The local food is quite healthy and tasty, but make sure you select a spot that has good reviews and is busy.

If you follow the tips above, you can easily perform a cheap Umrah. To book Hajj and Umrah packages at highly affordable prices, reach out to Muslims Holy Travel, a leading tour operator in the UK with decades of experience.