Quick answer: To plan Umrah in 2026, you need five things in place: an eligible visa (Umrah visa or tourist eVisa), a hotel booking in Makkah (and Madinah if you are visiting), flights into Jeddah or Madinah, transport for every leg (airport → Makkah → Madinah → airport), and your Ihram ready before you cross the Miqat. This guide walks through each step in the order you will face it — written by the team that drives pilgrims on these roads every day.
Step 1: Visa, Nusuk and the 2026 season
For the 1448 AH season, pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia can usually perform Umrah on a dedicated Umrah visa or on the tourist eVisa (available to many nationalities). Recent rule changes link Umrah visas to bookings made through the official Nusuk platform, including accommodation and transport, so plan these together rather than one at a time.
Most visas allow a stay of up to 90 days, but the exact rules depend on your visa type and nationality. Before you pay for anything, check the current requirements on Nusuk or with a licensed Umrah agent in your country.
- Umrah visa — issued for pilgrimage, usually booked with a package or through Nusuk.
- Tourist eVisa — allows Umrah (but not Hajj) for eligible nationalities.
- Residents of Saudi Arabia and GCC citizens — follow their own permit rules through Nusuk.
Good to know: Save a PDF copy of your visa, hotel booking and return ticket on your phone and print one copy. At immigration and at hotel check-in, a printed page is often faster than searching your email.
Step 2: Choosing flights — Jeddah or Madinah?
Most international pilgrims land at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah, about 100 km from Masjid al-Haram. Others fly into Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah and visit Madinah first.
Which is better? If you want to perform Umrah immediately, fly into Jeddah. If you would like to rest, adjust to the time zone, and pray in Masjid an-Nabawi before your Umrah, fly into Madinah and travel to Makkah later — entering Ihram at the Miqat of Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) on the way.
| Option | Best for | Things to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Fly into Jeddah → Makkah first | Pilgrims who want to do Umrah on arrival | Enter Ihram on the plane before the Miqat; pre-book the airport transfer |
| Fly into Madinah → Makkah later | Families, elderly parents, first-timers who need rest | Enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah on the drive to Makkah |
| Open-jaw (in Jeddah, out of Madinah) | Trips that end in Madinah | Check the fare difference; it can save a long road trip back |
Step 3: Ihram and the Miqat
If you are flying into Jeddah to perform Umrah straight away, you must be in Ihram before your flight crosses the Miqat. Most airlines announce this about 30–45 minutes before the Miqat. Many pilgrims change into Ihram at their departure airport or on the plane and make their intention when the announcement is made.
Scholars have given detailed rulings on Miqat for air travellers. If you are unsure, ask a trusted scholar from your own community before you travel — it is much easier than trying to fix a mistake after landing.
Driver’s tip: Pack your Ihram, a small unscented soap and any daily medicine in your hand luggage. Checked bags are sometimes delayed, and you do not want your Ihram sitting on the baggage belt.
Step 4: Landing in Jeddah and getting to Makkah
After immigration and baggage, expect the full process at KAIA to take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours in busy seasons. The drive from Jeddah Airport to a hotel near the Haram is usually about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road closures near the Haram at prayer times.
You have three main options: the Haramain High-Speed Railway (airport station to Makkah station, then a taxi to your hotel), a taxi from the arrivals area, or a pre-booked private transfer that meets you at arrivals. For families with luggage, a pre-booked car removes the most stressful part of the trip — negotiating a price while tired, in a new country.
We explain every option in detail in our guide Jeddah Airport to Makkah: what pilgrims should expect.
Step 5: Choosing where to stay in Makkah
Hotels in Makkah fall into three rough zones: walking distance (the clock tower area, Jabal Omar, Ibrahim Al Khalil Road, Ajyad), mid-distance (Misfalah, parts of Aziziyah) and shuttle-dependent areas further out. Walking-distance hotels cost more but save time and energy for every prayer — this matters most with elderly parents or young children.
Read our Makkah hotel guide for the real pros and cons of each area, including what hotel shuttles actually look like at prayer times.
Step 6: The rites of Umrah in brief
Umrah has four core parts. Your scholar or group leader will guide you through the details, but it helps to know the order:
- Ihram — the state of Ihram with intention, entered before the Miqat.
- Tawaf — seven circuits around the Kaaba, starting from the Black Stone corner.
- Sa’i — seven walks between Safa and Marwah.
- Halq or Taqsir — shaving or shortening the hair (men), or cutting a fingertip’s length of hair (women).
For most healthy adults, the rites take around 3 to 4 hours, but crowds and the time of day can change this a lot. Wheelchairs and electric carts are available inside Masjid al-Haram for those who need them.
Step 7: Travelling between Makkah and Madinah
The road distance between Makkah and Madinah is about 450 km. By private car it is usually a 4.5 to 5 hour drive with a rest stop. The Haramain High-Speed Railway takes around 2 to 2 hours 45 minutes station to station, but you need a taxi at both ends and must follow the train’s luggage rules.
Not sure which suits your family? We compare both honestly in Makkah to Madinah: taxi vs Haramain train.
Step 8: Ziyarat in Makkah and Madinah
Ziyarat means visiting places connected to Islamic history. In Makkah, most tours include Jabal al-Nour (Cave of Hira), Jabal Thawr, Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. In Madinah, most pilgrims visit Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatain, Mount Uhud and the Seven Mosques.
Plan about 4–5 hours for Makkah Ziyarat and 3–4 hours for Madinah Ziyarat. Our full guides: Makkah Ziyarat places and Madinah Ziyarat places.
Step 9: Budgeting for transport
Transport costs on an Umrah trip come in small pieces that add up: the airport transfer, trips between your hotel and the Haram, one or two Ziyarat tours, the Makkah–Madinah journey and the ride back to the airport. Write them down as a list before you travel.
The simplest way to avoid surprises is to agree a fixed price for every leg in advance. With Haramain Taxi Online, you send us your full itinerary on WhatsApp and we reply with fixed prices for each leg — no meter, no negotiation at the curb.
Driver’s tip: Share your full plan in one message: flight numbers, hotel names, number of passengers, number of suitcases, and any wheelchair needs. It lets us suggest the right vehicle the first time.
Step 10: What to pack
- Two sets of Ihram (men) and comfortable, modest clothing (women)
- Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant for use in Ihram
- Comfortable sandals that you can walk in for hours
- A small foldable bag for your shoes inside the Haram
- Daily medicines with a copy of the prescription
- A power bank and a local SIM or eSIM so WhatsApp works on arrival
- A refillable water bottle — Zamzam water stations are all around the Haram
Umrah travel guide 2026: quick planning checklist
- Visa approved (Umrah visa or eligible tourist eVisa)
- Nusuk account set up and bookings linked
- Flights booked and arrival terminal confirmed
- Hotels reserved in Makkah and Madinah
- Airport transfer pre-booked with your flight number
- Makkah–Madinah transport chosen (car or train)
- Ziyarat tours planned for both cities
- Ihram and medicines packed in hand luggage
Official sources: Nusuk – official Umrah platform · Saudi eVisa (official)
Frequently asked questions
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa in 2026?
Yes, for eligible nationalities the Saudi tourist eVisa allows Umrah, but not Hajj. Rules can change, so confirm the latest position on the official Nusuk platform before booking.
How long does it take to get from Jeddah Airport to Makkah?
The drive from King Abdulaziz International Airport to hotels near Masjid al-Haram usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road closures near the Haram at prayer times.
How many days do I need for Umrah?
The rites of Umrah themselves take a few hours. Most pilgrims plan 7 to 14 days in total so they can pray in both Makkah and Madinah, do Ziyarat, and rest between the two cities.
Is it better to visit Makkah or Madinah first?
Both work. Going to Makkah first lets you complete Umrah straight away. Going to Madinah first gives tired travellers, families and elderly parents time to rest before Umrah, and you enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah on the way to Makkah.
How do I book a taxi for Umrah transport?
With Haramain Taxi Online you send your flight, hotel and passenger details on WhatsApp and receive fixed prices for each leg before you travel. Your driver meets you at arrivals, so there is nothing to negotiate on the day.
Rules for visas, permits and train services change from season to season. Always confirm the latest details on the official Nusuk platform or with your airline before you travel. This guide was last reviewed in September 2026.
