Everything you need to plan Umrah — when to go, how the e-visa works, where to stay near both Harams, realistic budgets, and what actually happens once you arrive. Last updated: July 2026.
Umrah costs vary significantly depending on where you're travelling from, but a typical 10–14 day trip runs AUD $2,000–$5,000+ per person including flights, hotels near both Harams, and the Umrah e-visa. The best value months are outside Ramadan and outside the two weeks surrounding Hajj — flights and hotels can run 2–4x higher during those peak windows. Travellers fly to Jeddah (for Makkah) or Madinah, apply for the Umrah e-visa online in advance, and can travel between the two holy cities via the Haramain high-speed rail.
Umrah can be performed year-round, unlike Hajj which happens on fixed dates. That flexibility is exactly what makes timing the biggest lever on your budget. The two periods to actively avoid if cost matters are Ramadan (flights and hotels near Masjid al-Haram routinely run 2–4x normal rates, and the last ten nights specifically sell out months ahead) and the two weeks immediately surrounding Hajj, when the whole country's travel and accommodation infrastructure is under strain regardless of your own itinerary.
Outside those windows, school holiday periods in your home country can still push prices up moderately due to family group travel, but nowhere near Ramadan levels. The quietest, cheapest months are typically the ones falling in the Islamic calendar well clear of Ramadan and Hajj — since the Islamic calendar shifts roughly 10–11 days earlier each Gregorian year, "cheapest month" isn't fixed and is worth checking against the current year's calendar rather than assuming last year's pattern repeats.
Most nationalities apply for the Umrah e-visa online at visa.visitsaudi.com — this is a distinct visa category from Saudi Arabia's general tourist e-visa, restricted to Muslims travelling specifically for Umrah, and it typically processes within 24–72 hours. Cost is around AUD $100–150 equivalent depending on current fees and any bundled insurance, though exact requirements and eligibility vary by passport — check the official portal for your specific nationality. Applications open a set number of months ahead of your intended travel date (this window has changed in recent years, so confirm the current opening date on the official portal rather than assuming a fixed rule).
Recent policy changes have relaxed the mahram (male guardian) requirement for women applying independently in many cases, though conditions can still depend on age and whether you're travelling solo or as part of an organised group — check the current requirement on the official portal before booking, since this is exactly the kind of detail that changes without much notice.
Most Umrah travellers fly into Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport (closest to Makkah) or directly into Madinah's Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport if starting there instead. Total travel time varies enormously depending on your departure city, often including a stopover through a hub like Doha, Dubai, or Kuala Lumpur.
Booking 8–12 weeks ahead generally gives the best balance of price and seat availability. Wanderior's Umrah planner checks live prices across airlines and dates for your specific departure city — not just a fixed set of routes — so the fastest way to see current options is running an actual search rather than relying on indicative prices in a guide like this one, which can only ever be a snapshot in time.
Hotel proximity to Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) and Masjid an-Nabawi (Madinah) is the single biggest price driver after seasonality. Both cities use a rough concentric-ring system:
| Distance to Haram | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500m | Walk directly to the Haram, premium pricing, often 4–5 star towers | Elderly travellers, shorter trips, comfort priority |
| 500m–1km | Short walk (10–15 min), noticeably cheaper, still very convenient | Most travellers — the best value zone |
| Over 1km | Requires a shuttle or taxi, significantly cheaper still | Budget-focused trips, longer stays |
Travelling between Makkah and Madinah is most efficiently done via the Haramain High Speed Rail, which covers the distance in under 2.5 hours — a considerably more comfortable option than the older road-transfer alternative, and worth booking ahead during busier periods since seats do sell out.
Flights are the one line item that varies too much by departure city to give a single number — a return fare can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a regional Middle Eastern departure to well over AUD $2,000 for a long-haul trip from Australia, the US, or parts of Europe. Everything else below (hotels, visa, food) is far more consistent regardless of where you're flying from:
| Item | Budget (per person) | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (10 nights, both cities) | AUD $600–900 | AUD $1,200–2,000 |
| Umrah e-visa | AUD $100–150 | AUD $100–150 |
| Food & transport | AUD $300–450 | AUD $500–700 |
| Ground total (excl. flights) | AUD $1,000–1,500 | AUD $1,800–2,850 |
Figures are indicative and vary significantly by season — the same trip during Ramadan can run considerably higher on both flights and hotels. Wanderior's Umrah planner pulls live flight prices for your specific departure city and dates rather than relying on a fixed estimate like this one.
This is a general, practical overview for planning purposes only — not religious guidance. For rulings on how to perform Umrah correctly, speak with a local imam or scholar before you travel.
Tell Wanderior your travel window and budget — live flight prices, hotels near both Harams, visa guidance, and a full itinerary, all in one search.
Plan my Umrah →