February 2023 Trip | Updated for 2026
In February 2023, I took my family of three on an Umrah trip from India. We did everything ourselves: flights, hotels, bus transport, and visa. No tour package. No group tour. Just us, our planning, and Allah’s guidance.
The result? We spent approximately SAR 8,600 total (~$2,300 / ~₹1,92,000) for all three of us for a complete 8-day Umrah covering both Madinah and Makkah — plus visa and return flights. Compare that to typical Umrah packages that cost $1,500–$5,000 per person from the US or ₹85,000–₹1,50,000 per person from India.
Whether you’re planning from India, the US, the UK, or anywhere else — this guide shares the real costs and practical details to help you plan your own self-booked Umrah.
The beautiful city of Madinah — our first stop on this self-planned Umrah journey
Our Complete Itinerary at a Glance
🛫 Day 1 — Feb 12 (Sunday): Departed Bangalore at 2:00 AM on Jazeera Airways → Transit through Kuwait → Arrived Madinah 9:45 AM
🕌 Days 1–3 — Feb 12–15: 3 nights in Madinah. Visited Masjid an-Nabawi, prayed in Rawdah, soaked in the spiritual atmosphere of the Prophet’s city.
🚌 Day 4 — Feb 15 (Wednesday): SAPTCO bus from Madinah to Makkah. Departed 11:00 AM, arrived 4:52 PM — a scenic 6-hour drive through the Saudi desert.
🕋 Days 4–8 — Feb 15–19: 4 nights in Makkah. Performed Umrah at Masjid al-Haram, explored the holy city.
🛬 Day 8 — Feb 19 (Sunday): Gulf Air from Jeddah → Transit through Bahrain → Arrived back home.
The Real Cost Breakdown
Here’s every cost from our trip, shown in SAR (Saudi Riyals), USD, and INR:
1. Umrah Visa — SAR 1,688 (~$450 / ~₹45,000 total | $150 / ₹15,000 per person)
The Umrah e-visa arrived digitally within a day
We used a local travel agent in India to process the visa. Our agent charged ₹15,000 (~$150) per person, which included processing and mandatory travel insurance.
For US passport holders: The process is much easier! US citizens can apply directly for a Saudi tourist e-visa online at visa.visitsaudi.com. The e-visa costs about $170 (SAR 640) and allows you to perform Umrah — no agent needed. The visa is approved within minutes to hours.
For Indian passport holders: You’ll need to go through an authorized travel agent. The e-visa comes through digitally within 1–3 days. Shop around — prices range from ₹10,000 to ₹17,500 per person depending on the agent.
2. Outbound Flights — SAR 2,530 (~$675 / ~₹67,000 for 3 passengers)
Departing For Umrah Early morning departure — the Umrah journey begins!
Our route: Bangalore (BLR) → Kuwait (KWI) → Madinah (MED) Airline: Jazeera Airways (budget carrier, Kuwait-based) Class: Economy Extra (30 kg checked baggage included) Cost per person: ~SAR 843 (~$225 / ~₹22,300)
We chose Jazeera Airways for the affordable fare and direct Madinah connection through Kuwait. The layover was about 2.5 hours — manageable for a family.
Flying from the US? Expect to pay $800–$1,500 per person for economy class to Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED). Saudi Airlines (Saudia), Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines all offer good connections. Book 2–3 months ahead for the best fares. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare.
Why fly into Madinah first? You don’t need to be in Ihram on the plane. Visit Madinah in regular clothes, then enter Ihram when heading to Makkah. Much more comfortable for a long journey.
3. Hotel in Madinah — SAR 1,650 (~$440 / ~₹37,000 for 3 nights)
Room type: Superior Triple Room (Room Only) Location: Qurban neighborhood Cost per person per night: ~SAR 183 (~$49 / ~₹4,100)
The hotel was clean and functional — perfectly adequate for a spiritual trip where you spend most of your time at the mosque. Located in the Qurban area, not within walking distance to Masjid an-Nabawi, so we used taxis (Careem/Uber work well — SAR 10–15 per ride, ~$3–$4).
What I’d do differently: Pay a bit more for a hotel within walking distance of the Prophet’s Mosque. Walking to Fajr prayer without arranging a taxi at 4 AM is worth every extra riyal.
Budget tip: Hotels 2–3 km from the mosque are 40–60% cheaper. If you’re young and healthy, the walk is manageable. For elderly travelers, staying close is worth the premium.
4. SAPTCO Bus: Madinah → Makkah — SAR 207 (~$55 / ~₹4,600 for 3 passengers)
SAPTCO buses — comfortable, air-conditioned, and incredibly affordable
This is the hidden gem that most package tours don’t tell you about!
Route: Madinah → Makkah (Al Haram) Duration: ~6 hours (11:00 AM → 4:52 PM) Cost per ticket: SAR 69 (~$18 / ~₹1,530) including VAT
SAPTCO is the Saudi Public Transport Company. They run comfortable, air-conditioned buses between Madinah and Makkah multiple times daily. Book online at saptco.com.sa — we booked 4 days before travel.
Alternative: The Haramain High-Speed Train covers the same route in ~2 hours for SAR 150–300 (~$40–$80) per person. Faster but pricier. Book at hhr.sa.
Pro tip: Front seats on SAPTCO buses are reserved for families (Saudi regulation). Book early to get seats together.
5. Hotel in Makkah — SAR 1,061 (~$283 / ~₹23,700 for 4 nights)
Arriving in Makkah — the feeling of arriving is indescribable
Room type: Quadruple Room (3 adults) Location: Al Taysir area Booked through: Booking.com Cost per person per night: ~SAR 88 (~$24 / ~₹1,975)
The hotel offered free shuttle service to the Haram — essential since it’s not within walking distance. Room had AC, electric kettle, and soundproofing. Free parking available.
Pro tip: If arriving by bus from Madinah, add a note to your booking about potentially arriving late. Non-refundable bookings can be strict about no-shows.
6. Return Flight — SAR ~1,875 (~$500 / ~₹50,000 estimated for 3)
Route: Jeddah (JED) → Bahrain (BAH) → Bangalore (BLR) Airline: Gulf Air
Gulf Air is a comfortable full-service carrier. The Bahrain airport is pleasant for a layover. Zamzam water was allowed in checked luggage without issues.
Total Cost Summary
| Expense | SAR | USD | INR | Per Person (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umrah Visa (agent) | 1,688 | $450 | ₹45,000 | 563 |
| Flights — outbound | 2,530 | $675 | ₹67,000 | 843 |
| Hotel — Madinah (3 nights) | 1,650 | $440 | ₹37,000 | 550 |
| SAPTCO Bus | 207 | $55 | ₹4,600 | 69 |
| Hotel — Makkah (4 nights) | 1,061 | $283 | ₹23,700 | 354 |
| Flights — return | ~1,875 | ~$500 | ~₹50,000 | ~625 |
| Food, transport, misc. | ~563 | ~$150 | ~₹15,000 | ~188 |
| TOTAL | ~9,574 | ~$2,553 | ~₹2,42,000 | ~3,192 |
💡 Per person cost: ~SAR 3,200 (~$850 / ~₹80,000) for a complete 8-day Umrah covering both Madinah and Makkah with flights, hotels, transport, visa, and food.
How This Compares to Package Tours
| Self-Booked (our trip) | Package from India | Package from USA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per person | ~$850 / ₹80K | $1,000–$1,800 / ₹85K–₹1.5L | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Flexibility | Full control | Fixed schedule | Fixed schedule |
| Hotel choice | You decide | Agent decides | Agent decides |
| Pace | Pray when you want | Follow group | Follow group |
| Transport | Your choice | Group bus only | Group bus only |
| Best for | Experienced travelers | First-timers | First-timers |
Step-by-Step: Plan Your Own Self-Booked Umrah
Pack smart — your Umrah essentials checklist
Step 1: Get Your Visa
US/UK/EU passport holders: Apply directly at visa.visitsaudi.com for a tourist e-visa (~$170). It allows Umrah. Approved in minutes to hours. No agent needed!
Indian passport holders: Use a local travel agent for Umrah visa processing. Cost: ₹10,000–₹15,000 per person. E-visa arrives in 1–3 days.
2025/2026 update: Saudi Arabia now requires hotel booking through the Nusuk Masar platform before visa application. Check latest requirements at nusuk.sa.
Step 2: Book Flights (2–3 months ahead)
Compare on Skyscanner, Google Flights, or airline websites. Key airports: Madinah (MED) for Madinah-first trips, Jeddah (JED) for Makkah-first trips.
From India: Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, IndiGo (codeshare), Saudi Airlines From USA: Saudi Airlines (Saudia), Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad
Step 3: Book Hotels (1–2 months ahead)
Use Booking.com, Agoda, or Nusuk portal. Show both currencies when comparing.
Madinah: Qurban area is budget-friendly. Walking-distance hotels cost more but save on taxis. Makkah: Al Taysir area offers value with shuttle services. Clock Tower area is premium.
Step 4: Book Inter-City Transport
SAPTCO buses (saptco.com.sa) at SAR 69/person or Haramain Train (hhr.sa) at SAR 150–300/person.
Step 5: Essential Apps
- Nusuk — Umrah appointment + Rawdah booking
- Careem/Uber — Local taxis in Saudi
- Google Maps — Download offline maps before travel
- Your airline app — Digital boarding passes
Step 6: Pack Smart
Ihram clothing, comfortable walking shoes, prayer rug, medicines, phone charger, adapter plug (Type G for Saudi Arabia). Leave luggage space for Zamzam water.
Lessons Learned
What went well: Complete flexibility, affordable SAPTCO bus experience, own prayer schedule, significant savings vs packages.
What I’d improve: Book a Madinah hotel closer to the mosque, book Rawdah appointment via Nusuk immediately, carry more SAR cash, enable phone roaming.
Is self-booking right for you? If you’ve traveled internationally and can book flights/hotels online — absolutely yes. If it’s your first international trip, a package tour gives peace of mind. The spiritual experience is the same either way.
Final Thoughts
Alhamdulillah, our self-booked Umrah was deeply rewarding — both spiritually and practically. This blog exists to help fellow Muslims worldwide plan their own Umrah with confidence.
May Allah accept your Umrah and make your journey easy. Ameen.
Read Next:
- → Umrah with a US Passport — How Easy It Actually Is
- → Umrah Visa from India — Local Agent Process
- → SAPTCO Bus Madinah to Makkah — Complete Guide
- → Hotel Review: Budget Stay in Madinah
- → Hotel Review: Budget Stay in Makkah
Disclaimer: Prices are from February 2023 and converted at approximate exchange rates. Costs vary by season, currency rates, and availability. Always verify current visa requirements at nusuk.sa before planning. This is a personal travel blog — we are not a travel agency. Some links are affiliate links (see our Disclaimer for details).
2 thoughts on “How I Self-Booked Umrah for My Family — Complete Guide with Real Costs”