For British Muslims who want to do Umrah without a travel agent
The UK has one of the most active Umrah communities in the world — with nearly 4 million Muslims, Britain sends tens of thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia every year. Most use travel agents. But here’s the truth: British passport holders have one of the easiest paths to a self-booked Umrah — arguably easier even than US citizens, given the direct flight options and competitive fares from London.
This guide is for British Muslims who want to do it themselves — with honest costs in pounds, step-by-step visa guidance, and advice based on real pilgrimage experience.
Visa: the simplest process in the world for UK passport holders
UK passport holders are eligible for the Saudi tourist e-visa — apply entirely online, no agent, no embassy visit, no waiting weeks.
How to apply:
- Visit visa.visitsaudi.com
- Select United Kingdom as your nationality
- Fill in your passport and personal details
- Upload a recent passport photo (white background)
- Pay approximately £130–£155 (SAR 600–650, including mandatory health insurance)
- Most applications approved within hours — maximum 72 hours
- Download your e-visa and print a copy
The tourist e-visa is valid for 1 year, allows multiple entries, and explicitly permits Umrah outside the Hajj season. You no longer need a travel agent or an Umrah-specific visa to complete your pilgrimage. Furthermore, purchasing an expensive package is entirely optional. This guide shows you how to book every step independently.
After your visa: Register on the Nusuk app (nusuk.sa) immediately. You’ll need this to book your Rawdah appointment in Madinah and your Umrah permit for Makkah. Both are mandatory — and Rawdah slots sell out fast. Register as soon as your visa is issued.
Flights from the UK
The UK has excellent Umrah flight connections — arguably better than any other Western country.
From London (LHR/LGW/STN):
| Airline | Route | Approx. return cost (economy) |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Airlines (Saudia) | LHR → Jeddah or Madinah | £400–£700 |
| British Airways | LHR → Jeddah | £450–£750 |
| Emirates | LHR → Jeddah via Dubai | £350–£650 |
| Qatar Airways | LHR → Jeddah via Doha | £350–£650 |
| Turkish Airlines | LHR/LGW → Jeddah via Istanbul | £280–£550 |
| Flynas | LGW → Jeddah (budget carrier) | £200–£450 |
| Wizz Air | LGW → Jeddah | £180–£400 |
From Birmingham (BHX), Manchester (MAN), Leeds Bradford (LBA): Saudia, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways offer connections to Jeddah and Madinah. Birmingham and Manchester have large Muslim communities and strong Umrah-season flight demand.
Fly into Madinah first: Saudia, flydubai (via Dubai), and Flynas all offer routes to Madinah (MED). Flying into Madinah first means you don’t need to be in Ihram on the plane. Spend 4–5 days in the Prophet’s city first, then travel to Makkah in Ihram.
Best time to book: 2–3 months ahead for regular season. Avoid Ramadan (prices triple) and school holiday peaks. January and September are typically the cheapest months from the UK.
Cost breakdown in pounds: 10-day Umrah from London
Solo traveler (mid-range)
| Expense | £ |
|---|---|
| Return flight (LHR → MED / JED → LHR) | £480 |
| Saudi tourist e-visa | £140 |
| Hotel Madinah — 4 nights, Zone B (£65/night) | £260 |
| Hotel Makkah — 5 nights, Zone B with shuttle (£80/night) | £400 |
| SAPTCO bus Madinah → Makkah | £14 |
| Food 10 days (£22/day) | £220 |
| Local transport (Careem/Uber) | £65 |
| Saudi SIM card | £10 |
| Miscellaneous + gifts | £150 |
| Total | ~£1,739 |
Family of 3 from the UK
| Expense | Total £ | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights x3 (£480 each) | £1,440 | £480 |
| Visas x3 (£140 each) | £420 | £140 |
| Hotel Madinah 4 nights (£160/room) | £640 | £213 |
| Hotel Makkah 5 nights (£200/room) | £1,000 | £333 |
| SAPTCO bus x3 (£14 each) | £42 | £14 |
| Food + transport + misc | £800 | £267 |
| Total | ~£4,342 | ~£1,447 |
Compared to UK Umrah packages: UK travel agents typically charge £1,200–£3,000+ per person for a full Umrah package. A family of 3 on a mid-range package would pay £3,600–£9,000+. Self-booking saves approximately £500–£4,000+ depending on your choices.
Why British Muslims are increasingly self-booking
The UK DIY Umrah movement has been growing steadily since Saudi Arabia introduced the tourist e-visa. Several factors make it particularly easy for British Muslims:
Direct flights from multiple UK airports to both Jeddah and Madinah. Excellent English language skills throughout Saudi Arabia (many hotel staff, Haram guides, and service workers speak English). Familiarity with online booking platforms (Booking.com, Agoda, Skyscanner). Strong purchasing power making all-in costs manageable. A growing community of British Muslim travel bloggers who share self-booking experiences.
Practical tips for UK pilgrims
Currency: Saudi Riyals (SAR). 1 GBP ≈ 4.7–4.8 SAR (verify before travel). Use a Wise card, Starling, or Monzo (all excellent for travel spending with no FX fees) for the best rates.
Phone: Buy a Saudi SIM card at the airport (SAR 50–100 / approximately £10–£21). Stc, Zain, and Mobily all offer tourist-friendly data plans. Essential for Careem/Uber and Nusuk app.
Zamzam water: You can bring 5 litres of Zamzam water back to the UK in checked luggage. Most airlines (Saudia, British Airways, Emirates) allow this. UK customs permits Zamzam water for personal religious use — no issues at border control.
Time zone: Saudi Arabia is UTC+3 — same as BST+2 in summer, or 3 hours ahead of GMT in winter.
Ihram at Heathrow: Some UK pilgrims prefer to put on Ihram at the airport before flying — particularly if flying into Jeddah (where you’ll be crossing the Miqat shortly after landing). If flying into Madinah first, you don’t need Ihram on the plane.
Prayer rooms at UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester all have designated prayer rooms — useful for getting into the right spiritual mindset before your journey.
Sample 10-day itinerary from the UK
Day 1: Fly from London to Madinah (or Jeddah). Arrive and check in. Days 2–5: Madinah. Prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi, Rawdah visit (Nusuk permit required — book before you arrive), Quba Mosque, Madinah Ziyarat. Day 6: Travel from Madinah to Makkah by SAPTCO bus (enter Ihram before departure). Check in at Makkah hotel. Days 6–9: Makkah. Perform Umrah. Daily prayers at Masjid al-Haram. Multiple Umrahs possible. Day 10: Transfer to Jeddah airport. Fly back to the UK.
May Allah accept your Umrah and make your journey from the UK easy and blessed. Ameen.
Related articles:
- → How I Self-Booked Umrah for My Family — Complete Guide
- → Umrah Cost from USA — Budget Breakdown (similar guide)
- → How to Get an Umrah Visa — India & USA Guide
- → SAPTCO Bus from Madinah to Makkah
- → Nusuk App Guide 2026
Disclaimer: All prices are estimates based on early 2026 data. Costs vary significantly by airline, season, and booking time. Always verify visa requirements at visa.visitsaudi.com before travel. This is a personal travel blog. Some links may be affiliate links (see our Disclaimer for details).