Umrah My Way
A clear, calm guide to every ritual — what to do, what to say, and what to expect If you’re preparing for Umrah and feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there — you’re not alone. Most guides are either too technical or too brief. This one aims to be different: clear, calm, and practical. … Read more
Based on our February 2023 stay | Tips for Makkah accommodation Hotel prices in Makkah can be eye-watering — rooms near the Clock Tower and Masjid al-Haram easily run SAR 500–2,000+ per night. When we were planning our self-booked Umrah, we needed something affordable that wouldn’t compromise on access to the Haram. That’s how we … Read more
Based on our February 2023 stay | Tips for budget travelers Finding the right hotel in Madinah is one of the most important decisions when planning your Umrah. You want to be close enough to Masjid an-Nabawi for easy access, but hotels right next to the mosque can be extremely expensive. We chose Artal Taiba … Read more
Based on our February 2023 trip | Updated for 2026 If you’re self-planning your Umrah, getting from Madinah to Makkah is one of the biggest logistical questions. Package tours handle this with a group bus, but what do you do on your own? The answer is SAPTCO — the Saudi Public Transport Company. It’s the … Read more
Based on personal experience + updated for 2026 rules The Umrah visa is the very first step of your pilgrimage journey — and also the step that confuses people the most. How much does it cost? Can you apply directly? Do you need a travel agent? What documents are required? I went through this process … Read more
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 / … Read more