Umrah is one of the most personal and memorable journeys you can take, so you should tailor it to your needs and preferences. Visited by millions or more throughout the year for Umrah and Hajj, the crowded city of Mecca is packed with pilgrims from every part of the world and from types of life gathered together to fulfil their duty of loyalty to God.
One of the most important questions is whether to travel alone or in a group. Your family and friends may not be able to come with you, or you don’t want to wait any longer, or you may have the option of going alone. Travelling alone is not a big deal if you know the language (Arabic and English). However, when you go to Umrah on your own and know how to plan, going it alone can save you money and be more flexible and explore places.
APPLY FOR A VISA
If you plan to travel alone to Umrah, the first process is to apply for a visa and then book flights and hotels. It is best to check with the travel agency for the required documents. Umrah visas are issued from the 1st Muharram to the 15th Ramadan. Most pilgrims use a professional travel agency that will take care of all the paperwork.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT AND HOTEL
Planning to book Umrah packages 2023 can reduce costs and make it a memorable experience. If you want to save money, apply for an Umrah visa through them (a travel agency) and take care of the rest yourself. For solo travel, you may prefer a single room. You can also choose a hotel that suits your tastes and preferences, be it somewhere quieter, more peaceful, or a hotel that puts you in the heart of Makkah. Depending on your needs, you can opt for budget or more luxurious accommodation at a lower cost. For flights and hotels, you can go to any travel website and book tickets and rooms just like any other destination.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR HOTELS IN MECCA:
We can rather provide you with a few suggestions for hotels. Like where you would want to stay during your solo trip.
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Because of the prudent budget
M Makkah Hotel by Millennium:
This is a 4-star hotel about 2.5 km from Masjid al-Haram. You have a free shuttle to get you there 24 hours a day.
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midrange
Swissotel Al Maqam Makkah:
This hotel brings you closer to Masjid al-Haram without paying much. However, you still have to walk 5-10 minutes to the mosque.
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Luxury travellers
Hilton Suites or any hotel in Abraj Al Bait:
This hotel has the best reviews at a reasonable price across from Masjid al-Haram.
Al Madina Grid:
Nothing fancy, just a place to sleep and shower about 5 minutes from Masjid an-Nabawi.
4.Pullman ZamZam Madina:
Not too expensive and 5 min walk from Masjid an-Nabawi.
LUXURY TRAVELLERS
Intercontinental Madina:
Right next to Masjid an-Nabawi. Utilities and luxury at the most reasonable price.
You don’t have to be confused or worried either – as soon as you arrive at your hotel, you’ll find that it’s an experience with no age or background restrictions. People mingle in a way that breaks all cognitive barriers, leaving you free to perform your Umrah in comfort and immersion.
You will land in Madina or Jeddah. During busy times like Ramadan and peak holidays, it’s best to get to the Madina first. The airport is smaller, and fewer airlines serve Madina, so it’s less crowded. In addition, you can clear immigration and collect your luggage in less than an hour, while Jeddah can take up to 2-3 hours or more.
If you do Solo Umrah, you can manage and find possible flights to Madina, which will be easier to manage. First, go to the hotel and rest because the distance from Madina airport to your hotel will be 25 minutes by car.
MOREOVER
Then, go from Madina to Makkah by SAPTCO bus, Uber, or taxi. When you return, all you have to do is go from Mecca to Jeddah. This way, you can save 5 hours travelling by bus as you only have to go from Madina to Makkah. Prices for flights to Madina and departing from Jeddah are inexpensive and less hassle than a 10-hour round trip to Madina by coach. Jeddah Airport is busier, so queues and delays are more common.
Try not to fly to Jeddah if possible. Of course, if you can’t avoid it, be prepared to be patient a lot. Travelling from Jeddah to Mecca takes one hour (1h). Taxi drivers may offer a high price that you have to negotiate. Better to book an Uber and pay the base fare of 250 SAR to get to Makkah. No haggling is required. I also used Uber to get to Madina.
SIM
You can buy a location sim card from the airport from Sr 35 on STC, Mobily or Zain networks.
MONEY
The currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (ريال, SAR), which trades at a fixed rate of 3.75 per US dollar. Saudi Arabia remains largely a monetary society, but accepting credit and debit cards everywhere is surprisingly good. ATMs are very common, especially at gas stations and shopping malls. In addition, all banks accept foreign cards.
FOOD AND DRINK
You travel safely to the cheapest country to buy food. You can enjoy mouth-watering delicacies in Makkah and Madinah. From delicious restaurants to friendly street food, there is a wide variety available near the two mosques. If you’re a fast foodie, don’t forget to go to Albaik, a popular casual restaurant with SR 12 for a 4-piece chicken breast. The Middle Eastern staple, Shawarma, is widely available for SR4-5, the standard price for a sandwich.
Travelling alone can be difficult. There is nothing like travelling alone to perform Umrah. Sometimes you need more motivation to do something out of the ordinary, and In Shaa Allah, that will bring you and your soul the best experiences.
