Umrah is a holy journey, which means, if we look at it, visiting the holy place is the house of Allah, that is, the Kaaba, and atonement for one's sins and gaining closeness to Allah. This is the main purpose of this holy journey, which every Muslim definitely wants to do at some point in his life. Hajj has fixed days, but Umrah, a person can do anytime. But not every time is same. But sometimes everything is expensive, meaning that when going on this holy journey, everything touches, such as plane tickets, hotel accommodation, and food, etc. Everyone dreams of visiting this journey, so everyone is looking for this cheap month according to their budget and by spending less money so that they can go on this holy journey peacefully without breaking their bank.
People who are often travelling say prices go up and down, maybe even 50% difference. If a person chooses the right month, he can save a lot of money—hundreds or even thousands. In this guide, we will see which months are cheapest for Umrah and how to make the trip more affordable.
1. Why Do Umrah Prices Fluctuate?
a) Peak vs. Off-Peak Seasons
Everyone knows that the price of Umrah does not remain the same throughout the year, but it is important to know which months are best for travel, so it is better to talk about some of the more expensive months first so that you can find out, which months are more expensive compared to other months. Because the two months of Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah are the most expensive, in addition to the December holidays or some winter holidays such as Christmas, these months can some also expensive because during these months. Because most people have holidays during this month, they take advantage of the opportunity to head to this holy pilgrimage. But other months—Muharram, Safar, and early Sha'ban—less people go, so price is low.
According to the Saudi government report, hotels in Makkah are full (90%-100%) in Ramadan. Because of this, price goes up 60%-80% more than normal months. Also, flight tickets to Jeddah and Madinah become 30%-50% more expensive in busy time.
b) Airline and Hotel Pricing Trends
Flight prices to Saudi Arabia are always changing, it is not always the same, but according to a study, if someone books a flight during off-peak times, they can save 30 to 40 percent of the money. On the other hand, if we plan in advance, we can save 30 to 40 percent of the money.
If you are preparing for this trip, check online flight booking websites and compare them to see which flight is giving more budget and which is more expensive. There are websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner and many other such websites in the market that you can get a better idea by looking at them.
Similarly, the price of hotels also changes. It is not necessary that the price always increases or decreases, but according to statistics, the price of hotels always increases during the peak season, such as the holy month of Ramadan, in which the price of hotels in Mecca can range from $250 to $400 per night. It is not necessary that this price is even higher. It is up to you what kind of accommodation you choose. If you choose a hotel near the Haram, then of course it will be expensive, and if you choose a four-star or five-star hotel instead of a three-star hotel, then it will be expensive for you. But same hotel in Muharram or Safar is only $80-$150. If a person goes in the right time, he saves a lot of money.
Flight tickets: A 30%-50% increase in airfare to Jeddah and Madinah during Ramadan is also acceptable. Airlines adjust their prices based on demand, and the surge in travel during this period naturally leads to higher ticket costs.
2. Which is the Cheapest Month to Perform Umrah?
a) Cheapest Months for Umrah (Lowest Demand)
According to travel experience and estimates from previous years, the cheapest months to perform Umrah are Safar, Muharram, Rabi' al-Awwal and Sha'ban. These four months are often the cheapest. If we look at the months of the Gregorian calendar, which are September to November and the summer months, Umrah prices also drop. If you are seeking to make a budget-friendly Umrah travel, choosing the month when the travel arrangements are cheaper, is important. June, July, August, September, October, and November are the months when the price of travel arrangements for Umrah is cheap. So, if you want to make your lesser pilgrimage to Mecca more affordable, going to Umrah with All Inclusive July Umrah Packages is advantageous.
- Muharram – The first month of the Islamic calendar. The best time to go is after Hajj when prices drop.
- Safar – The second month. It is very quiet, so the package price is low.
- Rabi' al-Awwal – The third month (but avoid the week of Milad Al Nabi). Still a good price.
- Sha'ban – Before Ramadan. Prices start to increase towards the end of the month.
b) Why are these months cheaper?
Some months have lower prices for these reasons:
Not many people travel – most pilgrims wait for Ramadan or school holidays.
Prices drop after Hajj – The Hajj season (Dhu al-Hijjah) is busy, but after that hotels and airlines reduce prices.
Less Crowds — Fewer people mean lower prices. Umrah also becomes easier. There is less rush during Tawaf and Sa'i.
Those who choose these months can save money and have a more peaceful Umrah.
3. Cheapest Time to Book Umrah Flights and Hotels
a) Best Time to Buy Flight Ticket
If a person buys a ticket at the right time, he can save 30% of the money. Travel experts say:
- Buy a ticket 3-6 months before – This time, the price is the lowest.
- Fly on Tuesday or Wednesday – Tickets are 10%-15% cheaper than a weekend.
- Budget airlines, such as Flynas, Salam Air, and Air Arabia, sometimes give discounts in off-peak months.
b) How to Get Cheap Hotel
People see hotel prices decrease in Muharram and Safar, especially in Muslim areas.
- Price drops 40%-60% in these months.
- Stay far from Haram – Places like Al Aziziyah have hotels 50% cheaper than close-to-Haram hotels.
4. Umrah Cost Comparison: Peak vs. Off-Peak Months
Here is a detailed breakdown of the cost of Umrah based on seasonal demand. This is just an estimate. It may be more or less. The purpose of this graph is to give you an idea of how much it can vary between peak and off-peak seasons.
|
Month |
Average Flight Cost (USD) |
Hotel Price (Per Night) |
Total Package Cost (USD) |
|
Ramadan |
$800 - $1200 |
$150 - $400 |
$2500 - $4000 |
|
Muharram |
$400 - $700 |
$50 - $150 |
$1300 - $1800 |
|
Safar |
$350 - $650 |
$40 - $130 |
$1200 - $1700 |
|
Sha'ban (early) |
$500 - $800 |
$70 - $200 |
$1600 - $2300 |
If a person goes for Umrah in Muharram or Safar, he can save 30%-50% of his total money.
5. Tips on how to perform Umrah with less money
Anyone who wants to save money can definitely do these things that will benefit you, such as:
- Booking tickets or hotels early, that is, booking in advance, is always beneficial. The best time is three to six months before the trip. This is the most beneficial because at that time, you can get a better package at a lower price from the travel agency and also have the option of flexibility in your package.
- Use budget airlines—Flynas, Salam Air, and other small airlines offer cheaper tickets, which lowers the cost of a layover or stopover airline than that of direct airlines.
- If you book accommodation a short distance from Haram, you can get better facilities at a lower price. Also, if you are going in a group, it becomes more convenient, so the price seems lower.
- Do not book late. If a person waits too long, the price will go up 2-3 weeks before travel.
Conclusion
Those who want to do Umrah but cannot spend much should choose the right time, such as Muharram and Safar which is the cheapest month to travel, and if you look at the Gregorian calendar, in which months like June, July and August, April, May and September, you will also see a significant difference in price, which are considered to be the cheapest months. Also, if a person books flight and hotel 3-6 months before, he can save 30%-50%. But if he goes in Ramadan or Dhul-Hijjah, he must pay a lot because prices go very high. A smart traveler picks the best time, so he can do his Umrah with less money and more peace. May Allah accept your Umrah!
FAQs
Q1: Which month is best for Umrah with less money?
The best months are Muharram and Safar because flight and hotel prices are the lowest.
Q2: When should I book the Umrah package for a low price?
The best time to book is 3-6 months before and travel in off-peak months. This way, the price is much lower.
Q3: Can I get a discount on Umrah flights in off-peak time?
Yes, in Muharram and Safar, ticket prices go down 30%-40%.
Q4: How much money can I save to travel in the cheapest months?
If a person goes to Muharram or Safar instead of Ramadan, he can save $1000-$2000 per person.