Direct Flights vs. Stopovers for Umrah
  • blog-date-icon05 Aug, 25
  • blog-user-iconby Muslims Holy Travel

Direct Flights vs. Stopovers for Umrah – What to Know Before Booking

Umrah is an act of worship of Allah Almighty in Islam. It is Sunnah and can be carried out at any desired time year-round. The Umrah pilgrimage offers so many rewards to believers. For instance, it helps Muslims purify their souls by seeking forgiveness for their sins and refresh their sense of purpose. Millions of devotees come in front of the sacred Kaaba to undertake the primary rituals of Umrah. This is a religious activity that almost every Muslim wishes to carry out at least once in a lifetime. Are you planning your trip to Saudi Arabia for the coming year? Make certain to perform the Umrah pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Allah. It is ideal to go for an affordable Umrah package with tour guide to get a comfortable journey. In this article, you will explore some facts to know before booking direct or stopover flights. So, continue reading!

What Are Direct Flights?

You should have a clear understanding of a direct flight before planning a trip. This flight gives you a chance to fly from the departure airport to the destination airport without the need for changing planes. There may be one or more stops in this type of flight. Travellers remain on the same aircraft during these flights. If you're thinking of doing Umrah in Ramadan, book your flights in advance for a stress-free trip. You can get private Umrah packages UK to make the pilgrimage even more seamless. There are several direct flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims. British Airways, Saudi Arabia Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic are some common flights.

What Are Direct Flights?

British Airways

British Airways is famous for offering direct flights from London to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. This is what makes these airways a viable option for the UK pilgrims. They are a well-known choice because of their comfortable travel experiences. Adding more, both economy and business-class flights are available with convenient timing and a home-like atmosphere.

Saudi Arabia Airlines (Saudia)

Saudi Arabia Airlines is a renowned choice for the UK Umrah. The flight options start from Manchester and London Heathrow to Jeddah and Madinah. It provides pilgrims with halal meals, great seating, and prayer announcements during the flight. You can book these flights by visiting the official Saudi website. It is best to contact a travel agency, like Muslims Holy Travel.

Virgin Atlantic

If you want direct flights to Saudi Arabia from the UK, Virgin Atlantic best fit here. This airline operates direct flights from Heathrow to Riyadh. They have a partnership with Saudia for onward connections to other Saudi cities. This helps ensure you get a hassle-free trip to Saudi Arabia for performing the pilgrimage. You can directly book your flights through Virgin Atlantic.

What Are Stopover Flights?

Stopover flights involve a longer break of typically 24 hours during travel. This allows passengers to discover a connecting city before going to their final destination. These flights let you leave the airport, experience the whole city, and stay overnight. You can opt for Umrah packages with flights to get everything planned appropriately. This is how you complete your Umrah pilgrimage in an efficient and more focused manner. Want an Umrah from the UK with a stopover? You can consider flights with airlines such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Saudia. Choose between any of these airlines that perfectly meet your pilgrimage preferences.

What Are Stopover Flights?

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways connects the UK to Saudi Arabia through Doha. It offers specific stopover packages for Umrah pilgrims from the UK. This way, you will be able to take a break in Doha. These deals usually provide pilgrims with hotel stays as well as optional tours. Not only this, but you can also get Umrah packages 2024 Ramadan and add a stopover through Discover Qatar.

Turkish Airways

The next stopover flight for UK Umrah is Turkish Airways. It offers indirect flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul. This lets you traverse the city with their Stopover in Istanbul Program. With so many flight options available for Umrah, Turkish Airways is also worth investing in. Whenever you plan the next pilgrimage, it is advisable to book your flights smartly.

Emirates

It's great if you're about to go for Ramadan Umrah with your family. Although Umrah is not mandatory, you should undertake this act at least once in your life. You can pick so many flights, and Emirates is no exception. It provides you with flights from Jeddah and Madinah with a layover in Dubai. Emirates has become a go-to choice for the great comfort it offers to people.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Budget Flight for Umrah

Umrah is a spiritually rewarding experience for all Muslims across the globe. This journey can be too expensive if not planned wisely. Flight tickets make the most of this expense. If you live in the UK and want to go on the pilgrimage, be sure to consider the below to book a budget flight

Budget Flight for Umrah

Book Your Flights Early

Early booking means you will get better chances of securing wallet-friendly flights. You might not know, but airlines release tickets over 11-12 months in advance. These prices increase to a greater extent when the time of departure is near. You can better book your flights for Umrah in Ramadan anywhere around 3-6 months before travel. It is highly recommended to avoid last-minute bookings. This is how you can end up with a completely smooth travel experience.

Travel During Off-Peak Seasons

Umrah prices vary depending on peak Umrah seasons, school holidays, and the Islamic month. The cheapest months for Umrah flights are January to February (after Hajj), May to June (before summer vacations), and September to October (after Eid al-Adha). It is best not to travel during holidays. This is the time when most Muslims prefer to carry out the act of Umrah. In case you've set your mind on doing the pilgrimage, opt for all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah deals.

Be Flexible With Travel Dates

Airlines tend to adjust flights on demand. Mid-week flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered much cheaper compared to weekend flights. No matter when you plan your travel, ensure to be flexible with travel dates. You can use the Data Grid of Google Flights to compare prices on different dates. One of the crucial factors to consider is to fly a day before or after your planned date. This way, you'll be able to get much better rates for your Umrah flights.

Compare Multiple Airlines

Not all airlines price their flight tickets the same way. Some offer the cheapest tickets while others provide pricey ones. Some cost-effective options for Umrah flights are direct flights. Saudi Airlines sometimes gives discounts on flights. Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Emirates are premium options, but offer occasional deals. Budget airlines with stopovers include Flynas, Air Arabia, and FlyDubai. Moreover, Kuwait Airways and Oman Air are ideal for connecting flights.

Compare Multiple Airlines

Look for Umrah-specific Flight Packages

Some travel agencies, like Muslims Holy Travel, offer the special Ramadan Umrah package. These deals include both discounted flights and hotels. If you want a budget-friendly flight experience, go for Umrah-specific flight deals. Whether you're travelling with your family or friends, this will help you get a smooth journey. You can select any package, but it should include possible discounts on flights as well. Ensure comfortable seating and meal options too!

Consider Alternative Airports

Flying to Jeddah is known to be cheaper than flying to Madinah. If your plan is to perform Umrah in Makkah with your loved ones, landing in Jeddah can help you save money. You can find more affordable flights by exploring options beyond just direct flights. This is how you can not only experience less crowded places but also enjoy a more relaxed journey. Besides, it is also a good practice to have a reliable transportation plan from the alternative airport to Makkah.

The Best Time to Use Direct Flights

The best time to use direct flights is generally during off-peak months. This may include February, March (Early), September, October, and November. All these seasons offer a perfect balance of lower prices, pleasant weather, and fewer crowds. Ramadan is no doubt a spiritually more significant time for Umrah from the UK. It is the crowded time when most Muslims go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Whatever month you choose, be sure to book flights on an early basis.

Best Time to Use Direct Flights

When to Go for Stopover Flights?

You might be wondering when to go for stopover flights for your next UK Umrah. You can consider taking these flights immediately after Hajj or Ramadan. This is when flights are not so costly. Keep in mind that you need to book such flights at least 3-6 months before your travel. This is how you can get better packages, particularly from major airports such as Heathrow and Manchester. Well, this goes far beyond that. You must also have a stopover/transit visa on hand.

Direct Flights vs. Stopover Flights - Which is Best?

If you want to know which flight is best suited to you, you must know your priorities. Direct flights are less expensive and much faster. Talking about stopover flights, they are cheaper. These flights allow pilgrims to divide the whole pilgrimage journey, which is good. Stopover flights involve navigating airports. Not only this, but it will take so long to reach the destination. The choice is all yours. Take time, budget, and personal preferences into account. Try to make an informed decision about flights, as it will help you get a smooth and fulfilling travel experience.

In a Crux

Umrah is a religious trip that every Muslim wants to go on. Going on this pilgrimage is full of blessings and rewards, like spiritual renewal. Not only this, but it also helps devotees get closer to Allah Almighty and strengthen their faith. You should carry out this activity wherever you live at least once in your life. To ensure hassle-free travel, you need to book your flights and accommodations early. Well, you can choose from direct or stopover flights as per your choice. Looking for ways to get a smooth travel experience? Get all-inclusive Umrah hotel packages from Muslims Holy Travel. From flexible flights to dates, everything is covered in these.