18 Jun, 26
by Muslims Holy Travel
Umrah Hotel Prices by Season: When to Book for the Best Deals from the UK
Millions of pilgrims from the UK embark on the spiritual pilgrimage of Umrah every year. An important thing to notice is that the demand and number of Umrah devotees highly affect the hotel rates in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The place of your stay during your Umrah period plays a crucial role in deciding the quality of your Umrah experience. Keep in mind that the prices rise during the peak travel months and are also impacted by the room category and hotel proximity to the House of Allah Almighty. Not only this, but early booking also helps in securing better amenities at a reasonable cost. Stay in touch with us till the end to acquire extensive knowledge of when to book for the best deals from the UK.
Peak Seasons: Highest Hotel Prices
The peak season of travel is the time of the year when Haram is packed with more pilgrims than ever. There are some months that are considered the peak period for different reasons. This section will tell you why this season has the highest hotel prices at any other time of the year. The price range of the hotels you choose falls between £50–£2,500+, depending on whether you are going for the 3-star, 4-star or 5-star lodging. Let us take you through each of them one by one!
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The first period in our list of peak travel months is the holy month of Ramadan. This is the same month when Allah Almighty sent His final revelation to the Earth. Moreover, this is the fasting month for Muslims. Muslims from all corners of the world keep fast before sunrise and break it right after sunset. The gates of forgiveness are wide open in Ramadan, and Allah Almighty showers a lot of blessings on His creation. This is the reason why there is the highest demand for hotels in Makkah and Madinah.
The rates of premium hotels near Haram have increased to a significant extent. You also need to know that there is a chance that you have to confront limited room availability.
December School Holidays
Moving towards the next peak season, December also has higher hotel rates than many other months. The reason is that UK Muslims take advantage of the school holidays in the last month of the year and head towards the most sacred place on this planet to fulfil the sacred rituals of Umrah. There is thus an increased family travel from the UK. This ultimately leads to higher rates of family rooms in almost every hotel in Madinah and Makkah. Therefore, many Muslims play smart and book family rooms in popular hotels quite early, so that they can secure a spot without any uncertainty.
Easter Holidays
The demand for hotels also boosts significantly during the Easter holidays. People embark on shorter religious stays in Saudi Arabia to fulfil the extremely rewarding rituals of tawaf and sa’i. There is a firm demand for quality lodging from families and those planning their spiritual journey with groups. Talking more about it, the rates of hotels are moderate to high during this time. However, remember that there is better availability of family-friendly rooms and amenities during Ramadan.
| Peak Season Period | Typical Umrah Hotel Price Range (Per Room/Night) |
|---|---|
| Easter Holidays | £50–£600+ |
| December School Holidays | £70–£1,000+ |
| Ramadan (First 20 Days) | £100–£1,500+ |
| Ramadan (Last 10 Nights) | £300–£3,000+ |
Shoulder Seasons: Balance Between Price and Convenience
As there is too much of a crowd in Masjid al Haram and Masjid an Nabawi, many pilgrims also opt for the shoulder months to escape a pool of pilgrims and pray in peace. The price range in this case is usually between £30–£1,000+ per room/night. Let us shed some light on these months that you may find suitable for your religious stay.
October to November
The period between the months of October and November has quite competitive hotel pricing. Another reason why many pilgrims go this month is that the weather in the sacred cities is pleasant. Hence, they are saved from the scorching heat of summer. It also becomes easy to sign up for extensive walking to complete tawaf and sa’i in Masjid al Haram. Whether you are planning your spiritual journey with your family, spouse, friends, or alone, there are plenty of good options for hotels that ensure a comfortable stay.
January to February
If you are not sure about the period between October and November, it is also a good decision to go for the time between January and February. As this period lies right after the holiday period, there is a lower demand than in December. The good news is that it is more feasible to secure a spot in a hotel near that is within walking distance of Masjid al Haram and Masjid an Nabawi. On top of that, it is also suitable for the budget-conscious pilgrims, who want to embark on this spiritual journey without breaking their bank.
| Shoulder Season Period | Typical Umrah Hotel Price Range (Per Room/Night) |
|---|---|
| January to February | £30–£500+ |
| October to November | £40–£600+ |
Off-Peak Seasons: Best Value for Money
Off-peak season is the personal favourite of those who seek affordable ways of fulfilling the sacred rituals of Umrah. Apart from that, those who want to pray in the absence of a large crowd also prioritise the following off-peak months. Overall Umrah hotel price range in this period is recorded to be 20–£700+ per room/night. Let us tell you about this season, so you can also consider this season to make the right final choice.
May to September (Outside Major Holidays)
The time between May and September is the time when the rates of hotels genuinely touch the ground. Outside the major holidays, every type of hotel in KSA has lower prices for family and premium rooms. Moreover, you can come across a bunch of room choices across all categories of accommodations. It will not be wrong to say that off-peak months allow you to take advantage of several amenities at a far lower price than peak or shoulder season.
A point worth mentioning here is the chance of living in a hotel close to the House of Allah Almighty. There is easier access to accommodation near Haram. There is still a chance of securing a spot in your favourite hotel even if you book at the eleventh hour. Finally, UK pilgrims can also easily avail useful promotional offers and discounts.
How Hotel Location Affects Price
There is definitely room in this article to discuss how the location of the hotel changes the prices for the same type of rooms. Keep in mind that the hotels that lie within walking distance of the Haram have premium rates. The prices even skyrocket during the peak months. On the other hand, properties that are far from the House of Allah Almighty have cheaper rates.
It is highly suggested to book a hotel that is close to the sacred mosque. This is because it becomes really easy to walk towards Haram. You are thus saved from falling prey to travel fatigue and can immerse yourself right into worship after stepping into the Haramain. Many people blindly go to farther hotels to save money. We recommend going for these hotels only if it provides a free shuttle service. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to figure out your transfers and pilgrims are ultimately forced to book expensive cabs that increase their expenses. Not only this, but many hotel standards can vary depending on the location.
Hotel Categories and What to Expect
There are multiple categories of hotels out there in the holy cities. It means that UK pilgrims can carefully choose the one based on their comfort demands and budget needs. The number and kind of amenities vary by the type of hotel. Let us dive right in to explore these categories and learn what to expect.
3-Star Hotels
3-star hotels are best for those who wish to complete the sacred rituals of Umrah without draining their savings. It means that they can access the most affordable options in Makkah and even in Madinah. Moreover, there is no need to worry because most of them offer all the basic facilities that pilgrims are going to need for a memorable and stress-free Umrah experience. This hotel category is thus best suited for value-focused travellers.
4-Star Hotels
This type of accommodation is more upgraded than the above one in various aspects. Pilgrims can access better amenities, and there are upgraded services as well that result in a cost-effective stay for families and groups. There is a seamless balance between comfort and affordability, which is why this type is famous among those coming with their little ones or the elderly of the family.
5-Star Hotels
The last and most reliable type of hotel is the 5-star one. This category is perfect for those who look for the premium amenities from the start to the end of their stay. The best part is that you can get to live in a hotel that lies within the walking distance of Haram. Not only can you stay at a premium location, but you can also access lavish amenities. On top of that, there is a chance to live in a premium room that allows you to capture breathtaking views of the holy Kaaba from the comfort of your room.
Facilities like a reliable room service, 24-hour security and hospitable staff elevate your Umrah experience to a significant extent. Just remember that you can face the highest seasonal price fluctuations in this type of hotel.
When UK Travellers Should Book
Besides making the right choice of hotels in the holy city, one should also carefully decide when to travel. One should opt for booking their Umrah deals as early as possible. This is because advance booking helps you grab various useful amenities at a lower price. Therefore, if you are planning to perform Umrah in the holy month of Ramadan, make sure to book Ramadan Umrah packages 6 - 12 months in advance. This is highly because this is a peak month of travel, when the costs are touching the sky and competition also increases a lot on different amenities.
For the December Umrah, it is better to book a reliable December Umrah package at least 4 - 8 months in advance. Easter Umrah packages should be booked at least 3 - 6 months in advance. For off-peak travel, it is better to go for 2 - 4 months advance booking.
Tips for Finding Better Hotel Deals
Now, let us move towards some tips that can help you find better hotel deals. It is highly recommended to follow the following tips so that you can commence on a truly unforgettable and carefree Umrah:
- The first tip is to compare the hotel's distance from the Haram. You should double-check how far your residence is located from the major Islamic sites. As discussed above, this aspect will help you ease your daily commute. We advise going for the hotels that are within a 2-5 minute walking distance from the Masjid al Haram.
- The second tip for finding suitable hotels is to plan your pilgrimage outside school holiday periods. This is because there are plenty of free spaces that can be accommodated in off-peak months.
- A golden piece of advice is to consider the weekday departures. This is because the demand for hotels increases during the weekends. Following this step, it also becomes relatively easy to secure your spot in your favourite hotel, even at the eleventh hour.
- Always target those packages that combine flights and accommodations. Many all-inclusive deals allow you to get access to a ton of amenities by just paying once.
- Do not overlook monitoring promotions and early-booking offers to make the most of your spiritual voyage.
Common Booking Mistakes
There is no doubt in a fact that performing Umrah is a dream of every single Muslim in this world. However, planning this journey can be quite overwhelming for many pilgrims. It is particularly true for those embarking on this journey for the first time ever. This is why we have crafted this section for you so that you can avoid these mistakes while figuring out different aspects of your pilgrimage. One of the biggest mistakes that many pilgrims make is that they keep dragging the Umrah arrangements till the last minute. This results in skipping many discounts and better hotel options. They are thus forced to settle on the available options.
Next, you should not opt for booking the hotel just by seeing the star rating. But you should head to the official website and other online platforms to make sure that there are positive comments or reviews from previous pilgrims. Moreover, ignoring the hotel locations also gives you a huge disadvantage. Last but not least, overlooking the package inclusions and exclusions can result in hidden charges, resulting in serious financial loss during your time in Saudi Arabia.
Wrap up
If you have reached the end of this blog, you are now aware that the prices of hotels in Makkah and Madinah vary greatly depending on the season of travel. Peak months such as Ramadan and December have a high cost for lodging. On the contrary, off-peak months often provide the best value. Moreover, if you opt for early booking, you can also secure a spot in a hotel close to the Masjid al Haram at a comparatively lower price. Hence, picking the right travel period can substantially reduce overall Umrah costs.
This is your sign to book your favourite Umrah deal with Muslims Holy Travel to commence a well-organised, stress-free and memorable devotional experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Umrah Hotel Prices at Their Highest?
The prices of hotels in Makkah and Madinah are at their highest during the peak travel months. These include Ramadan, school holidays in December and also Easter holiday periods. There is also a boost in the prices of lodging during major religious and public holiday seasons. These are mostly the dates with an elevated international pilgrim demand.
What is the Cheapest Time of Year to Book Umrah Hotels?
There are different periods in a year when the prices of hotels drop significantly. The first one is the time between May and September, outside the dates of major holidays. You can also come across low prices right after peak travel months. These are the months with the least number of pilgrims in the Haramain. These also include non-school holiday dates and off-peak travel season.
How Far in Advance Should UK Travellers Book Umrah Hotels?
UK pilgrims should book Umrah hotels as soon as possible. For the Ramadan Umrah, it is better to secure your spot about 6-12 months in advance. Moreover, one should book 4 -8 months earlier for performing Umrah in December. On the other hand, 3 - 6 months and 2 - 4 months are best for Easter holidays and off-peak periods.
Are Hotels Near the Haram Always More Expensive?
Yes, the hotels near the Haram are way more expensive than the ones farther from the House of Allah Almighty. The room rates are usually higher due to a premium location and also because there is a higher demand throughout the year. Also, there is limited availability during the peak season. However, these hotels not only offer higher convenience for the couples but also provide breathtaking views of the holy Kaaba from the comfort of your room.
Do Hotel Prices in Makkah and Madinah Increase During School Holidays?
Yes, it is especially true for December and Easter breaks. A large number of families head towards the holy cities with their kids so they can fulfil the sacred rituals of this sunnah together. There is thus a significant rise in the demand for family rooms, due to which the famous hotels fill up quickly. Keep in mind that the peak travel dates attract higher rates. This is why earlier booking becomes more important to grab the useful amenities.
Is It Cheaper to Book a Hotel Separately or as Part of a Package?
Booking a reliable package often offers you better deals and a better overall value. This is because your flights and hotels may be bundled at discounted rates. Moreover, it also becomes very easy to plan and budget your journey. However, it may include additional travel services so it is highly recommended to book a package after going through the reviews and ratings.
Can I Find Affordable Hotels Close to Haram?
It is possible to get access to affordable hotels near the Haram in off-peak seasons. This is the time when the crowd decreases and there is less competition for accommodation all over the holy cities. Make sure that you go for the early booking so that you can cut the cost even more. On top of that, smaller properties are cheaper than the large ones that promise a premium stay. You can avail the promotional offers but remember that the availability of rooms highly depends on your travel dates.
What Factors Influence Umrah Hotel Prices the Most?
The factors that impact the prices of the hotels to the fullest are the location of your hotel, the season of your travel, star rating, overall pilgrim demand and the room type and occupancy.
How Can I Secure the Best Umrah Hotel Deals From the UK?
There are many ways that you can adopt to make sure that the hotel you are choosing is going to be a source of comfort. We advise securing your slot as soon as possible after carefully comparing different hotel deals. Do not forget to consider different travel deals so that you can finally choose the one that matches your comfort demands and bank balance.
