Many Muslims in UAE don’t do Umrah once in a lifetime, as they try to plan for it every year or two if they have the time and money. With the proximity of Dubai to Saudi Arabia and a wide variety of agencies providing packages, securing the right Umrah package in Dubai might as well depend on how well you know what you are paying for, rather than on the lowest advertised price.
In this guide, you will learn what you can expect to find in a typical Umrah package from Dubai, what factors influence the cost of the package, and what you should ask before getting a quote to make sure that you’re comparing packages accurately rather than piecemeal.
An Umrah Package from Dubai contains a number of components.
A typical package includes more than one traveler package, instead of having to bundle the packages together on your own.
- Umrah visa processing
- Bypass flights to and from Dubai to Jeddah or Madinah
- While in Makkah and Madinah, one needs to stay in hotels.
- Transfers from airport to airport, hotel to two holy cities and vice versa
- Private or group packages: guidance or group support as appropriate
There are also packages which include meals, local Ziyarat (visit to the historical and religious sites) and to help first time pilgrims with their Ihram requirements. Each package may include different amounts of functionality and features, and may have different prices, so a “package” with a lower price may not necessarily provide less functionality.
The price of Umrah Package from Dubai: what makes it change?
The Umrah package from Dubai cost is not fixed as it varies based on a number of factors:
- Distance from the Haram and type of hotel: A 5-minute walk from Masjid al-Haram is a lot more expensive than a hotel which will provide a shuttle service for the same distance.
- Season: fares are greatly hiked during the Ramadan and other busier seasons and are much lower during the quiet times of the year.
- Group sizes: Private packages to families or small groups are usually more expensive than group departures to larger groups.
- How long you will stay: A 7-night package will cost more than a 10- or 14-night package.
- The total is greatly altered by the flight category and airline (economy vs. business class fare)
- As for Inclusions, a package including meals, guided Ziyarat, and full transport will be more expensive than a package which provides only visa and flight.
Due to this range, it’s prudent to ask for a detailed quote that would include your travel dates and your hotel choice instead of a general ‘index price’, that could be the budget option, but not a realistic booking.
Types of Umrah Packages from Dubai
Dubai offers various types of Umrah packages depending on individuals’ travel plans, preferences and budget.
Short-Duration Umrah Packages
Short-Duration Umrah Packages are best for those who have a limited time and typically feature fewer nights’ stay in the holy city and enable travelers to embark on their desired pilgrimage within a shorter time frame.
Longer Umrah Packages
Longer Umrah Packages offer more days in Makkah and Madinah and might be suitable for people that have the flexibility to travel slowly.
Family Umrah Packages
Family Umrah Packages might be ideal for families who want to be accommodated in a convenient manner with family transportation.
Group Umrah packages
Group Umrah packages can arrange a number of travelers to make an organized package with flights, accommodation and transportation that follows a package arranged schedule depending on the package.
Customized Umrah Packages
These give travelers the flexibility to select their desired flights, hotels, duration and transportation options, which are more than what they get in the regular packages.
How Dubai packages compare to the Umrah Package from UAE?
Those who are traveling from different emirates can have their Umrah package from UAE arranged. Dubai is an important travel hub offering a variety of travel and flight services.
Before comparing an Umrah package Dubai with packages from other parts of the UAE, take into account the flights, hotels, transportation, and the duration of the packages, and the services included in them.
A lower cost package might not include as many services or accommodations, or might have slightly different accommodations, while a higher cost package might offer more services. Convenience such as departure site, flight program, hotel location and transportation should also be taken into consideration when traveling.
When you are planning to travel for your Umrah, you have to decide which hotel to stay at.
One area where significant price variations can occur is your hotel selection, and it’s important to carefully consider your options, and not settle for the first one you see:
- But the proximity of the Haram is most important for the elderly travelers or those who intend to go to the mosque several times a day.
- When a shuttle is offered, budgeting can be done outside the resort for at least an appreciable reduction in the overall package cost.
- Compared to double or single rooms, room sharing (triple or quad occupancy) will lower the cost per person.
- A hotel’s star rating should not be used as the only criterion for judging a hotel; ratings and reviews by recent guests are more likely to reflect the true quality.
- For those who are concerned about mobility, it may be better to book the further of the hotels, or to book further and spend less each night because you will be out walking to and from the Haram several times a day for longer stays.
Best Time to Book an Umrah Package from Dubai
There’s a time of availability and price:
The peak of the season is Ramadan; the time and location of the most highly sought-after and most costly season, is that which is near the Haram, and the hotel rooms are booked for months in advance.
Families also return to school during the holiday breaks to purchase more.
If you’re seeking the best hotel deals, you should look for rooms during the off-peak months since prices are generally at their lowest and hotel availability is high.
Booking several weeks or even months in advance will often help you to get a better room rate and choice of room in hotels that are near the Haram, especially when compared to booking last minute.
Don’t be afraid to adjust dates by a week, two weeks or even more – it can make a significant difference to the overall tour package.
Always consider the following prior to making a booking:
It is recommended to check before signing any Umrah package from Dubai:
- What’s being covered and what’s not covered (meals, Ziyarat, local transport etc.)
- Clearly stating the distance to the Haram and the name of the hotel not just ‘near Haram’ to imply proximity, which is not fair for the family
- The timeline and documents needed for the visa application process.
- Selection of routes and layovers (if applicable)
- Refunds and cancellations policy.
- Whether or not it is considered as transportation between Makkah and Madinah.
- Size of the group (if it is a group package)
- Actions to take in case of any issues/incidents on the trip
Don’t try and base the comparison on the face value of the package read the fine print, and it may turn out to be a better deal the other way around.
Final Thoughts
The price of an Umrah package from Dubai can vary greatly based on various factors, such as the type of hotel, the season, the size of the group, and the specific inclusions. It’s best to compare packages item by item not just the headline price to come up with a package that meets your travel needs and is within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of Umrah Package from Dubai?
The prices vary significantly according to hotel grades, off-peak seasons, group discounts and other features. Give the specific dates to the contractor, as a general advertised price is not as accurate.
What you can expect in an Umrah package from UAE?
The typical package provides visa processing, return airfares, hotel in Makkah and Madinah and ground transportation. Sometimes, meals are included and at times are offered as extra. Also, sometimes guided Ziyarat are offered and sometimes are included.
Which one is more economical, a group Umrah package or a private package?
Group packages tend to be cheaper per person, and are typically more rigid and less flexible than private packages, which are typically more expensive.
What is the ideal time to make an Umrah tour booking from Dubai?
If you can, reserve several weeks to a couple of months ahead and try and avoid the high demand periods, such as during Ramadan, to get the best deal on both price and hotel availability.
Is the traveling between Makkah and Madinah included in the Umrah Package?
Not all packages do, which is yet another detail to check before it’s taken for granted.
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