Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, which can be undertaken 24/7 and 365 days. That is, it has no time restrictions or bounds whatsoever. Often Performed in connection with Hajj, it is an important religious ceremonial for Muslims. Large numbers of Muslims from around the world, including the UK, travel to Saudi Arabia each year to undertake Umrah. This wannabe guide actually explores the cost of Umrah packages from the UK, including and not limited to what is included in the package and some factors that might affect the overall cost of the trip.
What is included in an Umrah package?
An Umrah package is a complete tailor-customer package specifically made to cater to all your needs. It usually includes, but is not limited to, flights to and from Saudi Arabia, accommodation in Makkah and Medina, local transport and of course, a visa to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia itself. Some packages may also offer food, guides and other facilities based on the level you want. Please note that depending on the price, the level of comfort and luxury provided in the package may vary or differ greatly.
Factors affecting the cost of an Umrah package:
A number of factors can have an overall impact on the cost of an Umrah package from the UK. Among these are;
Dates of travel: Depending on the time of year you've planned to travel, the cost of an Umrah package can vary significantly. Prices skyrocket during peak travel periods such as Ramadan and Hajj itself.
Length of stay: Well that's an obvious point, but how long you intend to stay is another decisive factor that affects the cost of your package. Longer stays may incur more cost just because of the fact of additional accommodation, meals and transport costs.
Level of accommodation: Your choice of accommodation can also affect your package price in a significant manner. Five-star hotels will be more expensive than three-star hotels. However, with 5-star hotels, your walking distance reduces significantly, Hotel Anjum or Fairmount Clock Tower for an instance. However, with every increased luxury comes a hike in price.
Choosing an Airline: The airline you choose to fly with can also affect the cost of your Umrah package greatly. Some airlines will charge you a higher fare because of their Luxuriness and World Class amenities. For an instance, one cannot compare the rates of an Iberia's Economy Class with Emirate's Business Class.
Group size: The cost of the package can also be affected by the number of people in your group. Larger groups may be able to negotiate lower prices, while smaller groups may have to pay more. Groups with a large number of people can negotiate a better price with Travel Agencies, ever since their capability to do that has enhanced. However, with an increase in the number of people in one's group, it's that much more difficult to manage it together.
Cost of an Umrah package from the UK
Depending on the factors mentioned above, the cost of an Umrah package from the UK can vary in a gigantic way. There ain't any thumb rule for that. However, a very basic Umrah package that only includes a fortnightly visa with three-star accommodation, a return flight in economy class, and local transport, would cost around £1,000 per person. However, on the upper bound, there's no limit to it. For an instance, a suite in Raffles Makkah Palace costs around £1500 alone. Hence on the lower luxurious side, one can safely say that more extravagant packages can cost in the range of £5,000 per person.
It is, however, immensely advised to note that the cost of an Umrah package can also vary, significantly in some cases, depending on the travel agent or tour operator you choose. That is the main reason why it is advisable to compare prices and services offered by different agents before making a final decision.
To put concluding remarks to it, one can truly say that Umrah is an important religious aspect for purifying one's inner and outer self. Although not compulsory, people resort to it to elevate their connection with Allah SWT. Performing Umrah as a part of Hajj, however, is an important religious obligation for Muslims and many from the UK undertake this pilgrimage every year. The cost of an Umrah package from the UK can vary depending on several factors, including dates of travel, length of stay, level of accommodation, choice of airline and group size. It is important to do your research and compare prices before choosing a travel agent or tour operator.
