If you think that a standard Umrah package can fulfil all your personal needs without any customisation, then you are wrong. The right Umrah package is always one that meets your preferences, budget, comfort, and requirements. Often, people make mistakes while booking the right package according to their needs. But don’t worry, to remove your hassle, this article will provide a comprehensive guide on “how to choose the perfect Umrah package for your budget and preferences.”
Best Umrah packages are actually a collection of all-inclusive services that are required to stay during the Umrah trip. Your stay will be in Saudi Arabia, especially in Makkah and Madinah. So, packages provide facilities like round-trip flights, accommodation, ground transportation, Ziyarats, visa process, and guided tours. These all-inclusive packages are specifically provided by the Umrah travel agencies. Therefore, you don’t have to book the various things for Umrah by yourself manually; the concern agency will make all the arrangements.
Firstly, Determine Your Budget for the Package
Determining your budget is a fundamental step to buying the perfect package. This is the first step, and also a common mistake for most pilgrims. To determine the budget, keep in mind the total expected cost and the cost per person. If you buy a package for four people, it can cost you less as compared to solo traveller. Your budget should not only include the exact or related cost of the package; inclusions like unexpected expenses must also be considered.
Keep flexibility in your budget because unseen situations can happen at the time of booking. For example, if your budget is £900 per person, add £200 to £400 extra on each. Other than the package cost, include additional expenses like shopping, eating out, or local transport. Remember the key tip in your mind: not just consider the budget for the best offer, but also give priority to your comfort and needs.
Choose Duration and Best Time for Umrah Journey
Umrah duration and the best time for its performance are two essential factors that you must consider when you are planning the journey. The price and comfort of your trip largely depend on these two. The duration of the Umrah trip is usually between 7 to 20+ days, depending on personal preferences. Similarly, when you select the appropriate duration, it will automatically reflect the cost of the package. If you want to get the lowest price and minimum duration, the 7-night bundle will be best for you.
The second thing to be considered for booking the right package is the best time to travel for Umrah. By the way, you can perform Umrah at any time of the year except the Hajj days. Some seasons for Umrah are peak, and some are known as off-peak. Peak seasons include Ramadan (especially the final ten days), Easter holidays, or school vacations. During this time, crowds inside Masjid al-Haram are more than in non-peak times.
You can choose the best time of Umrah between January to March and October to December. The summer months are very hot in Makkah as well as in Saudi Arabia, where the temperature reaches 50°C. If you travel in summer, the price is slightly lower. Ramadan is also a perfect time, but you have to compromise on cost and crowds.
Give Priority to the Hotel’s Location
Giving priority to the hotel’s location is like a game-changing decision in your right Umrah package. But why should you give priority to hotels’ proximity to the Haram? The closer the hotel is to Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi, the easier it will be for you to perform the prayers inside the Mosques. If your hotel is far away, you may feel very exhausting when walking from the Haram to the hotel and vice versa. Most nearby hotels from Haram in Makkah come under the five-star category, such as those inside Clock Tower Complex.
Choose accommodation that is around 300 to 500 metres away from the Haram boundaries, especially when you are travelling with elderly pilgrims. It will not take more than 8-10 minutes to cover the distance on foot. Hotels which are located more than 1 km mostly come in economy or below economy packages. Some hotels may provide shuttle service according to their schedules.
Check the Reliability of Umrah Agency
At the end, you will finalise & book your Umrah package from a trusted Umrah Travel Agency. So, making sure their reliability and trustworthiness are important. But how will you check their credibility? Check out their official license number or protection number. For instance, if a company is UK-based, ensure the ATOL-protected number. Moreover, check out their reviews and references given by previously travelled happy customers. You can check on Google, TrustPilot, and social media platforms.
Any Umrah agency that has been operating for a long time is more reliable. New agencies can often make mistakes. You can ask for their expertise they have in the Umrah industry. Also, ask how many Umrah groups they sent in the past years. How much experience do they have in serving Umrah packages?
Lastly, Verify the Included Services in Your Package
After taking the quotations from your Umrah agent, it’s time to verify your package with the included services. Before signing the invoices, make sure everything is included according to your expectations. Check your Umrah ticket and the duration of flight, whether it is direct or indirect, to match what you have chosen before. Also, check your chosen hotels’ names and their distances in the invoice. Finalise everything by verification, and if something is going wrong, correct that on time. Otherwise, after signing, you may not be able to claim anything.
In conclusion, choosing the right Umrah package according to the budget and needs may seem difficult, but after following the steps discussed above, the process becomes easy for you. Perfect package not only fulfils your budget and requirements but also allows you to perform Umrah with focus. In short, your comfort zone must be there.
