Cheapest Time for Umrah from the UK

When Is the Cheapest Time for Umrah from the UK? A Month-by-Month Guide for 2027

The cheapest time for Umrah from the UK is usually September to mid-October, and the few weeks straight after Hajj in June and early July. In those quiet periods, 3-star packages with flights and hotels can start at around £500 per person. The most expensive time is Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, followed by UK school holidays. At those times the same trip can cost two or three times as much.

Unlike a beach holiday, Umrah prices follow two calendars at once: the Islamic lunar calendar, which moves about 11 days earlier each year, and the UK school calendar. Ramadan falls in a different place every year, so last year’s price pattern isn’t a reliable guide. This guide sets out how the two calendars line up in 2027, so you can find the cheapest month that also suits your family, your work and the weather.

How do the Islamic months fall in 2027?

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, and Hajj is expected around 14–19 May 2027. All Islamic dates depend on the sighting of the moon, so treat the dates below as estimates that may move by a day or two.

One point first-time pilgrims often miss: in recent years Saudi Arabia has stopped issuing Umrah visas from around the middle of Shawwal until after Hajj. If the same pattern holds in 2027, Umrah will be unavailable from roughly late March to early June. That means the Easter holidays are unlikely to work for most UK families this year.

Which months are cheapest for Umrah from the UK in 2027?

September and October are the best-value months of 2027, followed by mid-June to mid-July. February and early March, when Ramadan falls, are the most expensive.

Price levels are relative, based on how UK agency package prices usually move through the year. Exact fares depend on the airline, the airport and how early you book. Temperatures are typical daytime highs.

The three cheapest windows

1. September to mid-October. This is usually the cheapest time of the year. UK schools are back, the summer rush is over, and there are no major Islamic dates. The heat is easing but still strong, so plan your Tawaf for early morning or after Isha. Agencies often run their lowest-priced deals in these weeks. For example, Cheap Umrah Packages from UK providers such as Qiblatain list 7- and 10-night 3-star September trips from about £500 per person, including flights and hotels.
2. Mid-June to mid-July. Umrah reopens shortly after Hajj, and demand is low until UK schools break up. Prices can match September. The trade-off is serious heat, often above 40°C, which makes this window better for younger, healthy adults than for elderly relatives or small children.
3. Mid-November to mid-December. Prices are slightly higher than in September, but the weather is the most comfortable of any cheap period. This is a good choice for older pilgrims who want value without the heat. Try to return before the Christmas holidays start, when fares go up.

When to avoid travelling if price matters

• The last ten nights of Ramadan, roughly 27 February to 9 March 2027. Hotels near the Haram sell out months ahead.
• The February half-term. In 2027 it falls inside Ramadan, so two peak demands meet in the same week.
• The UK summer holidays, late July to the end of August, when family demand pushes flights up.
• Christmas and New Year, when UK flight prices rise on every long-haul route.

Can you do Umrah in Ramadan on a budget?

Yes, but only if you book early and pick your ten nights carefully. The first ten nights of Ramadan are usually the most affordable part of the month. The last ten nights cost the most.

For many British Muslims, Umrah in Ramadan is worth the extra cost, because of the spiritual reward linked to the month. The key is timing your booking. Most Ramadan Umrah packages from UK agencies release their allocations six to nine months before the month starts. With Ramadan expected around 8 February 2027, the best prices are usually available from summer to late autumn 2026. 3-star Ramadan packages can still be found from around £700 per person. Expect that to rise sharply as February gets closer.

Three ways to keep a Ramadan trip affordable:

• Go for the first ten nights (around 8–17 February 2027). Makkah is calmer, and hotel rates are noticeably lower than in the final week.
• Avoid the February half-term if your dates are flexible. Families with school-age children push prices up that week.
• Accept a short shuttle ride. A hotel 800 metres to 1 kilometre from the Haram can cost far less than one right next to it. Hotel shuttles run day and night during Ramadan.

How far ahead should you book a cheap Umrah package?

Book four to six months ahead for off-peak travel, and six to nine months ahead for Ramadan. Agencies block-book airline seats and hotel rooms at group rates. Once those rooms are gone, the price for each later booking goes up.

A few habits make the biggest difference:

1. Fix your month before you compare prices. A cheap quote for the wrong month is no saving.
2. Compare like with like. Check the hotel name, its walking distance to the Haram, the room type and whether transfers are included.
3. Be flexible by a few days. Moving your departure by two or three days, especially away from a Friday or a school holiday, can lower the fare.
4. Check your protection. Make sure the agency holds an ATOL licence and is authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Without this, a cheap price can turn into an expensive mistake.

What should a cheap Umrah package include?

A genuine budget package should still include return flights, a 3-star hotel in Makkah and Madinah, the Umrah visa and airport transfers. If any of these is missing, the low price is not a real comparison.

• Return flights from London, Manchester or Birmingham to Jeddah or Madinah
• Hotel names and distances to the Haram stated in writing
• The Umrah e-visa, arranged through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, and the required insurance
• Transfers between the airport, Makkah and Madinah
• A clear room type (double, triple or quad sharing)
• An ATOL certificate issued when you pay

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month for Umrah from the UK? In 2027, September is usually the cheapest month, followed by mid-June to mid-July and October. These months avoid Ramadan, the Hajj season and the main UK school holidays.

Is Umrah cheaper in summer? Only in the weeks just after Hajj, before UK schools break up, roughly mid-June to mid-July in 2027. Once the summer holidays start in late July, family demand pushes prices up again.

When does Ramadan start in 2027? Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027 and end around 9 March, depending on the sighting of the moon. The last ten nights are expected to start around 27 February.

Can I do Umrah during the Easter holidays in 2027? Probably not. Saudi Arabia usually stops issuing Umrah visas from mid-Shawwal until after Hajj. In 2027 that pause is likely to cover the Easter holidays, so check with your agency before you plan around them.

What is the best time for Umrah for elderly parents? Mid-November to mid-December, or January before Ramadan. Prices are moderate and temperatures in Makkah are usually in the high 20s °C, which is much easier on older pilgrims than the summer heat.

How much is a cheap Umrah package from the UK? Off-peak 3-star packages with flights, hotels, visa and transfers typically start at around £500–£600 per person, based on quad sharing. Ramadan packages usually start from around £700.

The bottom line

If price is your main concern, plan Umrah for September or early October 2027, or the weeks just after Hajj if you can cope with the heat. If comfort matters more, mid-November to mid-December gives good value and mild weather. If Ramadan is your goal, book the first ten nights by late autumn 2026.

Whichever window you choose, settle your dates first, then compare a few ATOL-protected quotes line by line. Check the Saudi Arabia travel advice on GOV.UK for current entry and health requirements before you travel.