The Best Time to Perform Umrah from the UK: A Practical, Honest Guide

Every year, thousands of UK Muslims sit and plan their Umrah but almost always come across the same challenge; when do I leave?

That looks like a reasonably uncomplicated query. It isn’t. The month you pick will determine how much your flight is, what hotels are available to you, (plus if they have rooms or not), just how busy the Haram ends up being from thousands of pilgrims that visit and whether or not your body deals with weather changes, for families who have children going through school age years it could also decide whether it’s even possible to travel. There is a real difference in the experience if you get the timing right.

So based on what really counts weather, crowds, costs and real-world family issues. I have devised this no-holds-barred month by month guide for UK pilgrims.

The Basics: What Changes by Month

Having said that, it is a good idea to be aware of three major factors which shift over year before we go through each month one by one.

The most obvious factor is weather. Makkah and Madinah are also located in desert climates. June to September summer months are routinely over 40°C and November to February winter months bring low-mid 20s°C, jolly nice for most UK pilgrims. For example, doing Tawaf in July at a midday peak heat is vastly different to doing Tawaf in November during an early evening period.

Crowds vary considerably. Ramadan is a spiritual time, deeply rewarding, extremely busy. The Haram is the fullest during the last ten nights of Ramadan, in particular. The UK family bookings soar for December school holidays. The least amount of pilgrims are present in the silent months September, October and November, resulting in a quicker Tawaf, an easier access to hotel rooms very close to the Haram, as well as calmer cities.

Pricing follows demand. Where crowds go, costs follow especially during Ramadan and the December school holidays. The best deals from UK agencies tend to fall in the autumn months & early-January.

Month by Month: The Honest Picture

January & February:Mild temperatures (20s°C) render this gap period ideally suited to UK pilgrims looking for off-peak demand such as more affordable packages before the rush of the holy month.

March (Ramadan Window): Umrah in Ramadan is incredibly profitable. Prices and crowd levels peak as the final ten nights approach each year but UK Muslims say that for most, the spiritual awakening is well worth any extra expense.

April and May are transition months. After Ramadan, the crowds and prices are both more relaxed, and the weather is still cool. These months are for pilgrims seeking a time with significant spiritual value (in the proximity of the Eid) but without severity of Ramadan itself.May is not ‘peak season’ for family trips (the school half-term gives this a small boost).

June & July: These months are hot with summer temperatures often in excess of 40°C. Pilgrims travelling at this time accommodate their practices by reserving Tawaf for the cooler hours of the day or pre-dawn hours or following Isha. Note that during the Hajj season, Umrah visas are suspended every year.

August remains the summer formula hot, family friendly and busier than autumn. For UK families with no manoeuvring on school term dates, Umrah happens in August simply because. Simply, planning around early mornings and evenings and staying close to the Haram (so that outdoor walking is minimal) makes one of the most practical differences.

September is highly underrated by many seasoned UK pilgrims. The school summer holidays have finished which means that the crowds start to disappear quite significantly. Prices reflect the lower demand. The heat then begins to dissipate from the summer high as it is late September and the weather is already far more manageable. It’s one of the very best windows of the year for working professionals who may be able to take their annual leave in September. For those seeking lower prices and mild weather, booking autumn deals via ATOL-protected Umrah packages offers the best value for money. 

October makes for an otherwise quiet, comfortable autumnal stretch. Crowds are at some of their lowest levels all year, prices drop and Makkah’s temperatures stabilise in the high 20s/Mid 30s °C, warm but not excessive heat especially in the mornings and evenings.October is in fact one of the more congenial months for older pilgrims or anyone with health issues.

November is the most neglected month on Umrah calendar for UK pilgrims. Outdoor activity during the day is nice with temps easing down into the low to mid 20s°C, though this is a time of year when the Haram feels quieter than almost any other. Ample availability for hotels in and around the Haram competitive prices with comparable options as well! November offers this more than any other month as Pilgrims seek a slower dedicated experience.

December two distinct experiences. However, the first two weeks of Dec to around 20th Dec are low season and quiet and much cheaper with a November feel.In the UK, family bookings largely surge by 20 December for the Christmas school holiday window covering price and crowding. Both have their place, but knowing which one you are booking into and planning for is what separates the possibility of managing reasonable expectations from getting taken for one.

The Bottom Line

There is no best time for Umrah, only the best month in your circumstances. Although the essence of spirituality is all that matters: Ramadan. December school holidays or in July, if family logistics decide the time. Whenever comfort, value, and a more tranquil atmosphere is sought, November or September always come through.

More important still, is to book with an agency that tells it like it is on what each time of year really entails (weather, crowds, costs) rather than one who makes every month sound perfect. Book wisely, ask the right questions and get everything in writing before you make any payments for your package.

A journey to Makkah is important enough to take a little care. Knowing when to go is a part of doing that well.

Author Bio (for Vocal profile):
This Article is Sponsored by Umrah Packages from UK. A London based Travel company providing exclusive UMRAH packages for travellers in the UK. In case you are looking for how you can plan your journey towards the Umrah, we advise that you look at Umrah Packages from UK.