Performing Umrah, a lesser/minor pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, is a dream of every Muslim in the world. Millions of believers gather in front of the Kaaba every year to undertake a set of blessed rituals and ask Allah Almighty for spiritual renewal. If you live in the UK and are eligible enough to carry out this activity, try not to miss this golden opportunity. You can opt for all-inclusive London Umrah packages to get the most out of this religious journey. In case you’re looking for ways to save money on this trip to spend it later on other expenditures along the way, we’ve got your back here. Keep reading for more valuable insights!
1. Book Early
If you’ve set your mind on a pilgrimage from London in the coming year, this is the best decision you could make in your life as a Muslim. There are many ways you can make your journey completely worry-free and budget-friendly. And one of those is booking early. When you book everything in advance, it enables you to secure the best deals on flights and lodges. Not only this, but you may also be able to get special discounts and early bird offers, so try to avail this chance.
2. Travel Off-peak Months
The blessed activity of Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. However, it is advised to begin your travel during off-peak seasons rather than the on-peak ones. People usually plan an Umrah journey during the sacred month of Ramadan due to the multiplication of rewards it offers. But this makes the holy sites crowded. Even the prices on amenities get increased. You can minimise the hassle of all this by travelling during off-peak months, which also saves money.
3. Be Flexible With Travel Dates
If you’re planning an Umrah journey, make sure to be flexible with travel dates. You have to pick the travel date to Saudi Arabia with utmost care to avoid any stress along the way. Most flights get reserved at the eleventh hour and this can be extremely frustrating for some pilgrims. If you don’t want to fall victim to all of this, pick a travel date that matches your holidays. Also, you can plan your departure on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a cheaper travel experience.
4. Consider Flights to Madinah
You might have no idea, but considering flights to Madinah saves money on your Umrah trip from London to a greater extent. This is because it often results in overall lower costs compared to flying into Jeddah for a pilgrimage. Madinah is considered a generally less costly destination for flights. The savings can later be allocated to other aspects of the journey, such as extended travel, super comfortable accommodations near Masjid al-Haram, more meals, and many more.
5. Use Budget-friendly Airlines for Indirect Routes
Are you thinking of going to Saudi Arabia from the UK with your family for the purpose of the pilgrimage? You should invest in the right London Umrah packages to end up with a truly fulfilling experience. In case you want to make the whole trip cost-effective, make use of wallet-friendly airlines for indirect routes because it lets you take advantage of lower fares on connecting flights. Research appropriately what airlines are affordable and best suit your needs.
6. Compare Packages for Better Prices
One of the other practical tips that can help you save money on your next Umrah trip from London is comparing packages. Look for a trusted travel agency that offers different types of packages for the pilgrimage journey. You can then compare these deals and check the inclusions and exclusions. This is how you will have a better understanding of whether to invest in this package or not. Besides, it will also let you secure the best, reasonable prices for the entire trip.
7. Stay Slightly Outside the Haram
Accommodations affect your whole Umrah pilgrimage journey a lot. It is the wish of all pilgrims to stay as close to the Haram as possible. In case you want to save money on this trip, we urge you to book hotels slightly outside the Grand Mosque. Moreover, they should be within walking distance as well. You have to take care of your convenience too. Staying slightly farther from Haram but still being able to reach this place for rituals by walking for a little is the plus point.
8. Share Rooms if Comfortable
If it is your first time jetting off to the divine cities of Makkah and Madinah from the UK for Umrah, plan your itinerary with great care. It is a smart choice to travel as part of a group for the pilgrimage. Make sure to share your rooms if comfortable because it lowers accommodation costs to the brim. Other than this, it also helps by splitting other expenses like meals and transport. There are many group Umrah packages that you can choose for a smooth Umrah trip.
9. Eat at Local Restaurants
Another tip that you need to follow for a seamless and cost-effective Umrah experience is to eat at local restaurants. Most pilgrims have a misconception that local eateries don’t serve delicious meals, but it is not true at all. You will be provided with authentic and appetising dishes that will quickly fulfil your hunger and taste great at the same time. When you avoid eating in expensive restaurants, it helps save money on food, which can quickly add to the overall budget of the trip.
10. Set a Daily Spending Limit
No matter if you’re going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah individually or with your loved ones. You should set a daily spending limit for a totally stress-free pilgrimage experience. We advise you to manage your expenditures on food, souvenirs, and transportation in a better way. This is how you can go for more affordable public transport over expensive private taxis. This is something that you should always keep in mind to end up with a budget-friendly Umrah trip from the UK.
11. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
We all know that Umrah is a physically demanding journey. And staying hydrated at all times throughout the pilgrimage is very important. It is recommended to bring a refillable water bottle with you. This way, you will not have to buy separate plastic bottles to fulfil the water needs of your body. Not only this, but it also helps save money. So, why purchase a new bottle again and again to keep yourself hydrated when you can save money by bringing a refillable water bottle?
Final Thoughts
Last but not least, Umrah is a soul-enriching journey in Islam that has a special place in the hearts of Muslims. If you’re planning such a trip in the coming year from the UK, get London Umrah packages from Muslims Holy Travel to get the most out of this journey. We hope you have had a clear picture of how you can save money on this religious trip by following the tips discussed above in this article. May this Umrah be a source of blessings for you and your family!