Umrah cost: what is fixed and what varies
We do not sell packages. These are the only Umrah costs fixed by the authorities, what drives the rest of the price, and how to check a package before you pay.
Umrah cost: the fees fixed by the authorities
| Cost | Official amount | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi ETA (UK passport holders) | 50 SAR, non-refundable; no health insurance included Official source | Online, before you travel |
| Tourist eVisa or visa on arrival | 395 SAR (about $105), medical insurance included Official source | visa.visitsaudi.com or at the airport |
| Umrah permit | Free Official source | Nusuk app |
| Rawdah permit (Madinah) | Free Official source | Nusuk app |
| Makkah public bus | 4 SAR per ticket Official source | On board or in the Makkah Bus app |
The eVisa price is shown at payment on the official portal. US, Canadian and Australian passport holders use the eVisa or visa on arrival; see which visa you can use.
Umrah cost calculator
Type your own prices in US dollars. The eVisa is added automatically; everything else comes from the quotes you have.
Free in Nusuk: the Umrah permit and the Rawdah permit. 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (official peg). UK passport? The ETA costs 50 SAR instead, but includes no insurance.
Umrah price: what depends on the market
- Flights: dates, airline and departure airport. Ramadan and school holidays are the most expensive periods.
- Hotels: the hotel, how close it is to the Haram and your dates. Compare distances to the Haram on Makkah hotels and Madinah hotels; hotels further out, such as in Aziziyah, cost less but need a bus or taxi.
- Travel insurance: The e-visa includes health insurance up to 100,000 SAR; GOV.UK suggests extra travel insurance for costs above that. The ETA and the electronic visa waiver include no health insurance. GOV.UK warns travel insurance can be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
- Vaccine: the meningitis ACWY vaccine is required for Umrah.
- Transfers: the Haramain train runs from Jeddah airport to Makkah and between Makkah and Madinah; fares are shown only when you book.
How to keep the cost down
- Go independently: on the ETA or eVisa you book flights and hotels yourself. The Nusuk Masar rule (hotel recorded before the visa) applies only to the Umrah visa.
- Never pay for a permit: Umrah and Rawdah permits are free in Nusuk.
- Watch for middlemen who sell the eVisa above the official price.
- Plan your first night: arriving early in the morning can mean paying for the previous night; the Umrah planner works out which night to book.
Umrah packages from the UK: what to check
- UK-based organised crime groups target people planning Hajj or Umrah. GOV.UK advises using an ATOL-protected operator for Umrah, paying by credit card, and getting everything in writing. Victims should contact local police, the City of London Police Fraud Desk or Action Fraud.
- Ask which Saudi company the agency works with, then check it on the Saudi ministry’s licensed Umrah companies tool.
Full checklist: how to check an Umrah package.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Umrah cost?
Only a few costs are fixed by the authorities: the Saudi ETA for UK passport holders (50 SAR), the tourist eVisa (395 SAR including medical insurance) and the Umrah and Rawdah permits, which are free in Nusuk. Flights, hotels and transfers depend on dates and the market; we do not publish package prices.
What is the cheapest way to do Umrah from the UK?
Doing Umrah independently on the ETA or eVisa lets you choose your own flights and hotel. Book the Umrah permit yourself in Nusuk (it is free), compare hotels by distance to the Haram gates, and avoid peak dates such as the last ten nights of Ramadan and school holidays.
Do I have to pay for the Umrah permit?
No. The Umrah permit and the Rawdah permit are issued free in the Nusuk app. Anyone charging you for them is selling a free service.
Is an Umrah package from the UK protected?
UK government travel advice says to use an ATOL-protected travel company for Umrah and to pay by credit card. With ATOL protection you must receive an ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay anything.
We do not sell packages or visas. We do not give religious rulings.