Umrah on a Budget: Affordable Tips for Muslim Women
Umrah is a spiritual journey in Islam which every Muslim Woman dreams of going once in their lives after Hajj. Umrah is not mandatory but Hajj is. However, the financial cost for Hajj and Umrah sometimes feel overwhelming. The good news is—with careful planning and smart choices, you can perform Umrah without breaking the bank. Here are some practical and affordable tips to help you complete your Umrah journey meaningfully and economically.
I will explain what is Umrah and how it is different from Hajj for better understand of the beginners:
Umrah: Umrah is a religious ritual where pilgrims enter Ihram, a state of ritual purity and intention, wearing special white garments. They walk seven times around the Kaaba, the sacred mosque of Islam, Al-Masjid Al-Haram. They also walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Male pilgrims shave their heads or trim their hair, while females trim a small portion.
Umrah vs Hajj: The Hajj is a spiritual journey for Muslims, beginning with Ihram, where pilgrims enter a state of spiritual purity and wear special white garments. They then perform Tawaf, walking seven times around the Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram. The pilgrims then travel to Arafat, where they pray and contemplate, seeking forgiveness and making supplications. Whereas, Umrah is a religious ritual where pilgrims enter Ihram, a state of ritual purity and intention, wearing special white garments. They walk seven times around the Kaaba, the sacred mosque of Islam, Al-Masjid Al-Haram. They also walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Male pilgrims shave their heads or trim their hair, while females trim a small portion.
Umrah is an important part of a Muslim's life, and it is critical to select the best budget friendly affordable Umrah package that meets the requirements of Muslim Women and ensures a safe and comfortable travel.
By following these suggestions for affordable budget friendly Ladies Umrah trips, you can ensure that you save more and also have a rewarding spiritual Umrah journey
Be an early bird:
The first and foremost step to plan an affordable budget friendly Umrah trip for Muslim Women is to plan ahead of time. Umrah package pricing can vary depending on the time of year and demand for packages. As a result, it is recommended that you start looking for packages at least six months before your planned travel dates.
To save money on Umrah trips, you must be proactive and book your flights and accommodation early. When booking an affordable budget friendly Umrah trip, check and book your travel dates ahead of time. This is one of the finest ways to save money on Umrah travel because there are numerous travel agents that provide fantastic deals and early bird discounts. As a result, the earlier you book, the lower your travel expenses will be. Aside from the financial benefits, making early bookings allows you to avoid the bother of last-minute booking pressure. Furthermore, keeping an eye on flight availability and accommodations will help you get the greatest bargains at the lowest available prices.
Some Hajj Umrah Travel Agencies offer affordable budget friendly Ladies Umrah packages all year, giving their clients the freedom to choose the plan that best meets their travel needs. Their Umrah packages include all necessary services, such as lodging, transportation, and visa arrangements, guaranteeing that our clients enjoy a hassle-free and comfortable trip.
Plan your Umrah trip during Off-Peak Seasons:
Timing plays an important role while planning for an affordable budget friendly Umrah Journey. So, it is essential to always do a thorough research beforehand to compare prices of different Umrah packages of different agencies to see which one suits your budget the best, always avoid peak seasons like Ramadan, School Holidays and Peak Hajj Seasons as prices for flights and accommodations skyrocket during Ramadan, school holidays, and peak Hajj seasons.
If you want an affordable budget friendly Umrah trip, you should always try to plan your Umrah trip during the off-seasons. Since Umrah allows pilgrims to complete it at any time of year, take advantage of this chance to arrange an affordable budget-friendly Umrah Journey. Choose months when few pilgrims visit the holy city of Mecca and Medinah. Avoid peak seasons like Ramadan and Hajj to save money on Umrah bookings. These are occasions when pilgrims are particularly interested in visiting Mecca and Medinah. Concurrently, the airfare and overnight accommodations can be too expensive. So, if you don't want to burn a hole in your budget, plan your Umrah trip when demand is low.
Choosing the proper time to travel might considerably affect the cost of an Umrah trip for Muslim Women. Umrah package prices tend to rise during popular travel seasons like Ramadan, Hajj, and Eid. As a result, it is recommended that you purchase an Umrah package during a low-demand season.
Many Travel Agencies provide Affordable Budget Friendly Umrah packages for Muslim Women all year, giving their customers the freedom to choose the plan that best meets their travel needs. They also provide customizable packages, which allow their clients to tailor their packages based on their travel dates, ensuring that they get the best value for money.
Be Smart About Flights:
In most cases, Airfares are so expensive that they take up a big amount of your Umrah Budget. Especially in cases where you book your flights at the last minute or moment. So, it is recommended to compare flight tickets through different websites or apps like Google Flights or SkyScanner, to get the best deals on your Umrah flights. Another way to get cheaper or affordable budget friendly Umrah deals is to set a price range or price alerts on airlines websites and book when their prices or rates drop. Also, Be flexible with your travel dates and consider layovers if they reduce the price significantly.
Being Smart about your Umrah flights are important to have an affordable budget friendly Umrah Journey. As it can significantly affect your Umrah budget and help you save more money which you can use for other activities on your Umrah journey.
Avoid last minute expenses:
Be prepared while leaving your home or hotel. Pack snacks, beverages, and medications before going for Umrah. Midday snacks and beverages can add up to unneeded costs. It is a sensible decision to handle situations and concerns strategically. Remembering at the last minute can result in paying more than the regular price for the essential supplies.
Pack an emergency first-aid kit with the necessary medications to minimize last-minute charges. Medicines are expensive, and finding a medical store in an unfamiliar area can be difficult. As a result, you must ensure that you leave your accommodation fully prepared.
Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation:
Choosing the best affordable budget friendly accommodation is an important part of planning an affordable budget friendly Ladies Umrah trip. Accommodation can have a considerable impact on the cost of Umrah packages, so select an option that is both comfortable and budget friendly.
Most of the Hajj Umrah Travel agencies provide a variety of accommodation options, including 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels, so that you may select the option that best fits your budget and interests. They even have ties with some of the best hotels in Makkah Madinah to ensure that their guests enjoy a comfortable stay throughout their Umrah vacation.
Umrah is an important part of a Muslim's life, and it is critical to select the best budget friendly affordable Umrah package that meets the requirements of Muslim Women and ensures a safe and comfortable travel.
Staying close to the Haram is convenient but expensive. So Opt for hotels or hostels a little further away with shuttle services. Or, you can Share rooms with other sisters or join women-only group packages to split costs.
Budget Friendly Umrah Packages:
You can save money on Umrah trips by choosing affordable budget friendly Umrah Packages for Muslim Women, that pay attention to every detail. Whether you are applying for an Umrah visa online or traveling from your accommodation to the magnificent mosque, Masjid al-Haram, everything should be included in your Umrah package. When you spend so much money on a package deal, you shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort. However, these trip packages can be prohibitively expensive under the pretext of ease. As a result, budget-friendly Umrah packages that offer hotel accommodations near the Masjid al-Haram are the best option. Do extensive research to get an affordable bundle that meets your needs while remaining comfortable.
Travel in a Group:
If you are traveling in a group and have a joint family, you can save money on your Umrah trip. The more people are there with you in your Umrah Trip, the lower your expenses will be. In fact, the expenses will be shared equally among everyone, and you will not be responsible for covering all of the costs yourself. In addition, instead of booking single or double-bed rooms, look for family suites with larger spaces to accommodate more people. So, even if you exclude the expenses of children and the old from the group, you will still have limited expenses.
Traveling in group also allows you to get group discounts, group offers, and you also gets guided support in comparison to while you are traveling alone, where you will have to bear all the expenses yourself and you might find it difficult to understand where to stay, how to travel, where to eat, especially for those who are travelling for the first time to perform their Umrah.
Also, it feels much safer for a Muslim Woman to travel in a group than to travel alone. Traveling with other Muslim women can make your trip safer, more social, and cost-effective.
Minimize Shopping
Shopping in Makkah and Madinah might be very tempting. Set a shopping budget before leaving so that you do not end up oversharing. Also, focus on meaningful souvenirs like dates, prayer beads, or small gifts. Avoid overspending on clothes or luxury items, as it can unbalance your budget. Remember, this Umrah journey is about spiritual growth and not about shopping. Try to not to waste your time on thing which are not important and spend more time on Ibadah
Eat Like a Local
To save money on your Umrah trip, it is recommended to dine at neighborhood local restaurants rather than luxury dining establishments. Local food is inexpensive and excellent. Just because the meal is served by a street vendor or a small shop owner does not necessarily imply that it is unsanitary or unhealthy. Use the internet to identify the greatest street food spots where you can eat for less money. Try to travel there and sample the native foods to fulfill your hunger. Food may either make or break your budget-friendly travel plans. Furthermore, if you do not want to eat outside, search for accommodations that include a kitchen. You may prepare your meals there, save money on groceries, and avoid putting your health at risk.
You can also bring dry snacks or ready to eat meals with you from your home country for emergency situations.
Pack Smart:
Packing is also important when you are traveling to another country. As you can save money by packing all essentials including comfortable abayas, hijabs, toiletries, medicines, and slippers. As buying these items in another country can put a dent on your budget. Also, it is better to avoid last minute shopping for overpriced items once you are there.
Use Budget-Friendly Tech
It is also one of the important things which most of us don’t pay much attention to. Today's World is technology dominated, we always need the internet with us wherever we are and it makes our lives so much easier, especially Free Umrah Guide Apps for navigation, Duas and Schedules, it helps us to keep a record of our Umrah Journey and makes our journey more peaceful and soothing. You can also get a local SIM Card instead of using your local country number for data or use Hotel Wifi for communication. Use Free Communication calls to update your family back home. As WhatsApp calls are banned in Saudi Arabia, you can use VPN to make it work or use another substitute of WhatsApp Messenger, like Biotim App.
Conclusion:
Umrah is a spiritual journey that can be financially challenging for Muslim women, but with careful planning and smart choices, they can be a rewarding and affordable experience. Umrah doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. With mindful planning and a focus on your spiritual goals, you can have a beautiful, affordable and budget-friendly Umrah journey. Remember, Allah looks at your intention and effort, not the price tag of your ticket. Spend more time on Ibadah, as every second matter while you are doing your Umrah. Avoid doing unnecessary things which may hinder your Ibadah and spiritual journey. I hope this blog helps you plan a meaningful budget-friendly affordable Umrah journey.
May your Umrah journey be accepted and your duas answered. 🤲🏼💖
Also, don’t forget to read our other blogs related to Umrah and Hajj for further understanding.