Performing Umrah independently without a tour group is not only possible it can be incredibly rewarding and spiritually liberating. While many first-time pilgrims assume they need to book an organized package with a group, traveling solo or with family gives you complete control over your schedule, budget, and spiritual experience.
I performed my Umrah in October 2025 independently, and the flexibility to worship at my own pace, choose my accommodations, and explore both Makkah and Madinah on my own terms made the journey deeply personal and meaningful. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully perform your first Umrah without a group.
Before diving into the logistics, let’s understand the benefits and considerations of independent Umrah travel:
Complete flexibility with your schedule. Unlike group tours that follow rigid itineraries, solo travel allows you to perform Umrah at times that work best for you. Want to do Tawaf at 2 AM when crowds are lighter? You can. Prefer to spend an entire day in Madinah visiting historical sites? No problem. Your time is entirely your own.
Significant cost savings. Tour packages typically include substantial markups for group coordination, tour guides, and bundled services you might not need. By booking flights, hotels, and visa independently, you can often save 30-50% compared to package prices, or use the same budget for significantly better accommodations.
Freedom to choose your accommodations and location. Want to stay within walking distance of Masjid al-Haram even if it costs more? Or prefer a budget hotel farther away? The choice is yours. You’re not limited to the hotels that tour operators have contracts with.
Ability to extend or modify your trip. If you fall in love with Madinah and want to stay longer, or if you want to cut your trip short for any reason, you have that flexibility. Group tours lock you into fixed dates.
More authentic spiritual experience. Without the constant presence of a tour guide explaining everything or a group schedule to follow, you can focus entirely on your personal connection with Allah. The journey becomes deeply introspective rather than educational and rushed.
Opportunity to meet diverse pilgrims. When you’re not confined to a tour group, you naturally interact with Muslims from all over the world, enriching your understanding of the global Muslim community.
Requires more planning and research. You’ll need to handle all logistics yourself, from booking flights to understanding visa requirements. However, with resources like this guide, the planning process becomes manageable.
Language barriers. While many people in Makkah and Madinah speak some English, you may encounter situations where communication is challenging. Learning basic Arabic phrases helps tremendously.
No dedicated guide for questions. Tour groups provide guides who answer questions about rituals and logistics. As a solo traveler, you’ll need to research thoroughly beforehand or ask locals and volunteers for help.
Potentially more expensive if traveling alone. Hotel rooms cost the same whether one or two people stay in them. Solo travelers pay the full room rate, while those sharing split costs. However, you can still save money by choosing budget accommodations.
Responsibility for all arrangements. If something goes wrong missed flights, hotel issues, getting lost you’re responsible for resolving it. This requires confidence and problem-solving skills.
Despite these challenges, thousands of pilgrims successfully perform independent Umrah every year. With proper preparation, the experience is incredibly rewarding.
Research and decide on travel dates. Consider factors like weather, crowd levels, and your personal schedule. Ramadan offers tremendous spiritual rewards but comes with massive crowds and higher prices. Winter months (November-February) have pleasant weather and moderate crowds.
Apply for your visa. Saudi Arabia offers two main options for Umrah:
You can read how to obtain these visas on my Umrah Visa page
I used the tourist e-visa for my October 2025 trip, which gave me flexibility and the option to return within the year if I wanted. The application process took about 15 minutes online and was approved within 24 hours.
Book your flights early. Flight prices to Jeddah (nearest airport to Makkah) or Madinah vary significantly based on season and how far in advance you book. Use flight comparison websites and be flexible with dates if possible. Consider flying into Jeddah and out of Madinah (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking.
Budget for your trip. Create a realistic budget including:
Book your accommodations. This is crucial for independent travel. Use booking platforms like Booking.com, Agoda, or directly through hotel websites. Key considerations:
For detailed hotel recommendations and reviews, check our comprehensive accommodations guide.
Purchase travel insurance. Even though you’re healthy and careful, travel insurance provides peace of mind for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. Ensure your policy covers Saudi Arabia.
Book transportation between Makkah and Madinah. You have several options:
I highly recommend the Haramain High-Speed Train. It’s affordable, comfortable, runs on schedule, and drops you right in Madinah city center.
Start learning about Umrah rituals in depth. Read comprehensive guides, watch videos, and memorize the duas. The more prepared you are, the more confident and focused you’ll feel during your actual pilgrimage. Our step-by-step Umrah ritual guide provides detailed instructions.
Purchase Ihram clothing and essential items. Men need two white, unseamed cloths. Women need modest clothing that covers everything except face and hands. See our complete packing list for everything you’ll need.
Get required vaccinations. Saudi Arabia requires proof of meningococcal vaccination (ACWY) taken at least 10 days before arrival. COVID-19 vaccination requirements may still apply. Check our vaccination page for further information.
Arrange finances. Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates to prevent cards from being blocked. Bring multiple payment methods: credit cards, debit cards, and some cash in both USD and Saudi Riyals (SAR). ATMs are widely available, but having some local currency upon arrival is helpful.
Download essential apps:
Make arrangements for home. If traveling alone, ensure someone at home has your itinerary, hotel information, and can reach you in emergencies. Set up international roaming or plan to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival.
Pack strategically. Use our comprehensive packing guide to ensure you don’t forget essentials. Remember, you can buy most things in Saudi Arabia if you forget something, but having everything prepared reduces stress.
Prepare physically. Umrah involves significant walking—often 5-10+ miles per day. Start taking daily walks to build stamina. If you have knee or back problems, consult your doctor about pain management strategies.
Finalize your itinerary. Decide how many days you’ll spend in Makkah vs. Madinah, when you’ll perform your Umrah, and what sites you want to visit. Having a loose plan helps, but stay flexible.
Exchange some currency. While you can exchange money upon arrival, having $100-200 in Saudi Riyals provides immediate convenience for taxis, tips, or small purchases.
Download Esim before your trip. Download a esim before you go on your trip. I personally use Airalo esim and it worked very well. I downloaded it before I went onto my phone and activated it once I arrived.
Review security and cultural norms. Understand Saudi laws and customs: dress modestly, respect prayer times when businesses close, avoid public displays of affection, and follow all local regulations. Saudi Arabia is very safe, but cultural awareness is important.
When your flight lands in Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International Airport) or Madinah (Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport), follow these steps:
Immigration and customs. Have your passport, visa, and return ticket ready. Immigration officers may ask about your accommodation—have your hotel booking confirmation accessible on your phone or printed. The process is usually quick and straightforward.
Exchange money if needed. Airport exchange rates aren’t the best, but it’s convenient to have some local currency immediately. ATMs are also available throughout the airport.
Arrange transportation to your hotel:
I pre-booked a private transfer ahead of time to ensure I had someone to pick me up from the airport. I was travelling with my sister and we have 4 bags to take along with us. The total charge was 220 SAR. The driver was professional, the fare was transparent, and we felt completely safe.
Stay alert and aware. While Saudi Arabia is very safe, airport areas always have some people trying to overcharge tourists. Use metered taxis or ride-sharing apps with fixed fares rather than negotiating with unofficial drivers.
Check in and rest. Don’t rush to perform Umrah immediately if you’re exhausted from travel. Rest, shower, eat, and get acclimated. Umrah performed with focus and presence is far more valuable than Umrah performed while jet-lagged and exhausted. We arrived 2am in the morning so we didn’t get to check in, and performed our umrah first and checked in after 8am. You may need to call your hotel ahead of time to see if early check in is possible.
Familiarize yourself with the area. Walk around your hotel neighborhood, locate the entrance to Masjid al-Haram you’ll use most often, find nearby restaurants and grocery stores, and identify landmarks for navigation.
Prepare your Ihram. Lay out your Ihram clothing, review the steps for entering Ihram, and mentally prepare for your pilgrimage. Some people prefer to perform their first Umrah on their first evening, while others wait until the next day. There’s no wrong choice.
Perform Ghusl (full-body purification). Take a complete shower with the intention of preparing for Ihram. Use unscented soap. Trim your nails and remove unwanted body hair if you haven’t already. This is highly recommended Sunnah.
Put on your Ihram clothing. For men, wear two white, unseamed cloths. One wraps around the waist to the ankles, the other covers the upper body leaving the right shoulder exposed (Idtiba). For women, wear any modest, loose-fitting clothing covering everything except face and hands.
Perform two Rak’ahs of prayer. Before formally entering Ihram, pray two units of voluntary prayer (Salah al-Ihram). This is Sunnah and helps you focus spiritually.
Make your intention and begin Talbiyah. When you’re ready to enter Ihram, make your verbal intention: “Labbaik Allahumma Umrah” (Here I am O Allah, for Umrah). Then immediately begin reciting Talbiyah loudly (for men) or softly (for women):
“Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik La Sharika Laka Labbaik, Innal Hamda Wan Ni’mata Laka Wal Mulk, La Sharika Lak”
Continue reciting Talbiyah as you walk toward Masjid al-Haram. You’re now in the sacred state of Ihram
Choose the right time. First-time solo pilgrims often benefit from performing Umrah during less crowded times. The hours after Fajr (dawn) prayer until mid-morning are relatively calm. Since everyone is leaving for breakfast. Very late night (after midnight) is also quieter. Avoid peak times right after Maghrib or during Ramadan unless you’re comfortable with massive crowds.
Enter with humility and focus. Step into the mosque with your right foot, recite the dua for entering a mosque, and take a moment to appreciate the blessing of being there. When you first see the Kaaba, raise your hands and make sincere, personal dua—this is a highly blessed moment when duas are readily accepted.
Don’t stress about crowds. As a solo traveler, you have the advantage of moving through crowds more easily than groups. Be patient, polite, and go with the flow. Never push or shove.
Locate the starting point near the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Position yourself so the Kaaba is on your left. The starting point is marked, and volunteers can help you find it. If you can reach the Black Stone, kiss it or touch it. If not which is most likely during busy times simply point toward it and say “Bismillah Allahu Akbar.”
Begin walking counterclockwise. Keep the Kaaba on your left at all times. Walk at a comfortable pace. Men should walk briskly with small steps (Raml) during the first three circuits if possible, then normal pace for the remaining four.
Make dua throughout your circuits. There are recommended duas, especially between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone: “Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina adhaban-naar.” But also make personal supplications in any language. Talk to Allah about everything on your heart.
Keep count of your circuits. Use your fingers or ask a companion if you have one. Seven complete circuits are required. If you lose count, assume you completed fewer and add another to be certain.
Complete all seven circuits, then move to an area behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the mosque if it’s too crowded) and pray two Rak’ahs. This completes your Tawaf.
Drink Zamzam water. After your prayer, proceed to one of the many Zamzam stations throughout the mosque, drink until satisfied, and make dua—Zamzam water is for whatever purpose you drink it.
Proceed to Safa. Walk to Mount Safa (or as close as you can reach in the crowd). Face the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make dua. Recite the recommended supplications and praise Allah. There are 3 levels for the Sai, so choose a level that is less crowded.
Walk toward Marwah. This is one complete lap. The return from Marwah to Safa is lap two. Continue until you complete seven laps, ending at Marwah.
Men should jog between the green lights. There are two green markers—men should increase their pace between these points. Women walk at a normal pace throughout.
Make personal duas. Sa’i is an excellent time for extended personal supplication. Reflect on Hajar’s story, her trust in Allah, and make dua for yourself, your family, and the Ummah.
After finishing Sa’i at Marwah, you must cut your hair. Men should either shave their head completely (Halq, which is more rewarding) or trim hair from all around their head (Taqsir). Women should gather their hair and cut approximately an inch from the end.
There are barbershops inside Masjid al-Haram on the upper floors near the Marwah exit. You can also find barbershops immediately outside the mosque entrances. The cost is typically 10-20 SAR. As a solo traveler, this is straightforward just walk in, point to what you want (shave or trim), and it’s done in 5 minutes.
You are now out of Ihram. Congratulations! You’ve completed your Umrah. You can change back into regular clothing, apply perfume, and resume normal activities. Many people feel a profound sense of peace and spiritual fulfillment at this moment.
| Factor | Solo/Independent Umrah | Group Package Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✓ $2,000-4,000 (flexible budget) | $3,000-6,000+ (fixed price) |
| Flexibility | ✓ Complete control over schedule | Fixed itinerary, group pace |
| Accommodation | ✓ Choose your own hotel/location | Pre-selected hotels only |
Yes, you can perform Umrah completely independently without any tour package. You have two visa options: apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online (valid for one year with 90 days per visit) which you can do entirely yourself, or apply for a dedicated Umrah visa through an approved agent who simply processes your visa without requiring you to book their full package. You’ll book your own flights, choose your own accommodations based on your budget and preferences, and handle all logistics yourself. This independent approach often saves 30-50% compared to package tours and gives you complete control over your schedule, allowing you to worship at your own pace and stay as long as you want.
Performing Umrah independently as a first-timer might seem daunting, but it’s absolutely achievable with proper preparation. The confidence you gain, the flexibility you enjoy, and the deeply personal spiritual experience make it profoundly worthwhile.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Yes, there’s more responsibility than joining a tour group, but you’re more capable than you think. Millions of pilgrims perform Umrah independently every year, including first-timers.
Trust in Allah’s plan. If challenges arise and they might remember that every difficulty is part of your journey and an opportunity for growth. Some of my most memorable moments came from unexpected situations.
Stay present and mindful. It’s easy to get caught up in logistics and photography. Put your phone away often, absorb the atmosphere, make sincere dua, and truly experience the blessing of being in these sacred places.
Be kind to yourself and others. If you make a mistake in a ritual, don’t panic your sincerity matters most to Allah. And treat fellow pilgrims with patience and kindness, even when you’re tired or frustrated.
May Allah accept your Umrah, grant you a safe journey, and bless you with a transformative spiritual experience. The fact that you’re planning this journey independently shows your determination and trust in Allah. You’re ready for this blessed adventure.
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.
Need More Help? Check out our other comprehensive guides:
Disclaimer: This guide provides general advice based on Islamic teachings and practical pilgrimage experience. For specific religious rulings, consult qualified Islamic scholars. For current travel regulations and requirements, verify with official Saudi Arabian government sources and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Performing Umrah independently without a tour group is not only possible it can be incredibly rewarding and spiritually liberating. While many first-time pilgrims assume they
Performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual journey that requires both physical preparation and understanding of proper etiquette. Whether this is your first pilgrimage or you’re