Can I perform Umrah without a package?

You must be wondering if a package booking is necessary for Umrah or not. Let me help you with my guidance properly that will boost up your journey. A package helps you in making your Umrah journey better but isn’t always necessary to book. If you have your visa and passport ready, you can book your packages on your own, like you can make a reservation at the hotel or at the places you want. Basically, an Umrah without a package is also doable for those who have experience in this field.

As someone who always travels and has vast experience in Umrah and has done it before, many times, it is really easy for them. So don’t worry; here I will guide you about performing Umrah with or without packages and their perks.

Applying for an Umrah Visa

In order to perform Umrah, you are required to have an Umrah visa from the Saudi government through physically or from their e-visa website. Umrah is a religious sacred activity and requires proper bookings if you are not a native Saudi residing near the Haram. If you are travelling from a country with multiple flight options, you should opt for the option that is cost-effective. You can apply for an Umrah visa through the website of Saudi Arabia, where they offer online visa applications.

You can also apply through the Saudi embassy in your country or consulate in your hometown through a licensed travel agency. Don’t forget to submit your complete application in advance if you are planning your journey three to four months later because visa processing is a time-consuming activity. You can also apply from a trusted tour agency if you are not applying on your own. Well, if you are experienced and can apply without any helping hand, you can do it. Our CheapUmrahPackages also offers the best services and packages, like Umrah Packages with flights to accommodate you. Their Umrah Expert team process your visa as their own responsibility and making it easy for you.

Booking Your Own Flights

Once you are done with your visa requirements, you can apply for your flights and book them on your own. Experienced people do not need any help for booking their flights because it is as easy as booking the bus tickets. You can search on YouTube and explore some videos if you are unaware of it and want to book your flight on your own. Select the flight option first and prioritise the option that is more cost beneficial for you.

Book the cheapest flight for the date you want to depart for your Umrah journey. It is not a hectic procedure like visa procedures. But keep this thing in mind: Saudi Arabia can be a little expensive because of the peak season. If you are going there on peak travel days, don’t forget to conduct thorough research and compare different price options for different airlines to accommodate yourself at low costs.

Arranging Accommodation

After being done with visa processing and Umrah flights from UK, the next step is arranging the accommodation that fits perfectly to your budget. Accommodation options, especially in Mecca and Medina, are a little costly if you are booking near the destinations, like the Kaaba. There is a range of options, like budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts or simple rooms in guesthouses.

It is a little challenging an option because you have to invest mindfully and save your budget; that’s why people prefer to travel on off-peak days. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance at lower prices and to avoid the availability issues. You can also opt for the 12 Nights 5 Star Umrah Packages by CheapUmrahPackages, an Umrah service provider in the UK, which is the most trusted travel agency in the UK for over 10 years.

Organising Ground Transportation

After selecting your accommodation option, group transportation can be helpful for you to travel in Saudi Arabia on a reasonable budget. It is a little challenging, especially for those who are not native and not experts in the Arabic language. So you can face the difficulty in hiring a taxi or renting a car from the local native people. Just don’t forget that drivers in Saudi Arabia are a little perilous during the peak travel days. To avoid these issues, you can book your travel in a group transportation package in advance so you don’t face any last-minute hustle.

If you are a woman or a solo traveller, group transportation will also be helpful for you. To be in a crowd all the time and surrounded by people ensures the safety. Besides, it is budget-friendly and less costly; it is also helpful for those who have no experience in bargaining. If you book Umrah packages with flights by CheapUmrahPackages, you will automatically be booked for group travel transportation according to your package requirements. As the trusted Umrah service provider, we’ve deep links with Saudi travel agencies and local vendors, they get these at lower prices.

Performing Umrah Independently

A careful planning and detailed preparation is required if you are planning to perform Umrah independently. Conduct detailed and thorough research to understand the rituals of Umrah and how to wear Ihram and perform Tawaf. For the men and women, it is necessary to understand the shaving of hair during your Umrah as a basic ritual. You can also hire a tour guide or search for a scholar before going to Umrah to make sure that you are performing Umrah rituals perfectly in a correct way.

If you don’t know about the Umrah procedures and the requirements, don’t hesitate. As if you are booking with the Umrah travel agency, you will get proper guidance over the Umrah rituals. Many Umrah service providers also guide their customers thoroughly on how to perform the Umrah if they are not in a group. You can also search for a detailed Umrah video on YouTube to understand the rituals step by step. Moreover, when you are performing Umrah, there will be a huge crowd around, and you can learn from them too. I would say prefer booking your package from any experienced Umrah agency like CheapUmrahPackages to avoid the unnecessary issues.

Arranging Ziyarah (Religious Site Visits)

Ziyarat is a religious site which Muslims visit during their Umrah journey as an essential step. One can arrange for this on their own if they are visiting independently. But arranging ziyarat through a licensed travel agency is more beneficial because they can accommodate you at a lower cost. Again, I would say to plan your ziyarat in advance so that you don’t face any issue later. Because of the ongoing rush, prices will get higher, so try to book your transport too, in advance, at less cost.

I repeat, if you are going with Umrah packages from an experienced Umrah service provider, they will arrange your ziyarat and transport in your package by default. The top ziyarat places during Umrah are Safa Marwa, Mina, Meeqat and other nearby areas around the Kaaba.

Challenges of DIY Umrah

Maybe you think that DIY Umrah is easy, more rewarding, and cost-effective, but it is hectic and comes with a lot of difficulties. Most include a language barrier, a variety of cultural differences, some logistics challenges, and safety concerns. As you know, Arabic is the official native language of Saudi Arabia, and we as foreigners are not proficient in speaking Arabic. Dealing with the local Saudi Arabians is not as easy as you think.

Moreover, there are a variety of cultural differences between foreign countries and Saudi Arabia which can create a lot of misunderstandings. Again, arranging for your transportation or accommodation in a different country with a different language and culture can be difficult and consume your time a lot. Now if you are a solo traveller or a woman, safety is a major concern for you. In an environment which is totally new and you are not familiar with, it can create a mess.

Accommodation in your DIY package may not be that good as there are 12 Nights 5 Star Umrah Packages by CheapUmrahPackages. Because travel agencies have vast and deep links with other countries’ travel, that’s why they accommodate you in a better way.

Who Should Consider DIY Umrah?

DIY basically means which you are doing by your own, like arranging Umrah by own. As DIY Umrah is low on budget and cost beneficial for you, it can be a good option. As you will get more reward because of the issues you are facing during your Umrah journey. It is not as suitable for everyone because not everyone is experienced or sensible enough to deal with foreigners. It is a good experience for those who are experienced travellers or are living in a Middle Eastern country.

For those who have DIY, Umrah is a good option, especially for Arabic speakers. They find it easier to communicate with the local logistics and are able to bear the challenges coming in DIY Umrah. Moreover, budget-conscious travellers will find it the best package because of cost benefits and a good alternative. Independent travellers also prefer travelling independently on their own, arranging DIY Umrah to experience it better.