When my aunt went for her first Umrah from Leicester, she chose an “all inclusive” package because she did not want to think about anything except her worship. It was a sound idea. But on the second evening in Makkah she rang me, quite upset, because the hotel was charging her for dinner and the Ziyarat trip she thought was included had a separate fee.
Nothing she was sold was dishonest, exactly. The words “all inclusive” simply meant something different to the agent than it did to her. I have seen the same thing happen to several families since, so it is worth being clear about what the phrase should cover.
Good all inclusive Umrah packages from the UK should cover return flights, the visa or full visa support, hotels in Makkah and Madinah with stated distances to the Haram, all transfers including the Makkah to Madinah journey, at least breakfast and ideally one more meal daily, guided Ziyarat in both cities, and a contact on the ground. For the Umrah visa from UK, British passport holders can apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa, while UK residents on other passports need an Umrah visa lodged by a licensed agent through the Nusuk system.
What All Inclusive Should Really Mean
There is no legal definition of an all inclusive Umrah package in the UK, so each agent decides for itself. In my experience, a package only deserves the name if it covers these eight things:
| What should be included | What to look for |
| Return flights | Departure airport, airline, any stop, and baggage allowance (Zamzam water allowance is a bonus) |
| Visa | Either the visa itself or full support with the application |
| Makkah hotel | Hotel name and walking distance to Masjid al-Haram in metres |
| Madinah hotel | Hotel name and walking distance to Masjid an-Nabawi |
| Transfers | Airport pick-up and drop-off, plus the Makkah to Madinah journey by coach or the Haramain train |
| Meals | At least breakfast daily, ideally half board |
| Ziyarat | Guided visits to places such as Masjid Quba, Uhud and Jabal al-Noor |
| Support | A UK office and a named contact in Saudi Arabia, reachable late at night |
If a package covers all eight, you can leave the practical side behind and focus on your Umrah. That is the whole point of choosing an all inclusive option.
When comparing Umrah packages UK all inclusive, look for deals that list the hotels by name, state their distance from the Haram, spell out what is included, and carry ATOL protection. A package that sets all of this out clearly is a useful benchmark for weighing up other quotes.
As a guide, a properly all inclusive seven to ten night package outside Ramadan and school holidays usually costs around £800–£1,200 per person, sharing a room. Lower prices often mean something on the list above has been dropped.
What Is Often Left Out
Even good agents sometimes leave out a few things. None of these is a problem as long as you know in advance.
- Many packages include breakfast only. In Makkah and Madinah there is plenty of affordable food near the Haram, but budget around £10–£20 a day if dinner is not included.
- Ziyarat fees. Some agents include a guided tour in Madinah but not in Makkah, or charge separately for the coach.
- The Haramain train. The high-speed train between Makkah and Madinah is quicker than the coach, but it is usually an upgrade with an extra cost.
- Travel insurance. The Saudi visa includes basic medical cover, but it does not protect you if you cancel or lose luggage. A separate UK policy is wise.
- Qurbani or sadaqah. These are personal acts of worship and rarely part of a package.
- Rawdah visits. You book these yourself in the Nusuk app. An agent cannot guarantee you a slot.
Ask for a written list of exclusions before you pay a deposit. A good agent will send one without fuss.
In my aunt’s case, the extras came to about £140 over ten nights. That was not a fortune, but it would have been far easier to plan for if she had known in advance. She went again two years later with a package that spelled out every meal and every trip, and she says it was the most peaceful journey of her life, because she never had to stop and think about money once she had put on her ihram.
How to Get an Umrah Visa from the UK, Step by Step
The route depends on the passport you hold, not on where you live.
If you hold a British passport
- Check your passport. It needs at least six months’ validity from your travel date.
- Apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa through the official Visit Saudi portal. It allows Umrah at any time outside the Hajj period.
- Pay the fee. The total, including the mandatory medical insurance, is usually around £100–£120.
- Wait for approval. It often arrives by email within a few days. Print a copy and keep one on your phone.
Some all inclusive packages add a handling fee to do this for you. If you are comfortable filling in an online form, you can save that money.
If you live in the UK on another passport
UK residents on Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and many other passports cannot use the tourist eVisa. Instead:
- Choose an agent who can lodge Umrah visas. The visa must be linked to hotel and transport bookings made through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk system.
- Send your documents. These usually include your passport, a passport photo, proof of UK residence such as a share code, and your vaccination certificate.
- Allow two to three weeks, and more around Ramadan. The Umrah visa is valid for 30 days from entry.
In this case, an all inclusive package can make things simpler, because the agent handles the whole process.
For everyone
The visa gets you into the country. To perform Umrah, you also need a free Umrah permit, booked in the Nusuk app for a set date and time once your visa is issued. You also need a meningitis ACWY vaccination, given at least ten days before you arrive. For the 2026–27 season, the last date for issuing Umrah visas is expected to be 9 March 2027.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
These are the questions I now send to every agent before my family books anything. A trustworthy agent will answer them in writing.
- What is your ATOL number? (Then check it on the Civil Aviation Authority website.)
- Which hotels exactly, and how far are they from the Haram in metres?
- Which meals are included each day?
- Is Ziyarat included in both Makkah and Madinah?
- How do we travel between Makkah and Madinah?
- Can you lodge an Umrah visa for every passport in our group?
- Who do we call in Saudi Arabia if something goes wrong at 2am?
- What is not included?
Pay by credit card where you can. Section 75 protection covers purchases between £100 and £30,000 if the company fails. A bank transfer to a personal account gives you no such protection, and the Foreign Office has warned for years about Umrah fraud aimed at British Muslims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do all inclusive Umrah packages from the UK include?
They should include return flights, visa or visa support, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, all transfers, at least breakfast, guided Ziyarat and on-the-ground support. Always ask for a written list of what is excluded.
How much is an all inclusive Umrah package from the UK?
Outside Ramadan and school holidays, around £800–£1,200 per person for seven to ten nights, sharing a room. Ramadan packages cost considerably more.
How do I get an Umrah visa from the UK?
With a British passport, apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa, which costs about £100–£120. With another passport, a licensed agent must lodge an Umrah visa for you through the Nusuk system.
Is the visa included in all inclusive Umrah packages?
Usually, yes, especially for non-British passports. Some agents leave British travellers to apply for their own eVisa, which can lower the package price.
Do I still need a Nusuk permit with an all inclusive package?
Yes. Every pilgrim needs a free Umrah permit in the Nusuk app. Some agents will help you book it, but it is linked to your own account.
Can elderly parents travel on an all inclusive package?
Yes, and many families find it a practical option for them. Ask for a hotel very close to the Haram, ground-floor or lift access, and whether wheelchairs can be arranged for Tawaf and Sa’i.
An all inclusive package should let you put the practical worries down and give your full attention to your Umrah. Check what it really covers, sort the visa route early, and the rest of the journey can be what it is meant to be.