DIY Umrah Resources & Money-Saving Tips

Muslim Travel Girl is a leading authority on DIY Umrah, having assisted over 1.5 million Muslims around the world in understanding how to organize their own DIY Umrah. She provides guidance on managing Umrah and tourist visas, as well as tips for planning an affordable trip.

I created this website to share my travel experiences and how Umrah planning and travel hacking saved me over £50,000 in the past ten years, allowing for luxurious 5-star stays near the Kaaba during Ramadan. My DIY Umrah journey began in 2015, driven by my desire to perform Umrah without paying high fees.

Umrah should not be an unattainable dream; it should be a spiritual uplift in a busy world!

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Planning Your DIY Umrah Trip

Think of Umrah planning like organizing any other trip – but with added spiritual significance. Over the past 10 years, I’ve helped readers save 25-40% on their Umrah packages through DIY planning.

Essential Planning Resources

• The Ultimate DIY Umrah Planning Guide – A complete step-by-step planning
• DIY vs Agent Umrah Price Comparison – See actual savings
• Monthly DIY Umrah Packages – Ready-to-book examples
• Best Apps for Umrah – Tech to help you

“The land-only packages are expensive, and I have a family of 4. Getting things done on my own is costing me only 25% of the cost they are charging for packages.” – Babar, USA

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Different types of Visa for Umrah

One of the most common questions is about the best types of visas for various nationalities to travel on Umrah. With Saudi Arabia opening up for tourism, it can easily get confused.

1. Tourist Visa

You can apply online and usually receive a response in under an hour. This visa allows you to perform Umrah without needing agents or packages, making it perfect for a DIY experience.

• Perfect for DIY Umrah
• One-year validity
• Multiple entries
• Comes with insurance

The Complete Tourist Visa Guide for Saudi Arabia

2. E-Visa Waiver

The Evisa Waiver is a new visa for UK citizens (and potentially others) that allows a single entry to Saudi Arabia for tourism, study, business, and Umrah, with a stay of up to six months. It costs $40, making it cheaper than a standard tourist visa.

• Only $40
• Single entry
• 6-month validity

Full step-by-step article on how to issue a waiver visa for Umrah

3. Transit visa

This visa is available to many citizens and can even be issued to some individuals on the non-tourist visa list. The transit visa allows you to perform Umrah and explore the area for 3 days.

• 72-hour stay
• Possible free accommodation

Full article on the process for Saudi Arabia’s transit visa

4. Umrah visas

Umrah visas are issued to countries that cannot apply for tourist visas. These countries also require Umrah packages through an agent, and the Umrah visa is applied through agents in their respective countries, such as Pakistan or Bangladesh. 

• For non-tourist visa countries

Full article on Umrah visas and how to issue them

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Transportation Methods on Umrah

There are several ways to get between Makkah and Medinah for Umrah or even to explore some other places.

• The Best Transportation Options for Umrah – My full guide to the best transportation
• Haramain Train Step-by-Step booking– Safest & fastest option between cities
• Best Airport to Arrive in for Umrah – Choosing when to land during your Umrah
• Renting a car during Umrah in Saudi Arabia – should you rent a car?

You can read my review of Makkah’s Haramain train business class lounge.

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DIY Umrah in Ramadan

Umrah in Ramadan is very popular but also very expensive. I have several articles on how you can save money during Ramadan for Umrah but aslo my book and courses can help you in more detail.

• Can you go for Umrah after Ramadan? – when does Umrah close
• DIY Umrah Packages with Prices for Ramadan – ready to book Umrah in Ramadan package

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Hotels for Umrah in Makkah & Medinah

Makkah and Medinah have new hotels coming every year, which is exciting and can be overwhelming for many people. I have lists and advice on what I would book.

• Best Hotels in Makkah for Umrah full list – my favourite recommendations
• Budget hotels in Makkah from $33 a night – budget and great options for Umrah
• Best hotels in Medinah for your Umrah full list – my favourite hotels in Medinah
• MTG’s Favourite Hotels for Umrah – places I stay

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Money Saving Umrah Tips

There are several ways you can save money on your Umrah. From planning in advance by downloading my free pdf guide to using miles and points for up to 70% off.

• 5 Tips to help you save hundreds on your DIY Umrah – easy ways to save money
• How to Do Umrah on Points for Huge Discounts – save up to 70% on Umrah
• Best Time to Go for Umrah for cheaper – when to book Umrah
• How to upgrade to Saudi Airlines business class – actual tips for upgrading for less

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Umrah Travel Reviews

When planning for Umrah, you want a real-life experience. These are my reviews of services, hotels and airlines, along with tips for making the most of your Umrah journey, ensuring a relaxing and stress-free stay.

Makkah Hotel Reviews

• Conrad Makkah
• Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah Suite Review
• Hyatt Regency Makkah Suite 
• Hilton Convention Makkah 
• Makkah Towers Hotel (Former Hilton Tower)
• Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhid Makkah

Madinah Hotel Reviews

• Hilton Medinah Review
• Intercontinental Dar Al Iman Medinah

Lounge, Airline and Train reviews

• Saudi Airlines Business Class review
• Saudi Airlines Review Economy
• Airport lounge Al Fursan Saudi Airlines
• Wellcome Lounge Jeddah Airport
• Haramain Train Business Class Lounge Makkah

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Special Umrah Guides

From a practical perspective, so much is covered in these articles, but I grouped them together for ease. Most women looking for the information might also need to know what I wear during my Umrah to make it easy.

What to pack for Umrah

• What to pack when going for Umrah – everything you might need on Umrah

Solo Umrah Travel

• Can Muslim women go for Umrah alone? – my experience of DIY solo Umrah as a woman
• Tips and Advice for Solo Umrah Planning – my handy guide to the best solo Umrah

Planning Umrah with Kids & Family

• Umrah with a baby – my essential guide after my Umrah with a baby
• Best travel accessories for traveling with a baby – my all-time favourite travel gadgets
• Umrah with children best tips and advice – older kids tips for making Umrah easy
• Practical tips for Umrah and Hajj with kids – experienced mum sharing gems
• Best travel car seats to consider – all-time favourite travel car seats for children

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Umrah Using Loyalty Points

One of the reasons I started this blog is the significant amount of money I have saved through travel hacking. There are numerous opportunities to save money using points and miles. For instance, I saved over £50,000 on my Umrah trip alone. In total, I’ve saved over £100,000, which is astounding when I reflect on the experiences I’ve had.

My book and courses can teach you the step-by-step process of saving thousands every single time you go for Umrah. We are talking up to 70%

• How to collect miles and points for Umrah – easy tips for everyday use
• Your Ultimate Guide to Loyalty programs – start here for newbies
• How I earn a million points living in hotels – my all time favourite talking point and redemption
• My credit card strategy as a Muslim– how I earn points daily for cheaper travel experiences

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My Experience with DIY Umrah on points

My first Umrah was in 2013 and cost under £300 per person, including flights and hotels but not the visa, which was around £150. It took me weeks to find an agent who would issue a visa separately instead of a complete package, which was the only option at the time.

My second Umrah was in 2015 during the last ten nights of Ramadan in the newly opened Hyatt Makkah, and we travelled in business class on points. 

The trip’s total price was £2,000 for two people and saving on a standard Umrah package of £18,000 during that busy time. 

In Ramadan 2022, we did Umrah again Alhumdulilah with similar savings of about £10,000 for the hotels alone. 

Over the last 10 years since I started this website and my DIY Umrah journey with the tips I share here, I have saved well over £50,000 for luxury hotels in Makkah on the most expensive nights of the year during Ramadan. 

So if your budget is for a three-star hotel, I want to ensure you get a four-star option without paying extra. 

In my DIY Umrah Book, How to Plan your Umrah like a Pro, you can find the short version of these tips.

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Umrah Money-Saving Resources

I have several free and paid resources that can help you find all the information you want to plan your Umrah. This website hotels over 60 articles alone.

If you want to go into more dept of saving truly huge amounts of money then make sure you check out the courses and trainings I have available. Some of the reviews from previous students are wild.

All my courses can be found on my course page with the testimonials.

My YouTube channel offers a lot of helpful visual tips and advice as well

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