Friendly, practical advice for travellers from Germany, Switzerland, Austria — plus our friends in the UK & France
Last checked: May 2025 – Saudi rules can change overnight, so always reconfirm before you hit “Pay”.
Table of Contents
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Welcome & Meaning of Umrah
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Visa Pathways
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Health & Vaccinations
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Flights from Central & Western Europe
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Accommodation & Local Transport
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Digital Tools You’ll Need
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Solo Traveller Corner
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Spiritual Preparation Checklist
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Step‑by‑Step Ritual Walk‑Through
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Extending Your Trip to Madinah
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Budget Planner
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Gift Corner – Your Complimentary Umrah Gift Pack
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Final Dua & Useful Links
1 | Welcome & Meaning of Umrah
Think of Umrah as the little sister of the Ḥajj: the rites are shorter, you can go any time of year, and it’s a beautiful chance to hit the reset button on your heart. Whether you’re planning your first pilgrimage or returning for a spiritual top‑up, this guide walks you through everything you need to know — in plain European English.
2 | Visa Pathways
2.1 Tourist eVisa vs. Dedicated Umrah Visa
| Country |
Eligible for 1‑year eVisa?* |
Visa‑on‑Arrival** |
Avg. Processing Time |
| Germany |
✓ |
✓ (w/ Schengen, US, UK visa) |
< 24 h |
| Switzerland |
✓ |
✓ |
< 24 h |
| Austria |
✓ |
✓ |
< 24 h |
| UK |
✓ |
✓ |
< 24 h |
| France |
✓ |
✓ |
< 24 h |
The eVisa lets you combine tourism and Umrah outside the Ḥajj blackout dates.
On‑arrival eligibility requires you to land with a Saudi or partner airline and meet immigration criteria.
Key Pattern (2025 & likely 2026)
• Final entry for Umrah visas: ~13 April 2025
• Mandatory exit before: ~29 April 2025
• Permit suspension on the Nusuk app: 29 Apr – 10 Jun 2025
Expect similar cut‑offs around three weeks before Ḥajj each year.
How to Apply (DIY in 10 Minutes)
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Passport valid 6 months, digital headshot, payment card, MenACWY certificate.
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Head to https://visa.visitsaudi.com or the official “Saudi Visa Bio” app.
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Pay around €120 (insurance included) and the eVisa pops into your inbox within hours.
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Download Nusuk to book your Umrah slot once you’ve locked your travel dates.
3 | Health & Vaccinations
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MenACWY (tetravalent meningococcal) – required for everyone 1 yr+, at least 10 days before departure (valid 5 years if conjugate).
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Polio (IPV/OPV) – only if you’ve spent more than four weeks in a polio‑risk country within the past year.
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Yellow Fever – required only if you are arriving from an endemic region.
Healthy‑Traveller Tips
• Bring both a digital and a paper copy of your vaccination proof (English is safest).
• Saudi sun doesn’t joke: SPF 50+, a foldable hat, and rehydration salts are your best friends.
• Pick up blister plasters before you need them; the 7‑lap Ṭawāf can test your feet.
4 | Flights from Central & Western Europe
4.1 Non‑stop Routes (Winter 2025/26)
| City (IATA) |
Airline(s) |
Destination |
| Frankfurt (FRA) |
Saudia, Lufthansa |
Jeddah (JED) |
| Munich (MUC) |
Saudia |
JED |
| Zurich (ZRH) |
Saudia, SWISS (codeshare) |
JED |
| Geneva (GVA) |
Saudia (seasonal) |
JED |
| Vienna (VIE) |
Saudia (2× weekly) |
JED |
| London (LHR) |
British Airways, Saudia |
JED / Medina (MED) |
| Paris (CDG) |
Air France, Saudia |
JED / MED |
Schedules drop every October — grab early‑bird deals or set a fare alert.
Savings Hack: Connecting through Istanbul (IST) or Doha (DOH) can shave up to 30 % off the ticket in low season.
5 | Accommodation & Local Transport
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Hotels: Pick by walking time to the Ḥaram: 5‑, 10‑ or 15‑minute rings. The closer, the pricier — but your legs will thank you.
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Haramain High‑Speed Rail: Jeddah ↔ Makkah in 45 min, Jeddah ↔ Medina in 2 h 20 min. Book weekend seats early.
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Ride‑hailing: Careem & Uber both work; budget about 40 SAR from JED airport to the train station.
6 | Digital Tools You’ll Need
| App |
Why It Matters |
| Nusuk |
Book Umrah & Rawḍah slots, check crowd levels |
| Tawakkalna Services |
Show vaccination status, pay fines |
| Haramain e‑Tickets |
Scan‑and‑go boarding for the high‑speed train |
| Careem / Uber |
Rides and food delivery |
7 | Solo Traveller Corner
Going without a package tour means total freedom — and total responsibility. Here’s how to keep things smooth:
Safety First
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Book a hotel with 24‑hour reception and a clear, well‑lit route to the Ḥaram.
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Carry a card with your hotel name in Arabic; not every taxi driver reads Latin script.
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Buy a local SIM at the airport; free Wi‑Fi is patchy once you leave your hotel lobby.
Special Notes for Sisters
Since 2022, women aged 18 + may perform Umrah without a maḥram. Stick to women‑only carriages on the Haramain train, keep valuables out of sight, and don’t hesitate to team up with fellow female pilgrims — the sisterhood vibe is beautiful.
DIY vs. Agency
Feel free to book everything yourself — this guide shows you how. Agencies can still be handy, especially for travellers with limited time or elderly relatives. If you do compare packages, ask for the Saudi licence number and read the small print: are Rawḍah permits, baggage allowance, and airport transfers included?
8 | Spiritual Preparation Checklist
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Refresh your intention (niyyah) daily in the run‑up to departure.
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Learn the key duʿāʾ for Ṭawāf and Ṣaʿy (a small notebook works — no fancy PDF required).
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Seek forgiveness and settle any debts before you fly.
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Pack a sadaqah envelope with small banknotes for spontaneous charity.
9 | Step‑by‑Step Ritual Walk‑Through
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Meeqāt → Iḥrām: shower, clip nails, don the two white cloths.
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Talbiyah: chant “Labayka Allāhumma ʿUmrah” until you reach the Haram.
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Ṭawāf (7 circuits): start at the Black Stone line; men keep the right shoulder exposed.
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Ṣaʿy: walk between Ṣafā and Marwah seven times.
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Taḥallul: men clip or shave hair; women trim a fingertip’s length.
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Optional farewell Ṭawāf before leaving Makkah.
Local tip: a pre‑dawn Ṭawāf is cooler, quieter, and unforgettable.
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10 | Extending Your Trip to Madinah
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Masjid an‑Nabawī: reserve your Rawḍah slot in Nusuk (opens 10 days ahead).
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Historical gems: Mount Uḥud, Qubāʾ Mosque, Baqīʿ Cemetery (men only).
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Give yourself at least 24 hours — the tranquillity is worth it.
11 | Budget Planner (per person, 7‑day trip)
| Category |
Low Season |
Ramaḍān Peak |
| Flights (ex‑FRA) |
€450 |
€850 |
| Visa & Insurance |
€120 |
€120 |
| 3★ Hotel (twin) |
€55 /night |
€130 /night |
| Food & Transport |
€25 /day |
€25 /day |
| Haramain Rail JED↔MAK |
€30 |
€30 |
| Total |
≈ €850 |
≈ €1 450 |
12 | Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse the eVisa within 12 months?
Yes — it’s multi‑entry, up to 90 days per stay, but each visit must finish at least 20 days before Ḥajj.
Is a COVID‑19 jab still mandatory?
No, but boosters are recommended and you might be screened on arrival.
Can women travel without a maḥram?
Absolutely, if you’re 18 +. Keep your passport and hotel booking handy for checkpoints.
Is Zamzam water still free?
You may check one 5 L container at Jeddah or Medina airports at no cost.
13 | Final Dua & Useful Links
May your journey be accepted and your prayers answered.
Find this guide helpful? Share it with friends from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the UK or France so they can start planning too!
