A few years ago, a family friend in east London decided in early March that he wanted to take his parents for Umrah “before the summer”. By the time he started looking, Ramadan prices had peaked, the Umrah season was about to pause for Hajj, and the only dates left were in the heat of June. He went in the end, but it cost him far more than it needed to, and his father struggled with the temperature.
Timing is the part of pilgrimage planning that most families leave too late. When you go affects the price, the crowds, the weather and even which packages are on sale. This guide walks through the year ahead, month by month, so you can see the best windows for UK Umrah packages and the key dates for Hajj packages in the UK in 2027.
The cheapest and most comfortable time for Umrah from the UK is usually November to January, avoiding the Christmas school break. Ramadan 2027 runs from around 8 February to 8 March and is the most expensive period. Umrah then pauses for several weeks before Hajj, which is expected around 14 to 19 May 2027. Cheap Hajj packages for UK residents can only be booked through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuk Hajj platform.
The Winter Umrah Window, November 2026 to February 2027
For most British families, the coming winter is the sweet spot for Umrah. Temperatures in Makkah drop to a manageable level, flights are reasonably priced outside school holidays, and hotels near the Haram have more space.
| Month | Typical price level | Daytime heat in Makkah | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | Low | Around 30–33°C | One of the best value months of the year |
| December 2026 (first half) | Low to medium | Around 28–30°C | Book before prices rise for Christmas |
| Late December 2026 | High | Around 28°C | School holidays push prices up sharply |
| January 2027 (second half) | Low | Around 24–28°C | Cool, quiet and good value |
| Early February 2027 | Medium to high | Around 25–28°C | Prices climb as Ramadan approaches |
In a quiet month, ten nights with flights and hotels from London or Manchester often start at around £700–£900 per person in a shared room, rising to £1,100–£1,500 for a 4-star hotel close to the Haram.
If you are travelling with elderly parents or young children, I would pick the second half of January over anything else. When I took my own parents in late January, the evenings in Madinah were cool enough that my mother needed a light jumper after Isha, and the walk to the Haram in Makkah was comfortable at any time of day. That makes a real difference when you are going back and forth five times a day.
One practical tip for winter trips: book your Nusuk Umrah permit as soon as your visa comes through. Even quiet months have busy weekends, and Friday slots go first.
Ramadan 2027 and the Spring Pause Before Hajj
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February and end around 8 March, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 March, depending on the moon sighting. Umrah in Ramadan carries great reward, and many British Muslims plan for years to spend the last ten nights in Makkah.
The catch is the price. Hotels near the Haram often charge two or three times their usual rate in the last ten nights, and flights from the UK fill up early. A package for the last ten nights can easily pass £2,500 per person, and premium hotels go much higher. If Ramadan is your goal, these points help:
- Book as early as you can. The best-placed hotels for the last ten nights are often taken months in advance.
- Consider the first half of the month. The first two weeks of Ramadan are noticeably cheaper and less crowded, while still giving you the experience of fasting in the holy cities.
- Plan for crowds. The Haram is extremely busy in the final nights. Older pilgrims may find it easier to pray in the hotel or nearby areas at peak times.
After Ramadan, the Umrah season winds down. Saudi Arabia usually stops issuing Umrah visas soon after Eid al-Fitr and asks Umrah pilgrims to leave several weeks before Hajj, so that the cities can prepare. For 2027, that means the realistic window for Umrah closes in spring, and the next chance is after Hajj, in the summer heat.
This pause catches people out every year. If you are thinking of going in March or April, check the current dates with your travel firm before you book anything.
Hajj Packages in the UK, Month by Month to May 2027
Hajj follows a fixed calendar and a fixed booking route. Since 2022, UK residents can only buy Hajj packages through Nusuk Hajj, the official online platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, from providers it has licensed. The Hajj visa is issued through the same system. Hajj 2027 is expected around 14 to 19 May 2027.
This is roughly how the months ahead look for a UK family planning Hajj:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| November to December 2026 | Create your Nusuk Hajj account, check passports are valid for at least six months after your return, and agree a budget as a family |
| January to February 2027 | Watch for package releases on Nusuk Hajj and compare providers by Mina camp, hotels and whether flights are included |
| February to March 2027 | Choose and pay for your package following Nusuk’s instructions; keep every receipt |
| March to April 2027 | Receive your Hajj visa, book flights if they are not included, and attend any preparation classes your provider offers |
| At least 10 days before travel | Get your Meningitis ACWY jab and certificate |
| Mid May 2027 | Hajj |
As a guide, most Hajj packages for UK residents are expected to cost roughly £7,000 to £12,000 per person in 2027, depending mainly on the Mina camp and hotel standard. Exact dates and prices are set each year, so check the platform itself rather than relying on second-hand information.
Two warnings are worth repeating. First, Hajj packages are not ATOL-protected, according to City of London Police, so book only on the official platform and keep records of every payment. Second, anyone offering a Hajj place outside Nusuk Hajj, through social media or WhatsApp, is not offering a legitimate route, however convincing they seem.
What to Check in UK Umrah Packages, Whatever the Month
The month you choose sets the price range, but the package itself decides whether the trip goes smoothly. These are the checks I run on any quote before booking, for myself or for family.
- Named hotels with a walking distance. “4-star near the Haram” means little. Ask for the hotel names and check the distance on a map yourself. Five minutes and fifteen minutes are very different when you walk it five times a day.
- Flights and luggage. Saudia flies direct from Heathrow and Manchester to Jeddah. One-stop routes are often cheaper but tiring for older travellers. Check the hold luggage and Zamzam allowance on the way home.
- Visa. British passport holders and many UK residents can use the Saudi tourist eVisa for Umrah, which costs SAR 535, about £105–£115 with insurance. Check whether it is included and what you are being charged for it.
- Meals and transfers. Breakfast only or half board? Coach, private car or the Haramain train between Makkah and Madinah?
- Protection. For packages with flights, check the firm’s ATOL number on the Civil Aviation Authority website, and pay by credit card where you can for Section 75 cover on purchases between £100 and £30,000.
It helps to have a clear example in front of you while comparing. The UK Umrah packages offered by Islamic Travel set out the hotel names, their distance from the Haram, and what is included, and they are ATOL-protected. Holding other quotes up against a package laid out like that makes it easy to see what each one really covers and what is missing.
Finally, whichever month you pick, leave a little room in the budget for the unexpected: a taxi when your feet are sore, a meal outside the hotel, or a gift for someone back home who asked you to pray for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the cheapest time to book UK Umrah packages?
November, the first half of December and the second half of January are usually the cheapest, avoiding the Christmas school holidays. Packages can start at around £700–£900 per person when sharing a room.
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to run from around 8 February to 8 March, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 March, depending on the moon sighting.
Can I do Umrah in April 2027?
Probably not. Umrah usually pauses for several weeks before Hajj, which is expected in mid May 2027. Check current dates with your travel firm before booking a spring trip.
How do I book Hajj packages in the UK?
UK residents must book through Nusuk Hajj, the official Saudi platform, from licensed providers listed there. No other route is legitimate.
How much are Hajj packages in the UK for 2027?
Most are expected to cost roughly £7,000–£12,000 per person, depending on the Mina camp, hotel standard and whether flights are included.
What is the best month for Umrah with elderly parents?
The second half of January is often the best choice. The weather is cool, the Haram is quieter, and prices are lower than in school holidays or Ramadan.
Planning around the calendar is one of the simplest ways to make a pilgrimage easier and more affordable. Pick your window early, check what each package really includes, and leave enough time to prepare yourself for the journey as well as the travel.