So, you’re planning to perform Umrah, and are considering calling the local “Uncle” with connections to another Uncle who knows another uncle who knows a travel agent. Luckily, those days are over, and you can now easily book your own ATOL protected flights and hotels with the power of the internet. However, arranging flights, accommodation and travel for Umrah can grow quite expensive if you’re not careful.

With Thousands performing Umrah every year and most plan ahead of time, so it’s never too early to make arrangements for your next Umrah trip. To make your travels as peaceful and stress free as possible – so you can focus on performing Umrah – Royal Travel offer a variety of Umrah and bespoke packages to suit your needs and your budget.

Thanks to our nearly 30 years of experience as travel agents and Umrah providers, Royal Travel have been able to put together 4 tips to help you find the best deals on Umrah packages including flights and accommodation.

Step 1: Choose the type of Umrah Package that’s Best for You

First things first, you need to decide what kind of trip you want your next Umrah to be. When booking an Umrah package, the two main types of packages are group and customised offerings, which have unique benefits and drawbacks.

Group packages are excellent for larger groups of travellers and those on a budget, as they are generally cheaper per person than individual Umrah packages, thanks to economies of scale. If you don’t mind sharing hotel rooms and travelling together, group packages can save you money right away.

However, smaller groups, families or lone travellers can reap the benefits of bespoke Umrah packages which are tailored to their needs and preferences. Depending on the Umrah provider, you can stay for longer, opt for luxury hotel rooms and even additional activities along your pilgrimage.

Step 2: Research your Potential Travel Agent

When it comes to planning your holiday, make sure to research your travel agent to find a provider that’s reliable, trustworthy and cost effective. Remember that many travel agents specialise in different types of packages, so you may get a better rate on group packages, for example, with a travel agent specialising in family trips.

In order to arrange travel for Umrah, travel agents must be accredited with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and covered by ATOL. This is one factor that you cannot afford to miss, as travelling with an unapproved travel agent may result in deportation, detention, fines or bans on travelling to Saudi Arabia.

Lastly, try to get four or five options on the overall cost of your trip (including transfers, flights, accommodation, meals and ziyarat) and compare costs and benefits. When you have multiple quotes, you can choose the right package for you that balances features (say, an extra luxurious hotel for extra cost) and price to your satisfaction.

Step 3: Double Check the Travel Agent’s Record

Before you settle on the best package, make sure to read up on the travel agents track record, searching for any examples of fraud or misconduct. Most reputable travel agencies are happy to show off reviews from customers or link to services like Trust Pilot and Google Reviews, while less trustworthy travel providers might even try to hide or discredit negative customer feedback.

Though older isn’t always better, the expertise and reputation of more historic travel agents can also be great indicators of quality, reliable services, so don’t dismiss local firms out of hand. While there are many Umrah travel agents in the UK, try to book your package with a recognised, trusted travel agency to ensure that your flights, hotels, transfers and more are reliably guaranteed.

Step 4: Book your Umrah Package Ahead of Time

Like with most travel packages, you can often get a lower price on your Umrah package with flights by planning ahead of time and booking early. If you’re able to research Umrah packages and travel agents, find a package to suit your needs and book in advance (usually the more notice the more discounts you can get) you can save money and avoid losing out to high demand.

There’s really no downside to being prepared, as it allows travel agents to get airline tickets, hotel reservations and visa arrangements sorted in plenty of time, which means less stress down the line for everyone involved. Avoid the pressures of last-minute arrangements and dedicate your focus to spiritual matters on your Umrah by booking in advance with Royal Travel today.

With years of experience in arranging Umrah packages for pilgrims from all walks of life, we can help you plan a trip that will help bring you closer to Allah SWT without breaking the bank or causing you stress. We offer a wide variety of cost-effective Umrah packages to accommodate your every need, so don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our Umrah travel team if you have any further questions.