Saving for a pilgrimage is hard enough without worrying about hidden fees. AL Islam Travels works with London families who want a fair price and a clear plan for Makkah and Madinah. If you are comparing a Hajj and Umrah travel agency, you need real numbers, not vague promises. This guide gives you both.
We cover package types, a cost table, the booking steps and the checks that protect your money. Do you want Umrah in February half-term, or Hajj in a future season? The same rules apply to both. The prices below reflect typical UK ranges and shift with the season and flight demand.
By the end, you will know which questions to ask before you pay a deposit. A few minutes of reading now can save you hundreds of pounds later. Let us start with why so many London families plan these trips years ahead.
Why London families plan pilgrimage trips early
London is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in Britain. Families in Whitechapel, Green Street, Southall, Tooting and Wembley often save for years to reach the Haramain. Many go back every year, usually in school holidays or Ramadan. Cost shapes every one of those plans.
Demand keeps rising. According to the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia (2024), about 1.83 million pilgrims performed Hajj that year, and roughly 1.6 million of them travelled from abroad. Saudi Vision 2030 sets a goal of 30 million Umrah pilgrims a year by 2030. More pilgrims mean fuller hotels near the Haram and tighter seats on flights from Heathrow.
A good Hajj and Umrah travel agency in London books flights, hotels, transfers and the visa in one package. It answers your questions in English, Urdu, Bengali or Arabic. It stays reachable when plans change, which matters a great deal when you are thousands of miles from home.
Consider a family of four in East London planning Umrah for February half-term. They find a low price online, then learn the hotel sits 2 km from the Haram and airport transfers cost extra. A local agent would have shown that gap before they paid. That is why many people look for Umrah packages from East London through an office they can actually visit.
Package types and what each one costs
Most agents sell five kinds of trip, and each suits a different traveller. Economy Umrah works for solo travellers and tight budgets, with a three-star hotel a short bus ride from the Haram. Standard Umrah usually brings a four-star hotel within walking distance. Premium Umrah places you in a five-star tower beside the mosque, often with private transfers.
Ramadan Umrah costs more because demand peaks in the last ten nights. Hajj is a separate product. It involves long stays in Makkah, Mina and Arafat, and prices start far higher than Umrah. UK Hajj places go through approved operators, and the quota is limited, so early booking matters.
Which option fits you? Start with who is travelling. Children and older adults need hotels close to the mosque, since long walks in the heat tire everyone. Younger groups often accept a longer walk in return for a lower price. Families who search for cheap Umrah packages from London Heathrow should compare the hotel distance first and the headline price second.
| Package type | Avg. cost per adult | Hotel distance | Best for | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Umrah (7 to 10 nights) | £1,000 to £1,500 | 600 m to 1.5 km | Solo travellers, tight budgets | Low |
| Standard Umrah | £1,500 to £2,200 | 200 to 500 m | Families | Medium |
| Premium Umrah | £2,500 to £4,500 | Next to the Haram | Older pilgrims | High |
| Ramadan Umrah | £2,500 to £5,500 | Varies by hotel | Last ten nights | Low |
| Hajj package | £6,500 to £15,000 | Makkah hotel plus Mina camp | First-time Hajj | Low |
Prices are typical ranges and move with the season.
How booking works and what moves the price
The booking steps
Booking follows the same order with most agents. We suggest you work through these steps in turn.
- Choose your dates, hotel level and group size.
- Check that every passport stays valid for at least six months after travel.
- Pay a deposit and receive written terms with your ATOL details.
- Book the ACWY meningitis vaccine, which Saudi Arabia requires for pilgrims.
- Let your agent apply for the visa and issue your e-ticket.
- Fly from Heathrow, complete your rituals and return home.
Saudi Arabia now runs visa and booking tools through its official Nusuk platform, so your agent should explain which route applies to your trip. Processing times change through the year. Ask for the expected timeline in writing, and apply early if your dates sit near Ramadan.
What changes the price
Several things push the final bill up or down. Most of them are easy to spot once you know where to look.
- Travel season, with Ramadan and school holidays costing the most
- Direct flights versus one-stop routes
- Hotel distance from the Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque
- Room type, since quad rooms usually cost less per person than doubles
- Length of stay in Makkah and Madinah
- Transfers, meals and ziyarat tours
Outside peak dates, most economy trips of 7 to 10 nights cost £1,000 to £1,500 per adult. A closer hotel adds a few hundred pounds. A Ramadan departure can double the total. Group bookings of ten or more often bring a lower per-person fare.
How to choose a safe, ATOL-backed provider
Price comes second. Protection comes first. When you compare ATOL protected Umrah packages in the UK, check that the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme covers your flight-inclusive booking if the company fails. Ask for the ATOL certificate number and check it on the CAA list before you pay.
Next, look for ABTA membership and written terms under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. These rules give you rights to refunds and fair handling when a trip changes. A genuine Hajj and Umrah travel agency shows these documents without delay. If an agent hesitates, walk away.
A licensed travel adviser in London told us the most common error is paying in full before seeing hotel names and the transfer plan. We agree. Use this short checklist when you compare quotes.
- ATOL number and certificate
- Named hotels with distances to the mosque
- Visa timeline and who applies
- Flight times and baggage allowance
- Refund and cancellation terms
- A contact number that works in Saudi Arabia
A provider that handles only pilgrimage travel, like AL Islam Travels, deals with Saudi visa timelines, Makkah and Madinah hotel zones and London departures every week. A general high-street agent may book a handful of these trips a year. A national chain may sell fixed packages with little room to change the hotel or dates. Local specialists also meet you in person, which helps when you have questions about ihram, group leaders or luggage.
Cheap deals deserve extra care. Compare like with like. A £900 quote that skips airport transfers can cost more than a £1,200 quote that includes them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Umrah cost from London?
Economy Umrah packages from London usually cost £1,000 to £1,500 per adult for 7 to 10 nights outside peak dates. Standard packages run from about £1,500 to £2,200. Ramadan and school holidays push prices up, so compare exactly what each quote includes before you decide.
When is the cheapest time to book Umrah packages from London Heathrow?
Late January and early March often bring lower fares, because they fall outside school holidays and Ramadan. Book three to four months ahead for the best rooms and prices. Mid-week departures from Heathrow can cost less than weekend flights.
How much does Hajj cost from the UK?
UK Hajj packages usually range from about £6,500 to £15,000 per person. The price depends on hotel level, camp zone in Mina and length of stay. Operators sell a limited quota, so early booking matters, and deposits are often due months before departure.
Is ATOL protection required for Umrah packages in the UK?
If your package includes flights, the seller must hold an ATOL and give you a certificate. This protects your money if the company fails. Check the number on the Civil Aviation Authority’s public ATOL list before you pay a deposit.
Do I need a visa and a vaccine for Umrah?
Yes. You need a valid Saudi visa, and Saudi Arabia requires proof of the ACWY meningitis vaccine. You can book the vaccine with your GP or a London travel clinic. Your agent applies for the visa and confirms the current health rules before you fly.
How do I find a reliable Hajj and Umrah travel agency in London?
Check ATOL and ABTA details, ask for named hotels with distances, and read the written terms. Visit the office if you can. A reliable agent answers questions clearly and gives an itemised quote with no surprise fees at the airport.
Are there group Umrah packages from East London for families?
Yes. Many London agents run family and group departures with a leader who guides rituals and handles hotel check-ins. Group fares can cut costs, and shared transport keeps everyone together. Ask about child fares, room sizes and the group leader’s experience.
Does Saudi summer heat affect when I should travel?
Makkah often passes 40°C from June to September. Winter and spring suit children and older travellers better. If you travel in summer, book a hotel close to the Haram and plan long walks for early morning or late evening only.
Is there an Umrah travel agent near Green Street or Whitechapel?
Yes. Several agents in Newham and Tower Hamlets run walk-in offices, so you can review quotes face to face. Visit two or three, compare itemised prices and ask to see their ATOL certificates before you commit to any booking or deposit.
Can I pay for Umrah in instalments?
Many London agents accept a deposit and spread the balance over several months, which helps with budgeting. Ask for the payment dates in writing, and check that each payment appears on your booking confirmation and falls under your ATOL certificate.
You now know what packages exist, what drives the cost and how to check a provider. The next step is simple. Write down your dates, group size and budget, then ask three agents for itemised quotes. If you want a London team that handles visas, flights and Makkah and Madinah hotels together, reach out to AL Islam Travels for a quote. Take your time, ask every question and book only when the paperwork looks clear and complete.