A good Umrah programme from Türkiye comes down to four decisions: the right visa for your nationality (Umrah, tourist for Turkish citizens and eligible nationalities, or a visit visa), how close the hotel really is to the Haram — not just on paper — how to split the nights between Makkah and Madinah (7 to 14 nights is typical), and the season: Ramadan and the holidays are busiest, winter and the start of the season calmer. A direct flight from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen to Jeddah or Madinah takes about three and a half to four hours.
Every week we get the same question in different forms: “I want to take my mother for Umrah — which programme should I choose?” The answer doesn't start with price, but with who is travelling, when, and how far they can walk. In this guide we explain how an Umrah programme from Türkiye is put together and what makes the difference between a comfortable trip and an exhausting one. The visa documents themselves, vaccination and Nusuk permits are covered in detail in our guide to the Umrah visa from Türkiye.
What does an Umrah programme include?
The Umrah visa for legal residents, the tourist e-visa for Turkish citizens and eligible nationalities, or a visit visa for those with a host.
From Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen to Jeddah or Madinah, with the right baggage allowance.
In Makkah and Madinah, with a clear distance from the Haram and rooms that suit the family.
From the airport to the hotel, and between Makkah and Madinah by train or private car.
The Umrah permit and the Rawdah visit permit through the app — we help you book both.
Visits to mosques and sites in Madinah and Makkah, and a companion or guide on some programmes.
Not every programme includes every item. Ask about each one in writing: is breakfast included? Is the transfer between the cities by train or bus? Are the ziyarat visits part of the programme?
Economy, mid-range or luxury?
| Category | Hotel in Makkah, usually | Rooms | Transport | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Further from the Haram, sometimes in Aziziyah with shuttle buses | Usually shared or quad rooms | Group buses | Young travellers and those who can manage walking and transport |
| Mid-range | A reasonable walk from the courtyards | Double, triple and quad | Bus or car | Most families |
| Luxury | In the towers overlooking the courtyards or very close to them | Rooms and suites, sometimes with a view | Private car or the Haramain train | Elderly travellers and anyone who wants the least walking |
We send you live prices for the options on WhatsApp based on your date and group size, because hotel prices in Makkah change a lot with the seasons.
Hotels in Makkah: how to read “distance from the Haram”
| Area | Distance to the Haram | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Abraj Al Bait and the southern courtyards | The closest, on the edge of the courtyards | The most sought-after; some rooms overlook the Haram |
| Jabal Omar | Close on the western side | Large modern hotels with a short walk to the courtyards |
| Ajyad and Ibrahim Al Khalil Street | A short to medium walk | A popular choice for families, with a good balance |
| Shubaikah and surrounding areas | A medium walk | Depends on the hotel and the route |
| Aziziyah | Relatively far from the Haram | A quieter stay, but it needs shuttle buses or a car |
The stated distance is usually measured to the nearest point of the outer courtyards — not to the Kaaba, and not to the gate you'll enter by. The actual walk is affected by crowds, slopes, tunnels and road closures at peak times. With elderly travellers, ask about the real route, or choose a hotel on the edge of the courtyards.
Hotels in Madinah
Madinah is easier than Makkah: most hotels are in the Central Area around the Prophet's Mosque, and the walk to the courtyards is short. The difference between north, south and west is about how close the hotel is to the gates you use, to the women's entrances, and to the entry point for the Rawdah at your permit time. Ask which gate is closest to the hotel, especially if you are travelling with elderly relatives.
How many nights? Splitting the days between Makkah and Madinah
| Programme length | Makkah | Madinah | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 nights | 4 | 3 | Umrah plus a visit to Madinah without much rushing |
| 10 nights | 6 | 4 | Families and elderly travellers |
| 14 nights | 8 to 9 | 5 to 6 | Anyone wanting to pray more in the two Holy Mosques |
| The last ten nights of Ramadan | Depends on the programme | Before or after | I'tikaf and Laylat al-Qadr — needs very early booking |
Ramadan Umrah has its own booking, permit and crowd details, which we cover in our guide to Ramadan Umrah from Türkiye.
Start in Makkah or Madinah?
Starting in Makkah (flying to Jeddah)
- You perform Umrah first, then visit Madinah at ease
- Ihram on the plane before the miqat
- More flights to Jeddah from Istanbul
- Suits anyone who wants to complete the rites early
Starting in Madinah (flying to Madinah)
- A calmer arrival and a hotel near the Prophet's Mosque
- Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah on the way to Makkah
- Suits elderly travellers after the flight
- Fewer flights to Madinah
Flying from Istanbul
Flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Choose the one closest to home or with the best timings, and see the difference between the two airports.
Turkish Airlines, Saudia and flynas, plus low-cost carriers. Baggage and change flexibility vary a lot between them.
The baggage allowance matters on the way home. Many airlines allow one sealed Zamzam container per passenger under their policy, so check before you fly.
Flights to Jeddah pass the miqat before landing, so put on your ihram before boarding and make your intention when the crew announces it.
Getting between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
| Option | Advantages | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Haramain high-speed train | Faster and more comfortable between the two cities, and from Jeddah airport to Makkah | Book early in peak seasons; getting from the station to the hotel needs a car |
| Private car | Hotel door to hotel door with your luggage | Suits families and elderly travellers |
| Group bus | Part of group programmes | Longer, with stops |
Umrah seasons: when to go?
| Season | Crowds | Weather | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start of the season after Hajj | Relatively low | Hot in the summer months | For those who want calm and can handle the heat |
| Winter outside the holidays | Moderate | The most pleasant weather of the year | Best for families and elderly travellers |
| Rajab and Sha'ban | High | Usually mild | Book early |
| Ramadan | The highest, especially the last ten nights | Depends on when it falls | Book months ahead — permits sell out |
| School holidays | High | Depends on the season | Hotels close to the Haram fill up first |
Umrah visas and permits stop for a period before and during the Hajj season, as announced each year by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and resume afterwards. Don't plan an Umrah for that period — we tell you the announced dates when you book.
Umrah with elderly travellers and children
A hotel on the edge of the courtyards, a wheelchair booked in advance at the airport, and avoiding peak times for tawaf. The Haram also has carts for tawaf and sa'i for those who need them.
A wristband with the child's name and your phone number, an agreed meeting point inside the Haram, water at all times, and rest at midday.
In the summer months perform the rites at night or at dawn, keep drinking water and use an umbrella.
Bring enough of your regular medicines for the trip, with the prescription — pharmacies are everywhere but brand names differ.
Ziyarat in Madinah and Makkah
Many programmes add a day of visits. In Madinah: Quba Mosque, Mount Uhud and the Martyrs' Cemetery, and Masjid al-Qiblatayn. In Makkah: passing by the caves of Hira and Thawr, and Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. Ask whether the visits are part of the programme or arranged separately, and whether by private car or the group bus.
Group or private?
| Group Umrah | Private Umrah for your family | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Set in advance | You choose |
| Hotels | One for the group | According to your wishes and budget |
| Transport | The group bus | Private car or train |
| Accompaniment | Usually a group companion | On request |
| Suits | First-timers who want company | Families, elderly travellers and anyone wanting flexibility |
Mistakes we see on Umrah trips
Do
- Ask about the real route from the hotel to the Haram
- Book your Nusuk permits as soon as the visa is issued
- Plan around the pause before Hajj
- Choose a baggage allowance big enough for the way home
- Book Ramadan months ahead
Avoid
- Choosing the hotel on price alone with elderly travellers
- Applying for the visa long before the flights are fixed
- Paying unknown sellers on social media
- Tawaf at peak times with children
- Forgetting the vaccination certificate
How we arrange your Umrah
- 1We learn your situation
Nationality and residence, the number of travellers and their ages, the preferred date, and how much walking each of you can manage.
- 2We decide the visa
Umrah, tourist or visit, depending on your nationality, as explained in our guide to Saudi visa types.
- 3We propose the programme
Hotels in Makkah and Madinah with their real distance, flights, transfers and ziyarat, with live prices on WhatsApp.
- 4Issuing and bookings
We issue the visa once the flights are fixed, book the hotels and the train, and help with your Nusuk permits.
- 5Support during the trip
A WhatsApp number we use to stay with you from take-off until you are home.
Alwan is a licensed travel agency in Istanbul (Group A, licence no. 9151), with a dedicated line for Saudi, Gulf and Umrah visas.
Ask for an Umrah programme for your family on WhatsAppUseful guides: Umrah visa from Türkiye · Ramadan Umrah from Türkiye · Saudi visa types · Saudi family visit visa · Saudi and Gulf visa service
General information on seasons and permits is as announced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Nusuk app, and changes from year to year; we check it when you book.
Frequently asked questions
What does an Umrah package from Türkiye usually include?
It usually includes the right visa for your nationality, the flight, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, transfers from the airport and between the two cities, and help with Nusuk permits. Some programmes add ziyarat visits and a companion or guide. Ask about every item in writing before you pay.
How many nights are enough for Umrah?
The most common range is 7 to 14 nights. A week is enough for Umrah plus a visit to Madinah without rushing; 10 to 14 nights is more comfortable for elderly travellers and anyone who wants to pray more in the two Holy Mosques.
What does “a hotel 300 metres from the Haram” mean?
The distance is usually measured to the nearest point of the Haram's outer courtyards, not to the Kaaba. The actual walk is affected by crowds, slopes and tunnels. Ask about the route to the gates you'll use, and whether there are shuttle buses for hotels further away.
Should I start in Makkah or Madinah?
Both work. If you fly to Jeddah you enter ihram on the plane and start with Makkah; if you fly to Madinah you visit it first, then enter ihram at Dhul Hulayfah on your way to Makkah. We choose the order based on available flights and your family's comfort.
When is the least crowded time for Umrah?
The first months of the Umrah season after Hajj, and the winter months outside the holidays, are relatively calmer and the weather is pleasant. Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, is the busiest and needs very early booking.
Can a Syrian living in Türkiye go for Umrah?
Yes, on the Umrah visa if they hold a valid Turkish residence permit and a valid passport, or on a visit visa if they have a host in the Kingdom. Someone with temporary protection only needs a different solution. We explain this in our guide to the Umrah visa from Türkiye.
Is there a train between Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. The Haramain high-speed railway links Makkah, Jeddah and its airport, and Madinah; it is faster and more comfortable than the road. Book it early in peak seasons.
Do you organise group or private Umrah?
We arrange both: a programme for your family alone with its own dates and hotels, or joining a group on set dates. We send you the available options on WhatsApp based on your date and family size.
