Ramadan 2027 Umrah From the UK: Dates, Costs & Planning

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February, which means many UK pilgrims will be planning around half-term, work leave and Eid at the same time. It is also close to the end of the season: Saudi Arabia’s published calendar closes the 1448 AH Umrah season in March and April 2027, ahead of Hajj.

This guide explains the dates, what changes in Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan, how to choose between the three ashras, what to compare in a package and what to do now if you want to travel. We have not quoted prices, because rates change with availability and dates.

Alkareem Travel is a London-based Umrah travel agency (246–250 Romford Road, E7 9HZ) that arranges 4 star Umrah packages for UK pilgrims. We have written this guide to help you plan, whichever company you book with.

Ramadan 2027 at a glance

• Expected start: Monday 8 February 2027 under the Umm al-Qura calendar, confirmed by moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.
• Expected Eid al-Fitr: around Tuesday 9 March 2027.
• Season deadlines: reports of the Ministry calendar give 9 March as the last day to issue Umrah visas, 23 March as the last entry date and 7 April as the final departure date.
• Permits: you need a Nusuk Umrah permit to enter Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi.
• Demand: Ramadan is the busiest period of the Umrah season, and the last ten nights are the hardest to secure.

Key dates for Ramadan 2027 and the Umrah season

Saudi Arabia confirms the start of Ramadan by moon sighting, so every date above can move by a day. While you are in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi announcement is the one that applies.

Which part of Ramadan should you choose?

No ashra is simply the right one. If your priority is the last ten nights, plan for crowds and book as early as you can. If you want a somewhat calmer experience, the first ashra is usually the safer choice. School dates vary between local authorities, so check your own.

If you would like to spend Eid al-Fitr in the Holy Cities, remember the deadlines above: the season closes soon after Eid, so the margin for changing dates is small.

What changes in Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan

• Permits are essential. Reports of Saudi rules say entry to both mosques is not allowed without a valid Nusuk permit. Rawdah al-Sharifah visits also need a permit.
• Crowd control is tighter. For Ramadan 2026, Saudi Arabia introduced digital indicators at the mosque entrances, reported by Gulf News, showing which prayer areas are open and which are full. The same report said the central area gets heavy congestion before and after prayers.
• Prayer spaces fill early. Khaleej Times reported that spaces fill early for Friday, Maghrib, Isha, Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers in the last ten days.
• One Umrah may be the limit. In 2025, the Ministry encouraged pilgrims to perform Umrah only once in the last ten days. In a previous year, Nusuk refused permits for a second Umrah in Ramadan. The 2027 rules have not been announced, so ask your agent.
• Transport is restricted. The 2026 plan limited private vehicles in central zones at peak hours and encouraged buses, taxis and the Haramain railway. A hotel with a reliable shuttle or a short walk matters more in Ramadan.
• Help for older and disabled pilgrims. The 2026 plan included designated prayer areas, priority pathways and electric carts for Tawaf.
• Children. Saudi guidance advised families to avoid bringing children into densely crowded areas during peak prayers.
• I’tikaf. Formal registration is mandatory for i’tikaf in the two mosques, and reported 2026 rules required sponsor approval for non-Saudi residents. Ask your agent early whether and how a visiting pilgrim can register.
• Health. The UK government says contagious diseases spread quickly during Ramadan, and flu, colds and respiratory problems are common. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and check TravelHealthPro.

Visas, permits and paperwork

The UK government’s Saudi Arabia entry requirements say your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive. Its pilgrimage guidance says you can apply for an e-visa or electronic visa waiver to perform Umrah outside the Hajj season, and that you need a valid ACWY meningitis vaccination certificate 10 days before arrival.

Reports of the Ministry’s rules say an Umrah visa must be used within 30 days of issue. Hotel and transport confirmation is also completed on Nusuk before a visa application can proceed, which is why late bookings are risky in Ramadan.

The FCDO’s Saudi Arabia advice currently warns against travel to parts of the country. Read the full advice, check your itinerary and confirm your travel insurance before you pay.

What to compare in a Ramadan package

• Dates and ashra: exact arrival and departure dates, not just “Ramadan”.
• Flights: direct or connecting, departure airport and baggage allowance. Flights near Ramadan fill early.
• Hotels: names, walking time to the Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi, and shuttle timetables.
• Meals: ask how suhoor and iftar are handled. A breakfast-only listing may not suit a fasting routine.
• Split of nights: how many nights in Makkah and in Madinah.
• Transfers and Ziyarah: airport pick-up, intercity transport, and when guided visits run.
• Visa and Nusuk: who handles the visa, hotel and transport confirmation.
• Flexibility: what happens if Ramadan or Eid dates move by a day.
• Financial protection: the UK government says to make sure your agent is ATOL protected when booking Umrah.

Where a 4-star package fits

For many pilgrims, a 4-star package sits between economy and five-star prices. In Ramadan, rooms close to the Haram sell out first, so a mid-range hotel with a short walk or a dependable shuttle is a practical compromise.

Pilgrims looking for comfortable accommodation and convenient travel arrangements can explore Alkareem Travel’s 4 star Umrah Packages to find an option that suits their requirements and dates. For Ramadan dates specifically, see the Ramadan Umrah packages page.

Whichever star rating you choose, ask for the walking distance to the nearest gate and the shuttle schedule for your dates, and ask for quotes at two star levels so you can compare.

Which approach suits which pilgrim?

How early should you book for Ramadan 2027?

From 7 November 2026, there are about 13 weeks until the expected start of Ramadan. Alkareem recommends booking at least two to four months ahead for Ramadan and school holidays, so the sooner the better.

1. Now: choose your ashra and length of stay, and check your passport and ACWY certificate.
2. Ask for a written quote with hotel names, walking times, meals, flights and what is not included.
3. Pay by credit card where possible and keep a record of every payment.
4. Confirm the Nusuk steps: hotel and transport confirmation, visa and permit slots.
5. Before you travel: keep copies of your passport and documents.

Common mistakes when planning Ramadan Umrah

1. Booking late and settling for a distant hotel without a shuttle.
2. Assuming Ramadan rules from earlier years still apply in 2027.
3. Ignoring the season deadlines, especially when combining Ramadan with Eid.
4. Choosing on headline price without comparing meals, flights and distance.
5. Leaving visa, vaccination and permit steps until the last few weeks.
6. Expecting several Umrahs during the last ten nights.
7. Booking through a seller you have not checked.

Avoiding scams

The UK government warns that UK-based organised crime groups target people planning Hajj or Umrah trips, and that many victims are over 65. It advises you to research the company even if family or friends recommended it, to be wary of offers that look too good to be true, to pay by credit card where possible, and to get everything in writing, including the terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

When does Ramadan 2027 start for Umrah travellers?

Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027 and Eid al-Fitr around 9 March, subject to moon sighting. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi announcement applies.

Can I perform Umrah in the last ten nights of Ramadan?

Yes, if you have a visa and a Nusuk permit, but it is the busiest period and the hardest to book. Saudi guidance in 2025 encouraged one Umrah only during the last ten nights.

Can I perform Umrah more than once in Ramadan?

Not necessarily. In a previous year, Nusuk refused a second Umrah permit in Ramadan, and in 2025 the Ministry encouraged one Umrah in the last ten nights. The 2027 rules have not been announced, so confirm with your agent.

Which ashra is best for Umrah?

There is no single best ashra. The first is usually calmer, and the last ten nights are the most sought-after and crowded. The right one depends on your priorities, your health and your dates.

Can I spend Eid al-Fitr in Makkah or Madinah?

Possibly. Eid is expected around 9 March, and the season’s last entry date is reported as 23 March with final departures by 7 April. Check your exact dates with your agent.

Is Umrah in Ramadan more rewarding?

Many pilgrims are inspired by a hadith reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim about the reward of Umrah in Ramadan. For questions of reward and rulings, speak to a qualified scholar.

How early should I book Ramadan 2027 Umrah?

At least two to four months ahead, and earlier for the last ten nights. Hotel and transport confirmation on Nusuk and your visa all take time.

Is Ramadan Umrah suitable for elderly pilgrims and children?

It can be, with planning. Saudi guidance included priority areas and electric carts for older and disabled pilgrims, and advised families to avoid dense crowds at peak prayers. A closer hotel and rest time matter more in Ramadan.