Embarking on the holy journey is always overwhelming for everyone and each year millions of Muslims travel to the holy premises of Makkah and Madinah for this purpose. To save big on their journey, they look out for cheap Umrah packages and try to figure out the cheapest time to book Hajj and Umrah Packages.
Depending on the time of the year, the flight and hotel prices may vary accordingly. This guide will explain to you the best month that offers the cheapest flights as well as different factors that directly impact these prices.
Understanding Flight Patterns to Makkah
Before proceeding to the cheapest flight months for Umrah, it is equally essential to understand certain flight patterns and how the entire air travel system works for Makkah-relevant flights. One should also know the fact that since there is no airport in Makkah therefore all major flights are conducted in Jeddah airport that is also known as King Abdulaziz International Airport. It is located around 1.5 hours of drive away from Makkah.
While most of the pilgrims land in Jeddah, some of them also land in Madinah still Jeddah remains the major air transfer point for the pilgrims. The flights here are conducted by the world’s most popular airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and others. Please note that these routes can be both direct or may involve layovers in cities like Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul, etc. Moreover, the cost of Umrah flights is also impacted by relevant factors like seasonal demand, fuel prices, school or office break, and religious calendars. Therefore, knowing these factors before you decide to book your all-inclusive Umrah packages can truly make a difference to your journey.
February – The Cheapest Month for Flights from UK to Makkah
Now let’s come straight to the point, from the heading it is pretty obvious that February is rated as the month with the cheapest flights from the UK to Makkah. That is why most of the pilgrims book an Family Umrah Package during this time to make the most out of this time.
Different airline platforms and travel agencies specialising in Hajj and Umrah offer low flight prices owing to the off-peak travel period, since this time of the year falls outside the major UK school holidays and thus lowers the demand for travelling. There are no special religious festivals or events during this time and also this month is not associated with school holidays or Hajj/Ramadan days which results in a reduced price of Umrah travel.
The post-holiday travel demand is also reduced in both January and February and thus gives all travel agencies as well as airlines a chance to offer better rates and promotions on travel deals and flight rates so as to attract the passengers. Thus, many travellers take advantage of this golden opportunity and secure their February Umrah packages for wholesome spiritual experiences.
Other Months to Book Cheap Umrah Packages
It is quite obvious that February is the cheapest month for Umrah booking. Still there are many other months as well that can help you land on some really amazing Umrah deals. A breakdown of these months includes:
- January: As it takes place right after the Christmas break, the crowds are automatically reduced especially during the first half of January. The crowd subsides and this results in a reduced demand for travel. In such times, booking an all-inclusive Umrah package is always a great choice.
- March & April: These months also have a reduced demand and many of the pilgrims book their Umrah deals to secure the best prices for flights and hotels during this time. The weather is also quite favourable for performing Umrah rituals without any worries of the scorching heat.
- August: This month aligns with the UK school summer break and that is why most of the pilgrims plan their Umrah during this time. Though it is a bit expensive than other months aforementioned, still due to the intense heat in KSA and a low demand, pilgrims can manage to get better rates for flights and hotels.
Other Factors That Affect Flight Prices
Other factors that may directly impact the Umrah prices include Islamic calendar events since it is lunar-based, UK school breaks such as half-term, Easter, summer holidays and Christmas break, advance booking, last-minute flights that can help you secure the cheapest flights, week-days travelling as compared to weekends that are relatively expensive, and the option of direct or connecting flights.
To secure the best flight deals, you can use different fare comparison tools like Google Flights, set flexible dates, book your flights and hotels deals separately, consider nearby airports to reduce the costs, and pick travel agencies that can actually negotiate the rates for your Umrah trips. While different travel deals might surely attract you, it is equally essential to know your needs and pick the right deal that suits your budget as well as the travel preferences of each member travelling with you.
In case you want to customise your deal, you can ask your travel agency beforehand whether they offer customisation for Umrah packages or not. In this manner, you will be able to enjoy a holy journey as per your expectations and comfort level.
Sum Up,
The post has given you enough insights into “Which month has the cheapest flights from the UK to Makkah?” February stands out a month that is the most cost-effective option for Umrah flights, with suitable weather, comfortable weather conditions, a low Umrah demand, off-peak pricing, and excellent discounted deals. While other months may also offer cheap rates, but this month is the most cost-savvy of all. To land on cheap Umrah packages, you need to plan ahead, monitor prices, and be flexible with dates to enjoy a more fulfilling spiritual journey that is highly tailored as per your needs. May Allah accept your prayers and invite you to His Home!