When is the cheapest time to do Umrah from UAE?

July and August are the cheapest months - hotel prices can be 40-60% lower than peak periods, and flights are less expensive. The trade-off is extreme heat. January and February offer the best combination of good weather and reasonable prices.

Is Umrah during Ramadan worth the extra cost?

For devout Muslims, the spiritual reward is considered immeasurable. Practically, it is more expensive, more crowded and physically demanding. If you go, prepare for long queues, limited personal space and a deeply emotional collective experience unlike any other time of year.

Can I perform Umrah during Dhul Hijjah?

Umrah is suspended during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah (Hajj season) when Makkah becomes exclusively reserved for Hajj pilgrims. Umrah resumes after the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

How far in advance should I book Umrah packages?

January-February packages: book 6-8 weeks in advance. Ramadan packages: book 3-5 months in advance. Summer packages: 2-4 weeks usually sufficient. December packages: 8-10 weeks in advance. Contact Big Bird Travel for current availability.

Umrah Guides| 7 min read|05 Feb 2025

Best Time for Umrah from UAE: Month-by-Month Guide

By Big Bird Travel Team

Umrah can be performed any time outside the Hajj season, but the experience varies significantly by month. This guide balances spiritual reward, crowd levels, temperatures and cost to help you choose the right time for your Umrah journey.

Unlike Hajj, Umrah has no fixed date - it can be performed year-round. However, Hajj season (the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah) restricts Umrah pilgrim entry to Makkah, and the period around Ramadan sees prices and crowds spike dramatically. Outside these periods, the experience varies considerably by season.

Month-by-Month Overview

Period	Crowd Level	Makkah Temp	Cost Level	Overall
January - February	Low-Medium	20-28 degrees C	Low	*****
March - April	Medium	25-35 degrees C	Medium	*****
May - June	Medium	35-43 degrees C	Medium	*****
Ramadan (month-long)	Very High	Varies	High-Very High	***** (spiritual)
Shawwal (post-Ramadan)	Very Low	Varies	Low	*****
July - August	Low	40-45 degrees C	Low	*****
September - October	Low-Medium	33-40 degrees C	Low-Medium	*****
November - December	Medium-High	22-32 degrees C	Medium-High	*****
Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days)	Closed for Umrah	-	-	N/A - no Umrah

The Best Overall Time: January - February

The months of January and February offer the ideal combination for Umrah from UAE: temperatures in Makkah are comfortable (20-28 degrees C, dropping to 15 degrees C at night), crowds are manageable, hotel prices are the lowest of the year, and flight costs are down from the December peak. If your schedule allows, these two months are the sweet spot.

Ramadan Umrah - Maximum Reward, Maximum Crowd

Performing Umrah during Ramadan is said to carry the reward equivalent to Hajj. This belief draws millions of pilgrims, making Ramadan the most crowded - and most expensive - time to perform Umrah. Hotels triple or quadruple in price. Tawaf in the first week of Ramadan can take 3-4 hours. For those seeking the spiritual intensity, it is incomparable. For those seeking comfort, it is challenging.

Ramadan timing from UAE

UAE employers typically grant 3-7 days of annual leave during Ramadan for Umrah. Big Bird Travel offers group Ramadan packages that combine leave optimisation with package pricing. Book at least 4 months before Ramadan.

Shawwal (Post-Ramadan): The Hidden Best Time

The month immediately after Ramadan sees a dramatic drop in Umrah pilgrims. Hotels empty out, prices fall sharply, and the Haram feels spacious. Pilgrims who perform Umrah in Shawwal while fasting 6 additional days receive great reward. If Ramadan prices are out of reach, Shawwal is an excellent alternative.

Summer Months - For the Committed Pilgrim

July and August in Makkah are extremely hot - temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees C and can reach 45 degrees C. The Haram is heavily air-conditioned and tiling can be very hot underfoot. However, prices are at their absolute lowest and crowds are minimal. Some pilgrims prefer this - unhurried Tawaf and easy access to the Kaaba area. For elderly or health-vulnerable pilgrims, summer Umrah is not recommended.