Overview
My family and I went for Umrah (both Makkah and Madinah) without a travel agent in 2024, or basically known as a Umrah Do-It-Yourself (DIY). We are a family of 6, all adults, from Malaysia. The cost wrote down below is in Malaysian Ringgit and the exchange rate at that time (February 2024) was around SAR 1.3 to RM 1. Here’s how:
Visa Tourist – RM 677/person
- Alhamdulillah, the process was very easy, you just need to fill in the form online here. The visa was approved within 5 minutes.
- Just make sure to enter the passport number correctly.
- Errors in names are generally overlooked, but other people’s experiences may vary.
Flight – Saudi Airlines (RM 3200/person)
- We bought the flight ticket in November 2023 and the cheapest one for February 2024 was Saudi Airlines. So we took the route of KUL – MED when going to and MED-JED-KUL when we come back.
- You can get cheaper flight tickets if you buy them earlier or share luggage allowance since 1 pax’s luggage allowance for Saudia is 46kg (23kg for 2 bags).
- To be honest, you really don’t need much baggage allowance unless you’re someone who is known as someone who can not travel light.
Accommodation – Majd Al Mohagerin (Mecca) & Durrat Al Eiman (Medina) (Below RM200 per night per person)
- We stayed at decent hotels. They are not 5 stars nor terrible hotels. Sufficient for us to sleep, rest, and get clean in between prayers. The hotels we booked are not right in front of the mosque but not too far either.
- The hotel in Mecca is about 500m away and the hotel in Medina is about 300m away.
- I suggest that if you want a closer hotel, it will be more expensive. However, it depends on your budget. You might as well get a cheaper price when you booked it earlier.
- Choose the accommodation according to your preference and the need of your family.
Haramain Speed Train (170 SAR one way from Medina to Mecca)
- The train tickets were approximately RM 430/person for a round ticket (Medina-Mecca) and (Mecca-Medina).
- Arrive early at the train station to board the train early and arrange your luggage in the compartment.
- If you’re worried about having too much or oversized luggages, use the porter service. InshaAllah, it will be fine. Give the porter a tip as a form of charity. 😅
- We intended to perform miqat on the train from Medina to Mecca; there will be an announcement on the train.
Mutawwif for Ziarah in Mecca & Medina
- We used the services of Ustaz Weesam. His contact number is +966 59 816 6203.
- Ustaz Weesam’s price for Ziarah in Mecca & Medina is very reasonable compared to other mutawwif.
- Ustaz Abdul Razak, our mutawwif in Medina (also part of Ustaz Weesam’s team), was excellent. His storytelling about the Prophet’s life was very touching, and the service provided was top-notch, mashaAllah.
Taxi/Vehicle from Airport to Hotel/Train Station to Hotel/Hotel to Gua Hira’/Tanaim for Second Umrah, etc.
- It is recommended to download Uber/Bolt/Careem.
- However, during peak hours, right after the athan (prayer call), or when people just get off the train, it can be very hard to find a driver.
- Use these apps if you are not in a hurry.
- Besides apps, you can negotiate with the taxi drivers who are often waiting outside the airport/stations.
- My suggestion is to check the price on the app first to get a reasonable price for negotiation.
Food – Mecca & Medina
- Malay food is easy to find in Mecca; our family frequently visited D’Saji in Al Safwah Towers. The portions are large, the prices reasonable, and the taste suited our palate.
- Malaysian food is not as prevalent in Medina; what you find is mostly Indonesian food. I suggest bringing Brahim’s, Kembara Meal if you have a taste for Malay food and need rice and dishes.
If you have any more questions, let me know! Happy to help.
May all of us can visit the holy places one day, inshAllah.