{"id":3152,"date":"2024-06-02T19:21:33","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T11:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152"},"modified":"2024-06-02T19:27:34","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T11:27:34","slug":"how-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152","title":{"rendered":"How to do umrah without a travel agent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent-850x478.jpg 850w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/How-to-do-umrah-without-a-travel-agent.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Overview\" title=\"Overview\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Visa_Tourist_%E2%80%93_RM_677person\" title=\"Visa Tourist &#8211; RM 677\/person\">Visa Tourist &#8211; RM 677\/person<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Flight_%E2%80%93_Saudi_Airlines_RM_3200person\" title=\"Flight &#8211; Saudi Airlines (RM 3200\/person)\">Flight &#8211; Saudi Airlines (RM 3200\/person)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Accommodation_%E2%80%93_Majd_Al_Mohagerin_Mecca_Durrat_Al_Eiman_Medina_Below_RM200_per_night_per_person\" title=\"Accommodation &#8211; Majd Al Mohagerin (Mecca) &amp; Durrat Al Eiman (Medina) (Below RM200 per night per person)\">Accommodation &#8211; Majd Al Mohagerin (Mecca) &amp; Durrat Al Eiman (Medina) (Below RM200 per night per person)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Haramain_Speed_Train_170_SAR_one_way_from_Medina_to_Mecca\" title=\"Haramain Speed Train (170 SAR one way from Medina to Mecca)\">Haramain Speed Train (170 SAR one way from Medina to Mecca)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Mutawwif_for_Ziarah_in_Mecca_Medina\" title=\"Mutawwif for Ziarah in Mecca &amp; Medina\">Mutawwif for Ziarah in Mecca &amp; Medina<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#TaxiVehicle_from_Airport_to_HotelTrain_Station_to_HotelHotel_to_Gua_HiraTanaim_for_Second_Umrah_etc\" title=\"Taxi\/Vehicle from Airport to Hotel\/Train Station to Hotel\/Hotel to Gua Hira\u2019\/Tanaim for Second Umrah, etc.\">Taxi\/Vehicle from Airport to Hotel\/Train Station to Hotel\/Hotel to Gua Hira\u2019\/Tanaim for Second Umrah, etc.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/?p=3152\/#Food_%E2%80%93_Mecca_Medina\" title=\"Food &#8211; Mecca &amp; Medina\">Food &#8211; Mecca &amp; Medina<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overview\"><\/span>Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visa_Tourist_%E2%80%93_RM_677person\"><\/span><strong>Visa Tourist &#8211; RM 677\/person<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alhamdulillah, the process was very easy, you just need to fill in the form online <a href=\"https:\/\/visa.visitsaudi.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>. The visa was approved within 5 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Just make sure to enter the passport number correctly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Errors in names are generally overlooked, but other people&#8217;s experiences may vary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flight_%E2%80%93_Saudi_Airlines_RM_3200person\"><\/span><strong>Flight &#8211; Saudi Airlines (RM 3200\/person)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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 &#8211; MED when going to and MED-JED-KUL when we come back.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can get cheaper flight tickets if you buy them earlier or share luggage allowance since 1 pax&#8217;s luggage allowance for Saudia is 46kg (23kg for 2 bags).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To be honest, you really don&#8217;t need much baggage allowance unless you&#8217;re someone who is known as someone who can not travel light. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accommodation_%E2%80%93_Majd_Al_Mohagerin_Mecca_Durrat_Al_Eiman_Medina_Below_RM200_per_night_per_person\"><\/span><strong>Accommodation &#8211; Majd Al Mohagerin (Mecca) &amp; Durrat Al Eiman (Medina) (Below RM200 per night per person)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The hotel in Mecca is about 500m away and the hotel in Medina is about 300m away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the accommodation according to your preference and the need of your family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Haramain_Speed_Train_170_SAR_one_way_from_Medina_to_Mecca\"><\/span><strong>Haramain Speed Train (170 SAR one way from Medina to Mecca)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The train tickets were approximately RM 430\/person for a round ticket (Medina-Mecca) and (Mecca-Medina).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arrive early at the train station to board the train early and arrange your luggage in the compartment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you&#8217;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. \ud83d\ude05<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We intended to perform miqat on the train from Medina to Mecca; there will be an announcement on the train. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mutawwif_for_Ziarah_in_Mecca_Medina\"><\/span><strong>Mutawwif for Ziarah in Mecca &amp; Medina<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We used the services of Ustaz Weesam. His contact number is +966 59 816 6203.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ustaz Weesam&#8217;s price for Ziarah in Mecca &amp; Medina is very reasonable compared to other mutawwif.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ustaz Abdul Razak, our mutawwif in Medina (also part of Ustaz Weesam&#8217;s team), was excellent. His storytelling about the Prophet&#8217;s life was very touching, and the service provided was top-notch, mashaAllah.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TaxiVehicle_from_Airport_to_HotelTrain_Station_to_HotelHotel_to_Gua_HiraTanaim_for_Second_Umrah_etc\"><\/span><strong>Taxi\/Vehicle from Airport to Hotel\/Train Station to Hotel\/Hotel to Gua Hira\u2019\/Tanaim for Second Umrah, etc.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is recommended to download Uber\/Bolt\/Careem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use these apps if you are not in a hurry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Besides apps, you can negotiate with the taxi drivers who are often waiting outside the airport\/stations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My suggestion is to check the price on the app first to get a reasonable price for negotiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_%E2%80%93_Mecca_Medina\"><\/span><strong>Food &#8211; Mecca &amp; Medina<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Malay food is easy to find in Mecca; our family frequently visited D\u2019Saji in Al Safwah Towers. The portions are large, the prices reasonable, and the taste suited our palate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Malaysian food is not as prevalent in Medina; what you find is mostly Indonesian food. I suggest bringing Brahim&#8217;s, Kembara Meal if you have a taste for Malay food and need rice and dishes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-850x1133.jpg 850w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7850-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My family and I in Masjid Nabawi, Madinah.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-850x1133.jpg 850w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7801-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Took the picture of the Kaabah when we performed our first umrah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_7897-850x638.jpg 850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My beautiful mother at Masjid Nabawi. Such a great view!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-1152x2048.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-300x533.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F-850x1511.jpg 850w, https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/425AB9A9-5962-4C10-85B2-53E18AD34E5F.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any more questions, let me know! Happy to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>May all of us can visit the holy places one day, inshAllah.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3163,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,39],"tags":[55,54,53],"class_list":["post-3152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-trips","tag-madinah","tag-mekkah","tag-umrah"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3152"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3167,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3152\/revisions\/3167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zethysuhaidah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}