December Umrah Packages 2026 from the UK

Why December Is a Great Month for Umrah

December is one of the best months of the year for Umrah from the UK. The heat in Makkah drops to the low thirties, the Christmas break gives families and workers two weeks off, and this year the month of Rajab, one of the four sacred months, begins in early December. It is also one of the busiest months, so the best hotels near the Haram go early.

Our December Umrah packages 2026 include return flights from the UK, your visa, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, and all transfers. Prices start from £920 per person. But don’t worry and quote today and we will give you best December umrah offer.

December Umrah Package Prices and Deals 2026

Umrah packages in December cost more than November or January because so many UK pilgrims travel over Christmas. Departures in the first half of December are cheaper than those around 20 December, when schools break up. Booking eight to twelve weeks ahead usually saves £150 to £400 per person compared with booking in late November.

Christmas Umrah Packages and School Holiday Dates

Most schools in England break up on Friday 18 December 2026 and go back on Monday 4 January 2027, with the official holiday running from 21 December to 1 January. That gives you just over two weeks, which fits a 10 or 14 day Christmas Umrah package without taking children out of school.

Flights on the weekend of 19 and 20 December, and returns on 2 and 3 January, are the most in demand. If you can leave a few days earlier, or come back on 31 December or 1 January, you will often get a better fare. Scottish and Welsh term dates differ slightly, so check with your school.

Many working people also use the Christmas bank holidays to save on annual leave. Leaving on 24 December and returning on 3 January needs only four days of annual leave, thanks to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

December Weather in Makkah and Madinah

Umrah in December means the coolest weather of the year, which is why many people call these our winter Umrah packages:

• Makkah: average daytime highs of around 33°C and lows around 21°C. Tawaf in the afternoon is comfortable for most people.
• Madinah: noticeably cooler, especially at night, when temperatures can drop into the low teens.

For a winter Umrah, pack a light jumper or shawl for Madinah evenings and air-conditioned hotels and socks for early morning walks to Fajr. You will still need sun cream and a water bottle in the middle of the day.

Rajab: Umrah in a Sacred Month

The Islamic month of Rajab 1448 is expected to begin around 10 December 2026, depending on the moon. Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran and many Muslims choose to travel for Umrah in it. A December Umrah this year falls within it, which makes the trip feel all the more special for many pilgrims.

Which December Umrah Package Suits You?

• 7 days: works well before Christmas, for anyone using annual leave rather than school holidays. Four nights in Makkah and three in Madinah.
• 10 days: the most popular Christmas length. Enough time in both cities, and you are home before school starts.
• 14 days: the full Christmas break, with a slower pace and more time for worship in both Haramain.

Our 3 star December hotels, such as Emaar Elite in Makkah, are around 900 metres from the Haram. On 4 star packages, Al Rawda Al Aqeeq sits about 300 metres from Masjid an-Nabawi. On 5 star packages, Jabal Omar Marriott and the Hilton Convention are around 200 metres from Masjid al-Haram, with Pullman ZamZam about 170 metres from Masjid-an-Nabawi in Madinah.

December Umrah from London, Manchester and Birmingham

December flights from Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham to Jeddah fill up quickly, especially direct flights. If the direct dates you want have gone, a one-stop route through the Gulf or Istanbul can still get you there with a similar total journey time. Pilgrims from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford travel with one stop. See all our departure options on our Umrah packages from the UK page.

Sample 10-Day Christmas Umrah Itinerary

This is how a typical 10 day during Christmas Umrah from the UK looks. We adjust it to your flights and hotel choice.

• Day 1: Fly from the UK to Jeddah. Make your intention and enter ihram before you cross the Miqat on the plane. Transfer to your Makkah hotel.
• Day 2: Perform your Umrah: tawaf, two rak’ahs, sa’i between Safa and Marwah, then cut or shave your hair.
• Days 3 to 5: Prayers in Masjid-al-Haram, extra tawaf in the cooler mornings and ziyarat of sites such as Jabal al-Nour and Jabal Thawr.
• Day 6: Travel to Madinah by road or on the Haramain train.
• Days 7 to 9: Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi, a Rawdah visit booked on Nusuk, and ziyarat of Masjid Quba and Uhud.
• Day 10: Transfer to the airport and fly home in time for the new school term.

Families and Groups in December

December is the most popular month for family Umrah packages, because it is the one long school holiday that is also cool in Makkah. It is also a favourite for masjid trips. If you are travelling with friends or your community, our group Umrah packages can bring the cost per person down.

How to Get a Good December Umrah Deal

• Book early. The best value rooms near the Haram start to sell out in October.
• Be flexible on flights. Midweek departures are often cheaper than weekends.
• Share a room. Quad and triple rooms lower the price per person.
• Split your tiers. Spend more on Makkah, where the walk matters most, and save in Madinah.
• Consider early December. The first two weeks are quieter and cheaper than the Christmas peak.

December or Ramadan?

Many pilgrims weigh up December against Ramadan. Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February and brings the reward of an Umrah like Hajj but it is the busiest and most expensive time of year. December is calmer, cooler and easier with children. If you can only go once this season, our Ramadan Umrah packages page will help you compare.

Documents for a December Umrah

You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a Saudi visa, a Nusuk Umrah permit and a MenACWY (meningitis) vaccination certificate, with the jab given at least 10 days before you arrive. Leave plenty of time for the vaccine, as GP and pharmacy appointments get busy before Christmas. Our guide to Umrah visa requirements for UK pilgrims covers every document and our Umrah packing checklist helps with the rest.