Unlike Hajj, which has fixed days, Umrah can be performed at almost any time of the year, so “when should we go?” is one of the first questions families ask. The honest answer depends on what matters most to you: the reward of a particular season, comfortable weather for elders, smaller crowds or a careful budget. Here is how to weigh them.

Umrah is open all year, with one exception

Islamic law sets no fixed season for Umrah. The days scholars single out are the days of Hajj: in the Hanafi school, performing Umrah from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the Day of Arafah, the Day of Nahr and the Days of Tashriq) is makruh tahrimi. Other schools have their own details, mainly for those performing Hajj.

In practice, the Saudi calendar matters more. For a period around Hajj — usually from some weeks before it until shortly after — Saudi authorities stop issuing Umrah visas and restrict Umrah for anyone without a Hajj permit. The exact dates are announced each year, so confirm them before you plan. Interestingly, the Umrahs of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, apart from the one performed with his Hajj, were all in Dhul Qa'dah (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim), but today that month usually falls within the pre-Hajj restriction for international travellers.

Weather in Makkah and Madinah

• Summer (roughly May to September): very hot. Daytime temperatures in Makkah often cross 40°C and can go well beyond. Walking to the Haram at midday is draining, especially for elders.
• October and March–April: still hot in Makkah by day, though easing into or out of the peak heat.
• Winter (roughly November to February): the most comfortable months. Makkah's days are warm rather than hot, often around 30°C; Madinah is cooler, and its nights can be chilly in December and January.

Crowds and prices

Crowds and prices rise and fall together. The busiest times are usually:

• Ramadan, above all the last ten nights, when the two Holy Mosques are at their fullest and hotels near the Haram cost the most.
• School and winter holidays, especially late December and early January, when many families travel.
• Weekends: Thursday nights and Fridays tend to be busier in the Haram as people come from nearby cities.

Outside these periods, prices and crowds are usually more moderate, and Tawaf close to the Kaaba is easier. Prices change every season, so see our current packages rather than relying on old figures.

Umrah in Ramadan

The Prophet ﷺ told a woman of the Ansar who had been unable to perform Hajj with him that an Umrah in Ramadan is equal to a Hajj — and in one narration, “equal to a Hajj with me” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). Scholars explain that this is about reward. It does not replace the obligatory Hajj: someone on whom Hajj is due must still perform it.

Ramadan Umrah also asks more of you: fasting while walking long distances, very heavy crowds at Taraweeh and Tahajjud, longer times for Tawaf and Sa'i, and higher prices. For many pilgrims, iftar in the Haram and the last ten nights in prayer are worth all of it. Elders and people with health conditions should speak to their doctor first and plan for rest. If you hope to do I'tikaf in either of the two Holy Mosques, note that registration in advance has been required in recent years; confirm the current procedure.

The 2026–27 season at a glance

These dates are approximate. Islamic months begin with the sighting of the moon, and Saudi authorities announce the Umrah season dates each year.

• November 2026 to January 2027: cool, comfortable months, busier around the year-end holidays.
• Ramadan 1448: expected around 8 February to 9 March 2027, with the last ten nights beginning around 27 February. This is the most sought-after period of the year, and seats and hotels near the Haram go early.
• After Eid al-Fitr: Hajj 2027 is expected in mid-May, so the Umrah window will probably close some weeks before that. If you hope to travel after Eid, plan early and confirm the last permitted date of entry.

Which time suits you?

• Elders and families with young children: the winter months, avoiding the late-December peak if you can. Gentler weather makes the walking much easier.
• A careful budget: avoid Ramadan and the holiday weeks, keep your dates flexible and book early. Hotels a little further from the Haram cost less; the distance is stated on each of our packages.
• Spiritual focus: Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, if you can manage the crowds — or a quieter month when you can spend long hours in the Haram and make Tawaf without struggle. Both are a blessing.
• First-time pilgrims: a quieter month gives you room to learn the rites calmly.

Book ahead

Whatever month you choose, three things take time: a passport with at least six months' validity, the Umrah visa, and flight seats from Hyderabad in busy weeks. For Ramadan and the December holidays, many pilgrims book months in advance. Visa rules and season dates can change at short notice, so check the latest position before paying for flights.

If you would like help choosing dates, Umrah with Ateeq can suggest a departure that suits your family, your budget and the elders travelling with you, including our Ramadan last-ten-days package. Browse our Umrah packages or speak to us.