Whether you want to perform Umrah on a weekend or shorten its duration, the purpose is the same: to worship Allah SWT. However, you can travel for Umrah at any time of the year and choose any duration according to your preferences. But here we will mention weekend and short stay (fast track and brief) Umrah travel ideas.
Muslims can travel for Umrah at any time of the year except during the Hajj period. Whether you choose a weekend, short stay, or long stay Umrah, it should be according to your preferences. In today’s fast-paced life, not everyone can take a week’s leave, hence the concept of weekend Umrah and short stay is rapidly gaining popularity.
“Fly-In, Fly-Out” Weekend Idea
Usually, weekend plans for most people (business and job persons) start from Thursday and end on Sunday. That’s basically a fly-in and fly-out weekend idea for Umrah travel. But keep in mind that you can’t travel for Umrah for a three to four-day duration. Most travel agencies provide a minimum 7-day all-inclusive Umrah packages. Alternatively, your Umrah visa will allow you to spend at most thirty days in Saudi Arabia; that’s beneficial.
However, if you are travelling from the UK or any country where you can get a transit or on-arrival visa, then you can fulfil the weekend idea. If landing at Jeddah airport, Jeddah to Makkah is just one hour drive by car. On this short trip, spend the entire time in Makkah. Perform Umrah and prayers as much as you can inside the Masjid al-Haram. Make sure you are leaving Saudi Arabia at the given departure time.
Quick Travel through 7-day Packages
Quick travel with a two-city visit is a strategy through a minimum of 7-day Umrah packages. In these packages, you can visit both Makkah and Madinah in a short time. In this idea, the best travelling route is to arrive at Madinah airport (MED). This saves your 5-6 hours of travel time from Jeddah to Madinah. Return to your country via Jeddah Airport, which is just a one-hour drive from Makkah. Reach your hotel, explore Madinah, and then travel towards Makkah to perform Umrah.
Conversely, you can also reach Makkah first and then Madinah. It totally depends on your personal preferences. It’s better to use the Haramain train to travel within cities. The train will save you time with its 300 km/h speed. If you are planning a 7-day idea in school holidays, it’s important to check flight availability. Direct flights such as from London to Jeddah or Madinah make this quick connection plan incredibly easy. Still thinking about 7-night Umrah packages? You can book easily through any reliable and trusted Umrah travel agency.
Off-Peak Short Umrah Stay
Short Umrah stay depends on what short means for you. Some people consider 7-day is a short period, and some prefer ten days. According to most travellers, a short period means what satisfies you more. Hence, it totally relies on everyone’s individual circumstances. So, off-peak week days is a smart choice for those who don’t like the noise and rush and want to relax in peace on a low budget.
Off-peak is typically cost-effective; you don’t have to pay more. But this duration generally falls on summer period when Saudi Arabia faces intense heat. That’s the pitfall! Crowds during the off-peak season are usually low, and you can perform Umrah easily. Try to travel for Umrah on weekdays instead of weekends because hotels in Makkah and Madinah typically reduce their rates slightly on weekdays compared to weekends. You can even get a better room near the Haram for a lower price.
Choose Group Umrah Short Stay
Group Umrah is one of the scheduled and enjoyable trips, as you will get the opportunity to talk with others. This is perfect for those who are going for the first time or who want someone else to take care of all the arrangements for them. The group’s schedules always have specific times. They include all the factors, such as when the bus is leaving, when to get food, and when to visit Ziyarat. You don’t even need to rack your brains.
Group Umrah is often accompanied by a guide who helps you navigate the steps of Umrah. This is a great comfort if you are new to the group. Remember that the group Umrah have their own schedules, so you will have to confirm with them how short their stay is. If you have some customisations, then a private stay is better than group Umrah package.
Spiritual Focus Ideas for Short Umrah Stay
Short stay and weekend Umrah time is limited, so you need spiritual focus to make every moment of your life precious for worship. When you only have few days, your plan should be quality over quantity. There is often a risk of fatigue during a short stay, but the best way to get spiritual benefits is to change your night schedule. Try to reach Haram at 2:00 or 3:00 AM because at that time the rush in the Haram is a little less and the weather is also cool.
As the stay is short, every moment is precious. So, try to do less photography and focus on spiritual goals. Give a break to social media accounts and use the mobile phone only for important communications. Cut your mind off from the world and focus only on worship so that you feel peace when you come back. Set a small target that, in this short stay, you have to recite at least one or two stages of the Holy Quran. This will increase your spiritual focus.
In conclusion, weekend and short stay Umrah is a great blessing for those who want to take some time out from their busy lives and visit the house of Allah SWT. Although this journey is usually short, if planned correctly, this spiritual journey can prove to be very beneficial. Remember that the acceptance of Umrah is not dependent on the number of days, but on your intention and sincerity.
