Umrah is the voluntary spiritual retreat that Muslims undertake to the holy city of Makkah. It is a flexible pilgrimage, meaning you can perform it any time of year, unlike the obligatory Hajj. It is also called the minor pilgrimage because it involves far fewer rituals than Hajj. This makes people wonder how many days are enough for Umrah. If you want to go for Umrah soon, you may also want to know how long it takes.
Unlike Hajj, Umrah has no fixed number of days. You can decide how many days you can spend in the holy cities. Decide after considering your budget and how many days you can take off. Keep in mind that you can complete Umrah rituals in a few hours. But most pilgrims plan a 7- to 10-day Umrah to spend more time at the pilgrimage sites, immerse in various acts of worship, and explore the Islamic and historic sites in Makkah and Madinah. So, as you plan your Umrah journey from the UK, you must decide how many days you will be spending at the pilgrimage sites. Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you decide.
Is There a Fixed Number of Days Required for Umrah?
No, Islamic rulings do not require a fixed number of days for Umrah. You will not need several days to complete the Umrah rituals. Once a pilgrim enters Ihram, reaches Makkah and completes Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq or Qasr, the Umrah is complete. It can be completed within a few hours, depending on the pilgrims’ pace.
The length of your overall trip depends on factors such as:
- Your travel time from your home country
- The number of days you want to spend in Makkah
- Whether you want to visit Madinah
- Your budget
- Your age and physical condition
- Whether you are travelling with children or elderly family members
- How much time you want for worship and rest
Therefore, make sure not to dwell on how many days are required for an Umrah and think about how many days you need for a comfortable Umrah journey.
How Many Days Are Ideal for Umrah?
This is a question that comes to the mind of almost every pilgrim. For most pilgrims, 7 to 10 days provides a good balance between worship, rest, travel and cost. If you will be spending 7 days at the pilgrimage sites, here is an itinerary that will be perfect for you.
| Day | Suggested Plan |
| Day 1 | Travel to Saudi Arabia and check into your hotel |
| Day 2 | Perform Umrah and rest |
| Day 3 | Prayers and worship in Makkah |
| Day 4 | Additional worship, tour around the historic and Islamic sites in Makkah and rest |
| Day 5 | Travel to Madinah or continue your Makkah stay |
| Day 6 | Worship and visit significant sites in Madinah |
| Day 7 | Final prayers and return journey |
This is just an example itinerary. You can adjust it according to your plans and requirements.
Is 3 to 5 Days Enough for Umrah?
A 3- to 5-day Umrah journey might be enough for you if your only goal is to perform the pilgrimage. A short trip can work well for pilgrims who:
- Have limited annual leave
- Want to minimise travel expenses
- Have previously performed Umrah
- Are travelling without children
- Prefer a short, focused pilgrimage
- Are comfortable with a busy schedule
However, a very short trip leaves less flexibility. Flight delays, long airport transfers, tiredness, or unexpected circumstances can reduce the time available for worship.
Is 7 Days Enough for Umrah?
Yes, 7 days is a comfortable amount of time to perform Umrah. You can decide how much time you want to spend in Makkah, and you can spend the remaining days in Madinah. Many pilgrims prefer to stay in Makkah for four days and spend the remaining three days in Madinah.
Four days in Makkah can give you time to:
- Perform your Umrah without rushing
- Pray at Masjid al-Haram
- Perform additional Tawaf
- Spend time making Dua and remembering Allah
- Rest between prayers
- Explore permitted religious and historical sites
Three days in Madinah can allow you to pray at Masjid an-Nabawi, send Salam upon the Prophet (SAW) and visit significant sites such as Quba Mosque and other permitted locations.
Is 10 Days Better for Umrah?
Pilgrims who prefer a more relaxed itinerary and want to spend more time in the holy cities usually choose 10-day Umrah packages. The additional days can be particularly useful if you want to spend meaningful time in both Makkah and Madinah without constantly watching the clock.
Days 1–5: Makkah
Use the first few days to settle in, perform Umrah and establish a comfortable routine around the prayers at Masjid al-Haram.
Days 6–9: Madinah
Travel to Madinah and spend several days praying at Masjid an-Nabawi and visiting appropriate religious sites.
Day 10: Return
Complete your final preparations and travel home.
Many UK travel agencies offer reliable 10-day Umrah deals that you can avail of. Some of the most trusted agencies with great customer reviews include Bismillah Travel, Hajj Umrah Hub, Makkah Travel, and numerous others.
Final Words
There is no fixed requirement for how many days you will need for an Umrah. Your trip duration depends on your preferences. Most pilgrims choose a more comfortable 7 to 10-day Umrah package, as it allows them to spend considerable time in the sacred atmosphere of Makkah and Madinah. It might be the ideal option for you too if you don’t want to rush your time at the pilgrimage sites.
