Manchester is the biggest Muslim hub after London in the UK. It has approximately 22.5% of the Muslim community. Given this estimate, many Manchester Muslims plan to perform Umrah with their families or organized groups almost every year. Some may prefer to go as a couple or individually. So, if you are also one of them and planning your Umrah from Manchester, you must read a proper Umrah travel guide.
Umrah from Manchester is luckily a good chance because not everyone can afford it. Because this religious travelling needs a planned budget, package, and essential services. Once you go, you will understand how significant Umrah is.
Flights from Manchester for Umrah Travel
Firstly, Umrah travel needs a flight. You can book a flight from Manchester to Jeddah or Madinah when buying an Umrah package from a travel agency. Flights are usually direct or connecting with stopovers. Also, choose the nearest airport for departure.
In Manchester, the closest option is Manchester Airport (MAN). The most popular airlines that operate Umrah flights from this airport are: British Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines, AJet, Gulf Air, and Etihad Airways. Once you have confirmed your flight, you can travel smoothly without hassles.
Pick a Reliable and Positive Reviewed Umrah Agency
Not every Umrah agency is reliable until you contact them and ask for relevant Umrah packages. There should be official authorisation or ATOL protection for a reliable travel agency. You can also check out the positive reviews of the previous customers who have successfully travelled with them. After choosing, contact the agency and take the details of the Manchester packages for Umrah.
Make sure to check the inclusions in the package. Flights, hotels, Ziyarat tours, and meals should be clearly written. Understand the differences between economy, standard, and luxury packages. Always have a written itinerary and terms & conditions.
Get Your Visa to Travel for Umrah From Manchester
Every traveller needs a valid visa. Similarly, Umrah travel also requires a valid visa, which is mostly an Umrah visa. This visa allows you to travel towards Saudi Arabia from the UK. An Umrah visa is typically valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, and you can’t do any other work but visiting is allowed on this visa. Also. This visa is solely issued by the Saudi Embassy through an authorised travel agent.
When you are booking Umrah packages from Manchester, process your visa as well. Your concerned travel operator will help in this and apply for further processing. British passport holders can also travel on other types of visas, such as a Saudi tourist eVisa. This eVisa allows multiple entries, depending on its validity.
Packing and Baggage Guidelines for Umrah
Every travel needs packing, and an Umrah journey also falls in this category. So, your packing should be according to the rules set by airlines. You can check on the website or ask your travel agent about the baggage rules of your flight. Usually, airlines allow 20-23 kg for checked bags and 7-10 kg for hand carry bags. Your checked bag should contain essential clothing and daily used items during Umrah. While a hand carry should hold essential travel documents and items for instant use. You can follow this list to pack only essentials:
- Ihram dress for men and Abayas for women
- Daily wear comfortable clothes, shoes, or sandals
- Keep medications if necessary
- Religious and travel items
- Don’t pack bulky or sharp items
- You can keep your toiletries
- Make sure to keep travel documents, including a boarding pass
- Tag your bag with your name and contact number, in case you forget or lose it
Choose the Best Time to Travel for Umrah
Incidentally, you can go on Umrah any time of the year, although there are months when travelling is more comfortable, cheaper and easier. The months are regarded as the most appropriate months to spend on Umrah: January to March and September to November. Hotels and flights are cheap during these months, crowds are less, and the weather is pleasant. But in the case that Ramadan falls in such months, then it will be congested since Ramadan is a season of peak Umrah.
It doesn’t matter whether you are travelling from Manchester or Umrah from Birmingham, the best times are the same for every UK Muslim. The costs, however, vary depending on the location, but the services remain similar. Travelling to Saudi Arabia during the summer months is not recommended because the temperature is up to 40°C. The winter season of November-February, on the other hand, presents the most favourable weather conditions in which Umrah can be done.
Finally, the ultimate travel guide that makes travelling to Manchester easy to complete Umrah. When you prepare and plan well, you will make your Umrah trip a real life-changing spiritual experience. Therefore, get the right package, a reliable travel agency, the most appropriate timing and fly to Umrah!
