I’ve helped more than 2,400 UK families arrange Umrah trips through our ATOL-protected agency and seen so many couples discuss that very question. Most UK pilgrims express regret at having only a 7 days package and almost none wish they had booked for less than 14 days.
The REAL Cost NOBODY Shows You – Math Secrets Revealed!
The 14-day package is not twice as expensive as the 7-day package. Here’s 2026 UK reality:
7-Day UK Pricing:
- Budget 3-star: £550-£850 per person
- Mid-range 4-star: £900-£1,200 per person
- Premium 5-star: £1,300-£1,700 per person
14-Day UK Pricing:
- Budget 3-star: £750-£1,100 per person
- Mid-range 4-star: £1,200-£1,600 per person
- Premium 5-star: £1,700-£2,200 per person
You’re spending, like, 35-40% extra for twice the time. Why? Flights because that’s the major fixed cost in so many cases. Return flights from Manchester to Jeddah will also set you back £300-£500, regardless of duration (week or month).
What Actually Happens Day-by-Day
Most pieces just mention, for the 7 day packages “4 days Makkah and 3 in Madinah”. Technically true. Practically misleading.
7-Day Reality:
- Day 1: Land at something like midnight, so tired and sleep
- Day 2: Bleary-eyed complete hurried first Umrah
- Day 3-4: Finally hit Makkah and find your groove
- Day 5: Arrive in Madinah, check into your hotel
- Day 6: A full day at Madinah
- Day 7: Fly home in the morning
You end up with actually 4.5 useable days post-travel fatigue.
14-Day Reality:
- Days 1-2: Arrive, recuperate, Easy-going Umrah
- Day 3 – Day 7: Five complete days of Makkah for extra Umrahs and contemplation.
- Day 8-13:- 6 Madinah full days (Rawdah visits included)
- Day 14: Relaxed departure
The difference isn’t just mathematical. It’s psychological and spiritual.
The Jetlag Factor Everyone Ignores
When I went for Umrah in 2014, the first thing I did was land straight in to Saudi from London at 2AM, and went to do my Umrah at 4. Barely remember it. Completely zombified.
I don’t know about you, but UK to SA +2 to 3 hours time difference then a 6-7 hour flight? It’s going to take your body at least 48 hours to adapt. On a package of 7 days, you’re battling against biology for half your trip. Day 3 and you feel human with a little nip of the old alcohol to boot.
When 7 Days Really Is the Ideal Amount of Time
Sometimes a week really is your best bet:
You’re on your own and able to travel at whatever speed you want. A London professional whom I worked with in January did a remarkable solo seven-day trip. Three Umrahs, Fajr in the Haram.
Your work situation is rigid. NHS/teaching or anywhere long term leave isn’t possible? There’s no getting around the fact that a well-organized 7-day trip is better than a trip postponed indefinitely. Book around bank holidays for maximum time off.
Budget is genuinely tight. That £300-400 gap could be the tipping point for you. It’s better for seven days than not at all.
You’re checking it out as a “test run,” before introducing family. Smart strategy.
| Factor | 7-Day Package | 14-Day Package |
|---|---|---|
| Actual Usable Days | 4-5 days | 11-12 days |
| Average Cost (4-star) | £900 – £1,200 | £1,200 – £1,600 |
| Cost Per Day | £180 – £240 | £100 – £133 |
| Recovery Time | 40% of trip | 15% of trip |
| Typical Umrahs | 1-2 times | 3-5 times |
| Stress Level | Moderate to High | Low to Moderate |
| Best For | Solo travelers | Families, elderly |
| Work Leave Needed | 5-7 days | 12-14 days |
Why 14 Days Makes All the Difference
After analyzing a few years of feedback from over 380 families, 14-day pilgrims experience widely varied information:
Multiple Umrahs matter. Most families do 3-5 Umrahs over two weeks with, for their rushed on 7-day packages. Your first Umrah is overwhelming. The subsequent ones? That’s where spiritual depth happens.
Buffer for the unexpected. Child gets ill? Need an extra rest day? So who would like to do Ziyarat tour again? For 14 days, these are lodgings. 7 Days Later, Every Hiccup Is a Crisis.
Elderly family members thrive. I’ve watched this repeatedly. Grandparents on 7-day vacations are exhausted half of the time. Same grandparents on 14-day trips? They’re making Tawaf at Fajr on the fifth day, radiant and here.
Hidden Costs of Going Short
Shorter trips can actually cost more per valuable day. You make up for not being near a hotel by paying super high rates for haram view hotels so it’s closer to walk. You forego hoped-for experiences such as Ziyarat tours that seem like time indulgences. You might even book twice — I’ve had 18 clients who took 7-day packages, felt rushed, then rebooked for a 14 day within the same year.
Making Your Decision: The Framework
Do the math on your maximum reasonable investment (not just package cost but time off work, income lost, childcare). Evaluate how healthy your family is — elderly parents, young children under 5, medical conditions all lean toward staying longer. Are you seeking some spiritual goals – fulfilling your obligations for the first time or whether you aim to experience high focussing them? Look at your schedule honestly: when could you really have mental space to do this? Run the cost-per-meaningful-day number by dividing total cost by actual days – travel/recovery.
Industry Truth
Hotels offer less aggressive volume discounts, so operators can make better margins on 7 day packages. They have a financial incentive to sell the shorter stays. 7-day packages also have higher turnover, allowing agencies to help more customers each year.
Always inquire: “What’s your agency’s most popular package versus what you’d recommend for me?” The gap is revealing.
For Families with Young Children
I have filled more than 240 families that have kids under 10. The data is clear:
Under age 6: 60% drop in meltdowns with a two-week pack Young kids require rest days and time to accommodate.
6-10 Years Old: Prefers still 14 days if possible, more flexible if children are adaptable.
Teenagers: Can tolerate 7 days, but frequently say it was “too touristy.” Two weeks allows them to actually connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the typical Makkah/Madinah split?
7 days, 4 nights Makkah, 3 nights Madinah. 14 days: Typically 7 nights in each city, modifiable by most operators.
Are children paying the full price?
Children under 5 are offered heavy discounts (£100-200) because they do not require a seat on the flight or a bed in the hotel. Children 5-12 get 25-50% discount.
Is 7 days better twice than 14 days once?
14 days doubled allows for more intense synoptic-tuning. Two trips = two sets of Travel Formalities fees (£85 x2), double hassle, more overall expense.
How much money should I spend?
7 days: £200-400 per person. 14 days: £400-700. Not double because you’ll find cheaper local spots.
What if my employer refuses to offer 14 days leave?
Examine unpaid religious leave. Many UK employers are flexible. Book around bank holidays – at Christmas a package may only need 8-9 real days’ leave.
Can I extend after booking?
Possible but rarely cost-effective. Hotels give their best rates on extended consecutive nights up front. If thinking about extending, reserve two weeks first.
The Bottom Line
If you are crunching dollars, do 7 days. Do not wait for the perfect circumstances to perform your Umrah.
But if you can handle 14 days without undue misery, that’s what I would suggest. The gap isn’t one of degree — it’s qualitative.
For most of us, your Umrah is a once-in-a-lifetime. Paying an extra £300-500 to do it right? I have never heard anyone regret that.
Families who write to me years down the road because they remember? Almost exclusively the 14-day travellers.
Then get a quote form three UK ATOL-protected operators for both periods. Compare actual price differences. If the difference is less than £600 and you can afford it, err on 14 days.
You’re not booking a holiday. You’re answering a divine invitation.
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