Why October Works Perfectly for UK Families
UK Half-Term Timing (October 26-31,)
Most UK schools run their October half-term from Monday October 26 through Friday October 30, This gives families a full week without pulling children from classes. Book a 7-night package departing Saturday October 24, returning Saturday October 31 – you’ve used zero school days.
Working parents appreciate this because annual leave requests are simpler. Instead of explaining a two-week absence during term time, you’re using a school holiday that HR expects. Grandparents can join without worrying about “Is this allowed?” conversations with schools.
Our October 2024 half-term packages sold out by August. Families who waited until September found limited hotel options and higher prices. The pattern repeats every year – early bookers get first choice of everything.
Autumn Weather Reality (Let’s Be Honest)
Competitors claim October weather is “pleasant” or “comfortable.” That’s misleading. October in Makkah still hits 38°C during the day. It’s hot. But here’s the difference: September averages 27-41°C, October averages 25-38°C. That 3-4°C drop matters when you’re walking with children.
Week-by-Week Temperature Breakdown:
| Period | Makkah Temperature | Madinah Temperature | Humidity | Family Suitability |
|---|
| Early October (1-10) | 26-39°C | 24-37°C | 60-70% | Manageable with morning/evening rituals |
| Mid October (11-20) | 25-38°C | 23-36°C | 55-65% | Cooler trend starting |
| Late October (21-31) | 24-36°C | 22-34°C | 50-60% | Best period, half-term dates here |
By late October, you’re transitioning into proper autumn. Nights drop to 24-25°C, which feels refreshing after months of 30°C+ evenings. Children sleep better, elderly relatives aren’t exhausted, and daily schedules become more flexible.
Half-Term Week vs Other School Holidays
| Factor | October Half-Term | Easter Holidays | Summer Holidays | Christmas Break |
|---|
| Weather | 25-38°C (warm) | 24-39°C (hot) | 35-45°C (extreme) | 15-25°C (mild) |
| Pricing | £765-£1,095 | £895-£1,250 | £995-£1,450 | £1,150-£1,650 |
| Duration | 1 week | 2 weeks | 6 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate-High | High (Hajj season) | Very High (peak) |
| School Impact | Zero days missed | Zero days missed | Zero days missed | Zero days missed |
October offers the best price-to-weather ratio for families. You’re not fighting winter crowds or summer heat, and you’re paying hundreds less than December packages.
Autumn Shoulder Season Advantage
October sits in what the travel industry calls “shoulder season” – the period between peak and off-peak. This creates benefits:
Fewer Crowds at Haram: Summer crowds have cleared, winter pilgrims haven’t arrived yet. Our October 2024 groups reported Tawaf wait times of 15-20 minutes during off-peak hours (2-6am) versus 45-60 minutes in December.
Hotel Availability: Premium hotels near Haram that sell out months ahead for December still have October availability in June/July. You get better room selection and sometimes complimentary upgrades hotels use to fill shoulder-season inventory.
Flexible Flight Times: October flights from London/Manchester/Birmingham have more time options. Morning departures, evening returns, direct vs connecting – you choose what works for your family instead of taking whatever’s left.
Our October Umrah Packages – Family-Focused Pricing
Budget Family Package (7 Nights, £765)
What’s Included:
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Makkah Stay | 4 nights, 3-star hotel, 800m to Haram |
| Madinah Stay | 3 nights, 3-star hotel, shuttle to Masjid Nabawi |
| Flights | Return from London Heathrow |
| Travel Formalities | All family members processed together |
| Transfers | Airport and inter-city transport |
| Support | 24/7 UK helpline |
Best For: Families of 4+ seeking value, heat-adapted children (age 8+), budget-conscious parents.
Reality Check: Walking 800m in 35°C October heat with young children requires planning. Doable for families with fit, older children. Under-8s might struggle. Consider the standard package with closer accommodation.
Standard Family Package (10 Nights, £895)
What’s Included:
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Makkah Stay | 6 nights, 4-star hotel, 450m to Haram |
| Madinah Stay | 4 nights, 4-star hotel, 600m walkable |
| Flights | London/Manchester/Birmingham departures |
| Travel Formalities | Family Travel Formalities processing (all ages) |
| Transfers | All ground transport included |
| Meals | Breakfast daily (4-star hotels) |
| Ziyarat | Optional tours £50pp |
Best For: Families with children age 5+, working parents using half-term, multi-generational groups.
Reality Check: The family favourite. 450m walk is manageable even with young children, 4-star breakfast means one less meal to organize, and 10 nights gives you buffer days if children need rest.
Current Status: 58% booked for October 26-31 half-term window (as of January ).
Premium Family Package (14 Nights, £1,095)
What’s Included:
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Makkah Stay | 8 nights, 4/5-star hotel, near Haram |
| Madinah Stay | 6 nights, 4-star hotel, premium location |
| Flights | All UK airports available |
| Travel Formalities | Expedited family processing |
| Transfers | Private car option for families 6+ |
| Meals | Full breakfast + 4 group dinners |
| Ziyarat | Comprehensive tours included |
| Insurance | Family travel insurance |
Best For: Extended families (3 generations), retirees traveling with children/grandchildren, those wanting leisure pace.
Reality Check: Fourteen nights lets you use half-term week (Oct 26-31) plus take additional leave before/after. Perfect for families who can’t decide between short, intense trip vs relaxed pilgrimage.
What’s Actually Included vs Additional Costs
Always Included:
- Return flights (economy, 23kg baggage per person)
- Umrah Travel Formalities for all family members (aligned approval dates)
- Airport transfers (Jeddah to Makkah, Madinah airport to hotel)
- Inter-city transport (Makkah to Madinah)
- Hotel accommodation (stated nights and star rating)
- Children under 2 (infants): Travel Formalities processed, no seat charge
- 24/7 UK support (0203 504 1818)
- ATOL 12834 financial protection
NOT Included (Budget Accordingly):
- Meals beyond stated breakfast: £15-30 per day per person
- Ziyarat tours: £50-£95 per person
- Travel insurance (if not included): £40-£75 per person
- Child entertainment/activities
- Shopping/souvenirs
- Laundry services
Honest Budget for 10-Night Family Trip (2 adults, 2 children age 6, 10):
- Package cost: £895 x 4 = £3,580
- Additional meals: £20/day x 4 people x 10 days = £800
- Ziyarat: £50 x 4 = £200
- Insurance: £50 x 4 = £200
- Miscellaneous: £300
- Total realistic budget: £5,080
Heat Management for October with Children
October is cooler than summer, but families still need heat strategies:
Daily Schedule (Family-Adapted):
- 5:00am – Wake, light breakfast
- 5:30-8:30am – Tawaf and rituals (coolest hours)
- 9:00am-3:00pm – Hotel rest (air conditioning, pool time, meals)
- 3:00-5:00pm – Quiet time in rooms
- 5:30-8:00pm – Evening Haram visit or Ziyarat
- 8:00pm onwards – Dinner, prayers, early bed for children
What to Pack for Families:
- Insulated bottles for each family member (1-1.5L capacity)
- Electrolyte sachets (children lose salts faster)
- Cooling towels (wet, wear around necks)
- Portable fans (battery-operated for outdoor walking)
- Sun hats/umbrellas for all
- High SPF 50+ sunscreen (apply every 2 hours)
- Comfortable walking shoes (children’s feet swell in heat)
Signs Your Child Needs Immediate Cooling:
- Flushed, dry skin
- Rapid breathing
- Confusion or irritability
- Refusing water
- Weakness/dizziness
If you see these, move to air conditioning immediately, offer water with electrolytes, use cooling towels, and contact our 24/7 team if symptoms persist. We have pediatrician contacts in both cities.
ATOL Protection & Family Booking Strategy
Every October booking receives ATOL 12834 certification within 24 hours. For families, this protection covers:
- All family members on the booking
- Full refund if we cease trading before departure
- Alternative arrangements if we fail during your trip
- Repatriation for entire family if needed
Best Booking Timeline for October Half-Term:
| Booking Month | Price Level | Availability | Family Savings |
|---|
| June | Lowest (£765 base) | Full selection | Save £130pp |
| July | Rise 8% | Good options | Save £80pp |
| August | Rise 15% | Limited choice | Save £40pp |
| September | Rise 25% | Very limited | No savings |
Family of Four Savings Example:
- Book June: £765 x 4 = £3,060
- Book September: £955 x 4 = £3,820
- Difference: £760 saved (funds hotel upgrades or Ziyarat for entire family)
Payment Options:
- Full payment: 3% discount (family of 4 saves £90+)
- Deposit + balance: £200pp deposit, balance 8 weeks before
- Monthly instalments: £200pp deposit, remainder split over 3 months (zero interest)
UK Departure Options
Major UK Airports:
- London Heathrow: Direct flights (Saudi, British Airways) – Best value
- Manchester: Direct flights (Saudi) – +£50pp, convenient for North England
- Birmingham: Connecting flights – +£70pp, adds 3-4 hours journey time
- Glasgow/Edinburgh: Connecting flights – +£90-110pp
Travel Formalities Processing for Families:
- Book package (June)
- Submit all family documents within 7 days
- Processing: 5-7 business days (we handle everything)
- Approval: Late June/Early July
- Travel: October
Required for Each Family Member:
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Passport photos (white background)
- Vaccination certificates (Meningitis ACWY)
- Birth certificates (children)
- Marriage certificate (parents)
Deadline: September 1st, for October half-term travel.
Book Your October Half-Term Umrah Today
October half-term offers UK families the perfect balance: school holiday alignment, autumn weather, and value pricing. Our Umrah packages from £765 ensure ATOL-protected, family-optimized journeys with 9 years UK Muslim community experience.
For families seeking premium comfort, explore our luxury 5-star Umrah packages. If you’re planning to perform both pilgrimages, consider our Hajj packages as well.
Take Action Now:
Call: 0203 504 1818 (Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm)
Email: info@aqdastravel.co.uk
Website: aqdastravel.co.uk
ATOL: 12834 (Fully protected)
Early Bird Deadline: August 15th,for maximum October savings. Half-term packages 58% booked.
“October half-term bookings grew 47% from 2020-2024 in our data. Families appreciate the weather balance and cost savings. The one-week duration perfectly matches half-term without requiring additional school leave.” – Aqdas Travel Team
