Turkish airlines (one of the most popular airline used by British Muslims for travelling to Saudi Arabia whilst travelling for Umrah) With transits through Istanbul, low prices and a reasonable allowance for outbound baggage, TK flights deserve serious consideration unless you’re in the market for business travel. Here’s what you really need to know before you book.
The simple answer is that Turkish Airlines operates daily flights to both JED and MED from a number of UK gateways via Istanbul Atatürk (IST). Normal travel times range from 9 to 12 hours, depending on the connection. ( Fares from London start around £380 return, economy class, but rise steeply during Ramadan. If you do the Istanbul stopover right, it can be a real bonus.
Departure Points and Routes from the UK
Turkish Airlines flies between Istanbul and London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. That’s broader UK coverage than most carriers, which makes a difference if you’re coordinating group travel or collecting pilgrims from different cities.
From Istanbul, you fly directly to either Jeddah or Madinah. The Madinah route is underrated — arriving in Madinah first and taking the journey to Makkah by land has been a time-honored method and one many scholars prefer. This route is consistently operated by Turkish Airlines, and I find it holds up even well during high season. If you’re still weighing up your full trip logistics, browsing Umrah packages can help you see how airlines and itineraries typically combine.
Connection times at Istanbul usually span 1.5 to 4 hours. Anything less than 90 minutes is cutting it close and, personally, I’d avoid it — especially with seniors or people with impaired mobility who require help traversing a large terminal.
Turkish Airlines vs. Other Umrah Carriers: How It Stacks Up
| Airline | UK Departure Points | Baggage (Economy) | Avg. Fare (Return) | Flight Duration | Stopover Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | 6 UK airports | 30kg checked + 8kg cabin | £380–£650 | 9–12 hrs | Istanbul (free stay possible) |
| Saudi Airlines | Heathrow, Manchester | 23kg checked | £420–£700 | 7–8 hrs (some direct) | Riyadh/Jeddah |
| Emirates | Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham | 30kg checked | £500–£900 | 9–13 hrs | Dubai |
| Qatar Airways | Heathrow, Manchester | 30kg checked | £480–£850 | 9–11 hrs | Doha |
| Flydubai/EasyJet codeshares | Limited | 20kg checked | £300–£500 | 11–14 hrs | Various |
The 30kg limit on luggage per person is one of Turkish Airlines’ most compelling arguments for Umrah passengers. Add Ihram clothing, prayer mats, gifts and Zamzam water on the return and those extra kilos really come in handy.
The Istanbul Stopover: An Underused Opportunity
It is worth noting, and not all Umrah travel guides include this info: Turkish Airlines runs a free stopover programme, Touristanbul, which allows connecting pax with six- to 24-hour layovers to join free tours of Istanbul. The airline’s partner hotels also offers discounted rates for extended layovers.
This presents the Umrah pilgrims a real chance. On a 24-hour Istanbul layover you’d see the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia now a masjid again, and the Grand Bazaar. This is something where I have very intentionally included them many times with groups I have worked with, particularly families on their first Umrah together.
The catch all this: planning, that is. Let not any connection time offered by the booking engine be sacred. Call the airline or your travel agent and see if you can select a specific layover window.
How to Book Turkish Airlines for Umrah: 5 Steps That Work
Step 1: Pick Your Destination First
Jeddah is nearer Makkah (a roughly 45-minute drive). Madinah is farther yet, but it does allow you to visit Masjid an-Nabawi before and/or after your Umrah rites. Nail down your itinerary before you touch the booking engine.
Step 2: Examine the Fare Classes Closely
Economy Promotion (the lowest rung) is subject to steep change and cancellation fees. If you can stretch to it, the premium for Economy Flexible or even Business Light is worth having when booking Umrah, where date changes are frequent.
Step 3: Pay for Baggage When You Book, Not When You Fly
Post-booking, adding extra bags is cheaper than at check-in, though booking the service at time of purchase offers the greatest savings. Umrah travellers who eagerly await Zamzam water on the return should buy a 5kg or 10kg extra bag before checking in.
Step 4: Ask for Special Assistance in Advance
Mobility help and unaccompanied elderly passengers are also covered by Turkish Airlines, but pre-planning is required through the special services desk. Don’t take for granted that it will get sorted on the day.
Step 5: Check the Umrah Travel Formalities Requirements Against Your Flight Dates
The Umrah e-Travel Formalities relates to entry windows. The date on your outbound flight must fall within the Travel Formalities validity, and this should be checked by your agent before ticketing. If you’re unsure what the full cost of your trip might look like once Travel Formalities and flights are factored in, this guide on how much Umrah costs breaks it down clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions: Turkish Airlines Umrah Flights
Is Turkish Airlines good for Umrah from the UK?
Especially for the groups and folks at UK regional airports with an eye on the stopover in Istanbul. In terms of baggage allowance and schedule reliability, it a solid mid-range choice. It isn’t the fastest route but it is hardly ever the priciest.
What is the London to Jeddah flight time with Turkish Airlines?
Expect to spend around 10 to 11 hours total, including your connection in Istanbul. The flight legs are about 4 hours (London to Istanbul) and 4.5 hours (Istanbul to Jeddah).
Can you take Zamzam water back on Turkish Airlines?
Yes. Turkish Airlines accepts Zamzam water as checked baggage. Typically, this is up to 5 litres but it does vary. Moreover, additional baggage would also ideally be bought in advance.
When should you book Ramadan Umrah for the best price?
For Ramadan, book at least four to five months in advance. Fares usually double or triple in the last six weeks. January is traditionally a prime time for March Ramadan bookings. If you’re planning a Ramadan trip specifically, the Ramadan Umrah packages page has options worth comparing early.
Does Turkish Airlines offer group Umrah discounts?
Turkish Airlines has a groups desk and can provide negotiated fares for ten or more persons travelling together. To avoid direct red-tape issues it’s best to go through a licensed Umrah travel agent.
Which terminal does Turkish Airlines use at Heathrow?
Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal). Long-haul flights: check-in desks open three hours before departure.
Pro Tips Worth Knowing
For the same routing, base fares are typically cheaper out of Manchester or Birmingham than Heathrow. If you’re rounding up a group from different cities, make sure to look at departure airports before assuming it better be Heathrow.
Mile&Smiles, the Turkish Airlines loyalty programme, earns points on Umrah flights. For regular pilgrims, and for travel agents that book frequently, this is worth tracking.
Turkish Airlines has one of the better schedule reliability records on the Istanbul to Jeddah sector. Delays do occur, but chronic disruption generally isn’t a trend I’ve seen across bookings made over many years, and it matters when pilgrims have hotel check-in windows and group transfers waiting.
