Umrah PLUS Moscow: A New Option for Parents & Adventurers

Arinara Homestay
Your Gateway to IOI City Mall and Putrajaya

✈️✨ Umrah PLUS Moscow: 

A New Option for Parents & Adventurers

Assalamualaikum DIY Umrah family!

Did you know? Starting soon, Flynas — Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline — will launch direct flights from Riyadh to Moscow, opening up an interesting new stopover option for Umrah travelers!

If you’re a parent with children studying medicine or other fields in Moscow, this new route offers a unique chance to combine your Ibadah Umrah with a visit to your children studying in Moscow — especially medical students. Plus, for adventurous souls, there’s an amazing itinerary to explore Russia’s ancient city of Derbent and Azerbaijan’s vibrant capital Baku.

📍 What’s New?

According to Simple Flying , Flynas will start its Moscow service in just a few weeks. So, instead of just flying straight home after Umrah, you could add a short visit to Moscow before returning to Malaysia — all on a single, cost-effective airline.

👪 Perfect for Parents with Children in Moscow

Thousands of Malaysian and Southeast Asian students study in Russia, especially in medical faculties. If you’re already going for Umrah, why not spend a few days visiting your child?

✅ Save on separate airfares.
✅ Spend meaningful time together.
✅ Bring some blessings and gifts after your Umrah.

🛂 Visa and Entry Requirements Made Easy

Entering Russia for Malaysian and many other travelers now requires a streamlined Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) instead of lengthy visa procedures. For Saudi Arabia, re-entry is hassle-free if you hold a valid Saudi tourist eVisa — perfect for combining your Umrah visit with family and travel adventures.

🗣️ What About the Language Barrier?

Don’t worry too much — today’s smart translation earbuds or phone apps like Google Translate make it easy to get by. Major cities like Moscow have decent English support, and your child studying there can help guide you too.

🕌 Islamic Places to Visit in Moscow

Yes — Russia has a rich Islamic heritage too! Some must-see spots for Muslim visitors:

🕌 Moscow Cathedral Mosque — one of Europe’s largest mosques, beautiful modern design, and open to visitors.

🕌 Yardyam Mosque — A smaller community mosque for a peaceful prayer experience.

🕌 Kazan Cathedral — A beautiful Orthodox cathedral near Red Square worth seeing.

🕌 Historical Old Mosque — the oldest mosque in Moscow.

🕌 Halal Restaurants — Halal food is easy to find in Moscow, with Turkish, Uzbek, and local Tatar cuisine widely available.

📍 Other highlights: Red Square, Kremlin, and beautiful local markets for souvenirs.

🗺️ For the Adventurous: Extend to Dagestan & Baku

Feeling adventurous? From Moscow, you can travel down to Derbent, the ancient fortress city in the Republic of Dagestan — one of the oldest Muslim cities in Russia, known for its historic citadel, beautiful mosques, and stunning mountain scenery.

🚆 How to Get There:

✅ Take a train from Moscow to Makhachkala (Dagestan’s capital) — the journey is about 2 days (roughly 40 hours). Russian trains are safe and comfortable if you plan ahead and book a sleeper cabin.

✅ From Makhachkala, Derbent is just a short local train or taxi ride away (about 2 hours).

While you’re there, explore:

• Naryn-Kala Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage site offering stunning views and a deep dive into ancient history.

• Old City: Charming streets with traditional architecture, historic mosques, and baths.

• Juma Mosque of Derbent — one of the oldest mosques in Russia
• Traditional markets and local halal cafes

This 2-day train journey makes the side trip to Dagestan a true adventure — a unique way to see rural Russia while staying connected to Muslim heritage. 🕌✨

✅ From Dagestan, you can continue your adventure to Baku, Azerbaijan — either by short domestic flight or overland by bus or taxi.

✅ In Baku, don’t miss:

• The futuristic Flame Towers,

• The medieval charm of Icherisheher (Old City),

• The relaxing seaside Baku Boulevard.

✈️ Return to Jeddah from Baku

Baku is a beautiful, safe Muslim-majority city with easy Halal food options, historic mosques, and a lively old town. From Baku, fly back to Jeddah or Riyadh with Flynas. Thanks to the Saudi tourist eVisa, re-entering Saudi Arabia is smooth and convenient, completing your Umrah + Caucasus, family, and travel adventure with ease.

🧳 Practical Tips

✔️ Plan ahead: Get your Russia visa before your trip.

✔️ Book multi-city tickets: Flynas plus a connecting airline for Moscow–Baku–Jeddah can be very affordable.

✔️ Book train tickets online in advance — look for RZD Russian Railways.
✔️ Choose a 2nd class sleeper cabin for comfort and privacy.

✔️ Bring your own halal snacks and prayer mat — train dining cars may not serve halal.

✔️ Pack warm: Moscow and Dagestan can be chilly outside summer!

✔️ Use translation apps: They work wonders for directions, food, and taxis.

🌙 One Journey, Double Blessings

Umrah is a blessed journey. Combining it with a visit to see your child abroad — or adding a cultural adventure — makes it even more meaningful. With Flynas opening this new route, your options are wider than ever!

📌 Share Your Thoughts!

Have you done a Moscow–Dagestan train trip? Or visited Baku after Umrah? Drop your tips and experiences below — it might inspire someone else to plan the same route!, inshaAllah!