Your Journey, Your Way: 11 Nights DIY Umrah for RM5,669.99

Your Journey, Your Way:   
A Guide to a DIY Umrah Package (11 Nights)

Experience the freedom of planning your Umrah while saving costs and customising every detail – the DIY way!

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

For many of us, the call to perform Umrah is a profound pull on the heart. While many travel agencies offer convenient packages, there is a unique sense of accomplishment and flexibility in planning your own spiritual journey. A DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Umrah allows you to tailor every aspect of your trip to your pace, budget, and preferences.

This guide is a humble effort to walk you through the steps of planning your own 11-night Umrah journey, from securing a visa to performing your rites. Remember, this is a framework—your personal journey can be adjusted as you see fit.

The Pillars of Your DIY Umrah Plan

Here are the core components you will manage yourself, each with a brief explanation:

1. Saudi Tourist e-Visa - DIY

• What it is: This is your entry permit. Citizens of eligible countries can apply for a multi-entry tourist e-Visa online in just a few minutes.
• How to: Visit the official Saudi Visa Portal (visa.visitsaudi.com), fill in the required details, upload a passport-style photo, and pay the fee. The e-Visa is typically emailed to you promptly, often within minutes. It is valid for one year and allows a stay of up to 90 days.
• Estimated Cost: ~SAR 395 (Incl. insurance)

2. Flight Booking - DIY

• What it is: Instead of relying on agency pre-set flights, you can search and compare fares directly via Trip.com. Below is a live search form where you can enter your trip details and find the best deals.

• How to: Use flight aggregator sites like Trip.com or directly with airlines. 

  Flight Search Form

• Enter your:
  • Origin
  • Destination
  • Departure & Return Dates
  • Travel Class
  • Number of Passengers
• On the search page, select 'Nonstop' (Direct) and 'Round Trip' for the most convenient journey, and set the currency to your preferred option.

Note: Trip.com may also provide alternative travel dates and price alerts if you subscribe.

Sample Search

• Origin: Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
• Destination: Jeddah (JED)
• Travel Class: Economy
• Passengers: 1
• Departure Date: 7 October 2025
• Return Date: 18 October 2025
• Trip Type: Round Trip (Nonstop)

Sample Result

• Depart: KUL → JED – 7 Oct 2025, 15:35 – 20:05 (Nonstop)
• Return: JED → KUL – 18 Oct 2025, 21:25 – 11:35+1 (Nonstop)

Total Fare: MYR 2,666.00

• Carrier : AirAsia
• Carry-on Baggage: 7 kg
• Checked Baggage: None

Why Direct Flights?

• Fewer layovers = less fatigue
• Easier baggage handling – no re-checking luggage
• More time for ibadah – save hours by skipping connecting flights
• For a DIY journey, consider flying directly into Madinah (MED) if possible, as it's more peaceful to start your journey there before the intense spiritual focus of Makkah. Otherwise, a direct flight into Jeddah (JED) is the most common option.

Tip: Book well in advance for better prices and direct flight options.

3. Hotel Booking - DIY

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses of any Umrah trip, but booking it yourself can save a significant amount.

• Madinah Stay: 4 nights near Masjid Al-Nabawi
• Makkah Stay: 6 nights near Masjid Al-Haram

Booking Tip

Use platforms like Trip.com or HalalBooking.com to find hotel deals, read reviews, and check walking distances to the Haram.

Room Type: Quad-sharing (ideal for families or friends traveling together)

Why stay near the Haram?
It minimizes travel time for prayers, especially Fajr and Isha, giving you more time for rest and ibadah.

Hotel Search Form

You can use the following Trip.com search form to check hotel availability and rates:

Simply enter your destination/hotel name, check-in and check-out dates, room type, and number of guests.

Example: Madinah Stay (4N)

• Destination/Hotel Name: Medina (Madinah)
• Check-in: 8/10/25
• Check-out: 12/10/25
• Rooms & Guests: 1 room, 4 adults

Why Check-in on 8/10/25?

Based on the earlier flight plan, arrival at Jeddah Airport (North Terminal) is at 8:05 PM on 7/10/25.
Traveling to Madinah by bus takes 6–7 hours, meaning arrival would be around 3–4 AM. Since hotel check-in is after 2 PM, spending the first night at the airport avoids an extra hotel charge. (Refer to my earlier blog: Check-In & Check-Out Policies Every Umrah Traveller Should Know )

Filter Options

On the search page, you can filter by:

• Breakfast included
• Free cancellation
• Within 1 km of Haram
• Show on Map

Hotel Example (Madinah)

For this example, we select Al Mokhtara Diamond (Rating: 7/10) at a total price of MYR 1,622.64 (MYR 405.66 per person for 4 nights).
The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Prophet's Mosque and Masjid Al Ghamamah.

Example: Makkah Stay (6N)

Using the same method as above, enter your destination/hotel name, check-in and check-out dates, room type, and number of guests in the Trip.com Hotel Search Form.

• Destination/Hotel Name: Makkah
• Check-in: 12/10/25
• Check-out: 18/10/25
• Rooms & Guests: 1 room, 4 adults

Hotel Example (Makkah)

For this example, we select Novotel Makkah Thakher City (Rating: 8.5/10 – Very Good) at a total price of MYR 1,403.00 (approximately MYR 350.75 per person for 6 nights).

• Distance to Al Masjid Al-Haram: 14-minute drive (6.3 km) – not within walking distance.
• Shuttle Service: The hotel provides modern shuttle buses to and from the Haram around the clock, ensuring convenience for guests.

4. Transportation (Inter-city & Local) - DIY

Efficient planning of transfers between Jeddah, Madinah, and Makkah ensures comfort and cost savings. For this trip, we combine NWBus (https://nwbus.sa/en/) for intercity transfers and Careem/Uber for short local rides.

Sample Transfers & Costs

Jeddah Airport → Madinah (8/10/25)

• NWBus: Terminal 1 → Al Madinah Bus Station (Jabal Ohud)
  • Departure: 7:15 AM | Arrival: 12:10 PM
  • Fare: SAR 96
• Careem/Uber: Bus Station → Al Mokhtara Diamond Hotel
  • Fare: SAR 50 (SAR 12.50 per person)

Note: The arrival flight lands at North Terminal. If NWBus service is not available from North Terminal, take a taxi/Careem/Uber (~SAR 50) or look for a free shuttle bus (if available) to transfer to Terminal 1.

Madinah → Makkah (12/10/25)

• Careem/Uber: Hotel → Madinah Bus Station
  • Fare: SAR 50 (SAR 12.50 per person)
• NWBus: Madinah Bus Station (Jabal Ohud) → Makkah Bus Station (Jarwal)
  • Departure: 10:00 AM | Arrival: 5:30 PM
  • Fare: SAR 122
• Careem/Uber: Makkah Bus Station → Novotel Makkah Thakher City
  • Fare: SAR 50 (SAR 12.50 per person)

Makkah → Jeddah Airport (18/10/25)

• Careem/Uber: Hotel → Makkah Bus Station
  • Fare: SAR 50 (SAR 12.50 per person)
• NWBus: Makkah Bus Station (Jarwal) → Jeddah Airport (North Terminal)
  • Departure: 2:00 PM | Arrival: 4:00 PM
  • Fare: SAR 40

Note: Early arrival at 4:00 PM ensures sufficient time before the 9:00 PM flight, reducing the risk of missed connections.

• Total Transportation Cost

• SAR 308 (approx. MYR 346.15) per person

5. Ziyarah & Tours - DIY

• What it is: Visiting historical and religious sites in Makkah and Madinah.
• How to: You don't always need a guided tour. 

• For Madinah, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a perfect DIY solution to see sites like Masjid Quba, Uhud Mountain, and the Date Market at your own pace. 

• In Makkah, you can use ride-hailing apps to visit the Hira Cultural District at Jabal al-Nour.

6. Umrah Rituals - DIY

• What it is: Performing the rites of Umrah itself.
• How to: Equip yourself with knowledge beforehand. Watch video guides on YouTube, read detailed articles, and perhaps bring a pocket guidebook. The Haram is well-organized with clear signs in English and Arabic. Don’t hesitate to ask the mutawwif (guidance staff) inside the Haram if you are unsure—they are there to help.

Estimated Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Quad Room)

This is a sample estimate to help you plan. Prices fluctuate based on season and how far in advance you book.

Sample 11-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive at Jeddah (JED) at 8.05 PM. Layover at Jeddah airport.
• Day 2 - 5 (Madinah): Take NW Bus to Madinah. Check into hotel. Perform prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi. Pray in the Rawdah (if possible). Visit key sites via Hop-On Hop-Off bus: Quba Mosque, Uhud Mountain, Date Market. Soak in the serenity of the city.
• Day 6: Check out. Take NW Bus from Madinah to Makkah. Check into hotel. Prepare for Umrah.
• Day 6: Perform your Umrah.
• Day 7-11 (Makkah): Spend days in worship, prayer, and contemplation at the Haram. Take a taxi to visit the Hira Cultural District at Jabal al-Nour.
• Day 12: Perform a final Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf). Take an evening NW Bus from Makkah to Jeddah Airport for your red-eye flight. Depart from Jeddah (JED).

Travel Essentials

• Documents: Passport, Saudi e-Visa printout, flight and hotel confirmations.
• Money: Have some Saudi Riyal (SAR) in cash for small vendors, but cards are widely accepted.
• Apps: Download Uber/Careem, Nusuk (for umrah & ziyarah permits, prayer times), and a translation app.
• Spirituality: Prepare your heart and soul. Make a list of du'as.

Embarking on a DIY Umrah is a deeply personal and rewarding experience. It requires research and effort, but the freedom and personal growth it offers are immense. May Allah (SWT) ease your planning and accept your journey.

Wasalaamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Disclaimer: All costs and information are estimates based on research at the time of writing. Prices for flights, hotels, and visas are subject to change. Always check official sources for the most current information and requirements.