Thousands of British Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah each year. These people come from various backgrounds and different ethnicities and make up the vibrant Muslim community in the UK. 

A significant majority of these pilgrims, despite their different backgrounds, have one thing in common. They avail Umrah packages of different types to travel to Saudi Arabia and fulfil their religious obligations. For Muslims, the importance of doing Umrah or Hajj is too great. It is their biggest wish to perform Umrah or Hajj at least once in their life and see the sacred House of Allah in Mecca. 

Many save their hard-earned money to obtain the best Umrah deals and get the best Ramadan Umrah packages for doing Umrah. Umrah in Ramadan deserves a special mention because of the double rewards and the spiritual importance of performing Umrah in this month. 

We love our fellow Britons and don’t want them to get scammed while selecting an Umrah package. This post is all about selecting the right travel agency and ensuring that you get what you pay for. We will also explain different types of packages and their estimated prices, so you can confidently deal with travel agencies.  

A 5-Step Guide for Selecting the Best Umrah Travel Agency 

1. Finding a Travel Agency 

A safe way to avoid scams and fraud when booking Umrah deals is to ask your friends or family if they know a travel agency that delivers what it promises. If they refer you to a good company, go for it, but make sure you do your research before paying. 

If you don’t get a recommendation, don’t worry. You can find a good tour operator online. Simply go to your browser and enter the time of the year you want to go to Umrah along with your departure city. This will give you different packages. Shortlist at least 4–5 options before moving to the next step. At this point, we don’t suggest picking the cheapest deals. Simply pick the packages that appear relevant to your query.  

2. Verifying Reviews and Ratings 

Once you have shortlisted packages, look for these companies on different platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, and Trustpilot. When you find these companies, look for their reviews and ratings. Most people get fooled by flashy reviews, but you can avoid such companies with a simple trick. 

Filter the reviews for the last 2–3 months and check how they appear. If the reviews look like a sales pitch or only mention good things, stay away from such companies. On the contrary, if the reviews highlight the good and bad parts of their Umrah trip, they are more likely to be genuine. You can also check the reviewer’s profile. If the profiles look like that have been recently created and have only a few followers or friends, they are likely to be fake. 

3. Checking the Legal Status 

This step is more critical than the one we explained above, as it authenticates the travel agency. First of all, go to Companies House and see if the company exists in the UK and what its current status is. You can check the address, phone number, and people associated with the company. Verify the address and phone number on Google Maps to see if the company really exists. 

If you are making financial transactions, see what insurance the company provides. It is a good idea to pay them through PayPal so you can have a money-back guarantee in case of fraud. Another way to avoid scams when making transactions is to use a credit card, so your bank account remains secure and you have a way to recover your funds.  

The above information was general. When dealing with an Umrah travel agency, don’t forget to check the specific company on the Saudi Hajj and Umrah website. Once all these details are verified, ensure that the travel agency is also ATOL-protected and IATA-certified.  

4. Comparing Umrah Package Prices and Services 

If all the above stops get a green light during your research, you can start analysing the services offered in each package and compare the prices. We recommend that you don’t go for the cheapest option, but look for a deal that offers the best services, provided you can afford it. 

Getting a better package for doing Umrah has its perks. For example, you can stay peacefully in nice hotels, get better flights, and enjoy guided tours during your stay in the Kingdom. 

Some tour operators also offer customised packages for solo and family travelers. These deals are a bit costly, but you can change them as per your budget and preferences. The package price varies depending on the type of hotel, their proximity to the holy mosques, the duration of the stay, and the time of travel. The price of Umrah packages is usually the highest in Ramadan, from December to February, and the lowest in September and October.  

5. Confirming Hidden Costs and Terms and Conditions 

Last but not least, this step is important to avoid any inconvenience after paying in advance or signing the agreement. A few things need special mention here. 

Firstly, ask if there are any hidden costs in the package. Some travel agencies include hidden costs in the form of transport, drinks, or guided tours. They are cunning enough to reveal these costs after you have made the deposit. 

The second thing is to talk about refunds. What happens if you cancel your trip due to any unforeseen circumstances? The standard practice is that the agency usually offers a slot later, when you are willing to travel, or they deduct around 20–30% of the total price and refund the remaining amount. 

Moreover, don’t forget to check the other terms and conditions of the agreement before finalising the deal. 

Types of Umrah Packages and Price Ranges 

3-Star Umrah Packages 

These are enough to get the work done and check all the basic boxes, like flights and hotels. These packages have hotels usually located around 800-1000 metres away from the holy mosques. Some tour operators offer breakfast in these deals, with some extra charges. A good 3-star Umrah package for a 7-night trip starts at £700.  

4-Star Umrah Packages 

4-star Umrah packages offer the best value for money. The hotels are usually located 300–500 metres from the Masjd Al-Haram and Masjid Al-Nabwi. You get breakfast and one other meal, typically lunch, in these deals. The packages start at £900 for a 7-night stay.  

5-Star Umrah Packages 

It is the most premium and luxury option among the three. The hotels are usually located around 100–200 metres from the holy mosques in both Mecca and Medina. These packages are usually all-inclusive and start at £1000 for a 7-night trip.  

Wrap-Up: Follow the Tips Above and Stay Safe 

We have provided ample information for our readers to help them avoid online scams while booking Umrah packages. If you don’t want to go all through these steps but want a trusted travel agency for your next Umrah trip, try Muslims Holy Travel. 

We are a leading travel agency in the UK and provide bespoke travel solutions for all Muslims. Apart from exceptional Umrah packages, we also offer Halal tours and honeymoon trips for Muslims.