Umrah road trips are a common thing. Every pilgrim arriving in Makkah for holy rituals arranges for an Umrah road trip. It not only adds to a fulfilling pilgrimage experience but also makes the trip more memorable. Whether you are travelling with family or alone, Umrah road trips are a must.
Once you arrive in KSA with your Umrah packages all-inclusive you can simply begin your journey. Umrah flights either land in Jeddah or Madinah as Makkah has no airport availability. Once in the kingdom, you have to travel to Makkah by road or by train.
Here’s how to plan an Umrah road trip across Saudia Arabia.
Travelling to Makkah
After your arrival in KSA, you can rent a car with a driver or opt for driving it yourself. If you are planning a road trip across Saudia Arabia during Umrah, it’s better that you get a car on rent and drive it yourself. However, for a better and memorable experience, a professional driver is a must.
Before you enter Makkah, assume the state of Ihram from Meeqat region. know about the right Meeqat place for your trip. From there, you should assume Ihram and make Niyyah for Umrah.
After arrival in Makkah with All Inclusive December Umrah Packages go directly to your hotel to drop off your belongings. Then start the holy rituals of Umrah in Masjid-al-Haram. Complete all of the rituals of Umrah. Namely; Tawaf of Holy Kaabah, Sayee of Safah Marwah and Tahallul (shaving/trimming head).
Once the Umrah rituals are complete, you can come out of the state of Ihram. Resume your Umrah road trip form there. There are tens of different sacred sites in Makkah that you can visit for Ziyarath. Such as;
- Cave of hire.
- Mount Arafat.
- Jannat al Moalla.
- Masjid Jinn.
- Thawr Cave.
- Masjid e Nimra.
- Factory of Kiswa (Holy Kaabah’s cloth).
Completing your Umrah road trip in Makkah, you should head to your next destination i.e. Madinah.
Madinah should be your Second Stop
When you’ve performed Umrah rituals in Makkah, consider Madinah as your second stop for your Umrah road trip. Masjid-al-Nabawi (SAWW) is the most prominent site to visit here. Roza-e-Rasool (SAWW) as well as Riyadh ul Jannah is inside it.
Paying a visit to Prophet’s (SAWW) mosque and praying here is a must for every Muslim. In addition, there are also many holy sites in Madinah sharing association with Islamic history. Namely;
- Quba Mosque.
- Jannat al Baqi.
- Masjid-e-Qiblatayn.
- Uhud Cave.
Travel to these places through Umrah packages including flights and learn about the religious significance.
Third Stop; Shopping, Dining, Recreation
There are many small towns, cities, etc. between Makkah and Madinah having a religious association with Islam. You can make your third stop for the road trip there.
If you are planning to do shopping in KSA, it’s also a best time. You can go to the shopping malls or travel to local markets during your road trip. Buy souvenirs like gold, prayer supplies, dates, etc.
For the adventure lovers, there are many theme parks, resorts and sports to enjoy in KSA. During your Umrah road trip across KSA, you can enjoy all of these. However, make sure that you have sufficient time and visa permissions for it.
Enjoy the local delicacies during your road trip across KSA. Let it be savoury street food or eating at fine dining restaurants; indulge in authentic middle eastern cuisine.
Tips to consider during your Road Trip across KSA
While you are road tripping across Saudi Arabia with All Inclusive December Umrah Packages make sure that you don’t break any law. Abide by the travel rules and regulations. Know of the legalities before you start your trip.
Always carry your travel essentials along. It includes your travel documents (passport, visa, driver license, vaccination certificates, hotel and flight information). Also, when visiting sensitive areas, have a proper permission letter from relevant authorities with you.
Dress modestly during your road trip across Saudia Arabia. Respect the local norms and maintain a friendly behaviour. Learn some basic Arabic phrases that will help you in communicating with locals.
Have an emergency fund with you to help in case of any emergency or unforeseen circumstances. It’s intelligent to allocate at least 40% of your entire Umrah road trip’s budget for emergency.
That’s how you can plan an Umrah road trip across Saudi Arabia efficiently.