Umrah from India — your questions answered

Searchumrah is a global Umrah aggregator, built in India and expanding to the UK, Indonesia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It lets you compare KYC-verified travel agents side by side — on transparent pricing in your market’s own currency, the agent-stated hotel distance to the Haram in Makkah and Madinah, inclusions, and reviews left only by confirmed past bookers. Searchumrah takes no commission and adds no markup: you compare packages, then contact the agent of your choice and book with them — paying the agent directly, or paying through Searchumrah, where your money is held until you travel.

In 2026 the Saudi Umrah visa for Indian pilgrims typically costs around ₹9,000–₹15,000 depending on single- vs multiple-entry, inclusive of mandatory health insurance and Saudi VAT. On top of the government fee, VFS/Tasheer service charges add roughly ₹2,500–₹3,500 and an agent’s processing/filing fee can add ₹1,000–₹5,000. You cannot apply for an Umrah visa as an individual in India — it is issued through an approved Umrah travel agent, who usually bundles it into the package price.

The three traps pilgrims report most are: (1) hotel-distance misrepresentation — a hotel described as “near the Haram” that is actually 2–3 km away; (2) hidden fees demanded close to departure for visa, taxes, or meal upgrades; and (3) fake or wrong-category visas. To reduce this risk, Searchumrah lists only KYC-verified agents, shows the agent-stated walking distance to the Haram in metres so you can compare honestly, surfaces each agent’s own cancellation/refund policy on the package page, and shows ratings built only from confirmed bookers — so you can vet an agent before you pay them directly.

Ask the agency for its official Umrah licence / service-agent number and cross-check it on the Saudi Nusuk / Maqam platform (the Ministry’s “Inquiry about Umrah company licensing status” service). Every agent listed on Searchumrah has completed KYC verification with valid Indian business documents (GST, PAN, registered address), and many are Hajj Committee of India registered or IATA-approved — their verification badge shows on the profile. Verification on Searchumrah is a trust signal; you should still confirm the Saudi-side licence directly for full peace of mind.

A direct flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Jeddah (JED) takes about 4.5–5 hours and is operated by carriers such as Saudi Airlines, Air India and Flynas. Indirect routes via Gulf hubs like Muscat, Dubai or Sharjah (often on low-cost carriers such as SalamAir or IndiGo) run roughly 8–12 hours depending on the layover. Direct flights cost more but are far easier for elderly pilgrims and families; check each package’s flight details before booking.

An all-inclusive package covers international return flights from India, the Umrah visa, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, airport and intercity transfers, and usually Ziyarat tours and a group leader. A land-only package excludes international airfare and covers just the ground arrangements inside Saudi Arabia (hotels, visa support, local transport / Haramain train) — it suits self-planned travellers who book their own flights or hold an eligible tourist visa. Use the inclusions list on each package to see exactly which one you are comparing.

Yes — scheduled direct flights from Delhi (DEL) to Madinah (MED) are operated by Saudi Airlines and Air India on select dates. Landing directly in Madinah is popular with families and elderly pilgrims because it avoids the long road transfer from Jeddah. Availability and price vary by season, so confirm the routing on the specific package before booking.

Many offline agencies quote distance “as the crow flies” or from the centre of Makkah, which understates the real walk. On Searchumrah, each package shows the agent-stated walking distance to the Haram in Makkah (and to Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah) in metres, so you can compare like-for-like instead of vague phrases like “near Haram”. As a rule of thumb, under ~500 m is a genuinely short walk that matters a lot for elderly pilgrims; always sanity-check the hotel name on a map before you commit.

Entry to the Rawdah (Riyad-ul-Jannah) is regulated by the Saudi authorities and a free permit must be booked individually by each pilgrim through the official Nusuk app — no travel agency can legally guarantee a Rawdah slot. Good packages help by giving you an on-ground guide (mu’allim) who advises on the right timing window to book your slot, but the booking itself is done on your own Nusuk account.

Most group packages serve buffet meals in or near the hotel, and Indian operators commonly offer Indian-style menus — North Indian (roti, dal, sabzi, chicken), South Indian / Deccan (rice, sambar, regional curries), or Gujarati vegetarian — so check the meal plan listed in each package’s inclusions. Confirm how many meals per day are included and whether they are at the hotel or a nearby dining hall, since this varies a lot between operators.

Refund and cancellation terms are set by the individual travel agent, not by Searchumrah — and they are listed in the “Policies” section of each package page so you can read them before booking. As a general rule, an issued Umrah visa and confirmed flight tickets are non-refundable, while hotel components may be partly refundable depending on how close to departure you cancel. Always confirm the exact cancellation ladder in writing with the agent before paying.

Yes. Under current Saudi rules, women aged 18 and above can apply for an Umrah visa and perform Umrah without a Mahram (male guardian), provided they travel as part of an organised group. Several agents on Searchumrah offer women-only or family-group packages with shared female rooms and a dedicated group leader that meet this requirement — filter or ask the agent directly.

The Haramain High-Speed Rail connects Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah at up to 300 km/h, cutting the Makkah–Madinah journey to roughly 2.5 hours versus a 6–8 hour road trip. Premium and some customised packages include Haramain train transfers instead of (or alongside) a bus; the package’s transport / itinerary section will say which transfer mode is used, so check it if train travel matters to you.

Indian pilgrims must show a valid certificate for the Quadrivalent Meningococcal vaccine (ACWY / ACYW135), given at least 10 days before arrival and within the last 3 years, and the polio vaccine where required by your travel history. Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are recommended by the Saudi Ministry of Health for crowd safety. Carry the official certificates with your passport — the agent will tell you the current requirement during visa processing.

A lean Umrah under ₹75,000 per person is possible with planning: (1) book return airfare 3–6 months early in an off-peak window (e.g. September–October) for roughly ₹35,000–₹45,000; (2) budget ₹11,000–₹15,000 for the Umrah visa with insurance; and (3) choose a land-only or budget package with a hotel about 1–1.5 km from the Haram (often with a free shuttle) rather than a hotel right at the gate. Use Searchumrah to compare budget and land-only packages from your departure city so you can see exactly what each agent includes at that price.