Best Time to Book Umrah from Birmingham

Published on: August 13, 2026

Modified on: August 13, 2026

Table Of Content

The best time to book Umrah from Birmingham is 4 to 6 months ahead of travel, during the shoulder months of January to March or September to November, when Birmingham Airport fares to Jeddah often cheaper. Avoid UK school holidays and the final weeks before Ramadan, when both flights and hotel rooms near the Haram become scarce and expensive.

Umrah Booking Windows from Birmingham

Cheapest months: June, October, November and December for flights (BHX to Jeddah from around £195 to £237 one way)
Cheapest for full packages: February, November and early September, once hotels and transfers are factored in
Busiest and priciest: Ramadan, the December school break, and Easter half term
Ideal booking lead time: 4 to 6 months before travel, 6 to 8 months if you want Ramadan or December
Hot but affordable: June to August, though Makkah can reach the low 40s in Celsius, so think about elderly relatives before booking

Here is the part most guides skip. Birmingham families do not just choose dates around price. Many of you plan Umrah around school terms, Jummah prayers at local masjids, and family Ramadan gatherings back in Small Heath or Sparkhill. That changes the calculation.

Why Umrah Timing Matters More Than People Think

Airline pricing on the BHX to Jeddah route swings hard depending on demand. Skyscanner data shows one way fares from Birmingham dropping to around £195 in December and climbing to £275 in April. Momondo shows a similar pattern, with September and June both offering average fares near £550 for the return leg, while peak weeks can push well past £700.

Ramadan sits in its own category. Because Umrah performed in Ramadan carries such deep spiritual reward, demand from UK travellers spikes hard, and agencies typically recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks earlier than usual just to secure a seat. If Ramadan Umrah matters to you and your family, waiting until a month before is rarely realistic.

For families around Alum Rock, Bordesley Green, and Washwood Heath, the smart move is picking a shoulder month that still fits around school runs and Friday prayers, then locking in flights the moment prices dip. We track these dips daily so you do not have to.

Flights from Birmingham Airport

Saudia is the only airline flying nonstop from Birmingham to Jeddah. The route runs three times a week on a Boeing 787, and we have booked this exact flight for clients heading to both Makkah and Madinah.

The journey takes around 6 hours and 15 minutes (a short haul compared to flying via London and waiting for a connection). You leave Birmingham in the early afternoon and land in Jeddah the same evening, which suits families who want to avoid an overnight layover.

Not every date has a direct seat available though. When that happens, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates all run one-stop options through Istanbul, Doha and Dubai. We book these routes just as often, especially for pilgrims who care more about the fare than the flight time.

On price, KAYAK shows recent return fares on this route as low as £467, with the average return closer to £615 once you include peak dates. Most travel agencies in UK quotes a similar range for Umrah bookings specifically, between £415 and £605 return. That gap is real, and it usually comes down to how far ahead you booked and which month you flew.

So which one should you pick? If you are travelling with elderly parents or small children, the direct Saudia flight is worth the extra cost. If your budget is the priority, a one-stop option through Istanbul or Doha can save you real money, and you get a chance to stretch your legs mid-journey too.

Umrah Visa Costs from Birmingham in 2026

The standard Umrah visa for UK applicants costs between £120 and £180 per person this year. That figure sits on top of your flight and hotel budget, not inside it.

Processing through a licensed agent or the official e-visa portal usually takes two to three weeks. Build that into your plan early, because rushing a visa application in the final fortnight before travel rarely ends well.

Step by Step: Booking Umrah from Birmingham

Check your passport has at least six months of validity left before booking anything.
Pick your travel window from the shoulder month pricing covered earlier, then compare Saudia’s direct flight against one-stop options.
Apply for your Umrah visa through a licensed agent like Ziyuf Al Rahman or the e-visa portal, allowing two to three weeks for approval.
Book your flight once your dates are confirmed.
Reserve hotels near Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi early, since rooms close to the Haram fill up fast.
Sort your vaccinations, including meningitis, at a travel clinic well before departure.
Pack your Ihram, comfortable shoes and unscented toiletries a few days ahead.

Why This Matters More If You Live in East Birmingham

Booking Umrah from Alum Rock, Small Heath, Sparkhill or Bordesley Green is not just about flight prices. It is about fitting travel around Jummah, taraweeh and school terms too.

Birmingham’s Muslim population reached 29.9 percent at the 2021 census, up from 21.8 percent a decade earlier, concentrated in wards like Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Small Heath, Alum Rock, Ward End and Saltley. We hear the same question from families across these streets every week: will we be home before school starts or before Eid.

Matching your booking window to both price and your local mosque calendar gives you a calmer trip. Chasing the single cheapest fare, on the other hand, often means landing back the same week school reopens.

The Deeper Reason Umrah Timing Matters

Booking Umrah is not only a logistics decision. Allah commands believers to complete this journey with sincerity, and the Quran makes that intention clear.

Wa atimmul-hajja wal-‘umrata lillah

“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.” Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196

This verse is why so many Birmingham families treat the timing of their trip with real care. The date you choose is not just about price, it is part of how you approach the journey itself.

There is also a well known narration about Umrah performed during Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told a woman who missed Hajj, “When Ramadan comes, perform Umrah, for indeed Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1782, and a version in Sahih Muslim) . That single hadith explains why Ramadan slots fill up so quickly among UK pilgrims, and why booking that window 6 to 8 months out genuinely matters.

Before you travel, it helps to know the short dua the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say when setting off.

“Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda” (Sahih Muslim 1342)

“O Allah, we ask You for goodness and piety in this journey, and for deeds that please You”.

Many Muslims we work with say this in the car on the way to Birmingham Airport, and it sets the tone for the whole trip.

Why Families Trust Us with This Journey

We are Ziyuf Al Rahman, an Authorised Hajj and Umrah agency based in the UK, and we currently hold a 5 out of 5 rating on Google from pilgrims we have booked. Our real-time ticketing system runs through partnerships with more than 50,000 hotels and over 100 airlines, which is how we can compare a direct Saudia flight against a one-stop Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways option in minutes, not hours.

We handle Birmingham departures specifically, building each quote around your exact dates, group size and budget, whether that is a quiet November trip or a packed Ramadan booking. Nothing here is guesswork, and nothing gets left to a call centre reading from a script.

Book Your Umrah with Confidence

If you already know your rough travel window, the smartest move is to lock in pricing before the shoulder months fill up. Ring us or WhatsApp +44 739 772 2191, tell us your dates, group size and preferred airport, and we will put together a quote the same day Insha’Allah.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest month to book Umrah package from Birmingham? −

March, November and September typically show the lowest prices on the Birmingham to Jeddah route.

How far in advance should I book Umrah flights from Birmingham? +

Book 4 to 6 months ahead for most dates, and 6 to 8 months ahead if you want Ramadan, since demand rises sharply once Ramadan approaches.

Does Birmingham Airport have direct flights to Jeddah? +

Yes. Saudia flies nonstop from Birmingham to Jeddah three times a week.

How much does an Umrah visa cost from the UK in 2026? +

Expect to pay between £80 and £120 per person, separate from your flight and hotel costs.

Is it better to book Umrah during Ramadan from Birmingham? +

Ramadan Umrah carries deep spiritual reward, matching Hajj in reward according to a hadith reported by the Prophet (peace be upon him), but it costs more and needs booking further ahead.

Can I extend my trip to visit family near Makkah or Madinah? +

Yes, most packages can be extended. Tell us when you call and we will adjust your hotel nights and flight dates accordingly.

Abdullah Rahman

About the Author: Abdullah Rahman holds a Master's degree in Islamic Studies from University of Birmingham, with specialisation in Quranic sciences and hadith methodology. He has 7+ years of experience organising and guiding Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. His writing draws directly from primary Arabic sources including the Quran, Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Where scholars have historically disagreed, he presents multiple positions rather than a single conclusion. For corrections or queries email: abdullah@ziyufalrahman.co.uk