Our Umrah Journey from the UAE – A Special Experience in 2025
I never expected to find myself on a school trip to Umrah, but somehow, that’s exactly what happened! When my daughter’s school announced they were organising a trip, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to go by myself at the same time but actually ended up on their trip!. So, with a group of students and teachers, we set off on what turned out to be a spiritual, meaningful, and at times, slightly chaotic adventure.
Our journey took us from Sharjah to Taif, then by road to Makkah, where we performed Umrah and spent time in the Haram. After a couple of days, we travelled to Madinah on the Haramain High-Speed Train, an experience in itself, and spent time at the Prophet’s Mosque and visiting historical sites. Along the way, there were moving moments, funny mishaps and plenty of lessons learned.
In this post I’ll share our experience, from the practical side – flights, hotels, transport, and tips – to the personal reflections that made this trip so special. If you’re planning your own Umrah journey from the UAE, or from anywhere, I hope you find some inspiration or some tips that will help you!
Disclaimer: When you make a booking or purchase through links on this site, I may earn commission from partners at no extra cost to you. This helps me to build the site and bring you more great posts!
⌛ Short on time? Here are the links for hotels we stayed at and sightseeing bus:
🏨 Where we stayed in Makkah – Swissotel Maqam Makkah
🏨 Where we stayed in Al Madinah – Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick
🚌 Hop On Hop Off Bus to see the sights in Al Madina
Our Umrah Journey from the UAE
Now join me on our Umrah Journey from the UAE!
Our Journey to Makkah
Flying Air Arabia from Sharjah Airport
Despite Sharjah Airport being my closest for over 20 years, this was actually my first time flying with Air Arabia! And I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.
The flight itself was comfortable. The seats were spacious (I’m tall and need legroom) and the crew were very friendly and helpful. Everything felt smooth and well-organised.
One thing I really liked was the meal system. Meals aren’t automatically included in the ticket price, but you can pre-order a meal if you want one. Alternatively, there’s a cart service, so you can choose what you want on the spot, whether it’s a full meal or just a snack. We ordered fresh fruit, a doughnut, drinks and nuggets with mac and cheese.
I prefer this way because, let’s be honest, how often do you actually want the standard in-flight meal and how much of it goes in the bin? This way, there’s less food waste, and passengers get more choice.
(Confession time – we ordered from the cart and then discovered our ticket included a meal! We ate it all though!)
Most importantly, the flight was on time in both directions. No delays or hassle, just a smooth and stress-free experience. I’d definitely fly with Air Arabia again, and now I’m wondering why it took me two decades to give them a try!
Last summer was also the first summer I flew from Sharjah Airport, and I was totally sold as it was so easy – late check-in (60 mins before), literally minutes from the drop-off to the gate and also back from the gate to the exit. I’ve already booked our flights for the summer holidays from Sharjah Airport!
Air Arabia is also a dry airline, meaning no alcohol is served or allowed to be consumed on board, making it an ideal choice for a pilgrimage trip. You won’t find yourself sitting next to someone drinking, which may make you feel uncomfortable on your way to Makkah nor will your Umrah expenses be funding it.
From Taif to Makkah
On to the second leg of our journey to Makkah, Taif Airport was a really easy airport to get through. I find I’m really starting to appreciate easy airports these days. The downside to Taif over Jeddah is transport is more limited. If you’re in a group or even with family, the best option is to book a bus or private car to pick you up in advance and drive you to Makkah.
The drive over was on a dual carriageway and through desert of rocks and low rocky hills. I remember on my first trip to Saudi from the UK many moons ago when I was surprised to learn that not all desert was sand!
Before arriving at Makkah, we stopped at the miqat at Qarn al-Manazil to pray and for the men to change into their ihram.
Our Time in Makkah – A Comfortable and Spiritual Experience
On arrival in Makkah, we were taken straight to our hotel, which was just a short walk from the Masjid Al Haram. We stayed at Swissotel Maqam, and it was definitely a great choice. The hotel was clean, the beds were comfortable and breakfast was good.
Four of us shared a room – my daughter, two of her classmates and me but everything was well organised. With four beds in a room, there’s not a great deal of extra space but we weren’t there for that, so it wasn’t an issue and we still had enough room to move freely.
Confession time again! After finishing my Umrah, I went to the wrong hotel! There were two Swissotels and I went to the wrong one and up to ‘our room’. Everything was identical – the carpets, the doors, the door plaques! I then realised I must have left my keycard in the room so I went to the reception to ask for another, only to be told I must be in the wrong hotel. I eventually found my key card and my hotel before the others returned and I collapsed into bed after a very long day and lots of walking!
Once we had our luggage brought up, I headed straight to the Haram to perform Umrah by myself, with the others going a little later. Seeing the Kaaba for the first time, even if it’s not your first visit, is always a moving experience. (Although, probably the very first time, it is the most awe-inspiring.)
What I didn’t know was that you’re now allowed to wear shoes inside the mosque. (Not the same shoes you wear outside, of course.) I wish I’d known, as I’m no longer used to walking barefoot on a hard floor and I get tendonitis flare-ups if I do. Before my next Tawaf, I bought myself a 25 riyal pair of foam sandals from one of the little shops outside the hotel. That made so much difference!
The next morning, we were up early for Fajr prayer but not early enough as we had to pray outside. Later in the day, we attended the Friday prayer but managed to get there early enough to pray inside the Haram.
Because of the ongoing construction, large parts of the mosque were closed off, meaning only people performing pilgrimage were being allowed to go.
As women don’t have a specific dress code for pilgrimage, we could enter freely as they had no way of knowing if we were on Umrah or not. The closed-off areas also meant that it was pretty crowded. I believe the work is meant to be completed before Ramadan.)
In between prayers, we spent time in the mosque when we could, for example, performing Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), but it wasn’t like other years where we spent hours sitting on the upper floors reading the Quran, doing dhikr, etc. I was quite disappointed that I couldn’t do that.
While I didn’t visit myself, my daughter and the rest of our group went to the Revelation Exhibition in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah. The museum uses digital technology to provide an immersive experience while learning about the history of revelations to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
One of the features was a replica of the cave of Hira where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spent time in contemplation. This included simulation features. Another section of the exhibition including a replica of one of the oldest Qurans and a remarkable Qur’an, in which the words were meticulously sewn in.
There were also videos about some of the major prophets, like Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). The displays were available in both Arabic and English and included information about others, such as Khadijah (R.A.).Their visit lasted around an hour, giving them a short but insightful glimpse into Islamic history.
Other than that, we did a little bit of shopping as well in the small traditional shops near the mosque. I prefer these to the bigger ones in the larger mall and we found all the gifts we wanted without having to wander too far and spend time away from the mosque.
I usually like to save most of my shopping for Madinah after the night prayer and use my time in Makkah to be in the Haram. I spent less time there this year though due to the restrictions. On our last day, the roof of the Haram was opened again, and I think most of the mosque is probably open again by now.
Overall, our time in Makkah was short but spiritual and meaningful. Despite the crowds and construction, the experience of being so close to the Kaaba and being so privileged to be able to come and perform acts of worship there outweighs that a million times! It’s just always sad leaving.
Other places to visit in Makkah
In previous visits, I’ve been to the Cave of Hira and visited the Hajj sites like Muzadalifah and Arafat. That really helped when I later went for Hajj, so I do recommend that. My group on a previous trip also visited the place where they make the kiswa, or covering of the Kaaba. You can book a tour to do that here.
If you have extra time there, you could book one of these trips or even just use them for inspiration and organise the visits yourself.
Our Journey to Madinah
After our time in Makkah, it was time to head to Madinah and this was my first time to ride on the Haramain High-Speed Railway. We had a bus pick us up from the hotel and take us there. Although it’s not that far, it took a while due to the number of buses getting out of Makkah.
When you’re driving around to get out (or in), it seems like you must be going in circles because every few minutes, just when you were feeling sad because you thought you’d see Masjid Al Haram for the last time, you’d see it again!
On the way, you see a stark contrast from the luxurious hotels in the centre. The hills around Makkah are lined with small, old and poorly-maintained homes. It reminded me of my second trip to Makkah in 2000, which was from Abu Dhabi, and I experienced culture shock at the old buildings and the bashed-up taxi we took with the door tied on with string. I’d travelled to much poorer countries over the years, but I think when it’s your next-door neighbour, the contrast seems more extreme.
Anyway, back to the train journey. I loved the architecture of the stations, which were wide open and spotless. There was a Costa coffee shop, a few other shops and a Business Lounge for those travelling Business Class.
As we set off, there was a dust storm outside and a bit of rain, so we didn’t see much in the way of scenery. Once it cleared up, it was mostly plains, low rocky hills and a few ponds and wetlands.
The route passed through Jeddah, where it stopped, which is good for an add-on trip. It also stops at King Abdulaziz Airport, which is very handy for managing your trip. The train was pretty full, but we still had plenty of space to relax.
One of the coaches was a buffet car serving snacks and drinks and I ordered a Saudi coffee, which was much needed after our busy schedule and lack of sleep in Makkah. The journey itself was smooth, and before we knew it, we had arrived in Madinah.
I started off in the wrong seat, which was at a table and then moved to the correct seat with no table. From that, I can tell you that if you’re tall, the seats without the table are much more comfortable!
From the train station, we were picked up by bus once again and taken to our hotel—the Mövenpick Hotel, which was conveniently located just opposite the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid An-Nabawi).
The high-speed train journey to Madinah was comfortable, efficient and a great way to travel between the two cities. Make sure book ahead as seats can become booked up quickly.
Our Stay in Madinah
After dropping our bags off at our rooms at the Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick, we headed to the Prophet’s Mosque for night prayers. Our hotel was just minutes away from the mosque, with some rooms having a view of it (not ours, unfortunately!)
We had to pray outside as we were late arriving, which was okay, but, of course, we would have loved to pray our first salah there inside. The next day, I made sure to find out which gate I had to go to for the ladies’ prayer area.
Gate 25 is the one I used and is easiest if you’re in a hotel facing the main entrance of the mosque or arriving on that side. Theoretically, the surrounding gates 23-31 should also be open but I found the smaller ones were often only opened to let people out. This is probably because there is security monitoring people entering. Gate 16 is also for ladies’ prayer, according to maps, but we were unable to access it for some reason.
The mosque was always very busy at prayer time, so I always tried to get there early, before the call to prayer, to find a spot. After salat al maghrib, I found the best way was just to stay there until salat al isha. Sometimes, we had to pray outside because we were too late.
The Prophet’s Mosque is one of the two holy sites and was the mosque often used by the Prophet ﷺ. It also contains his grave within it. More on that later. This is what makes it such a special place for Muslims, and although there is no obligation to visit when someone travels for Umrah or Hajj, it’s preferred to do so by many. I’ve visited sometimes, but at other times, I haven’t.
One of the most special places inside the mosque is Rawdah, which is next to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ. Rawdah means garden, and it is sometimes referred to as Riyadh ul Jannah, Gardens of Paradise, and it is considered a particularly blessed place to pray.
Women can visit Rawdah after the night prayer until the morning prayer but now, a permit is required. You can apply for this on the Nusuk app. Once you have registered on the app, you can book a 15-minute slot and then enter from Gate 37 at the appropriate time.
We downloaded the app before travelling, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to register from outside Saudi Arabia. Once we arrived and could continue using the app, we found that all the available slots were booked.
Talking to more people since, it seems slots are opened up for the week as soon as the adhan to the Friday prayer is called but you have to be quick. You might also end up on a waiting list. Keep checking the app anyway, just in case.
We still did our best to enter anyway. I went by myself after Isha prayer and managed to get through some of the points where officers were asking for my appointment but at the final step, the officer refused to let me and others in without an appointment.
My daughter and her friends tried later at 11:30 PM with their teacher and spent an hour trying but sadly, they weren’t allowed in either. Oh well, at least we made the intention and tried our best.
After failing to get through, I went to another nearby area where visitors can give salam to the Prophet ﷺ and pray near the Rawdah. Before getting through to that area, we were allowed by batches into a section before that.
It was very crowded and we had to wait for around 30 minutes, squashed together, before being allowed to enter. Maybe because I went directly after Isha prayer, it was particularly busy. It’s probably better if you go a bit later when things have calmed down a bit.
To be honest, it was a bit of a stressful experience, with people pushing and rushing, but I managed to pray and make dua before leaving. Go later if it’s busy!
Where we Stayed in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah
In Madinah, we stayed at the Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel, which was comfortable and breakfast was pretty good. It was within easy walking distance of the mosque, just minutes away. There was also a mall, a supermarket, cafes and restaurants.
I loved the food from the Ekla on the mezzanine. You can sit in at the few tables or take it away. There are long queues but it’s well worth it. I recommend the shawarma and the pizza with shrimp. The date muhallabia was also delicious and a bit different. Whether you’re staying at the hotel or not, it’s definitely worth visiting.
We did have one minor issue – the key cards didn’t work very well, and I had to keep going back to reception to get a new one. Although it wasn’t a major problem, it was a bit annoying having to trek down to reception.
If I had my choice of hotel, I’d stay at Dar Al Taqwa, directly opposite the ladies’ gate to Masjid Al Nabawi, Gate 25, or the Golden Tulip Al Zahabi next door.
Visiting Sacred Sites in Madinah
On our second day, we took a bus tour to visit some of the historical sites in and around Madinah. First, we went to the site of the Battle of Uhud, where we saw Archers’ Hill, a small hill that some of our group climbed up to take in the view.
We also visited the graveyard where many of the Sahaba, or Companions, who died in the battle lie buried. It can be a humbling experience to see the simplicity of such a burial ground and remember those who lay there. , and we took a moment to pray for them.
Next, we went to Masjid Al-Qiblatayn – the Mosque of the Two Qiblas. This is the mosque where the direction of prayer (Qibla) was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah during the time of the Prophet ﷺ. Originally, the mosque had two mihrabs (prayer niches) after the change but since renovations in 1987, it has only one, facing Makkah.
After that, we visited Masjid Quba, which is the first mosque in Islam. The foundation stone was laid by the Prophet ﷺ, making it a place of deep historical and spiritual significance.
Within the city, some members of our group also visited Jannat al-Baqi, the graveyard where many of the Prophet’s companions are buried, but I chose not to go. I’ve been on previous visits though.
Finally, we did some shopping in Madinah, picking up prayer mats, beads, perfumes and other small gifts. Compared to Makkah, I found it easier to shop in Madinah and we managed to get most of our souvenirs here before heading home.
Next time I go to Madinah, I’d like to spend a longer time and explore some of the off the beaten path places. I came across this tour and it looks pretty good.
How to Visit Sacred Sites in Madinah by Yourself
For an option where you can go at your own pace, book a ticket on the Hop On Hop Off Bus to go around the main historical places to visit in Madinah and a few extras. You can buy the tickets in advance, and once you start using them, they’re valid for 24 hours with unlimited access.
The bus starts at 6:15am and runs until 8:45pm covering two routes and 12 stops (some at the Prophet’s Mosque are currently closed due to construction work.) The Green Route goes to Al Masjid An-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), Al Baqi Cemetery and the Quran Museum while the Red Route stops at the battlefields of Uhud and the Trench (Khandaq). The tours also include audio guides in 16 languages and free Wi-Fi on the bus.
❇️ Book your tickets online at GYG and get flexible booking with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Another option is the small private group, The Madinah Unveiled Tour, with a 4.9/5 rating on Viator. On this trip, you’ll visit seven sites of historical significance. According to the description, it’s also wheelchair accessible. ❇️ Book now
Finally, for sightseeing in Madina beyond the usual places, check out this tour ‘Experience Madinah’s Culture and Historical sights’ The tour in a private 4WD is for up to four people and can be tailored to your preferences. ❇️ Book now
How to Get to Makkah and Madinah from Abroad and Inside Saudi Arabia
If you plan on visiting Makkah first, the easiest option is to fly to Jeddah which is what we’ve always done before this time. From there you can take the bullet train to Makkah and then a taxi, or take a taxi from Jeddah airport directly. Many airlines fly to Jeddah and several also to Madinah.
If you’re wondering how to get from Jeddah to Madinah or Makkah, you can take the high speed train from Jeddah airport to both cities, then a bus or taxi. You can also take the train between Makkah and Madinah. Alternatively, you can book a comfortable private car. See the earliiersection on booking the train.
How to Book the High Speed Haramain Train Makkah – Jeddah – Madinah
It’s recommended to buy your ticket for the Haramain Bullet Train a few days in advance, especially in peak periods. You can book online here at the Haramain High Speed Railway website. The train goes twice an hour and takes 2hrs 20 mins between Makkah and Madinah.
The economy fare for the Haramain Train between Makkah and Madinah is SAR 150 for an adult in Economy Class and children go half-price. A Business Class ticket is SAR 455. From Makkah to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, economy is SAR 40 and Business 90.
When you book your ticket, you’ll select your seat. If you can, get a forward-facing seat, and while the table seats are great for families, there’s less leg room as I mentioned earlier. Note that there is a luggage restriction and you can only take one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage.
Find more options to pre-book land transport between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah on Viator.
Alternatively you could also fly into Taif airport and either take public transport or arrange the more comfortable option of private transport in advance. If you’re flying west towards Saudi Arabia.
Where to stay in Makkah and Al Madinah
We stayed at a 5-star hotel in Makkah, Swissotel Maqam in the Clock Tower because that was arranged for our trip but I’ve also stayed further out several times. To me, you’re not going to Makkah for a luxury stay and as long as the hotel is clean and I have my own bathroom, it’s fine.
If you do want to stay very close, there are several hotels within the Clock Tower complex.
Other places I’ve stayed were around 10-15 minutes walk from the Haram but even if it’s more, it’s fine too as you’ll probably only come and go a couple of times a day, staying at the mosque or eating and shopping in between prayers. Plus, there are shuttle buses for many hotels in the outer areas.
Yes, it was nice to be able to be so close, but for something more budget-friendly, here are a couple of places with reasonable prices and good reviews
- Mahd Al Resala 1 Hotel – 2.7 km from theHaram 24-hr shuttle, 8.2 on Booking $
- Saif Plus 2 Hotel By Sama – 2.5 km from theHaram 24-hr shuttle, 9.1 on Booking $$
- Diouf Al Maqam Hotel – 2.9 km from the Haram 24-hr shuttle, 8.2 on Booking $$
- Mahd Al Resala 3 Hotel – 1.4 km from the Haram 24-hr shuttle and walkable, 8.4 on Booking $$$
When selecting accommodation, consider factors such as proximity to the Haram, available shuttle services, and amenities that suit your personal needs. Booking well in advance, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons, can help secure the best rates and ensure a comfortable stay.
For Madinah, I mentioned a couple above that I’d love to stay at if money was no option but here are a few budget-friendlier alternatives.
Book the 5-start Bosphorus Hotel
As for Makkah, book well in advance for some great deals. I’ve just seen a 4-star hotel in the city centre of Madinah for just over $50 a night for two booking six months ahead on Agoda.
Wrap-up on Our Umrah Journey from the UAE
Looking back, our Umrah journey from the UAE was an experience filled with faith, reflection and adventure. From the smooth Air Arabia flight to our stays in Makkah and Madinah, everything came together to make this trip both meaningful and memorable.
Despite the construction work in Makkah limiting access to some areas of the mosque, the opportunity to perform Umrah, stand before the Kaaba, and pray in the Haram was as humbling as ever. And while the crowds in Madinah made it challenging to visit Rawdah, simply being in the Prophet’s Mosque and feeling the special surroundings was enough of a blessing.
The Haramain High-Speed Train was a fantastic way to travel between the two cities, fast, comfortable, and stress-free, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone making the trip.
Of course, no journey is complete without a few mishaps, like ending up at the wrong hotel in Makkah or struggling to get an appointment for Rawdah. But those little moments are what make trips unique and memorable, and they always leave you with stories to tell!
As always, leaving Makkah and Madinah was bittersweet but I hope this won’t be my last visit. Each journey brings new experiences, lessons and reflections, and I hope that if you’re planning your own Umrah, this post will help you along the way. May your journey be smooth, your prayers accepted and your time in these blessed cities deeply rewarding.
Follow on Instagram or Facebook
Read about our trips to Oman
Visit my website on the United Arab Emirates