December Umrah Packages 2026

Why go for Umrah in December?

A few things make December a good time to go:

• The weather is comfortable: Saudi summers pass 40°C, which makes long hours at the mosque hard. December is far gentler: Makkah stays warm by day, about 29 to 31°C, but the evenings turn mild, and Madinah is cooler still. Tawaf, Sa'i and the long spells in the courtyards are much easier than in the summer heat, which is why a winter Umrah in December appeals to so many UK pilgrims.
• It is calmer than a Ramadan Umrah: December is busy because of the holidays, but it is still far quieter than Ramadan. You get more room around the Kaaba and shorter waits, which suits first-time pilgrims and families.
• It fits the winter holidays: UK schools break up around 19 to 20 December and return in early January, so families can travel over Christmas and New Year without missing lessons, and working people can use the quieter end of the year.
• A calm way to close the year: Many pilgrims like to end the year with worship and begin the new one with a clear intention.

December Umrah at a glance

How much does a December Umrah package cost from the UK?

December Umrah packages 2026 start from £849 per person for a 3-star, 7-night trip, rising to around £1,239 per person for a 5-star, 14-night stay over the peak. December Umrah package prices depend on your hotel star rating, nights, and how close your dates fall to Christmas and New Year. Our luxury December Umrah packages offer 5-star hotels closest to the Haram; cheaper 3-star options keep costs down.

Prices are per person and move with your dates, hotel and how early you book, so booking sooner means a lower price and more choice. For the top tier, see our 5-star December Umrah package options. Before you pay, we confirm hotel names, board basis and approx. distances to Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi in writing.

What is included in a Makkah Tour December package?

Every December package covers the essentials:

• Return flights from the UK.
• A hotel in Makkah and a hotel in Madinah.
• All airport transfers and travel between the two cities.
• Nusuk support and guidance for your Umrah visa.
• A UK-based team you can reach at any time during your trip.

We tell you the board basis for each hotel (room-only or with meals) before you book. Want to add nights, upgrade your hotel, or travel as a group? Just ask, and we will build it around you.

What is not included in a December Umrah package?

A few things usually sit outside the package price, so plan for them too:

• Travel insurance: We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance for your trip; it is not included in the package.
• The MenACWY vaccination: This is required for Umrah, and you arrange it with your GP or a pharmacy (see the FAQs below).
• Meals: Beyond the board basis stated for your hotel.
• Personal spending: Such as gifts, extra Zamzam to bring home and any optional day trips.
• Guided ziyarah: If you would like a guide for the historic sites. We can add this if you want it.

If anything about your package is optional or charged separately, we will tell you in writing before you pay.

What hotels can you expect in Makkah and Madinah?

Your hotel depends on your star tier, your dates, and how early you book. As a rough guide:

• 3-star hotels are clean and comfortable, a short walk or quick shuttle from the sanctuaries, and good value for pilgrims who spend most of their time at the mosque.
• 4-star hotels give you more comfort and are usually closer, often with the option of meals included.
• 5-star hotels place you approx. within a few minutes' walk of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, sometimes with rooms overlooking the courtyards.

In Makkah, the hotels we often arrange include central Haram-area towers such as Swissôtel Makkah, Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower and Pullman ZamZam for 5-star stays, with well-placed 3- and 4-star options nearby. In Madinah, examples near Masjid an-Nabawi include Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick, Dar Al Taqwa and Elaf Taiba. Hotels vary by date and availability, so we confirm your hotel names and approx. distance to Masjid al-Haram or Masjid an-Nabawi in writing before you pay.

When should you book December Umrah?

Book three to six months ahead. For December 2026, that means booking by around July or August 2026. December sells out early because the weather is good and it falls in the holidays, and the hotels nearest the sanctuaries go first. Booking early also lets you spread the cost: secure your place with a £49 deposit and pay the balance in instalments before you travel.

Which UK airports can you fly from, and who do you fly with?

We arrange affordable December Umrah packages and departures from cities across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bradford, Leicester, Blackburn, Liverpool and Leeds. Direct flights to Jeddah run from London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN) and Birmingham (BHX), usually with Saudia; from Glasgow (GLA), other cities, or for Madinah, we use connecting flights. You land at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah (JED) or Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah (MED), where we arrange your transfer.

What is the weather like in Makkah and Madinah in December?

December is comfortable, but the two cities feel different. Makkah stays warm by day, usually about 29 to 31°C, and cools to a mild 18 to 20°C in the evening. Madinah is noticeably cooler, about 24 to 27°C by day and dropping to 11 to 14°C at night, so early mornings there can feel genuinely cold. It is dry almost everywhere, with only a small chance of a brief shower. So pack for both: light, breathable clothes for the day, and a warm layer for Madinah's evenings, early-morning Fajr and the air-conditioned coaches.

What to pack for a December Umrah

• Two or three sets of Ihram, and an abaya for women.
• A light jumper or jacket and socks for Madinah's cooler evenings and early mornings.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Unscented toiletries (scented items are not allowed in Ihram).
• Your regular medicines, plus printed and digital copies of your documents.

Ziyarah: the places you can visit in Makkah and Madinah

December's cooler winter weather makes ziyarah, the visits to historic Islamic sites, far more comfortable than summer. Near Makkah, visit Jabal al-Nour (Cave of Hira), Jabal Thawr and the plains of Arafat; inside Masjid al-Haram you perform Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and drink Zamzam water. In Madinah, see Masjid Quba (Islam's first mosque), Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Jannat al-Baqi and Mount Uhud, and pray Jumu'ah at Masjid an-Nabawi. For the Rawdah (Riyadul Jannah), book a free Nusuk permit; ask us to add guided ziyarah.

Who is December Umrah a good fit for?

December suits a lot of pilgrims:

• Families with children, because the school holidays mean no missed lessons.
• Older pilgrims and anyone who finds walking tiring, because the winter weather is far easier than the summer heat.
• First-time pilgrims, because the calmer pace is simpler to manage.
• Anyone who cannot take much time off work, because the holidays cover most of the trip.

Travelling as a family, a group, or a women's group? We can arrange family rooms, group bookings, and extra help for pilgrims with limited mobility. Under current Saudi rules, women aged 18 and over can perform Umrah without a mahram, so women travelling alone or in a group are welcome. Tell us who is travelling and we will match you to the right hotel and room type.

December, Christmas and New Year: choosing your dates

The dates around Christmas and New Year, roughly 20 December to early January, are the busiest and priciest of the month. A Christmas Umrah package over the school holidays lets the whole family travel together, and a New Year Umrah is a popular way to begin the year with worship, so these book up first. Early December is quieter, better value and just as pleasant. Whether you want a winter 2026, Christmas holiday, New Year Islamic travel, end-of-year or winter break Umrah, we have dates through December into January.

Looking for an Alternative to December Umrah?

If your dates are flexible, January is worth a look. Once the Christmas rush is over, our January Umrah offer the same cool winter weather at lower prices, with the same return flights, hotels and Nusuk support. It is a good option if December is fully booked, or you would rather travel after the holidays. You can also compare our February packages for late-winter dates and prices.

Looking beyond December? You can also browse our full range of Umrah packages for other months, durations and budgets. If you are weighing up winter against spring, compare our December dates with our Ramadan Umrah deals, or ask about our family and Umrah group packages for larger parties.

Why book your December Umrah with Makkah Tour?

Makkah Tour is part of 7 Continents Travel Ltd, which has arranged Umrah and Hajj travel for UK pilgrims since 2006. What that means for you:

• Flight-inclusive bookings are financially protected under ATOL 10416, which covers you if the company fails financially.
• When you pay, you receive an ATOL Certificate. Check that everything you booked is listed on it; that is your proof of protection.
• The price we quote is the price you pay, with no hidden costs.
• We work with Ministry-licensed operators in Saudi Arabia.
• Our UK-based team is reachable throughout your trip, wherever you are.
• You can read what pilgrims say about us on Google and Trustpilot before you book.

Our full company details: Makkah Tour is a trading name of 7 Continents Travel Ltd (registered in England, company number 05224578), ATOL 10416 and IATA-accredited (91280442), trading since 2006.

How to book your December Umrah in four steps

Step 1. Choose your package: pick your star level and how many nights you want.

Step 2. Send us your details: fill in the quote form, or message us on WhatsApp with your dates and number of travellers.

Step 3. Confirm and pay your deposit: secure your place with a £49 deposit, then pay the balance in instalments before you travel.

Step 4. Get ready to go: we send your itinerary and everything you need before you fly.

Contact Our UK Umrah Team

You are welcome to visit our London office to plan your December Umrah in person, or reach us by phone, email or WhatsApp. Our UK-based team is happy to talk through dates, hotels and payment plans.

Ready to book your December Umrah 2026? Tell us your dates and budget, and we will send you a couple of options that fit. Call 0203 195 8700 or message us on WhatsApp. A £49 deposit secures your place, with Nusuk support every step of the way.