Plan your trip
The best time to go
Crowds, weather and the Hijri calendar month by month, so you can choose dates that suit you.
Updated 23 October 2026Draft: awaiting review1 min read
There is no wrong time for Umrah, but there are very different experiences. Weigh reward, crowds, heat and cost.
The next twelve months
- Oct 26Rabiʻ II – Jumada IModerate
- Nov 26Jumada I – Jumada IIModerate
- Dec 26Jumada II – RajabBusy
- Jan 27Rajab – ShaʻbanBusy
- Feb 27Shaʻban – RamadanVery busy
- Mar 27Ramadan – ShawwalVery busy
- Apr 27Shawwal – Dhuʻl-QiʻdahHajj season
- May 27Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah – Dhuʻl-HijjahHajj season
- Jun 27Dhuʻl-Hijjah – MuharramQuieter
- Jul 27Muharram – SafarBusy
- Aug 27Safar – Rabiʻ IBusy
- Sept 27Rabiʻ I – Rabiʻ IIModerate
Estimated from the Hijri calendar and school holidays. Ramadan, especially its last ten nights, is the busiest time of year.
Season by season
- Ramadan: the most rewarding time, since an Umrah in Ramadan is equal in reward to Hajj. It is also by far the most crowded and expensive, especially the last ten nights. Book months ahead.
- Rajab and Shaʿban: busy, with many pilgrims coming before Ramadan.
- Around Hajj: Umrah visas are usually paused from about mid-Shawwal until after Hajj. Check the dates for your year.
- Muharram and Safar: the new Umrah season begins, and crowds are lighter.
- November to February: the most comfortable weather, with daytime highs around 30°C in Makkah.
- June to August: extreme heat (often above 45°C) and school-holiday crowds.