Pack light: you will walk a lot, and hotel rooms in Makkah and Madinah are often small. Check your airline's baggage allowance, and keep space for Zamzam water and gifts on the way home.
Documents (keep in your hand luggage)
- Passport, visa copy, CNIC and air tickets.
- Vaccination certificates (meningitis and polio).
- Hotel vouchers and your agent's contact numbers. We give you a voucher with all details.
- Photocopies of everything, plus photos on your phone.
For men
- Two sets of Ihram (two plain white sheets each) and an Ihram belt with a pouch.
- Sandals that leave the ankle and top of the foot uncovered.
- Light cotton clothes for after Umrah: shalwar kameez or thobes.
For women
- Loose, modest, comfortable clothes and several abayas and scarves.
- Comfortable closed shoes or sandals for long walks.
- A small bag for prayer clothes in the mosque.
For children
- Ihram for boys if they will perform Umrah.
- An ID card or wristband with your name, hotel and phone number.
- Snacks, a light stroller for young children, and their regular medicines.
Health and personal care
- Your regular medicines with the prescription, enough for the whole trip.
- Painkillers, plasters, cream for chafing (important for Ihram), and oral rehydration salts.
- Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant for while you are in Ihram.
- Face masks, hand sanitiser and sunscreen.
Useful items
- A small backpack or shoe bag for carrying shoes inside the mosque.
- A refillable water bottle for Zamzam.
- Prayer mat, pocket Qur'an and a dua book.
- Phone charger, power bank and a 3-pin UK-style plug adapter.
- An umbrella or cap for the sun (not to be worn by men in Ihram).
- Some Saudi riyals in cash for small purchases.
Do not pack
- Large amounts of cash without declaring them.
- Medicines that are restricted in Saudi Arabia without a prescription.
- Too many clothes: laundry services are cheap near the hotels.
Next, read how to perform Umrah step by step, or build your Umrah package.