Whenever we make a longer travel plan, the first thing that comes to our mind is the accommodation. Travellers definitely need to book hotels for their comfortable stay. Usually, accommodation provides us with a great place to live during trips and tours. But do you know how to find affordable stays for your tours?
Many people love travelling and want to explore the world. Well, travelling is a good habit, but arranging its logistics can be quite difficult. From flight to accommodation, you have to take care of everything. Imagine, if it’s your Umrah trip, how you will find the perfect stay near the Haram boundaries in Makkah and Madina? This question arises in the mind of every Muslim traveller when they are about to book Umrah packages.
To answer this question, in this post, we will discuss some ways on how you can find the best and most affordable hotels and hostels for your Umrah journey. Additionally, the accommodation will also be the one that is close to the Haram.
Choose Hotels with Shuttle Bus Service (Best for Budget)
Hotels are common in Umrah bookings and many pilgrims choose those that are located near the Haram. What about travellers who are under budget and want to stay at affordable accommodation? Hotels with shuttle service play their role here and are not very expensive. Typically, these accommodations are located around 1.5 km to 3 km from the Haram. Often the shuttle service of the hotels’ buses operate after every 15 to 20 minutes. Most hotels provide a shuttle 24/7, and some close at midnight.
Hotels in Makkah that are known for their excellent shuttle service are Voco Makkah, Le Meridien Towers, Al Kiswah Towers, and Elaf Bakkah. These hotels provide shuttle and affordable stays with 50%-70% less cost than the accommodation near Haram. The disadvantage is that walking can take more time to reach Haram, and buses may be crowded in the peak seasons like Ramadan.
When booking shuttle bus hotels via an agency or through any website, make sure to check amenities, and there should be a written “free shuttle”. Moreover, if you are travelling with older ones, try to book accommodation in Kudai or Mahbas Al Jin side because the path from there is straight with fewer slopes.
Shared Hotel Rooms Near the Haram for Umrah Pilgrims
To reduce the accommodation budget in Makkah and Madina, pilgrims often opt for shared hotel rooms near the Haram. Most hotels provide rooms according to per bed. A single-room capacity contains up to four to six beds. Usually, this shared service is common in group Umrah packages when a single group comprises 15 to 20 people. Keep in mind, in shared services, you won’t get additional services such as daily housekeeping, 24/7 room service, and laundry.
If a hotel is charging £100 per night, then sharing rooms can charge £50 per night (just an estimate). One more thing that you must know is that there will be no privacy in shared services. Hence, you can’t leave your luggage open, so the bags should always be locked.
There are a few properties in Makkah that are located in the neighbourhoods of Misflah and Ajyad, which have old residential-style building structures. They are given on rent in peak Umrah seasons, though it’s very rare. Such places are not often found online except the local agents of Makkah. If one picks the Misfalah, they will experience narrow streets and traditional-style hotels that offer Arabian Culture. Some of them include:
- Emaar Al Khalil
- Diar AlKhalidiya
- Dar Lamar
- Qasr Rizq
However, if you choose Ajyad, you will experience both the old and new aeras, as the luxury towers in the front part of Ajyad offer a magnificent view, but the backstreets still have old buildings. These accommodations include Manarat Al Musk, Batoul Ajyad, and Sar Alrawbi.
Try to Travel in the Off-Season of Umrah
Off-seasons of Umrah mean when crowds are less in Makkah and Madina, and you can perform Umrah easily. Does the off-season really matter to have an affordable stay in holy cities? Yes, it actually works! If you travel in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 8th months of the Islamic calendar, you will get cheaper costs of Umrah hotels. Budget travellers shouldn’t travel during Ramadan, after Hajj, and during the December/Easter holidays. These are the peak times of Umrah when hotels charge around £200 per night. Conversely, in the off-season, you can really get an affordable cost, such as £80 per night.
In the off-season, not only does money get saved, but there are also other advantages. You can pray comfortably, peacefully performing Tawaf, kiss or touch the Black Stone, ease in getting a slot for Rawdah Rasool, and comfort in visiting Ziyarats. Non-peak duration also includes the summer months when Saudi Arabia experiences hotter temperatures. If you can bear the heat, this is the cheapest time to go.
Select the Right Location for an Affordable Stay
The right location of hotels doesn’t just mean near the Haram, but rather you should see how straight the path is, and what facilities the hotel provides. Usually, Muslims choose hotels near the Haram, such as Clock Tower, Swissotel Makkah, Pullman Zamzam, and Anwar al Madinah Mövenpick. But if you really want budget-friendly accommodation, you can stay in affordable areas, Misfalah, Ajyad Road, Ibrahim Al Khalil Road, Azizyah, and Mahbas Al Jin.
In those areas, you can find budgeted hotels even in 2-star and 3-star categories. Misfalah is on the south side of Masjid al-Haram and is often crowded. Ajyad Road starts just behind the Clock Tower, and cheap hotels start becoming available on Ajyad al-Masafi with approximate 800+ metres distance.
Ajyad has very steep hills, so when booking online, ensure to check the path is flat or hilly. Moreover, Ibrahim Al Khalil Road is the famous and longest road in Makkah. You will find very budget hotels on this road. Those that are located within 1 km can be quite expensive, but hotels that are 1.5 km further are cheaper.
Conclusion
Ultimately, finding cheap accommodation for Umrah is not just a matter of luck but a game of proper planning and knowledge. If you can bear the longer walking distance from the Haram and use the shuttle service, you can get an affordable stay for your Umrah trip. Keep in mind that the real purpose of the Islamic pilgrimage is worship. No doubt, logistics also matter, but try to focus on your Umrah journey.
Visiting the Holy Kaaba is the dream of every Muslim believer, so budget should not be a problem in this blessed journey. May God make your Umrah trip easy for you!