What to do upon arrival in Mecca and Medina? Practical steps to ensure a comfortable and organized Umrah.
Arriving in Mecca or Medina is the beginning of a great spiritual journey that requires some planning and focus. This article provides a practical guide on what to do upon arrival in the Holy Land , ensuring your Umrah trip is organized, safe, and full of peace.
First: Upon your arrival at the Saudi airport (Jeddah or Medina)
Basic procedures:
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Passing through passport control : Be prepared to show your passport, visa, and return ticket.
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Baggage claim : Make sure all your bags are present, and if any are lost, report them immediately to the baggage department.
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Transfer by bus or car : You will find an agency representative waiting for you (if you are part of an organized group).
Tip : Keep a paper and digital copy of your booking information and agency details to avoid any confusion.
Second: Upon arrival in Makkah Al-Mukarramah
1. Head to the hotel
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Submit your passport to reception (it may be requested for registration purposes).
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Rest a little, take a shower, and have a light snack if possible.
2. Preparing to perform Umrah
If you arrive and you have not yet entered ihram (you have not passed the miqat), there is usually:
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Miqat from which pilgrims enter ihram by plane (announced during the flight)
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Or travelers are taken to a miqat such as Al-Sayl Al-Kabeer for ihram.
Preparation steps:
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Wearing Ihram clothing (for men)
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Intention to perform the ritual: “Here I am, O God, for Umrah.”
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Talbiyah: “Here I am, O God, here I am…”
3. Performing the Umrah rituals
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Tawaf : 7 circuits around the Kaaba.
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Praying behind Maqam Ibrahim (if possible)
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Drink from Zamzam water .
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Sa’i : Between Safa and Marwa (7 times).
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Shaving or cutting (for men), cutting a lock of hair for women.
Tip : Try to perform Umrah at a less crowded time (such as after midnight) if you are tired from traveling.
Third: After Umrah
1. Return to the hotel for rest
Take time to get a good night’s sleep after performing the rituals, especially if you performed Umrah immediately upon arrival.
2. Organize your time in Mecca
Suggest the following table:
| the time | Activity |
|---|---|
| dawn | Prayer in the Holy Mosque, morning supplications |
| After sunrise | Visit Zamzam or read |
| noon | Prayer in the mosque, snack |
| The era | Voluntary circumambulation, supplication |
| Maghrib and Isha | Prayer and night prayers |
| Late at night | Rest or visit the roof for Tawaf |
Fourth: Upon arrival in Medina
After a few days of staying in Mecca, you often move to Medina by bus or domestic flight.
1. Head to the hotel
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Receive your room and relax from the stress of travel.
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There are no Umrah rituals in Medina, but visiting it is a blessed Sunnah of the Prophet.
2. Visit the Prophet’s Mosque
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Praying in the Rawdah Sharifah (between the Prophet’s grave and his pulpit): “A garden from the gardens of Paradise.”
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Peace be upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his two companions, Abu Bakr and Umar.
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Do not forget to pray voluntary prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque, as they are better than a thousand prayers elsewhere (except the Grand Mosque).
3. Recommended visits in the city
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Quba Mosque (the first mosque built in Islam)
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Qiblatain Mosque
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Mount Uhud (and the grave of the martyrs)
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Al-Baqi’ (the cemetery of the people of Medina)
📸 Some agencies organize free tours for these visits. Ask your guide about them.
Fifth: Preparing to return
Before departure day:
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Make sure your luggage is well packed.
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Hand in the room key on time
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Contact your tour coordinator to confirm bus or airport details.
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Keep your passport and boarding pass.
Tip : Take officially bottled Zamzam water with you from the airport or agency.
The conclusion
The Umrah journey begins the moment you arrive, and its success depends on time management, calmness, and pure intention. Follow the steps calmly and enjoy every moment of proximity to the Two Holy Mosques.
If you’re planning to perform Umrah soon, we’re here to help you choose the best program and guide you through every detail.