Umrah Guide: Preparing for a Spiritual Journey
Experience an unforgettable spiritual and cultural journey spanning four distinctive cities with Turkish Airlines’ exclusive benefits. Our extensive flight network enables you to explore many different destinations as you embark on your Umrah pilgrimage.
Umrah Cities and Places of Visit
Mecca and Medina, the Umrah centers, bear great spiritual significance in addition to their roles in Islamic history.
Mecca
Mecca is the holy city at the heart of Islam and the center of the Umrah. The starting point is the Kaaba, where the Tawaf is performed, each of the seven circuits starting and ending at the Black Stone (Hacer-i Esved) in the corner of the Kaaba. The Sa’y, performed between Safa and Marwa, is another integral rite in the pilgrimage. Other important stops of the spiritual journey in Mecca include the healing Zamzam Well (Zemzem Kuyusu), the Multazam area, where prayers are offered, and the footprint at the Maqam Ibrahim (Makam-ı İbrahim).
Medina
Medina is a peaceful city where the Prophet Muhammad spent the last years of his life. The spiritual journey begins at the Prophet’s Mosque, followed by the Kuba Mosque (Kuba Mescidi), Uhud Hill, and the eternal resting place of the Companions, the Baqi Cemetery (Baki Kabristanı). The Qiblatayn Mosque (Kıbleteyn Mescidi), where the direction of prayer was changed, is an important stop that completes the historical and spiritual experience in Medina.
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Destination: Taif
Known as the “City of Roses”, Taif is famous for its rose gardens and perfume factories as well as its cool climate and mountain views. Pilgrims will often stop in Taif before they enter into Ihram and board the bus to Mecca (the drive usually lasts between 90 minutes and two hours). The next day, a program of worship and visits takes place in Mecca, and the Umrah pilgrimage is completed with the Tawaf and Sa‘y. On the morning of the third day, visitors embark on the five-hour drive to Medina. Following Umrah, passengers can fly home from Madinah Airport or, for those who wish to visit Yanbu, from Yanbu Airport. Transfers to Yanbu Airport take about two hours.
Destination: Jeddah
Set along the coast of the Red Sea, the port city of Jeddah is cosmopolitan and contemporary. After completing Umrah preparations in Jeddah, visitors can travel by road to Mecca, a 90-minute drive, and perform their religious duties. Mecca is about a five-hour drive from Medina, where pilgrims can visit the Prophet’s Mosque (Mescid-i Nebevi) and the sacred areas around it. After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, travelers can fly from Madinah Airport. Visitors who wish to see Yanbu can depart from Yanbu Airport, which is about a two and a half hour drive from Medina.
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Destination: Medina
In Medina, the journey begins with visits to the Prophet’s Mosque (Mescid-i Nebevi) and the Kuba Mosque (Kuba Mescidi). City tours are generally short distances, and transfers take between 10 and 20 minutes. Travelers then undertake the four and a half to five-hour drive to Mecca via a comfortable bus or private vehicle. Upon arriving in Mecca, the Tawaf and Sa‘y rites are performed at the Kaaba. The final part of the program includes a short stay in the cool highlands of Taif; the drive from Mecca to Taif takes approximately 90 minutes. Depending on the program schedule, the return flight departs from Jeddah or from Taif Airport. The drive between Mecca and Jeddah takes between 60 and 90 minutes, while the drive to Taif Airport is about 90 minutes.
Destination: Yanbu
Yanbu, on the Red Sea coast, is a quiet port city renowned for its natural beauty. Visitors arrive in Yanbu and proceed to Medina by road. The drive between Yanbu and Medina takes between two and a half and three hours. In Medina, visitors will go to the Prophet’s Mosque, Uhud Hill, and Kuba Mosque (Kuba Mescidi); transfers within the city take between 10 and 20 minutes. The group then embarks on the drive to Mecca, which takes between four and a half and five hours, to undertake Umrah. The program concludes with a transfer to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah for the return flight. The bus ride from Mecca to Jeddah takes between 60 and 90 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions about Umrah flights
Frequently asked questions about Umrah flights? Detailed information >>
When you purchase your flight to Saudi Arabia via the Turkish Airlines website or mobile app, you can enjoy a number of benefits. Using our online channels enables you to select from different language options, while also providing you with convenience and time savings across many processes, including holding the price, online check-in, creating a mobile boarding pass, and taking advantage of campaigns and offers.
Personal preparation recommendations Detailed information >>
Pilgrims undertaking Umrah are recommended to bring the following items:
- A light suitcase, Ihram clothing, and unscented personal care products
- Prayer book, prayer beads, and the Holy Quran
- Sunglasses, slippers, and a small bag
What documents are required before going on the Umrah? Detailed information >>
- A passport that is valid for at least six months after entering Saudi Arabia.
- An Umrah visa as specified by Saudi Arabia. For visa details, see detailed information.
- Travelers to Saudi Arabia are advised to get a meningitis vaccination before visiting.
Flight and Airport Information Detailed information >>
Turkish Airlines operates regular Umrah flights to the holy lands from all over Türkiye via Istanbul Airport. Umrah travelers can arrive at either King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the closest airport to Mecca, or at Medina Airport.
- Special counters and group check-in support are available for Umrah flights.
- Baggage allowances are tailored to passengers’ travel needs.
When is the Umrah performed during the year? Detailed information >>
While Eid al-Fitr is known as the most popular time for Umrah, there is no specific time period for performing the pilgrimage; you can perform Umrah at any time except on the eve of Eid al-Adha and the four days of the festival. However, as Saudi Arabia is a country with a desert climate, the winter months may be more suitable for worship as they tend to be cooler. Please note: During the Hajj season, which covers approximately one month before Eid al-Adha, travelers cannot enter Mecca without a Hajj visa or permit.
