Every year thousands of pilgrims set out on umrah from canada, and the best journeys are the ones planned around the traveller rather than a fixed brochure. Here you will find a clear, up-to-date overview for travellers from Canada: routes, visas, timings, the Miqat and practical tips, with a simple way to request a proposal built around your dates.
| Main departure airports | Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR) |
|---|---|
| Arrival in Saudi Arabia | Jeddah (JED), usually with a connection |
| Miqat on most routes | Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) — about 180 km north-west of Makkah |
| Popular departure cities | Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa |
| Busiest travel periods | Ramadan, the winter holidays and summer are the most popular times to travel from Canada. |
Flights for Umrah from Canada: airports and journey times
Pilgrims usually depart from Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montreal (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR). The flight takes around twelve to fifteen hours, usually with one connection. In practice, Saudia serves Toronto, and Gulf, Turkish and European carriers connect from most Canadian cities.
Most travellers fly into Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, about an hour and a half by road from Makkah, or into Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport if they want to begin with the Prophet’s city. The Haramain high-speed train links Jeddah airport, Makkah and Madinah, and private or shared transfers are also available.
When you request a quote for umrah from canada, tell us your preferred airport and whether you would rather fly direct or accept a connection for better times. We compare options and explain the trade-offs clearly.
Free toolBuild your Umrah itinerary in one minutePick your nights in Makkah and Madinah and get a day-by-day outline you can bring to us.Open planner →Visa and Nusuk for Umrah from Canada
Canadian citizens are eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Umrah is then booked in the Nusuk app. Visa rules can change at short notice, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official Saudi visa portal before you book.
The Nusuk app is the official platform for Umrah permits, Rawdah appointments in Madinah and many other services. Install it before you travel, create your profile with your passport details and keep your permits saved on your phone.
Your Miqat on the way from Canada
The Miqat is the boundary at which pilgrims heading for Umrah must be in ihram. For most routes from Canada, flights pass Al-Juhfah (Rabigh). On a plane, the crew normally announce the Miqat some time before landing, so it is best to change into ihram before boarding or during the flight and make your intention when the announcement is made.
If you start your trip in Madinah, you will instead enter ihram at Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) on the road to Makkah. Read our full Miqat guide or use the finder below.
Miqat finder
Find the Miqat on your route and when to be ready in ihram.
When is the best time for Umrah from Canada?
The December holidays, March break, summer and Ramadan are the busiest periods for Canadian families. Late January, autumn and the weeks after Ramadan tend to be calmer.
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting, and the last ten nights are the most sought-after dates of the year. Hotels close to the Haram fill early for this period, so it is wise to share your dates with us months in advance. See our Ramadan Umrah page for details.
Umrah visas for international visitors are generally not issued during the Hajj season, roughly from late Dhul Qa‘dah to mid-Dhul Hijjah, so plan around those weeks.
Planning umrah from canada: a simple checklist
Choose dates and duration
Decide when you can travel and how many nights you want in Makkah and Madinah. Seven to ten nights in total suits most first-time pilgrims.
Check documents
Confirm passport validity, visa eligibility and any vaccination requirements for your nationality.
Request a tailored proposal
Share your departure city, travellers and hotel preferences on our quote form. We reply with options that match your brief.
Prepare spiritually
Learn the steps and duas of Umrah, and practise the Talbiyah so it comes naturally at the Miqat.
Pack and travel
Use our checklist, pack your ihram in your hand luggage and keep your Nusuk permits ready.
Protecting your umrah from canada booking
Book with an established operator, pay by a traceable method and keep written confirmation of every service. Ontario travellers can check that the agency is registered with the provincial travel regulator. You can read more from Government of Canada travel advice.
Travelling as a family or group from Canada
Communities across the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver run regular group departures. If you are travelling with children or elderly parents, mention it in your request — we prioritise short walking distances, connecting rooms and wheelchair support where needed.
Step-by-step guideHow to perform Umrah, with every duaIhram, tawaf, sa‘i and halq explained in order, with Arabic, transliteration and meaning.Read the guide →Hotels in Makkah and Madinah for umrah from canada
Hotel distance shapes your whole experience. Staying within a few minutes’ walk of Masjid al-Haram makes it easy to pray every salah in congregation, return to rest between prayers and perform extra tawaf at quieter hours. Hotels further away are usually served by shuttle buses, which suits travellers who are comfortable with a little more travel time.
In Madinah, most pilgrims stay in the Central Area around Masjid an-Nabawi, where many hotels are a short walk from the gates. Families travelling from Canada often ask for connecting rooms or suites, while groups usually prefer triple or quad rooms. Tell us what matters most and we will balance distance, comfort and value in your proposal.
Umrah from Canada: Makkah first or Madinah first?
Starting in Makkah lets you perform Umrah straight after landing in Jeddah, while you are already in ihram from the flight. Starting in Madinah gives you a gentler beginning, time to adjust to the climate and a chance to enter ihram at Dhul Hulayfah on the road to Makkah. Both work well for umrah from canada; the right choice depends on flight times and how you like to travel.
| Trip length | Makkah nights | Madinah nights | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 nights | 4 | 3 | Short breaks and first-timers |
| 10 nights | 6 | 4 | Most families and couples |
| 14 nights | 8 | 6 | Unhurried trips and elderly travellers |
| Last ten nights of Ramadan | 7–10 | 2–4 | Pilgrims seeking Laylat al-Qadr in Makkah |
Preparing spiritually before umrah from canada
The rites of Umrah are short in time but deep in meaning. Before you travel, learn the five steps — ihram, tawaf, the two rak‘ahs, sa‘i and cutting the hair — and memorise the Talbiyah. Settle debts where you can, ask forgiveness from family and friends, and write a list of the duas people have asked you to make.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Subhana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.
Glory be to the One who has placed this at our service, for we could not have done it ourselves, and to our Lord we will surely return.
Source: Qur’an 43:13–14; MuslimOn the day of travel, the dua for travel is recited when you board your transport. Many pilgrims setting out on umrah from canada also keep the duas for each step saved offline so they can read them without a signal inside the Haram.
Free toolInteractive Umrah packing checklistTick items off as you pack; your progress is saved on this device.Open checklist →What is included when you book umrah from canada with us?
We do not sell fixed packages with a single price. Instead, each proposal is built from your answers: flights from your nearest airport, visa support, hotels at the distance you prefer, transfers or train tickets, and optional guided Ziyarat in Makkah and Madinah. Our team speaks English, French and Urdu.
Flights and visa
Direct or connecting flights from Toronto and other cities, plus visa guidance.
Hotels near the Haram
From Haram-view rooms to good-value stays on a short walk or shuttle.
Guidance throughout
Step-by-step guides, duas and a team to call before and during your trip.
Request a quote for Umrah from Canada →
Popular departure cities for umrah from canada include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa. Wherever you start, the planning steps are the same, and we can arrange connections from smaller airports.
Umrah from Canada: frequently asked questions
How long does umrah from canada usually take?
Most pilgrims spend seven to fourteen nights in Saudi Arabia, split between Makkah and Madinah. The Umrah rites themselves take around three to five hours once you arrive in Makkah.
Do I need a special visa for Umrah from Canada?
Canadian citizens are eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Umrah is then booked in the Nusuk app.
Which Miqat applies to flights from Canada?
Most routes pass Al-Juhfah (Rabigh). Follow the crew’s announcement and be in ihram before the Miqat. Starting in Madinah means using Dhul Hulayfah instead.
Can I perform Umrah during Ramadan?
Yes. Umrah in Ramadan carries great reward, and it is the busiest time of year, so request your dates early.
Why don’t you show prices?
Costs depend on dates, flights, hotel distance and the number of travellers. Rather than show misleading starting prices, we prepare a tailored proposal for your exact trip.
Can women travel for Umrah without a mahram?
Saudi regulations allow women aged 18 and over to travel for Umrah without a mahram. Scholars differ on the religious ruling, so many women consult a scholar they trust. See our Umrah guide for women.
Travel advice for Canada is available from Government of Canada travel advice for Saudi Arabia. Before you go, read how to perform Umrah step by step and keep our Umrah duas on your phone.
Plan your Umrah from Canada
Tell us your dates, departure city and hotel preferences — we will send a tailored proposal.