A family Umrah is a gift that children often remember for the rest of their lives. Seeing the Kaaba for the first time, walking between Safa and Marwah with their parents and greeting the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah can plant a love for faith that lasts. With the right planning, it can also be calm and joyful for the adults.
This page covers everything we consider when planning a family Umrah, from room layouts and pushchairs to school holidays and the pace of each day. Every proposal is tailored, so tell us the ages of your children and anything else we should know.
Can children perform Umrah?
Yes. Children of any age can perform Umrah, and a parent makes the intention on behalf of a child who is too young to do so. In a hadith recorded by Muslim, a woman lifted up a child and asked the Prophet ﷺ whether he could perform Hajj, and he replied that he could, and that she would have a reward. Scholars apply the same principle to Umrah.
Before your family Umrah, sit down with older children and walk them through the steps using our guide on how to perform Umrah. Knowing what comes next makes the day far less overwhelming for them.
What makes a family Umrah different
Adults travelling alone can cope with long walks, late nights and early starts. With children, the small details matter much more. A successful family Umrah usually comes down to a handful of priorities.
Short walk to the Haram
Small legs tire quickly. A hotel close to the Haram means you can return to rest between prayers and come back refreshed.
The right rooms
Connecting rooms, family rooms or a suite with extra beds keep everyone together without crowding.
School-holiday dates
We plan around term dates so children miss as little school as possible.
Flight timings
Daytime flights and sensible connections help children sleep and arrive in a better mood.
A gentler pace
Fewer early starts, rest after dhuhr and ziyarat spread across several days.
Support on the ground
A named contact if a child falls ill, a room is not ready or plans need to change.
Rooms and hotels for a family Umrah
Room layout is one of the most common family Umrah questions we receive. Many hotels near the Haram limit the number of people per room, so a family of five or six may need two rooms or a suite. We check this in advance so there are no surprises at check-in.
| Family size | Common room choice | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Two adults, one or two young children | Triple or quad room | Ask whether a cot or extra bed is available. |
| Two adults, three or more children | Two connecting rooms or a family suite | Connecting rooms are limited, so book early. |
| Multi-generation family | Adjacent rooms on the same floor | Prioritise a short, step-free walk for grandparents. |
| Teenagers | Quad room or two rooms | Older children value a little space of their own. |
Breakfast included at the hotel saves a great deal of stress on busy mornings. In Madinah, hotels in the Central Area around Masjid an-Nabawi make it easy to come and go with children between prayers.
Pushchairs, carriers and getting around
On a family Umrah, a lightweight, foldable pushchair is useful in airports, hotel lobbies and the streets around the Haram. Inside the masjid, rules on pushchairs in the mataf and the main prayer areas can change and are enforced more strictly at busy times, so many parents find a soft baby carrier easier during tawaf.
- Choose a compact pushchair that folds with one hand and fits in a hotel lift.
- Bring a baby carrier for tawaf and sa’i with infants and toddlers.
- Use the upper floors for tawaf at busy times; they are longer but usually less crowded.
- Agree a meeting point, such as a numbered gate, and write your hotel name and phone number on a card in each child’s pocket.
Choosing dates for a family Umrah
Most families plan their family Umrah during school holidays, which means the December break, the spring holidays and the summer are among the busiest periods. Booking early gives you the best chance of rooms close to the Haram and convenient flights.
Mild weather and a popular choice for families from the UK, Europe and North America. Read our December Umrah page for timing and crowd advice.
A shorter trip of seven to nine nights works well. The February and October half-terms are popular with UK families.
Longer holidays allow a relaxed pace, but daytime heat in Makkah and Madinah is intense. Plan rites for early morning or late evening.
Deeply rewarding, but crowds are heavy. The first half of the month is often easier with children. See our Ramadan Umrah page.
A child-friendly pace for your family Umrah
Children cope best when days have a rhythm. Many families perform Umrah on the first evening or the following morning after a good sleep, then spend the rest of the trip praying, visiting historic sites and simply enjoying time together in the holy cities.
On a family Umrah, plan ziyarat in short outings rather than one long day. In Madinah, a visit to Quba Mosque and Mount Uhud fits comfortably into a morning. Our Madinah ziyarat guide explains the stories behind each site, which children often enjoy hearing on the way.
Use our free Umrah checklist to pack for everyone, including spare clothes, medicines, snacks and a small first-aid kit. Mothers travelling with young children may also find our Umrah for women guide helpful.
Visas and documents for a family Umrah
Every family member needs a passport with enough validity and the right visa for their nationality. Many nationalities can apply for a tourist eVisa that allows Umrah through the official Saudi visa portal, while others travel on a dedicated Umrah visa. Where parents hold different passports from their children, we check each one separately.
Keep copies of birth certificates if a child’s surname differs from a parent’s, and carry any letters of consent if a child is travelling with only one parent. These small steps help a family Umrah run smoothly at the airport and the hotel.
Family Umrah FAQs
What is the best age to take children on Umrah?
There is no single best age. Many families find that children from around seven upwards remember the trip and can join in the rites, but babies and toddlers travel well too with the right planning.
Do children need a visa for Umrah?
Yes, every traveller, including infants, needs the correct visa and a valid passport. We confirm the requirements for each family member’s nationality when preparing your proposal.
Can we take a pushchair into the Haram?
Rules on pushchairs inside Masjid al-Haram can change and are applied more strictly at busy times. A compact pushchair is useful around the hotel and streets, and a baby carrier is often easier for tawaf.
Can grandparents join a family Umrah?
Of course. We plan short, step-free walks, adjacent rooms and wheelchair assistance where needed, so three generations can travel together comfortably.
How long should a family Umrah be?
Seven to ten nights suits most families, with around four to six nights in Makkah and three or four in Madinah. Longer trips allow a slower pace for young children.
Do you publish family package prices?
No. Room needs vary greatly between families, so we prepare a tailored proposal based on your exact group, dates and hotel preferences.
Plan your family Umrah
Tell us who is travelling, the children's ages and your preferred dates. We will build a calm, child-friendly itinerary around your family.