Umrah is a religious trip that Muslims do to visit Makkah and Madinah. The main parts of Umrah like Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Qasr take around 3 to 6 hours. But full Umrah trip is longer. It includes travel time, rest, and visit to holy places.
Most people choose 7 days for Umrah. This includes 4 days in Makkah and 3 days in Madinah. This time fits the Umrah visa rules from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Some people stay longer, like if they bring old parents or children. Many also go in Ramadan because it gives more reward.
Time can change based on many things. Like if your flight is late or the Masjid al-Haram is crowded, then it can take more time. This blog will explain clearly how many days Umrah takes, what affects the time, and how to plan your trip better.
How Long Does Umrah Take From the USA?
Umrah trip from USA usually takes 7 to 10 days. This includes travel, rest, and visiting both Makkah and Madinah. I took 10 days when I went for Umrah.
Flights from USA are long. After that, we need time to rest before doing Umrah. Also, people like to spend extra time in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabvi. That’s why full trip is not only about one day of rituals. We also count airport time, road travel, hotel check-in, and visiting places.
Umrah Duration From USA: My Exact Travel and Stay
My Umrah trip was for 10 days. First 2 days were for flights and rest. Then 4 days in Makkah and 3 days in Madinah. Last day I flew back home.
I started from New York and reached Jeddah airport. After landing, I was very tired. I went to hotel in Makkah and slept. I performed Umrah the next day. After spending few days in Makkah, I went to Madinah. I visited Rauza-e-Rasool and stayed near Masjid-e-Nabvi.
This plan was not very fast and not very long. It was perfect for me.
Umrah Travel Time From USA to Makkah: Flights and Transit
My flight from USA to Jeddah took around 13 hours. After that, I waited for immigration, got my bags, and took a car to Makkah. That road trip took around 2 hours.
Total travel time from my home to hotel in Makkah was almost 20 hours. Some people may take longer if there is a long stopover. Some airlines have short stops or direct flights. But still, full journey is long and we feel tired after reaching.
Because of this, most people take 1 day to rest before doing Umrah.
How Many Days to Perform Umrah After Reaching Makkah?
Umrah can be done in one day. But it depends on your energy and time. I waited one day after landing, then performed Umrah the next day.
The rituals took me around 5 hours. I did Tawaf, then Sa’i, then Halq. It was crowded so everything was a bit slow. If someone comes in quiet time, maybe it will take less time.
After completing Umrah, I stayed more days to pray and visit other places. In total, I spent 4 days in Makkah. Some people do it faster, some stay longer. It depends on your plan.
What Are the Umrah Days and Rituals Explained Clearly?
Umrah has four parts: putting on Ihram, doing Tawaf, walking in Sa’i, and cutting or shaving hair. I did all of these in one day. Some people do it fast, some slow. It depends on your body and the crowd. I will now tell how I did each part.
Step 1 – Ihram: When and Where I Wore It From USA Flights
I wore my Ihram at the airport during stop in Doha. Before that, I took a shower and got ready. I prayed two rakats and made niyyah. After that, I said Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.
From this time, I followed all the Ihram rules. I did not use perfume, I didn’t cut nails, and I didn’t wear anything stitched. I stayed like this until I finished all the Umrah steps.
Step 2 – Tawaf: How Long Did It Take Me at the Kaaba?
Tawaf took me around 2 and a half hours. I started after Fajr. I made seven rounds around the Kaaba. Each round took 15 to 20 minutes because there were many people.
After seven rounds, I prayed two rakats near Maqam Ibrahim. Then I drank Zamzam water. This was the end of the Tawaf part.
Step 3 – Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah: My Timing and Tips
Sa’i took me one and a half hours. I walked between Safa and Marwah hills seven times. The place is big and covered. There were signs and helpers.
I walked slow and stopped two times to rest. I suggest wearing good slippers and drinking water before starting. It was long, but I felt peaceful.
Step 4 – Hair Trimming/Shaving: End of Rituals Timeframe
After Sa’i, I shaved my head. It took 10 minutes. I went to a barber shop outside Masjid al-Haram. I paid 10 riyals and they shaved it.
This was the end of Umrah. After shaving, I removed Ihram and wore normal clothes. I felt light and thankful that Allah let me complete Umrah.
How Many Days Needed for Umrah if You’re Coming From USA?
You need at least 7 to 10 days for Umrah if you come from USA. Flights are long and you also need rest after reaching. I did Umrah in 10 days, and it was a good plan for me.
Some people try to do it in 5 to 7 days, but that becomes a little rushed. The Umrah rituals take just one day, but full trip takes more days because of travel, jet lag, and visiting Madinah.
My Umrah Trip Length for Americans: 5 to 7 Days Itinerary
If you want short trip, 7-day plan is okay. I followed this type of plan when I went:
- Day 1: Flight from USA
- Day 2: Reach Jeddah, go to Makkah, rest
- Day 3: Perform Umrah
- Day 4: Stay in Makkah and pray
- Day 5: Go to Madinah
- Day 6: Visit Masjid-e-Nabvi and Rauza-e-Rasool
- Day 7: Fly back to USA
This plan worked good for me. I had enough time to rest and complete everything. If someone wants to stay more, they can extend to 10 or 14 days.
What Affects Umrah Duration? Flights, Jet Lag, and Group Travel
These things made my Umrah trip longer:
- Flight Time: My flight was 13 hours. With airport wait and road travel, it became more than 20 hours total.
- Jet Lag: I was very tired after landing. I took one full day to sleep before doing Umrah.
- Traveling with Family: I went with my parents. We moved slowly. In Tawaf and Sa’i, I had to walk slow because of them.
If you go alone, it is faster. With family or kids, trip becomes longer.
Typical Umrah Itinerary USA-Based Travelers Follow
Most people from USA go for 7 to 10 days. It is a common plan. It gives time for flights, resting, and rituals.
People usually stay:
- 4 days in Makkah
- 3 days in Madinah
- 1 or 2 days for travel
If someone wants to save time, they skip Madinah. But I think going to Rauza-e-Rasool is very important, so I added that.
Some people go in Ramadan to get more reward, but that time is crowded and harder. I went in a regular month and it was easier.
What Is the Shortest Umrah Package From USA?
The shortest Umrah package I saw was 5 to 7 days. Most of them don’t include Madinah. You just go, do Umrah, and come back. I saw some people taking this option because they don’t have many holidays.
But this type of trip feels very fast. There is not much time for rest or extra prayers. For me, it felt too short for a big worship like Umrah.
Can Umrah Be Done in One Day After Arrival in Makkah?
Yes, Umrah can be done in one day. The full ritual takes around 4 to 6 hours. But after long flight from USA, I felt too tired.
When I reached my hotel in Makkah, I just wanted to sleep. Some people go straight to Masjid al-Haram and do Tawaf, Sa’i, and shave hair right away. But I waited till next morning. That way, I had more energy and peace.
What I Noticed in Short Packages: Less Rest, More Rush
Short trips mean less rest and more rush. I met one brother at the hotel. He was on 5-day package. He said everything was fast — flight, arrival, Umrah, and going back.
He looked tired. He didn’t go to Madinah. He told me he wanted more time to pray and visit places, but his group didn’t allow. Even his Tawaf was rushed because they were checking time again and again.
Why I Chose a Longer Umrah for Peace and Worship
I chose longer Umrah so I could pray with peace. I took 10 days. First day was travel, second day rest, third day Umrah. Then I stayed in Makkah for few days and then went to Madinah.
I prayed in Masjid al-Haram and later in Masjid an-Nabawi. I visited holy places, sat quietly, read Qur’an, and made dua. There was no pressure. It felt peaceful. I was not running after time.
What Is the Umrah Visa Days Limit for USA Travelers?
Umrah visa for people from USA gives 90 days. This means you can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. You must enter and leave inside this time.
When I got my visa, I saw the entry and exit dates. My agent told me not to stay more than the visa time, or I can get fine.
Umrah Visa Validity, Entry Rules, and Exit Timeline
This visa is for one time only. You can go to Saudi Arabia one time and do Umrah. After that, you must leave. You cannot use same visa again.
Also, Umrah visa is closed during Hajj season. Like in Shawwal, Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah, they stop Umrah visas. So I booked my trip in other month.
I checked my visa expiry before booking return ticket. It’s important to leave before that date.
Planning My Stay According to the Visa Duration
I made my Umrah plan based on the visa days. Even though visa gave 90 days, I stayed only 10 days. I kept it short because of job and budget.
First I checked flights. Then I made plan for Makkah and Madinah. I kept 1 extra day in case something goes wrong.
I didn’t want to rush. So I prayed, visited places, and came back on time. My advice: always check your visa last day and plan before that.
Summary: Umrah Duration From USA Based on My Experience
Umrah from USA takes about 7 to 10 days. The Umrah ritual itself is short. I did it in one day. But full trip takes more time because of flight, jet lag, and stay in Makkah and Madinah.
I stayed 10 days. It was not too short and not too long. I had time to rest and pray. It felt peaceful.
How Many Days Is Umrah If You’re Traveling From USA?
If you travel from USA, you should plan at least 7 days. Some people try 5 days, but it is too fast. You land, do Umrah, and leave.
I think 7 to 10 days is better. This way, you don’t rush. You can rest, do Umrah, and also visit Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah if you want.
What I Recommend for First-Time American Pilgrims
If it is your first time, take 10 days if possible. That gives time for everything. You can rest after flight, do Umrah next day, and also go to Madinah.
Don’t try to finish fast. I saw people rushing. They looked tired. But I did everything slowly and felt more peace in my heart. That is why I think longer trip is better.