Travel advice for Hajj and Umrah

Hajj is a religious pilgrimage that starts in Mecca, Saudia Arabia. Every Muslim must complete at least once in their lifetime so long as they are physically able to and debt-free. It takes place every year.³

During the pilgrimage, travellers must complete certain rites. This includes prayers and travelling to religiously significant destinations.³

Like Hajj, Umrah is a pilgrimage that Muslims make to Mecca, Saudia Arabia. However, the conditions for participation are different. While Hajj happens once a year, people can perform Umrah at any time. There are no financial restrictions on who can take part either.

Before travelling to any foreign country, it’s important to understand its travel requirements. Not following local health advice can put your health at risk as well as the people at your destination.

You can check foreign travel advice on gov.uk.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a form of protection that is designed to help you if your holiday doesn’t go as planned. If you are sick, injured or have no way to get home, your travel insurance can help you avoid paying out of pocket for any problems that occur. This includes medical care, which can, depending on your destination, cost thousands of pounds.

Travel insurance can be bought at any time before your trip. But purchasing it as soon as you book your flight can help you stay organised and prepared.

There are lots of places you can buy travel insurance.

• Banks
• Supermarkets
• Online insurance and comparison websites
• Travel agents.

If you need help choosing a travel insurance policy that meets your needs, the Association of British Insurers offers guides to help you make the right choice.

Vaccination

Before travelling to Saudia Arabia, you must have a meningitis ACWY vaccination. This is a requirement for all travellers.

You should also have an up-to-date:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination
• Diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccination.⁴

If you need to get vaccinated, you should do so as soon as you can. You can book a vaccination at some local pharmacies or your GP surgery.

Your fitness and mobility

Both Hajj and Umrah can involve lots of walking and can be physically demanding. On average people can walk between 5-15km per day during Hajj.³

Before you set off for your journey, you should try to exercise regularly. Getting in the habit of daily physical activity can make it easier for you to manage once your pilgrimage has started.

Saudia Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also provides services including transport, mobility aids and support for trained staff for pilgrims with physical disabilities. If you need assistance during your stay, you should plan ahead and contact the relevant organisations and authorities, both at the airport and in the country.⁵

Medication

If you have been prescribed medication, you should make sure that you have enough for the duration of your trip. You can order your prescription medications before you travel with the support of your GP or pharmacist.

Emergency contact

In 2024, 18,277 pilgrims were treated in emergencies. A further 2,463 were hospitalised.¹ Although this was only a small percentage of travellers, having an emergency contact can help if you’re faced with a medical emergency abroad.

An emergency contact can help if you are facing difficult situations abroad. They don’t have to be your next of kin or family member, but they should be able to support you if you need help while travelling.

The person or people you choose may be contacted by medical professionals, and local authorities in case of emergencies.

Temperature

Temperatures in Saudi Arabia change throughout the year, with the summer much warmer than the winter months. However, the winter is considerably warmer than average temperatures in the UK. It’s not unusual for nighttime temperatures to be 20°C or more and daytime temperatures to reach over 30°C.

High temperatures can increase your risk of dehydration, overheating, exhaustion and heatstroke. You should try to avoid direct heat exposure and drink plenty of water. You can also keep cool by:

• Wearing loose clothes
• Wearing natural fibres like cotton and linen
• Wearing hats and using umbrellas
• Sponging yourself with cool water
• Familiarising yourself with your surroundings so you leave quickly if you begin to feel unwell
• Educating yourself on the signs of heat-related illness. You should know the signs and symptoms of heat rash, heat cramps, heat collapse, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Alert your travel companions or medical professionals if you begin to experience any of them.⁶

Emergency services

If you need immediate medical attention, you can contact 911.

Buying a SIM or eSIM before or during your travels will mean that you can contact your emergency contacts, family and friends if you need support. They are widely available and can even be purchased at King Khalid International Airport upon arrival.

Reducing the risk of infection

Hajj and Umrah bring people from around the world together. This can increase the likelihood that you might get an infectious disease. The NHS recommends that you wear face masks in congested areas to prevent the transmission of respiratory diseases7 like COVID-19 and MERS-CoV.

Many pilgrims are also at risk of contracting diseases like the flu, pneumonia and meningitis. Practising regular handwashing, using tissues when coughing and sneezing and avoiding contact with people who already have infectious illnesses can help stop the spread.⁷

Blood-borne viruses

Shaving or trimming your hair is an important part of both Hajj and Umrah. Men are required to shave their heads. You should go to a licenced barber to do this to avoid the use of blades that are not sterile.

Sterilised equipment is free from pathogens like the hepatitis B and C virus and HIV, which can cause disease.

Food and drink

You should avoid drinking water that isn’t bottled or previously boiled. This should help you avoid ingesting harmful bacteria and viruses and any pollutants that might be in local water supplies.

If you are preparing your own food, you should:

• Wash all fruit and vegetables you plan to cook
• Meat and rice should be thoroughly cooked and served hot
• All milk products you eat, or drink should be pasteurised
• Shellfish should be avoided.

Taking anti-diarrhoea medication like loperamide can help you avoid travellers’ diarrhoea and dehydration.