For British Muslim families with school-age children, the Christmas holidays are one of the few times everyone can travel together. Two weeks off school, often a quieter time at work, and mild weather in Saudi Arabia make it a natural moment for Umrah. The challenge is fitting a meaningful trip into a short window while keeping young travellers happy, rested and safe.
This guide sets out a practical ten-day itinerary built around children, from toddlers to teenagers. It assumes you’re travelling with one of the Umrah packages UK travel firms offer that include flights, hotels and transfers, starting in Madinah and finishing in Makkah. Every family is different, so treat it as a starting point and adjust it to your children’s ages and energy.
Quick answer: how do you plan a Christmas holiday Umrah with children?
• Aim for around ten days within the school holidays, so there’s no need to take children out of school.
• Start in Madinah, which is calmer and flatter, then move to Makkah for Umrah.
• Do Tawaf and Sa’i at quieter times, such as after Fajr.
• Build in rest every afternoon.
• Book months ahead, as the Christmas period is one of the busiest of the year.
When are the UK Christmas school holidays?
Most schools in England break up in the week before Christmas and return in the first week of January, giving around two weeks off. Dates vary by local authority and between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check your school’s calendar before booking. Taking children out of school in term time is rarely authorised in England and can lead to fines, so most families stay within the holiday dates.
The 10-day itinerary at a glance
Here’s a simple plan that balances worship, rest and a little sightseeing.
| Day | Where | Plan |
| 1 | UK to Madinah | Fly out, check in, rest. Short walk to the Prophet’s Mosque if everyone has energy. |
| 2 | Madinah | Pray at the Prophet’s Mosque. Visit the date market. Early night. |
| 3 | Madinah | Ziyarat tour: Masjid Quba, Mount Uhud, Masjid al-Qiblatain. Rawdah visit if booked. |
| 4 | Madinah to Makkah | Enter Ihram at the Miqat. Train or coach to Makkah. Rest before Umrah. |
| 5 | Makkah | Perform Umrah after Fajr, when it’s calmer. Rest in the afternoon. |
| 6 | Makkah | Prayers at Masjid al-Haram. Quiet family time. Optional extra Tawaf. |
| 7 | Makkah | Morning visit to the Hira Cultural District or Mina and Arafat. |
| 8 | Makkah | Free day for worship, rest and shopping for gifts. |
| 9 | Makkah | Final prayers and farewell Tawaf if you wish. Pack and weigh bags. |
| 10 | Jeddah to UK | Transfer to Jeddah airport and fly home. |
Why start in Madinah?
Starting in Madinah gives the whole family time to recover from the flight and get used to the routine of prayers before the busier days in Makkah. The streets around the Prophet’s Mosque are flat, the hotels are close by, and the atmosphere is calm, which suits children well. It also means you enter Ihram on the way to Makkah, at the Miqat outside Madinah, rather than on the plane.
If your package flies into Jeddah instead, simply reverse the order: Umrah in Makkah first, then Madinah to finish. Men will need to be in Ihram before the plane crosses the Miqat.
How to make Umrah work for children
Choose quiet times
The area around the Kaaba gets very crowded, especially in the evenings over the holidays. Plan Tawaf and Sa’i straight after the Fajr prayer, when it’s cooler and calmer. With very young children, consider doing Tawaf on the upper floors, where there’s more room.
Keep everyone together
• Give each child a card or wristband with your phone number and hotel name.
• Agree a meeting point at a numbered gate on the first day.
• Dress children in a bright colour so they’re easy to spot.
• Take turns with another adult so one person can rest.
Explain what’s happening
Before the trip, tell children the story of Ibrahim, Hajar and Ismail, which sits behind the rituals. Let them walk around a model Kaaba at home and practise the Talbiyah. Children who understand what they’re seeing are much calmer and more involved.
Look after their energy
Rest every afternoon. Bring snacks, water and a change of clothes everywhere. A light pushchair is useful for younger children in the hotel and the streets.
Keeping teenagers involved
Teenagers can find a family pilgrimage either deeply moving or a bit of a chore, and much depends on how involved they feel. Give them real responsibilities: looking after a younger sibling during Tawaf, keeping track of the group’s meeting point, or managing the family’s Nusuk bookings on their phone. Encourage them to keep a short journal or write down their own duas. Many teenagers also enjoy the historic visits in Madinah, such as Mount Uhud, where the story of the battle comes alive. Let them have some quiet time to themselves at the mosque, too. For many young people, the first sight of the Kaaba is a turning point they remember for years.
What is the weather like in December?
December is one of the most comfortable months in Saudi Arabia. Makkah is warm during the day, often around 30°C, with pleasant evenings. Madinah is cooler, and nights and early mornings can feel chilly. Pack light clothes for the day and a warm layer for the evenings and for air-conditioned buildings.
How to keep costs under control
Demand peaks over the holidays, so it pays to plan carefully. December Umrah Packages from UK are usually most expensive in the week between Christmas and New Year, when the largest number of families travel. If your school breaks up early enough, travelling in the first few days of the holiday can be noticeably cheaper. A few other ways to save:
• Book several months ahead, as hotels close to the mosques fill first.
• Share a room as a family. Packages are often priced for four sharing.
• Ask whether children’s prices are lower and whether infants need their own seat.
• Check what’s included, such as the visa, transfers, meals and the train between the cities.
• Ask about paying a deposit and the rest in interest-free instalments.
In December 2026, the Islamic month of Rajab is also expected to begin around the middle of the month, a sacred month in which many Muslims try to increase their worship. Dates depend on the moon sighting.
What paperwork do children need?
Every child needs their own passport, valid for at least six months from the arrival date, and their own visa. British passport holders can apply for a Saudi visa online, directly or through a travel firm. Children may also need a meningococcal ACWY vaccination, depending on age, given at least ten days before arrival, so speak to your GP early. Book Umrah permits for the family on the official Nusuk app, and take out travel insurance that covers everyone.
Book with a firm that holds an ATOL licence, which you can check on the Civil Aviation Authority website, and check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Saudi Arabia before you go.
Packing list for children
• Comfortable, worn-in shoes or sandals
• Light clothes plus a jumper for evenings
• A small backpack with snacks, water and wipes
• A favourite toy or book for the flights and hotel
• Any medicines, in original packaging, in hand luggage
• For boys old enough to wear it, a small set of Ihram if you plan for them to wear one
Frequently asked questions
Can I take children on Umrah over the Christmas holidays?
Yes. Many UK families do. Plan Tawaf for quieter times and build in plenty of rest.
Is December a good month for Umrah with children?
Yes. The mild weather makes it far easier than summer, though the holiday period is busy.
Do children need a visa for Umrah?
Yes. Each child needs their own passport and visa.
Should we start in Makkah or Madinah?
Starting in Madinah is often easier with children, as it’s calmer and lets everyone recover from the journey.
Key takeaways
• Ten days within the school holidays is enough for a relaxed family Umrah.
• Start in Madinah, then move to Makkah for Umrah.
• Do Tawaf after Fajr and rest every afternoon.
• The week between Christmas and New Year costs the most, so book early.
Sources and further reading
GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Saudi Arabia; local authority school term dates; Department for Education guidance on school attendance; the official Nusuk platform; the Civil Aviation Authority ATOL checker.
Taking children to the House of Allah is a gift that stays with them for life. With a gentle pace and a bit of planning, the Christmas holidays can become the start of a family tradition.