Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How does the Umrah season work?
Umrah can be performed at any time of year, but for international pilgrims the Umrah season is managed around Hajj. It pauses for a period before and during the Hajj season, then reopens after Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces the exact dates each year, and they move with the Hijri calendar.
This guide explains the usual pattern so you can plan. It does not replace the Ministry's announcements: always check the official dates before you book flights, hotels or transport.
The yearly Umrah cycle in Hijri months
| Hijri period | What usually happens | Transport note |
|---|---|---|
| After Hajj | The new international season opens on dates the Ministry announces | The first groups arrive through Jeddah and Madinah airports; vans and buses are in demand |
| Muharram to Sha'ban | Season open | Book transfers once your flights and Nusuk slot are fixed |
| Ramadan | Season open; the busiest Umrah period of the year | Book well ahead; roads near the Haram close before Taraweeh |
| Shawwal to Dhu al-Qadah | The Ministry announces the last dates for international Umrah pilgrims before Hajj | Make sure your return flight fits the announced dates |
| Early Dhu al-Hijjah (Hajj season) | International Umrah paused; Makkah entry limited to Hajj permit holders and others with permission | Only vehicles with Hajj permits enter Makkah and the holy sites |
When are Ramadan and Hajj in the coming years?
Hijri months move about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year, and each month starts with the sighting of the new moon. The dates below are approximate and are only meant to help early planning.
| Year | Ramadan expected to begin | Hajj expected around |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Early February | Mid-May |
| 2028 | Late January | Early May |
| 2029 | Mid-January | Late April |
What changes on the roads around Hajj?
During the Hajj season, the Al Shumaisi checkpoint on the Jeddah to Makkah road checks entry permits, and only vehicles with Hajj permits may enter Makkah and the holy sites. Plan any trip that ends in Makkah with this in mind, even if you are not performing Hajj.
We run licensed Hajj transport for permitted pilgrims and groups. Trips that do not enter Makkah, such as Jeddah to Madinah at 420 km, continue to run, but demand is high around Hajj and Eid al-Adha, so book early.
What if your trip falls close to the pause?
- Check the Ministry's announced last dates for entry and departure before you book flights.
- Book your Nusuk Umrah slot early; slots can fill up in busy periods.
- Perform Umrah early in your trip, so a delay does not push you past the announced dates.
- Keep return flights flexible where you can.
- Do not plan to extend your stay into the Hajj season without checking the rules first.
The first weeks after Umrah reopens
When the new season opens, the first groups arrive quickly. Group buses and family vans are in demand in those weeks, and many charter flights land at night. Book your airport transfer as soon as your flight is confirmed, and give us the flight number so the driver can track it.
Our fares do not rise with demand: every fare is fixed and agreed before the ride, with no surge pricing. A Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi costs from SAR 180 per car, or SAR 330 in a family van, with a 20% night surcharge between 00:00 and 05:00 shown in the quote.
Residents and domestic pilgrims
Residents of Saudi Arabia also book Umrah permits on Nusuk with their Iqama. Permits for residents are usually paused around Hajj as well, so check the app for the dates that apply to you. Residents who are not performing Hajj should also expect Makkah entry checks during the Hajj season.