Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What are the Umrah steps, in order?
The Umrah steps follow a sequence that scholars generally agree on: enter Ihram at or before the Miqat, perform Tawaf, pray two rak'ahs, perform Sa'i, then shave or trim the hair. This guide covers the timing and logistics around each step, so you can plan flights, taxis and rest. For the rulings themselves, such as what to do if you make a mistake, ask a scholar you trust.
You also need an Umrah permit, booked as a time slot on Nusuk; our guide to the Umrah permit on Nusuk explains it. The times below are broad ranges, not promises.
| Step | What happens | Where | Rough time (varies with crowds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ihram | Wash, put on Ihram clothing and make the intention | At or before the Miqat on your route | 30 to 45 minutes at a roadside Miqat; done on board if you fly in |
| 2. Tawaf | Seven circuits around the Kaaba, anti-clockwise, starting and ending in line with the Black Stone | Al-Masjid al-Haram, on the ground floor or the upper levels | Often 30 minutes to well over an hour |
| 3. Two rak'ahs | A short prayer after Tawaf; many pilgrims then drink Zamzam | Behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is room, or elsewhere in the mosque | Often 10 to 30 minutes, depending on space |
| 4. Sa'i | Seven laps between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah | The Mas'a gallery, inside the mosque complex | Often 45 minutes to over an hour |
| 5. Halq or taqsir | Men shave or trim the hair; women trim a small length | Near the Haram or at your hotel in Makkah | A few minutes, plus any queue |
Before Makkah: when and where do you enter Ihram?
Where you enter Ihram depends on how you arrive. If you fly to Jeddah for Umrah, your flight passes a Miqat before landing, so most pilgrims change before boarding or on board, and many airlines announce when the plane is near the Miqat. If you start in Madinah, your taxi stops at Dhul Hulayfah on the road to Makkah; allow 30 to 45 minutes. Our guide to the Miqat locations shows which Miqat each road passes.
- Pack your Ihram clothing in your hand luggage, not in the hold.
- Use unscented soap and toiletries; perfume is avoided once you are in Ihram.
- If you are already in Makkah and want another Umrah, you go out to a point such as Masjid Aisha at Al-Tan'eem, about 7 km from the Haram, from SAR 60 per car each way.
How long does Tawaf take?
Tawaf is seven circuits around the Kaaba, anti-clockwise, with the Kaaba on your left. Close to the Kaaba each circuit is short, but the crowd can be dense. The upper levels have a much longer circuit, so each lap takes longer, though the flow can be steadier. A Tawaf can take well under an hour when the mosque is calm and much longer when it is crowded.
Tawaf pauses when the congregational prayer begins, so a Tawaf started just before a prayer takes longer. Ramadan and Fridays are among the busiest times. At busy times the authorities may limit the area closest to the Kaaba to pilgrims in Ihram, and these arrangements change, so follow the mosque staff on the day.
After the seventh circuit come the two rak'ahs and, for many pilgrims, a drink of Zamzam from the coolers in the mosque. It is a good moment to rest briefly and check that your group is together before Sa'i.
- Agree who in your group counts the circuits, or use a small counter.
- Choose a meeting point in case anyone is separated, and tell children where it is.
How long does Sa'i take?
Sa'i is seven laps between the hills of Safa and Marwah, inside the long Mas'a gallery. You start at Safa and finish at Marwah: Safa to Marwah counts as one lap and Marwah back to Safa as the second. At a steady walking pace, with normal crowds, Sa'i often takes 45 minutes to over an hour. Green lights mark a stretch where men hurry their pace.
Sa'i is a long walk on hard floors, and it is often where elderly pilgrims and children tire most. Wheelchairs and electric carts are offered in the mosque; ask the staff about current arrangements.
Shaving or trimming: the end of Umrah
Men end Umrah by shaving the head or trimming the hair; women trim a small length of hair. Barbers work in the streets and hotel areas around the Haram, and queues can build at busy times, so ask your hotel where the nearest one is before you go. With that, the restrictions of Ihram end. Ask a scholar you trust about the details of halq and taqsir, and about any step you are unsure of.
Planning your arrival day around Umrah
Many pilgrims who fly to Jeddah go to the hotel first, leave their bags and rest, then walk or take a short taxi to the Haram. Build the day from your flight time, and leave a margin before your Nusuk slot.
Check-in times are set by each hotel, so read our guide to hotel check-in times and Umrah transfers if you land early in the morning.
| Stage | Typical time | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration and baggage at Jeddah | Varies by flight and season | Your driver tracks the flight and waits free for 60 minutes after landing |
| Jeddah Airport to a Makkah hotel | 1 h 25 min | 102 km, from SAR 180 per car |
| Walk or short taxi to the Haram | Depends on your hotel area | City rides from SAR 60 per car from Kudai or Aziziyah |
| The Umrah rites | Often two to four hours in total | Longer in Ramadan and on Fridays |
Getting back to your hotel after Umrah
Roads closest to the Haram close at peak prayer times, so a taxi usually cannot wait at the gate. Agree a pickup point a short walk from the mosque before you go in, save the driver's WhatsApp number and share your live location when you come out.
If you stay in Kudai or Aziziyah, an hourly driver in Makkah, from SAR 80 per hour with a 3-hour minimum, can drop you, wait away from the centre and come back when you message.