Choosing between a group and a private Umrah package is one of the first decisions most UK pilgrims face, and it shapes almost everything that follows: what you pay, who you travel with, how much freedom you have, and how much support is on hand if something goes wrong.
which should you choose?
A group package usually suits you if you are performing Umrah for the first time with the 4 star Umrah Packages, want practical and religious guidance throughout, prefer a fixed itinerary, or want to keep costs lower.
A private package usually suits you if you are travelling with young children or elderly parents, need a slower pace or extra accessibility support, want to choose your own dates, hotels or length of stay, or prefer to perform Umrah without a larger party.
Many travellers land in the middle. Small family groups, women-only groups and “semi-private” arrangements (your own transport and hotel choices, with optional guidance) sit between the two. If a provider offers this, ask exactly what is shared and what is private.
Whichever you choose, one rule applies to both: if your package includes flights and accommodation and is sold by a UK company, check that it is ATOL protected and that you receive an ATOL Certificate.
What do “group” and “private” Umrah packages actually mean?
There is no single legal definition, so the terms vary between providers. Always read the itinerary rather than relying on the label.
Group Umrah packages
You travel on set dates with other pilgrims, usually from a UK airport on the same flights. Transfers, ziyarah (visits to historic sites) and sometimes religious talks are organised for the whole party, and a group leader or guide is normally on hand. Group size varies widely, from a few families to a large party, so it is worth asking how many people to expect.
Private (or tailor-made) Umrah packages
A private package is arranged around you, your family or a small party you know. Dates, hotels, room types, length of stay and airport transfers are usually chosen with you rather than set in advance. Some include a private guide or driver. Others simply give you more control over the logistics.
A note on “DIY” Umrah
Some pilgrims skip packages altogether and book flights, hotels and permits separately. This can work for experienced travellers, but it changes your consumer protection (see the ATOL section below), so it is a different decision from group versus private.
Group Umrah packages: pros and cons
Advantages
- Often lower cost per person. Providers can book flights, rooms and transport in volume, which can reduce the price you pay. This is not guaranteed, so compare like for like.
- Guidance built in. For first-timers, having someone explain the stages of Umrah, the order of rites and what to do if you become separated from your party can be reassuring.
- Less to organise. Transfers, check-ins and ziyarah are arranged for you.
- Companionship. Many pilgrims value travelling alongside others, and some UK groups are organised through local communities or mosques.
- Support in numbers. If a flight is delayed or a problem arises, a group leader can usually act for the whole party.
Disadvantages
- Fixed dates and itinerary. You go when the group goes, and may have limited say over free time.
- Pace may not suit everyone. A group moves at its own speed, which can be difficult for those who tire easily or need frequent rests.
- Shared decisions. Hotels, transport and meal arrangements are typically set in advance.
- Group dynamics. Large parties can feel busy, and the quality of the experience depends heavily on the group leader and the other travellers.
- Less privacy for families who would prefer to worship together without a wider party.
Private Umrah packages: pros and cons
Advantages
- Flexibility. You can often choose departure airport, dates, number of nights and the split between Makkah and Madinah.
- A pace that suits your family. This matters with children, elderly relatives, or anyone with health or mobility needs.
- More choice over accommodation and room types. For example, interconnecting rooms for families, or a specific hotel category.
- Private transfers. Many private packages use smaller vehicles rather than a large coach, which can be easier with luggage, wheelchairs or tired children.
- Greater privacy and focus. You decide how to structure your worship, rest and visits.
Disadvantages
- Usually higher cost per person. You are paying for flexibility and smaller-scale arrangements. The difference varies by season, hotel and flight.
- Less built-in guidance. Unless you pay for a guide, you may need to learn the rites in advance or rely on your own preparation.
- More decisions to make. Flexibility is only an advantage if you are comfortable using it.
- Quality varies by provider. Because every package is bespoke, it is even more important to have the inclusions written down.
Group vs. private Umrah at a glance
| Factor | Group package | Private package |
| Typical cost | Often lower per person | Often higher per person |
| Dates | Fixed departures | Usually flexible (subject to flights and Saudi season rules) |
| Itinerary | Set in advance | Can be tailored |
| Guidance | Commonly included | Optional or arranged separately |
| Pace | Follows the group | Set by you |
| Privacy | Shared with others | High |
| Best for | First-timers, budget-conscious travellers, those wanting structure | Families, elderly or less mobile pilgrims, flexible travellers |
| ATOL protection | Required if sold as a UK flight-inclusive package | Required if sold as a UK flight-inclusive package |
Prices and inclusions vary by provider and time of year. Treat this table as a guide to what to ask, not a promise of what any provider offers.
Which type suits which traveller? (Illustrative examples)
These are hypothetical scenarios to help you think through your own situation. They are not case studies or customer stories.
A first-time pilgrim travelling alone from the UK. A group package can provide structure and people to ask when you are unsure. Check what guidance is actually included and how large the group is.
A family with young children. A private or small-family package may allow rest breaks, nearby accommodation and flexible meal times. Ask about family rooms and how much walking is involved between your hotel and the mosque.
Adult children taking elderly parents. Accessibility often matters more than price. Ask about wheelchair assistance, transport from the hotel, walking distances in metres, and whether the itinerary can be slowed down.
A couple wanting a quieter journey. A private package may suit you if flexibility and privacy matter more than cost. Alternatively, a small-group departure can offer a balance.
A group of friends or an extended family. If you already have a party of your own, a private “group” booking tailored to you may be the best of both worlds.
What about women travelling for Umrah?
Women from the UK often ask whether they need a mahram (a close male relative) and whether a group is the safer choice.
Two things need to be kept separate:
- Saudi entry rules. The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah announced that women of any age may perform Hajj and Umrah without a mahram. Check the current position on the official Saudi platforms before you travel.
- Islamic scholarly opinion. Scholars differ on this question. Some Islamic institutions maintain that a woman should be accompanied by her husband or a mahram, while others, including some Maliki and Shafi’i scholars as cited in reporting on the announcement, permit travel in a group of trustworthy women. If this matters to you, speak to a qualified scholar you trust, and tell your travel provider what you need (for example, a women-only group or accompanied travel).
From a practical standpoint, many women choose a group or women-only package for company and support, but this is a personal and religious decision rather than a rule that applies to everyone.
Check this before you book either type
Most problems pilgrims report with Umrah travel come down to unclear inclusions, unverified providers or missing protection. These checks apply to both group and private packages.
1. ATOL protection (UK)
ATOL stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing and is run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It protects you when you book a package that includes a flight with a UK company. If you buy an ATOL-protected trip, you should be given an ATOL Certificate. If you do not receive one, the booking is not ATOL protected.
Points worth knowing:
- Accommodation-only bookings are not ATOL protected, because there is no flight.
- ATOL covers the failure of a travel company. It does not cover cancellations, complaints or illness, so you still need good travel insurance.
- The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises that travel agents or operators should be ATOL protected when you book Umrah.
- The CAA has previously warned about fake deals and unlicensed companies targeting Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and about companies that falsely claim ATOL protection. Check the company’s name on the CAA’s ATOL checker rather than relying on a logo or a recommendation.
- If you book flights and accommodation separately, you may be creating your own arrangement rather than buying a protected package, so ask what protection applies before paying.
UK package travel is also covered by consumer regulations, which are enforced by Trading Standards. [CONFIRM current legislation reference before publishing: the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.]
2. Visa and permits
British nationals who live outside Saudi Arabia can apply to perform Umrah through the official Nusuk platform. GOV.UK also states that you can apply for an e-visa or electronic visa waiver to perform Alkareem Travel Umrah outside the Hajj season. Visa types, fees, processing times and season dates change, so confirm them on the official Saudi platforms and GOV.UK rather than relying on a blog post, including this one. Ask your provider exactly what it handles (visa, permits, Nusuk bookings) and what you need to do yourself.
3. Health requirements
GOV.UK says you must hold a valid certificate of vaccination against the ACWY strains of meningitis at least 10 days before arriving for Hajj and Umrah. Check the TravelHealthPro Hajj and Umrah guide and speak to your GP or a travel clinic well in advance. UKHSA also advises being up to date with routine vaccinations such as MMR and DTP.
4. Inclusions in writing
Ask for a full written itinerary that states:
- Flights: airline, departure airport, baggage allowance and whether they are direct or indirect.
- Hotels: names, star ratings, number of nights in Makkah and Madinah, board basis (room only, breakfast, half or full board) and the walking distance to the mosque, ideally stated in metres and from which gate or entrance.
- Transfers: vehicle type, who meets you at the airport, and whether the transport between Makkah and Madinah is included.
- Guidance: whether a scholar or guide is included, how many people they look after and what they will do.
- Ziyarah: what is included and what costs extra.
- Group size (for group packages) and who your point of contact is on the ground.
- Cancellation, amendment and refund terms.
- What is not included, such as meals, insurance, Nusuk-related extras or optional upgrades.
5. Payment and paperwork
Keep your contract, invoices and ATOL Certificate. Where possible, pay by a method that offers additional consumer protection, and be wary of anyone who asks for payment only in cash or to a personal account. Official guidance from the FCDO warns that UK-based organised crime groups target people planning Hajj or Umrah trips.
Frequently asked questions
Is a group Umrah package cheaper than a private one?
Often, but not always. Group packages can spread costs across many travellers, so the price per person is frequently lower. Private packages can cost more because they are tailored. Prices depend on the season, hotel, flights and inclusions, so compare written quotes for the same dates and standard of accommodation.
Is a group package better for first-time pilgrims?
Many first-timers prefer groups because guidance is built in. However, a private package with a guide can offer the same support at a more personal pace. The key is what guidance is actually provided, not the label on the package.
Can I perform Umrah privately but still have a guide?
Yes. Some providers offer private packages with an optional guide or scholar. Ask whether this is included or an extra, and how it is delivered.
Which is better for elderly parents?
Usually whichever allows more control over pace, accommodation location and accessibility support. This often points towards a private or small-group arrangement, but a well-run group with suitable assistance can also work. Discuss mobility needs in detail before booking.
Do group and private packages both need ATOL protection?
If a UK company sells a package that includes a flight, ATOL protection is expected, whether the package is group or private. You should receive an ATOL Certificate. Accommodation-only arrangements are not ATOL protected.
Can I book flights and a hotel separately instead of buying a package?
You can, but you may not receive the same financial protection as with an ATOL-protected package. Also check how your visa, permits and any Nusuk bookings will work. This route suits experienced travellers who are confident managing each element.
Do women need a mahram for Umrah?
Saudi rules and scholarly opinions are two separate matters. Saudi authorities have said women can travel without a mahram, while scholars differ on the religious position. See the section above and consult a scholar if you are unsure.
How early should I book?
As early as is practical, particularly for school holidays and Ramadan, when demand is typically high. Booking early also leaves time for vaccinations, passport checks and visa or permit arrangements.
Conclusion
The right choice between a group and a private Umrah package depends on what matters most to you: lower cost and built-in guidance, or flexibility and privacy. Neither is more virtuous or more authentic; what matters is that the arrangement allows you to focus on your worship in comfort and safety.
Whichever route you take, be clear about what is included in writing, check ATOL protection and your ATOL Certificate, confirm visa, permit and health requirements through official sources, and speak to a scholar about any religious questions.
