Ratgeber
Planning an Umrah trip from Switzerland
You plan an Umrah trip from Switzerland in several steps: travel season, flight, accommodation, group or individual travel and documents. The applicable entry and Umrah regulations change, so check the current status with the FDFA (EDA) and the FOPH (BAG) and with the official Saudi authorities. Halal Travel is a Swiss travel agency with video consultation.
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Schritt für Schritt
- Check current regulations with the FDFA, the FOPH and official bodies
- Set the travel season, also with Ramadan in mind
- Choose flight and accommodation by location and group size
- Clarify additional needs such as a wheelchair or childcare
- Gather documents, insurance and vaccination notes
- Discuss the offer by video call and book
Checkliste
- Passport with sufficient validity
- Current regulations checked with the FDFA, the FOPH and official bodies
- Vaccination notes discussed with a family doctor or travel medicine service
- Accommodation location relative to the sanctuary checked
- IDs for all fellow travellers to hand
- Travel health insurance taken out
- Comfortable clothing and shoes packed
- Spare medication in original packaging
For many Muslims Umrah is a special journey that requires careful preparation. This guide gives a general overview of planning steps from Switzerland. It contains no assurances on visas, admission or regulations. These are set by the competent authorities and may change.
Basics and official sources of information
Saudi Arabia sets the regulations for entry and Umrah and adjusts them from time to time. So never rely on old travel reports. Check the current status with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Office of Public Health and the official Saudi authorities.
We at Halal Travel give no assurances on visas or admission. We help with organising flight and accommodation and point out matters you should clarify with the authorities.
Documents and regulations can change at short notice. So decide early who in your group is responsible for checking, and note the date on which you last checked the information. A second look shortly before departure is worthwhile.
Travel season and Ramadan
Demand rises sharply in certain weeks, especially around Ramadan and the school holidays. Flights and accommodation near the sanctuary are then scarcer. Plan early if your trip falls in this period.
Outside peak periods the choice is usually larger and the routes are calmer. Also consider the climate, because the summer months are very hot. More on travel seasons in the guide Travelling around Ramadan and Eid.
Allow enough buffer for dealings with authorities, if documents are needed for your trip. Do not count on short-notice solutions, as processing times vary. We give no assurances on this and refer to the competent bodies for binding information.
Flight and getting there from Switzerland
From Switzerland you reach the region by direct flight or with a stopover, depending on the airline. Plan stopovers generously, especially with children or older fellow travellers. Also check how luggage and wheelchairs are handled.
If you need a break before or after Umrah, you can plan a stopover in a city such as Doha or Dubai. This splits the journey and makes it more pleasant, especially on long flights.
When choosing the flight, look at arrival times. Night arrivals with children or older people are tiring. An arrival in the morning or afternoon eases the start and leaves time for rest before the first item on the programme.
Accommodation and getting around on site
For accommodation, location, access for people with reduced mobility and room layout matter. Ask about the distance to the most important places and about transfer offers. Have the property's details confirmed in writing.
Expect a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes, breaks and a calm daily plan make the trip easier. Families with children benefit from rooms with a connecting door or an apartment.
Clarify meals on site. Restaurants and shops are usually found near the accommodation. If needed, ask about half board or about options for preparing or storing medication and children's food.
Travelling with family and older fellow travellers
With children or older relatives a flexible plan is worthwhile. Plan rest periods and clarify in advance which help is available at the airport and on site. A wheelchair or escort service should be registered with the airline in good time.
Discuss vaccinations and medication with your family doctor or a travel medicine service. We give no medical advice on this but refer to the FOPH as a source of information.
If you travel in a group, discuss responsibilities in advance: who coordinates, who manages documents, who looks after support for older fellow travellers? A clear plan prevents uncertainty on the way and leaves more room for the actual purpose of the trip.
What we take over in planning
We at Halal Travel help with flight, accommodation and additional services and record your wishes in the offer. We give no information on religious questions and make no assurances on visas or regulations.
Consultation takes place by video call, at a time that suits you. You then receive a non-binding offer that you can discuss calmly with your family.
