Assalam Alaikum.
As you embark on your sacred Umrah journey, we aim to alleviate any concerns related to planning and packing. This list has been thoughtfully curated to help you concentrate on dhikr and ibadah without worrying about finding the nearest super market. It draws inspiration from my personal Umrah experience, as well as insights from friends and clients. Please note that these are merely recommendations from Zasha World Travel, and there is no obligation to purchase any of these items.
Travel Essentials
Passports and Visas
Proof of Covid Vaccination (card or photo on the phone)
Money: You can exchange your money at the airport upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, at local banks, or at money exchangers in Makkah and Madinah
Debit/Credit Cards: Recommended to take the cards with no foreign transaction fees
Emergency Contact Numbers
Copies of Passports, Visas, Flight tickets
Non-Medical Face Masks: Highly recommended to wear in the airports, flights and crowded areas. Face Masks
Use a good travel passport bag to conveniently carry all the important documents. Here are some recommendations. Passport Holder , Money Belt , Small Sling Bag
Luggage
Hard-Shell and big suitcases are increasingly becoming difficult to fit in taxis, trains and buses. ZWT recommends the following for your check-in luggage. Wheeled Rolling Duffel Bag , 25-Inch Soft Shell Suitcase OR Expandable Duffle Bag
Many airlines are asking passengers to check-in their 21-Inch carry on suitcases. This is not possible when you pack Ihrams and essentials in the carry on luggage. ZWT highly recommends using backpacks or small duffle bags for carry on. Wheeled backpack , Small Duffle bag , Duffle with shoe compartment (to store shoes after changing into Ihram). Keep some ziploc bags in different sizes.
Backpack Or Tote Bags for flights. Light Backpack , Big Tote Bag Pack Ihrams, waist belts, accessories, and sandals in carry on.
Backpack Or Sling bag to carry cash, footwear and phones into the masjid Lightweight Backpack , Sling Bag
Extra Lightweight Foldable Duffle bag to pack extra stuff on your return journey.
Keep one copy of all your passports and visas in a check-in bag and one copy in a carry on bag. You can also scan and save them to your phones.
Keep one plastic bag, the size of a grocery bag in each backpack or sling bag to carry your shoes and other footwear. Keep some extra in other bags.
Keep one big trash bag in each of the check-in bags to separate any dirty laundry from the clean one.
Take a light weight water bottle for each person not only to use during travel but also to fill up with zamzam water when you are in the haram. Water Bottles .
Luggage Tags. Simple Tags for every piece of luggage.
Travel Neck Pillow. Neck Pillow 1 , Neck Pillow 2
Prayer Essentials to pack in Carry On bags
Plastic Prayer Mat to use inside or outside haram. Prayer Mat
Umrah Guide Book. Hajj and Umrah Spiral Guide , Umrah, All you need to know .
Preparation
Studying the Seerah (Biography of Prophet Mohammad (SAW)) before going on Umrah is beneficial for comprehending the procedures and understanding the significance of the historical places to visit during Umrah.
Books For adults: Seerah By Dr Yasir Qadhi , The Simple Seerah , The Sealed Nectar
Books For Children: Getting to Know Prophet Mohammad , The Story of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, 101 Seerah Stories and Dua, 101 Quran Stories and Dua,
Documenting your Umrah experience is a wonderful way to preserve the memories in this Guide,Planner & Journal
Clothing & Accessories
Safety Pins/Clips for Ihram
Comfortable, Loose-Fitting Clothes
For men, the Saudi Thobe and the Indo-Pak Shalwar Kameez are ideal.
For women, the Abaya is the best option.
In Ihram, men must wear slides or sandals, no shoes. Women can wear socks and sandals. Do not pack brand new shoes or sandals. Wear them for a few days, get comfortable in them. Sandals 1 , Sandals 2 , Men's Sandals 1 , Men's Sandals 2
You will be doing a lot of walking during your trip. It helps a lot to wear comfortable walking shoes. Women's Shoes 1 , Women's Shoes 2 , Men's shoes 1 , Men's Shoes 2
Women can do tawaf and Saii with socks on. Wearing good slip resistant socks helps. Men can do the same after Umrah for regular salat and walking around the masjid and hotel. Slides with socks are comfortable and convenient. Here are ZWT recommendations. Non-slip Socks , Non-slip Socks 2 , Non-slip Ankle Socks
Pack Light Jacket / Poncho for the rain. Men's , Women's, Reusable Ponchos, Disposable Ponchos
Umbrellas are useful not just for rain but also to protect from the hot afternoon sun. Compact Umbrella
Toiletries / Hygiene
You must use fragrance-free toiletries to get into Ihram for your fist Umrah OR other Umrahs if you are planning to do multiple. Set 1 , Shampoo + Body Wash , Lotion , Deodorant . You can also pack in Travel Bottles and keep the sets in carry on luggage.
Wet wipes, hand sanitizers and tissue packs. Please pack one each in the carry on bags. Wet wipes, Tissues, hand sanitizer
Women need small scissors to cut their hair after Umrah. Pack them in your check-in bag and remember to put them in your sling bag or purse when you go to the haram for Umrah. Small Scissors , Set
Medication
Do not forget to pack your prescription medications and vitamins in your carry on luggage. ZWT recommends the following over the counter medication to pack. Pain killer and fever reducer like Ibuprofen, cold and flu medication, Sore throat lozenges , Cough and throat drops . You also need to pack some antacid and anti diarrhea medication. If you are traveling with children, pack a small first aid kit ,
Electronics
Some of the must need items to pack for your trip are Universal Power Adapter , Portable Charger Power Bank for cell phones.
Phone Plans and Saudi Sim Card. Check with your cell phone service provider about adding a temporary international plan. I bought a 10 day unlimited talk, text and data and set it to start on my departure day. It worked just fine. Some people take old phones with them and get a new SIM in Jeddah airport. That's an option too.
Other useful items
Keep a permanent marker in your purse/bag to write your name on zamzam water cans when you check in for your return flight. So many cans arrive at the same time, you won't have to check the tag if your name is clearly visible on the can.
Keeping a small notebook and a pen in the purse is useful.
pack some disposable plates, spoons and paper towels in your check-in bags to eat take out food in the hotel rooms.
Pack a small dishwashing liquid dispenser, and some laundry detergent powder in the check-in bags.
Keep some individually wrapped snacks for kids and yourself in the sling bags and carry on bags.
If this list helped you, please send a note of appreciation. If there is anything, that must be added to the list before or after your Umrah, please let us know by sending a message.