Travel essentials
What to pack for Umrah.
A short list of the things people are glad they brought, and the things they wish they had. Built from what our travellers tell us afterwards.
We do not sell these ourselves. Where we can point you at a good version of something, we link to the retailer; where we cannot yet, the item is marked coming soon.
Ihram
Coming soonIhram (two-piece)
Soft, breathable towelling ihram for men, in a travel pouch.
Coming soonIhram belt with pockets
Secure money belt to keep documents and cards close during tawaf.
Clothing
Coming soonThobe
Lightweight and loose, for the days either side of ihram.
Coming soonUmrah socks
Thin cotton socks for the marble, which is freezing at fajr and scorching by noon.
Coming soonFlip flops
Easy on and off at every entrance, and quick to dry after wudu.
Ihram-safe
Coming soonFragrance-free toiletries kit
Unscented soap, shampoo and lotion, compliant while in ihram.
Prayer
Coming soonFoldable travel prayer mat
Pocket-sized, water-resistant mat with a built-in compass.
Coming soonPadded prayer mat
Thicker foam through the knees and forehead. Worth it on marble, and worth it if you are older.
Coming soonDigital tasbeeh counter
Simple finger counter for dhikr, with a lanyard.
Coming soonSandal bag
Carry your shoes in with you. Far easier than trying to find them again among thousands of pairs.
Guidance
Coming soonUmrah & Hajj dua guide
Step-by-step rites with transliteration and translation.
Coming soonUmrah dua flashcards
One card per stage, on a ring. Easier to hold mid-tawaf than a book, and easier to share round a group.
Heat & sun
Coming soonSun umbrella
The single most useful thing you can carry in the courtyard between April and September.
Coming soonUmbrella cap
Shade without a hand occupied. Not elegant, and genuinely useful.
Coming soonSunglasses
The glare off white marble is fierce at midday.
Practical
Coming soonCollapsible Zamzam bottle
Leak-proof, cabin-friendly bottle that packs flat when empty.
Coming soonNeck document wallet
RFID-safe holder for passport, visa and boarding pass.
Coming soonCash pouch
A small zipped pouch for riyals. Cards are widely accepted, but not everywhere.
Coming soonSling bag
Worn across the body, so it stays in front of you in a crowd. Phone, bottle, sandals.
Coming soonDrawstring bag
Light enough to fold into a pocket, useful for the walk to prayer.
Coming soonPower bank
Long days out of the room, and the Nusuk app on your phone the whole time.
Coming soonPhone lanyard
Keeps your phone on you rather than in a pocket you cannot reach in a crowd.
Coming soonMedicine box
Compartments by day. Simpler than counting out blister packs in a hotel room at fajr.
Coming soonFolding tripod stool
Somewhere to sit while you wait for iqamah. Worth its weight if you cannot stand for long.
Coming soonMicrofibre towel
Packs to nothing and dries fast, for wudu and for the room.
Comfort
Coming soonInflatable neck pillow
Deflates flat. Useful on the flight and on the coach to Madinah.
Coming soonEar plugs
Hotel corridors near the haram are busy at every hour.
Coming soonEye mask
For sleeping between prayers when the room is bright.
Keepsakes
Coming soonKeychain
A small thing to bring back, or to hand out to the people who asked you to make dua.
Coming soonPen
Useful on the landing card, and it goes home with you.
Coming soonPhone case
For iPhone and Samsung.
Coming soonMakkah & Madinah souvenirs
Small gifts to take home. Most people come back needing more of these than they expected.
Packing is the easy part.
The rest of it, transport, SIM cards, money, prayer times and what to expect on the ground, is in the Saudi travel guide.