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Umrah, also called the lesser/minor pilgrimage, is a spiritually enriching journey in Islam. It is an act of worship in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. Unlike Hajj, Umrah is obligatory and can be performed at any time of the year. Millions of Muslims gather in front of the Kaaba every year to ask for the blessings of Allah Almighty. However, many pilgrims have noticed a steady rise in the costs of undertaking Umrah. From visa fees to travel expenses and accommodations, the pilgrimage is becoming increasingly expensive. As many people are looking for affordable Umrah packages 2026, it is important to understand the factors which contribute to these rising prices. Continue reading this crucial post to get more valuable insights.
Top 7 Reasons the Cost of Umrah is Rising Every Year
Umrah is a dreamy journey for almost every Islamic follower in the world. Are you also thinking of performing this activity with your loved ones? It is a great choice to make as a Muslim. You might be worried about the rising prices of Umrah and pondering the reasons behind it. The following are the 7 major reasons the prices of the Umrah pilgrimage are increasing every year.
- Increased Airfare Prices
Increased airfare prices are one of the other factors that cause a rise in Umrah cost. You might not know, but airplane tickets are getting expensive with each passing year. When more people want to jet off to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of religious obligations, airlines significantly raise prices. Not only this, but the fuel prices and airport fees also go up. This is what makes flights even pricier. All of this adds to the total cost of the Umrah pilgrimage, ultimately making it hard for families to find cheaper flights. Before you plan your Umrah trip, be aware of this very fact.
- Expensive Hotel Rates
If you’re wondering why the cost of Umrah is increasing to the brim, you’ve definitely come to the right place. A matter of important concern here is the expensive hotel rates. When older, budget-friendly prices are replaced with new, higher ones, it leaves just a few affordable options for pilgrims like you. High demand, particularly during peak seasons such as Ramadan, drives prices even higher. Everyone wants to stay closer to Masjid al-Haram during their divine journey of Umrah. Hotels take advantage of that and increase costs, making the trip more costly.
- Taxes Imposed by the Government
In recent times, another factor behind the increased cost of Umrah is the taxes imposed by the government on the packages. The Saudi government charges VAT (value added tax) on many essential services, like buses, tour guides, luggage limit, ZamZam, and many more. These services undeniably improve the pilgrimage experience. But you will be surprised to know that they also add to the cost of the Umrah pilgrimage at the same time. That is the leading reason pilgrims now have to spend more money than ever before to carry out their religious obligations.
- Higher Visa and Processing Fees
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has updated its visa system. For instance, it has now added electronic processes and biometric requirements for streamlining the visa application process. While these changes enhance the level of security and convenience, they also come with additional charges. The good news is that you can now eliminate the hassle of all this by partnering with a reliable and trusted travel agency. The company will provide you with all-inclusive and affordable Umrah packages 2026 covering the costs of everything for your ease.
- Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Currency exchange rate fluctuations play a considerable role in increasing the Umrah cost. When the local currency of a pilgrim weakens against the Saudi Riyal, everything from hotels to transportation, food, ziyarat tours, and shopping becomes pricey. Even if prices in Saudi Arabia stay the same, a poor exchange rate means you have to spend more from your own pocket. Well, this can be troublesome for some pilgrims and makes it pretty challenging each year to financially afford the pilgrimage journey. This is how currency exchange impacts the trip’s cost.
- Rising Inflation Costs in Saudi Arabia
Rising inflation in Saudi Arabia is another key reason why the Umrah pilgrimage is becoming more expensive with each passing year. When the cost of goods and services increases across the country, it has a direct impact on pilgrims. It simply depicts that all necessary services required for the pilgrimage and daily essentials now cost more than before. The worst part is that local businesses pass these higher costs onto visitors. Even small price hikes add up during a long stay for a trip. As inflation continues to grow, so does the total cost of carrying out the act of Umrah.
- Additional Health and Safety Regulations
New health and safety regulations have also added to the overall cost of the pilgrimage. Since the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter rules. Some of the common rules that every pilgrim needs to act upon include health insurance, mandatory vaccinations, and enhanced sanitation services. There is no denying that these measures help keep pilgrims safe, but they come with added prices too. Adding more to all of this, cleaning crews, hospitals, and staff costs have increased, and these expenditures are passed on to travellers, which adds up to the budget.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, Umrah is an of worship that brings so many blessings and rewards for Muslims, including expiation of sins. What confuses pilgrims is the rising prices of Umrah every year. There are many reasons behind this concern, and some are discussed above in this article. Try to keep these factors in mind when planning your holy journey of Umrah. You can get your itinerary planned excellently with affordable Umrah packages 2026 from Muslims Holy Travel.
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