Umrah in May 2027: Closed
for Hajj

Why there are no Umrah packages in May 2027

May 2027 is the month of Hajj. The 1448 Umrah season closed to new arrivals on 23 March 2027, with every Umrah pilgrim required to leave by 7 April, and it stays closed while the Kingdom hosts the fifth pillar of Islam. As a result we, like every licensed provider, cannot offer Umrah packages for May.

The reopening date for the next season, 1449, has not yet been announced. This page explains the timetable as it currently stands, what that means for late-May half-term plans, and the months we recommend instead.

Expected Hajj dates in May 2027

These dates are based on the Umm al-Qura projection and astronomical estimates, and could move by a day depending on the moon sighting.

During this period, UK government entry guidance warns that travellers who are not performing Hajj may be stopped from flying into Jeddah, Madinah and Taif. The tourist e-visa route also cannot be used for Hajj. In practical terms, if you are not booked on Hajj, May is not a month to plan a trip to the Holy Cities.

When will Umrah reopen?

Here we have to be straightforward: no date has been published. The previous season offers the best guide. The 1448 season opened for visas on 14 Dhul Hijjah 1447 (31 May 2026), immediately after Hajj, with Makkah entry and Nusuk permits starting the following day. If the Ministry follows the same pattern, the 1449 season would open around 14 Dhul Hijjah 1448, which works out at roughly 20 May 2027.

That is a projection, not an announcement. Our working assumption is that Umrah is expected to reopen after Hajj, typically around late May or June, and we will confirm dates as soon as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah publishes them. Until then we do not take bookings for specific late-May dates.

It is worth remembering that the first days of a new season can take a little while to settle: visas have to be issued, Nusuk permit slots opened and airline schedules adjusted after the Hajj flights. Even once a date is announced, pilgrims who travel a week or two later may find the process smoother. For that reason we tend to recommend June rather than the very first possible day.

School holidays in May: what about half-term?

Several holidays fall in or around May, and families understandably ask whether any of them can be used for Umrah.

• England (Birmingham City Council): May half-term runs from 31 May to 4 June 2027.
• Edinburgh: May Day on 3 May and Victoria Day on 24 May 2027.
• Glasgow (indicative): holidays on 3 May, 28 May and 31 May 2027.

The early-May bank holidays fall in the closed period, so they are out. The English half-term at the very end of May is the interesting one: if the new season opens around 20 May as it did last year, a half-term Umrah could become possible. It is far too early to promise that. If it interests you, register now and we will tell you the moment it is confirmed, alongside our June Umrah packages, which are the more likely first option.

The best alternatives to May

Before Hajj: March

The last good opportunity before the closure is March 2027, after Eid al-Fitr and before the 23 March entry deadline. Packages start from £625 (3★), £725 (4★) and £895 (5★) per person, four sharing, with flights, visa, hotels and transfers included, and prices confirmed at booking. Visas must be issued by 9 March, so this means booking in February.

After Hajj: June and July

Once the 1449 season opens, June becomes the first full month, also from £625, £725 and £895 per person. July starts from £685, £795 and £975 and covers the start of the summer holidays, with dedicated summer Umrah packages for families. Both are subject to the new season being announced on a similar timetable.

You may also see the closure explained on our April page, which covers the last departure date and the Easter holidays.

What the weather will be like when Umrah reopens

Whatever the exact reopening date, the first trips of the new season will be in serious heat. May itself averages a high of 42.4°C in Makkah (28.1°C at night) and 39.7°C in Madinah (25.9°C at night), and June is hotter again. If you plan to be among the first pilgrims back, hotel distance becomes the most important choice you make. Our 5-star packages place you 100–210 m from Masjid al-Haram, and our 4-star options 160–280 m, against several hundred metres or more for 3★.

Direct Saudia flights from London Heathrow and Manchester also cut the journey to about six hours, which matters when you arrive into a hot Jeddah afternoon.

Making the most of Dhul Hijjah at home

Missing out on Umrah in May does not mean missing out on the blessings of the season. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most virtuous days of the year, and many British Muslims use them for extra fasting, especially on the Day of Arafah, along with dhikr, charity and arranging their Qurbani for Eid al-Adha.

It is also the right time to prepare for summer. Check that every passport has six months’ validity from your arrival date, book the meningitis ACWY jab at least 10 days before you fly, and check the latest FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia as you plan, since insurers often tie their cover to it.

Be first in line for the new season

To compare every month at a glance, visit our Umrah by month overview. To register for early-season dates, send us your preferred dates through the quote form or on WhatsApp, and we will be in touch as soon as the 1449 calendar is announced.