The choice that shapes your reunion
There are two ways to do the Umrah from Saudi Arabia:
1\. Land in Jeddah → Madinah → Makkah → Jeddah departure
2\. Land in Jeddah → Makkah → Madinah → Jeddah departure
This is not just a logistical issue for a diaspora reunion family. It influences the way the journey will feel.
This guide describes both routes, when they are best used and how to choose for your family.
Madinah-first: the recommended route for most diaspora reunion families
The path:
- Take your family to Jeddah (UK+US+BD families)
- Directly reach Madinah (4-5 hours by bus/car)
- 4-5 days visiting the graves in Madinah for prayers and ziyarat
- Make the journey to Makkah (a 5-hour drive)
- Makkah is the city in which one performs Umrah and Tawaf.The place where one performs Tawaf and Umrah is Makkah.
- Re-mount flights to their home countries from Jeddah.
Pros:
- A more peaceful and smooth beginning (Madinah is less populated than Makkah)
- Slowly adapts to the presence of older parents
- If you are travelling, take some time off before performing Umrah.
- In Madinah there were relationships among the families before the emotional moment in Makkah.
- The second half (Makkah leg): Ihram was only necessary for the second half.
- The initial chaos for first-time pilgrims will be reduced.
Cons:
- Some unimproved travel times in Saudi
- The emotional high (Kaaba moment) is later in the trip.
- Before reaching Makkah, the momentum of the family may wane.
Makkah-first: higher impact but more chaotic
The path:
- Land in Jeddah
- Setup for Makkah (1.5 hrs)
- 5-7 days in Makkah for Umrah and prayers
- Make the journey to Madinah (5 hours)
- 4-5 days in Madinah
- Return to Jeddah to fly home
Pros:
- These are the initial emotional effects that occur on Day 1-2, and are often referred to as the Kaaba moment.
- The family pictures are taken at Kaaba while they are fresh.
- The intensity is taken care of by younger families with prior Umrah experience.
- From the beginning, Makkah is at 100% energy.
- After Umrah, Madinah is used for the “rest and reflection” phase.
Cons:
- There are a few difficulties that elderly BD parents may have to go through at the beginning of their time as parents in Makkah.
- First-timers feel overwhelmed
- It was necessary to put on the Ihram as soon as one reached a mosque.
- Makkah has a very hot climate in the summer.
- Family don't have time to bond up to the intense moment of Makkah.
A diaspora reunion family chose Madinah-first (composite)
The Karim family. 7 people (3 UK, 2 BD, 2 US) for a 10-day reunion in October 2027.
They selected Madinah-first as:
- It was a very difficult day in the desert for BD's father (74), because he had to be slowly introduced to Saudi temperatures.
- For children in the UK (13, 16) this is their first time going to Umrah.
- Gradual emotional buildup was desired by the US daughter.
- In October the weather in Madinah is mild.
Their schedule:
- Day 1: UK + US fly to Jeddah, taxi to Madinah hotel. The next morning, BD's family arrives in Madinah on a separate flight.
- Day 1-5: Madinah. Prayers at Masjid al-Nabawi, Ziaraat, Family bonding and BD father recovers from traveling.
- 6th Day: Bus from Madinah to Makkah. 5 hours travel, with no hardship for the elderly.
- Day 7-10: Makkah. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj / Umrah), prayers five times a day, time spent with family at Kaaba.
- Day 10: Reaching Jeddah (family flies separate).
Result: So BD's father was feeling strong when they reached Makkah. After Madinah, the spiritual context was understood by the children of the UK. The family was emotionally connected before the intense Makkah moment. The trip was very meaningful.
A diaspora reunion family chose Makkah-first (composite)
The Begum family. All the persons, under 50 years, had previously visited for Umrah.
- They selected Makkah-first because the:
- All adults: the majority have done Umrah prior to the trip.
- To capture the emotional impact of the day on Day 1.To capture the emotional impact on Day 1.
- Cramped space (no room for a separate room)
- Saudi heat manageable
Their schedule:
- Day 1-2: UK + US fly, take taxi to Makkah hotel. BD couple comes on the same day from Sylhet.
- Day 2: Together at Kaaba, perform Umrah, family photos.
- Day 3-5: Ziyarat visits and family bonding in Makkah while praying daily.
- 6th Day: Transfer to Madinah by bus.
- Day 6-8: Madinah prayers, reflection time.
- Day 8: Fly back to Jeddah.
Result: Powerful Day 1 emotional impact. Family relations based on shared Umrah experience first. The city of Madinah had a tranquil ending.
Trade-off: Less time to settle in before Umrah.
How to choose your route
Use this checklist for your diaspora reunion family:
Most diaspora reunion families benefit from Madinah-first. ~80% of our reunion clients choose this.
Cost differences
Both routes have similar total costs (within £100-200 per family):
The cost is nearly identical. Choose based on experience, not money.
Logistical considerations
Madinah-first logistics:
- BD parents may consider directly flying to Madinah (using Biman, easier)
- Families from the UK and US come to Jeddah and take a bus to Madinah.Families are arriving from the UK/US and taking a bus to Madinah.
- Allocate 2-3 hours for coordinating with hotel blocks
- The preparation of Ihram is done after Madinah stay
Makkah-first logistics:
- All families go directly to Makkah from Jeddah (1.5 hours)
- It is required to put on Ihram from the airport of Jeddah or before.
- Rider's advantage comes from speed, but at the cost of intensity.
- If possible, BD parents come on the same day as the baby.
Diaspora-specific factors
UK family considerations
Families that have not yet visited the Holy City before (younger generation) are a common feature of UK Bangladeshi families. Madinah-first means that they get to learn first.
US family considerations
In the United States, work is very demanding and visits are brief in the lives of the adult population. If they desire an immediate spiritual impact, Makkah-first can work for them.
BD family considerations
Madinah-first is almost always beneficial to BD's elderly parents. More comfortable conditions, less harsh landing.
Ihram timing
The two routes are guarded by Ihram before entering Makkah's sacred boundary (Miqat):
• Madinah-first: Wear Ihram before bus from Madinah to Makkah
• Makkah-first: Wear Ihram before/at Jeddah airport
For Madinah-first, this means a stress free beginning (no Ihram during travel).
Health considerations for the route choice
Madinah-first health benefits
- Safer conditions (Madinah is safer)
- A less crowded mosque (less elbow-to-elbow)
- Easier walking surfaces
- More time to acclimatize
Makkah-first health risks
- High temperatures across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since Day 1.
- When you are on your first time, you can do Crowded Tawaf.
- Increased dust and pollen!
- A greater retention of Ihram fabric in the heat.Longer retention in heat of Ihram fabric.
Health is important for elderly parents with diabetes, heart ailments or mobility problems and Madinah-first is better for health.**
