Umrah Plus: Extend Your Journey Beyond Makkah & Madinah
Discover the Wonders of Saudi Arabia
Umrah Plus is Saudi Arabia’s framework for extending your pilgrimage into a wider Saudi journey — your 90-day Umrah visa permits nationwide travel, with Jeddah under 40 minutes from Makkah by train, Riyadh one hour by air, and the Red Sea coast 45 minutes beyond that. This guide is your starting point.
Your Umrah does not have to end at the gate of the Haram. The Saudi Tourism Authority’s Umrah Plus initiative was built for pilgrims who want to combine the spiritual reward of Umrah with an experience of one of the world’s most rapidly transforming destinations.
What is Umrah Plus?
Visa Flexibility: Understanding the 90-Day Umrah and Tourist Visas
Since Saudi Arabia opened its borders to independent tourism in 2019, pilgrims holding a valid Umrah visa have been permitted to travel freely beyond the holy cities. The standard Umrah visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and allows multiple entries into the Kingdom, covering Riyadh, Jeddah, the Red Sea coast, and the Eastern Province without an additional permit.
The “Umrah Plus” Concept
Under Saudi Vision 2030, religious tourism and leisure tourism are being developed side by side. The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Makkah to Jeddah in under 40 minutes; domestic flights link the Western Region to Riyadh, Dammam, and the Red Sea coast. Extending your trip by three to seven days adds minimal cost relative to international return flights.
High-speed train, domestic flights, and how to choose between them
Domestic Flights vs. the High-Speed Train Network
The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) connects Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Makkah to Jeddah takes under 40 minutes; Makkah to Madinah takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. For destinations beyond the Western Region — Riyadh, Dammam, and the Red Sea — domestic flights are the practical choice. Book early during Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah — fares increase sharply at peak Umrah seasons.
Pro Tip
The Haramain train’s Makkah station is in Rusaifah, approximately 8 km from Masjid al-Haram. Budget an additional 20–25 minutes for the taxi transfer when planning connections.
Route
HHR Train
Domestic Flight
Notes
Makkah → Jeddah
∼38 min
No domestic flight
HHR is the clear choice
Makkah → Madinah
∼2 hr 20 min
∼1 hr (plus transfers)
Train recommended for comfort
Jeddah → Riyadh
No direct service
∼1 hr
Fly from King Abdulaziz International
Jeddah → Red Sea (Tabuk)
No direct service
∼45 min
Red Sea International Airport (RSI)
Riyadh → Dammam
∼2.5 hr (SAR Railway)
∼1 hr
Train viable for Eastern Province
Renting a Car and Getting Around
Hiring a car suits city exploration in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. UK licence holders should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their UK licence. Road quality on major highways is excellent; signage is in both Arabic and English. In Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, the major international and regional ride-hailing platforms both operate reliably. Riyadh’s Metro covers six lines across the city’s main districts.
Where to Stay: Halal-Friendly Hotels Outside Makkah
Halalbooking’s verified portfolio extends beyond the Haramain to cover all of Saudi Arabia’s major leisure destinations — every property reviewed for its halal-friendly amenities. Riyadh’s Olaya district and Jeddah’s Al Shati coastal strip are the platform’s most-booked corridors for Umrah Plus extensions.
Curated Itinerary: The “Jeddah Weekender” (3 Days)
A worked example of a 3-day extension after completing your Umrah — using the Haramain train to reach Jeddah, then time split between the historic Al Balad district, the Red Sea coast, and the modern city.
Day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Day 1
Arrive via HHR from Makkah. Check in.
Al Balad walking tour: Nassif House, Souq Al Alawi, Rawashin balconies.
Dinner at the Jeddah Waterfront. King Fahd’s Fountain is illuminated from 8 pm.
Day 2
Boat trip to Bayadah Island or Red Sea snorkelling excursion.
Red Sea lunch on the boat deck. Return to Corniche mid-afternoon.
Al Rahma Floating Mosque at sunset. Evening stroll along the Corniche.
Day 3
Jeddah’s modern city: Tahlia Street.
Depart to the airport or return to Makkah via HHR.
—
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Umrah Plus destinations
Can I travel to Riyadh if I only have an Umrah visa?
Yes — the standard 90-day Umrah visa permits travel throughout Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Red Sea coast. No additional permit is required for leisure travel to other Saudi cities.
Do hotels in Riyadh and Jeddah offer halal food and alcohol-free environments?
Yes — but the standard varies significantly between properties. While Saudi law prohibits alcohol nationwide, prayer facilities, and family privacy are not guaranteed at every hotel. Booking through Halalbooking ensures every property has been reviewed against verified halal-friendly criteria.
What is the fastest way to get from Makkah to Jeddah for a day trip?
38 minutes — the Haramain High-Speed Railway from Makkah’s Rusaifah station to Jeddah’s airport station. From the Jeddah station, a taxi or ride-hailing app to Al Balad takes a further 20–30 minutes. Door-to-door from a central Makkah hotel to Al Balad: approximately 90 minutes.
Is it safe for families to hire a car and drive across Saudi Arabia?
Yes — Saudi Arabia’s major highways are safe and well-maintained. For intercity journeys, domestic flights are more practical given the distances. Car hire is best suited to city exploration within Riyadh, Jeddah, or the Eastern Province.
Are there ladies-only facilities at the Red Sea luxury resorts?
Yes — ladies-only spa and beach facilities are available at several Red Sea luxury resorts, though provision varies by property. Many resorts also offer private pool villas with exclusive family use. Use Halalbooking’s dedicated filters to confirm before booking.
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This charge includes estimated amounts the travel service provider (i.e. hotel, car rental company) pays for their taxes, and/or taxes that we pay, to taxing authorities on your booking (including but not limited to sales, occupancy, and value added tax). This amount may also include any amounts charged to us for resort fees, cleaning fees, and other fees and/or a fee we, the hotel supplier and/or the website you booked on, retain as part of the compensation for our and/or their services, which varies based on factors such as location, the amount, and how you booked. For more details, please see the Terms and Conditions.
Mixed-gender
Both male and female guests of the property can use the facility at the same time
Ladies-only
Only female guests of the property can use the facility
Men-only
Only male guests of the property can use the facility
Private-hire
The facility can be hired for a period of time for a private use of one guest/family
Alcohol-free room
Alcohol is requested to be removed from the guest’s room if booked on Halalbooking. Alcohol might be served in the rest of the property
All halal food
All food in the property is always halal
Some halal food
Some food in the property is always halal
Halal food on request
Halal food in the property is available if requested in advance
Halal food nearby
Halal food is available in restaurants/cafes/groceries within 500m of the property
Alcohol-free property
No alcohol is served anywhere in the property
Alcohol-free restaurant
No alcohol is served in at least one restaurant in the property. Alcohol might be served in the rest of the property
Bidet amenities
Property has bidet amenities in all/some room bathrooms (e.g. handheld bidet spray, standalone bidet, toilet with bidet nozzle, or smart toilet with bidet).
Smart toilet with bidet
Electronic toilet with built-in bidet functionality, controlled via panel or remote. Common in Japan and often referred to as a washlet, such as "Toto Washlet".
Toilet with bidet nozzle
Toilet with a built-in, manually operated water nozzle. Common in Turkiye, where it is known as "taharet musluğu".
Standalone bidet
Separate ceramic bidet fixture installed next to the toilet.
Handheld bidet spray
Handheld water spray installed next to the toilet. Also known as shattaf, bidet hose or hygiene hose.
Breakfast Included
Breakfast included in the price
Room Only
Only accommodation included in the price
Self-catering
Only accommodation included in the price, there is a kitchen to store and prepare your personal food
Ramadan Suhur & Iftar
Suhur & Iftar included in the price
Half Board
Breakfast & dinner included in the price
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included in the price
All Inclusive
Meals and drinks throughout the day are included in the price
Kaaba view rooms
These are rooms on the higher floors of the hotel offering a direct view of the Kaaba itself, located in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. In addition to the Kaaba you will also see the yard around the holy mosque and its minarets, gates and walls.
Haram view rooms
These rooms offer a view of the Masjid al-Haram.
In Makkah, you will be able to see the yard around the holy mosque, the minarets, gates and the walls of the mosque but not the Kaaba itself. To see the Kaaba you need to select Kaaba view rooms.
Haram-connected prayer hall
Prayer hall in the hotel, from which you can see the imam, or rows of the congregation praying directly behind the imam, leading the prayer in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, and which is connected to the Masjid al-Haram's sound system. This means you can actually pray in the same jamaat as in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah whilst you are in the hotel's prayer hall.
Free shuttle to Haram
Free shuttle service operates between the hotel and the Masjid al-Haram.
Haram in walking distance
The hotel is within walking distance of the nearest gate of the Masjid al-Haram. 'Walking distance' means maximum 20 minutes/1,300 metres' walk.
Bookable airport transfer
Driver meets you personally outside the terminal
Why you can trust our reviews
Only verified guests who booked and stayed can review. We use only recent reviews (under 12 months) for properties with 30+ reviews.
...
Our score
Rated by customers of Halalbooking, most of whom are halal-conscious travellers.
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External score
Rated by customers of mainstream travel websites, many of whom might not be halal-conscious travellers.
For properties which have enough recent reviews from our customers, we show Our score, otherwise we show the External score.
Why you can trust our reviews
Only verified guests who booked and stayed can review. We use only recent reviews (under 12 months) for properties with 30+ reviews.
...
Our score
Rated by customers of Halalbooking, most of whom are halal-conscious travellers.
...
External score
Rated by customers of mainstream travel websites, many of whom might not be halal-conscious travellers.
For properties which have enough recent reviews from our customers, we show Our score, otherwise we show the External score.
HB GLOSSARY
Alone
Age for a guest to be allowed into the facility alone
Accompanied
Age for a guest to be allowed into the facility if accompanied by an adult
Boys
Age for a boy guest to be allowed into the ladies-only facility
Girls
Age for a girl guest to be allowed into the men-only facility
Modest swimwear compulsory
Age for a guest when wearing modest swimwear is compulsory in the mixed-gender facility
In villa/room
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the specific villa/room
No staff allowed
No staff is allowed in the facility without the guest’s permission
Only female staff
Only female staff is allowed in the facility without the guest’s permission
Male and female staff
Both male and female staff is allowed in the facility without the guest's permission
Fully-secluded
100% privacy from an outside eye in all parts of the facility
Mostly-secluded
100% privacy from an outside eye in most parts of the facility
Part-secluded
100% privacy from an outside eye in a part of the facility
Non-secluded
No privacy from an outside eye in the facility
Secluded
100% privacy from an outside eye in all parts or most parts or just a part of the facility
Swimwear not allowed
Swimwear is not allowed in this facility. Nudity is observed by most guests, but you personally may cover your body with a towel
Swimwear optional
Swimwear is optional in this facility. Nudity is allowed
Swimwear mostly observed
Swimwear is observed by most guests in this facility, but nudity is allowed too
Swimwear compulsory
Swimwear is compulsory in this facility. Nudity is not allowed
Modest swimwear compulsory
Modest swimwear is compulsory in this facility. Standard swimwear is not allowed
Modest swimwear: made from proper swimwear material and covers most of body for ladies and upper legs for men (e.g. semi-covered burkini, fully-covered burkini, Muslim swimsuit, long swimming shorts)
Standard swimwear: more revealing swimwear (e.g. one-piece swimsuit, tankini, bikini, short trunks or speedos)
Modest swimwear mostly observed
Modest swimwear is observed by most guests in this facility, but standard swimwear is allowed too
Modest swimwear: made from proper swimwear material and covers most of body for ladies and upper legs for men (e.g. semi-covered burkini, fully-covered burkini, Muslim swimsuit, long swimming shorts)
Standard swimwear: more revealing swimwear (e.g. one-piece swimsuit, tankini, bikini, short trunks or speedos)
Modest swimwear allowed
Modest swimwear is allowed in this facility. Most guests observe standard swimwear
Modest swimwear: made from proper swimwear material and covers most of body for ladies and upper legs for men (e.g. semi-covered burkini, fully-covered burkini, Muslim swimsuit, long swimming shorts)
Standard swimwear: more revealing swimwear (e.g. one-piece swimsuit, tankini, bikini, short trunks or speedos)
Modest swimwear not allowed
Modest swimwear is not allowed in this facility, only standard swimwear is allowed
Modest swimwear: made from proper swimwear material and covers most of body for ladies and upper legs for men (e.g. semi-covered burkini, fully-covered burkini, Muslim swimsuit, long swimming shorts)
Standard swimwear: more revealing swimwear (e.g. one-piece swimsuit, tankini, bikini, short trunks or speedos)
Modest swimwear
Modest swimwear is compulsory or observed by most guests or simply allowed (with most guests observing standard swimwear) in this facility
Modest swimwear: made from proper swimwear material and covers most of body for ladies and upper legs for men (e.g. semi-covered burkini, fully-covered burkini, Muslim swimsuit, long swimming shorts)
Standard swimwear: more revealing swimwear (e.g. one-piece swimsuit, tankini, bikini, short trunks or speedos)
We Price Match
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Instant confirmation
Booking is confirmed immediately after it is submitted
24h confirmation
Once you have submitted a booking request, the property owner/manager has 24 hours to accept or decline your request. The booking is not confirmed until you've received a booking confirmation email from us.
Private-use
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the specific villa/room
Private-use
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the villa/room
Private-use
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the specific villa/room
In all rooms
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the villa/room
In all villas
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the villa/room
In some rooms
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the specific villa/room
In some villas
The facility is for exclusive private use of the guest/family who is staying at the specific villa/room
Why is this info required?
Passenger information is required for transfers in this region due to the local legislation. We will pass this information to the company organising the transfer.
Price view mode
Choose which prices are shown on the price tags in search results and property screens. 'Show Guest and Agency Prices' shows guest total prices as well as agency net prices and commission. 'Show only Guest Prices' displays only guest total prices, and 'Show only Agency Prices' presents only your agency net prices and commission. The selection doesn't influence the final price to pay (Agency net price).
Why groups instead of rooms?
When searching for a family, include all guests into the same group. Our system will offer to book either 1 large room which is suitable or 2+ smaller rooms when needed with connection or adjacency where possible. Sometimes multiple smaller rooms are a better deal than 1 large room.
Only when searching for multiple families that must stay in separate rooms, enter each family as a separate group.
Strict
Age restriction is a strict rule and flexibility will not be provided
Guidance
Age restriction is for guidance only and final decision will be at the discretion of the hotel's management
South-facing
The room view is facing south. When you perform your prayers in your room you face towards Al-Masjid an-Nabawi as the Kaaba (Mecca) is also in the south. This means Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is in front of you during your prayers.
East-facing
The room view is facing east. When you perform your prayers in your room you face sideways to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi as the Kaaba (Mecca) is in the south. This means Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is on your left side during your prayers.
For rooms where Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is in front of you during your prayers, please choose a hotel with “south-facing” rooms.
North-facing
The room view is facing north. When you perform your prayers in your room you face away from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi as the Kaaba (Mecca) is in the south. This means Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is behind you during your prayers.
For rooms where Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is in front of you during your prayers, please choose a hotel with “south-facing” rooms.
Men's section
The walking distance from the hotel to the nearest gate of the men's section of the Masjid al-Haram.
Ladies' section
The walking distance from the hotel to the nearest gate of the ladies section of the Masjid al-Haram.
Haram not in walking distance
The hotel is not within walking distance of the Masjid al-Haram. 'Walking distance' means maximum 20 minutes/1,300 metres' walk.
Free shuttle
Free shuttle service operates between the hotel and the Masjid al-Haram.
No free shuttle
No free shuttle service operates between the hotel and the Masjid al-Haram.
Adjacency possible
Rooms can be allocated adjacent to or opposite each other, but cannot be made interconnected. Not guaranteed and subject to availability.
Connection possible
Rooms can be made interconnected by unlocking an internal door between the rooms. Not guaranteed and subject to availability.
None possible
Rooms can neither be adjacent to nor opposite each other nor be made interconnected
Prices include taxes & fees
Many websites hide taxes and fees for additional guests, showing only base occupancy rates and making it hard to compare real prices.
We, in contrast, show real total prices that cover taxes and all guests, including children.
Room Suitability Guarantee
Suitability of each room for the whole family is determined automatically, taking into account the number of adults and exact ages of children. Only suitable rooms are offered to be booked online
Precise Total Family Pricing
Precise total prices are calculated for whole family, taking into account number of adults and exact ages of children
Price view mode
Choose which prices are shown on the price tags in search results and property screens. 'Show Guest and Agency Prices' shows guest total prices as well as agency net prices and commission. 'Show only Guest Prices' displays only guest total prices, and 'Show only Agency Prices' presents only your agency net prices and commission. The selection doesn't influence the final price to pay (Agency net price).
Additional beds might be available for a fee
Guests are expected to use only the included beds. Additional beds might be available at the property for a fee, which is usually indicated in the Important Notes section.
