Makkah first or Madinah first? How to choose
Each length comes in two versions. Here is how the two routes differ, how the nights are split, and which dates each one has in 2027.
- Tuyba Editorial
3 min read
Tuyba's 2027 Umrah packages from New York come in two versions for each length: Madinah first or Makkah first. The two run in turn through the year. They have the same number of nights in each city and the same hotel standards; what differs is the order, and so the way the journey feels.
The two routes
On a Madinah-first package you fly from New York to Madinah with a connection in Istanbul. After your stay in Madinah you enter ihram, take the train to Makkah, perform Umrah with a guide and check in to your hotel. At the end you fly home from Jeddah, again connecting in Istanbul.
On a Makkah-first package you fly from New York to Jeddah with a connection in Istanbul, transfer to Makkah and perform Umrah with a guide soon after arriving. After your stay in Makkah you take the train to Madinah, and at the end you fly home from Madinah.
Nights in each city
The longer stay is always in Makkah:
- 7 nights: 3 in Madinah and 4 in Makkah
- 9 nights: 3 in Madinah and 6 in Makkah
- 12 nights: 3 in Madinah and 9 in Makkah
- 15 nights: 5 in Madinah and 10 in Makkah
- 21 nights: 7 in Madinah and 14 in Makkah
Why choose Madinah first
- You arrive without ihram, so the long flight is simpler.
- Madinah is calmer. You have a few days to recover from the journey and adjust to the time difference before Umrah.
- You finish in Makkah, close to Masjid al-Haram until your last days.
Why choose Makkah first
- You perform Umrah at the start, while you are fresh and focused on it.
- You spend the rest of the journey without the restrictions of ihram.
- You end the trip in Madinah, which many people find a peaceful place to finish.
The main challenge is the first day: you travel in ihram and perform Umrah soon after a long flight.
The 2027 dates
The dates are the first night in the first holy city.
- Madinah first: 1 January, 14 February, 23 March, 5 June, 19 July, 1 September, 15 October and 28 November.
- Makkah first: 23 January, 8 March, 27 June, 10 August, 23 September, 6 November and 20 December.
The two March departures at the end of the season differ. On this site the 8 March departure has 7, 9 and 12 nights, and the 23 March departure has 7, 9, 12 and 15 nights. Those departures also offer 14 and 18 nights; ask a specialist about them. There are no departures between 10 April and 4 June.
Still not sure?
For most people, the dates decide. Choose the departure that fits your time off, and the route comes with it. If both work, think about who is travelling: first-time pilgrims, families and older travellers may find it easier to start in Madinah. A Tuyba specialist can talk it through with you when you request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Which holy city do I visit first?
Each package has a fixed route. Madinah-first packages start in Madinah and end in Makkah; Makkah-first packages start in Makkah and end in Madinah. The two alternate through 2027, so choose the package whose dates suit you.
How do I travel between Makkah and Madinah?
You travel between Makkah and Madinah by train.
How often are there departures from New York in 2027?
About every 22 days, from 1 January to 20 December, with no departures between 10 April and 4 June. The two departures at the end of the season, on 8 and 23 March, are 15 days apart.
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Tell us your dates and travelers. A Tuyba specialist will reply with options and a personal quote.
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