Umrah packing list

Packing for Umrah is mostly about comfort and simplicity. You will walk a great deal, spend long hours in the mosques, and move between two cities. This list covers what most travellers find useful. Adjust it to your season, your health and the length of your package.

Documents

• Passport, valid for at least six months from your date of entry
• Your visa, printed and saved on your phone
• Flight and travel details, and your hotel information
• Health insurance details and a copy of any vaccination certificate you need
• A card that works abroad, and some Saudi riyals in cash

Ihram and clothing

• For men: two sets of ihram clothing, a belt or pouch for the izar, and sandals that leave the ankles uncovered
• For women: comfortable, loose, modest clothing for ihram and for the rest of the trip
• Light, breathable clothes for the heat of the day
• A light layer for air-conditioned mosques, trains and hotels, and for cooler evenings in Madinah in winter
• Comfortable walking shoes that you have already worn in

Toiletries

Perfume and scented products are not allowed while you are in ihram. Bring unscented versions of:

• Soap and shampoo
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Moisturiser or a balm for chafing

Health

• Your regular medicines, in their original packaging, with copies of prescriptions
• Painkillers and anything you usually take for colds, stomach upsets or allergies
• Plasters and blister care for your feet
• Oral rehydration salts for the heat

In the mosque

• A small bag for your shoes, so you can carry them instead of leaving them at the door
• A pocket-sized Quran or a supplication book, or an app on your phone
• A small prayer mat for the courtyards
• A refillable water bottle. Zamzam water is available in both mosques.

Electronics

• Phone and charger. Most phone chargers work on 100 to 240 volts, so they work in Saudi Arabia.
• A plug adapter. Saudi Arabia mainly uses the three-pin type G plug; Türkiye uses the round two-pin plug.
• A power bank for long days away from your room
• A local SIM or an eSIM for maps and messaging

What to leave behind

Keep your bag light. You will carry it between hotels and stations, and the days are full. Expensive jewellery and anything you would hate to lose is better left at home. If you plan to bring gifts or dates home, leave some space in your suitcase.

Finally, keep one change of clothes, your medicines and your documents in your cabin bag, in case your checked bag is delayed.