Most Umrah packing lists online are either a single line (“pack light!”) or a three page survival checklist. One Reddit post this year was titled, fairly, Umrah isn’t a survival mission. Makkah and Madinah are modern cities with pharmacies, malls and supermarkets on every street near the mosques.
So this list focuses on two things: what is hard to find once you are there, and what you need before you land.
Documents and money
Keep these in your carry on, never in checked luggage:
- Passport, valid for at least six months from arrival
- Printed Umrah visa (and a PDF on your phone)
- Meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate (how to get it)
- Green card or US visa, if you are not a US citizen, for your return
- Hotel confirmations and transfer details
- Flight itinerary
- Travel insurance details
- Credit and debit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Cards are widely accepted.
- Some Saudi riyals in cash for taxis, barbers and small shops. US airports give poor rates, so withdraw from an ATM on arrival.
- A copy of everything emailed to yourself
Ihram
Men
- Two ihram sets. One to wear, one spare. They get dirty and sweaty.
- An ihram belt with pockets for your phone, card and hotel key
- Safety pins or clips for the upper sheet
- Sandals that leave the ankle and top of the foot uncovered
- Your ihram in your carry on, not your checked bag, if you are going to Makkah first
Women
Women do not wear special ihram clothes. You enter ihram in your normal modest clothing.
- Loose abayas or long dresses in breathable fabrics, several of them
- Hijabs in light fabrics that do not slip
- Underscarves or caps to keep hair in place
- No niqab or gloves while in ihram
Clothing
- Light, loose, long clothing. Cotton and linen. You will sweat.
- A light layer for air conditioned mosques and hotels, which can be very cold
- Comfortable walking shoes you have already broken in. Many pilgrims walk 10 to 20 kilometres a day.
- Socks for walking on hot or cold marble
- Sleepwear and a change for the hotel
- In December and January: a warmer layer for evenings in Madinah, which can get properly cool at night
Unscented toiletries for ihram
Perfume and scented products are not allowed in ihram. That includes more things than people realize.
- Unscented soap and shampoo
- Unscented deodorant
- Unscented wet wipes
- Unscented sunscreen and lip balm
- Vaseline or anti chafing balm. Men will thank us after the first day in ihram.
- Regular toiletries for after your Umrah
Shops around the Haram sell unscented products labelled for ihram, so if you forget, you can buy them there.
Health
- Your regular prescriptions, in original packaging, with extra days
- Fever and pain reducer
- Throat lozenges
- Oral rehydration salts
- Masks for crowded areas
- Hand sanitiser
- Blister plasters
- A refillable water bottle
Read why pilgrims get sick and what helps.
In the mosque
- A drawstring shoe bag. Shoes come off at the door, and finding them again after prayer is a lottery if you leave them on the racks.
- A small foldable prayer mat
- A small backpack or crossbody bag. Security has tightened rules on large bags and food in the Haram.
- A pocket Quran or a Quran app downloaded for offline use
- Your dua list, including the duas people back home asked you to make
- A tasbih or counter for tawaf and sa’i
Tech
- Type G plug adapter, the UK style three pin plug
- A power bank. You will be out for hours using maps, WhatsApp and the Nusuk app.
- Charging cables
- An eSIM or data plan set up before you fly (phone options)
- The Nusuk app installed, logged in, with your permits downloaded
- Offline maps of Makkah and Madinah
For children
- A baby carrier for tawaf
- A compact stroller for Madinah and the upper floors
- Snacks your child already likes
- A wristband or card with your phone number and hotel name
- Children’s fever reducer and any regular medicine
See our full guide to Umrah with kids.
What to leave at home
- Too many clothes. Laundry services are available near both mosques, and many hotels offer it.
- Expensive jewelry.
- Large bags for the mosque.
- Food to bring into the Haram. It is increasingly restricted.
- Anything you would be devastated to lose.
Leave space for the way home
You will almost certainly bring back more than you took: dates from Madinah, prayer mats, attar, tasbih and gifts for family. Pack a foldable duffel bag, and check your airline’s allowance for Zamzam before you buy it. Bringing Zamzam water to the US.
Once you have booked with us, we send a printable version of this checklist with your travel documents. Request a quote to get started.
