What to Pack for Umrah: A Practical Checklist
Updated 3 min read
Pack for walking, for crowds and for a state of ihram that rules out some everyday items. Keep the essentials light and in your hand baggage; the rest can come from the shops around the Haram. This checklist is organised by what you must not lose first, down to the extras.
Documents, in your hand baggage
Keep these together in one pouch, never in checked luggage:
- Passport, valid for at least 6 months, and your printed Umrah visa
- Flight tickets, hotel vouchers and your agency's contact and emergency numbers
- The vaccination certificate and any travel insurance papers
- Photocopies and phone photos of everything, with a spare set of passport photos
- Prescriptions and a doctor's letter for any regular medicine
Ihram and clothing
Men need two sets of ihram cloth so one can be washed, plus an ihram belt for the money pouch. Women need loose, modest, breathable clothing, a few headscarves, and clothing suited to being on your feet all day; the colour is your choice. Pack for the season: the best time guide covers the weather, and Madinah evenings can be cold in winter even when Makkah is warm.
- Light cotton clothes you can wash and dry overnight
- A light jacket or shawl for air-conditioned halls, which are cold
- Plenty of socks, and a small pouch or cross-body bag for the Haram
Footwear
You will walk several kilometres a day. Bring broken-in, comfortable sandals or slippers that you can slip off easily, and for men in ihram, open footwear that does not cover the ankle or the top of the foot. Pack a cloth shoe bag so you can carry your shoes into the mosque rather than leave them at the door.
Unscented toiletries
Perfume and scented products are prohibited once you are in ihram, and that includes scented soap, shampoo, deodorant and lotions. Buy unscented versions before you travel. Check your airline's rules before packing scissors or blades in hand baggage, and remember you cannot trim anything once in ihram.
- Unscented soap, shampoo, deodorant and sunscreen
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and a small quick-dry towel
- Lip balm and moisturiser (the air is dry and air-conditioned)
Health
Bring enough of any regular medicine for the whole trip plus a few days, in its original packaging with the prescription. Check that none is restricted in Saudi Arabia before you travel. The common ailments are blisters, sore throats from the dust and air-conditioning, upset stomachs and heat exhaustion.
- Blister plasters, a pain reliever and oral rehydration salts
- Throat lozenges and a few face masks
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- A reusable water bottle
Electronics and money
Saudi sockets are mainly the UK style (type G), with some other types, so bring a universal adapter; phone chargers accept the local voltage. A power bank must travel in hand baggage, and phones drain fast in crowds. Buy Saudi riyals from an authorised foreign-exchange dealer in India, keep the receipt, and carry a small amount in cash for small purchases.
Leave room for the return
You will bring back dates, gifts and Zamzam. Check your airline's baggage allowance and its rules for carrying Zamzam before you go: many airlines only allow it in checked baggage. Ask your agency how Zamzam is handled at the airport, because arrangements differ.
Common questions
Can I wear normal clothes in ihram?
Men cannot wear stitched garments or cover the head in ihram, so they wear the two unstitched cloths. Women wear ordinary modest clothing, but no face veil or gloves. Our step-by-step Umrah guide lists everything that is restricted in ihram.
What should I not bring to Saudi Arabia?
Alcohol, pork products and any restricted or unprescribed medicines are not allowed, and some prescription drugs are controlled. Bring prescriptions for your own medicines and check the official list of restricted items before you travel.