Quick answer: Pack light and keep the essentials in your cabin bag. That means your passport, visa, Nusuk permit and vaccination record; ihram for men or modest, breathable clothing for women; unscented toiletries; broken-in sandals; daily medicines in their original packaging with a doctor's summary; and a phone charger, power bank and plug adapter. Saudi Arabia uses the three-pin Type G plug at 230 volts. Leave room for Zamzam water and gifts on the way home. To plan the trip itself, call a travel expert at Fond Travels on +1 (323) 800 6001.
Assalamu Alaikum. This list is written for travelers flying from the United States for a one- to two-week Umrah. Adjust it for the season, your hotel and anyone in your group with particular needs. Where a rule depends on your airline or the Saudi authorities, check the current version before you pack.
Documents: the things you cannot replace on the way
Keep these in one zipped pouch in your cabin bag, with copies on your phone and with a family member at home.
- Passport, valid for at least six months beyond arrival.
- Saudi visa: the tourist eVisa, Umrah visa or stopover visa, printed. See our guide to the Umrah visa for US citizens.
- Nusuk Umrah permit and Rawdah permit, as screenshots in case your signal drops. See our Nusuk app guide.
- Vaccination record for the meningitis ACYW vaccine, given at least 10 days before arrival, and COVID-19 proof if you are over 65 or in another group that needs it.
- Flight e-tickets and the Haramain train tickets if booked.
- Hotel confirmations with addresses in Arabic and English.
- Travel insurance policy and the emergency contact number.
- Credit or debit card, and a second card kept separately.
- A certificate of Islam for converts, in case you are asked.
Ihram for men
- Two sets of ihram, each of two white, unstitched sheets. A second set means you can change if one gets wet or dirty. Towel-type fabric is warmer; lighter cotton suits the hot months.
- An ihram belt with a pouch for your phone, permit and room key.
- Safety pins or ihram clips, to keep the upper sheet in place.
- Sandals that leave the top of the foot and the ankle uncovered, as required in ihram.
- Anti-chafing balm that is unscented, for long walks in the heat.
Pack one set of ihram in your cabin bag. If you are flying into Jeddah for Umrah, you will enter ihram before the plane crosses the miqat, and your checked bag will be out of reach.
Clothing for women
Women do not wear special ihram garments. Ihram for women is modest everyday clothing that covers the body, except the face and hands, with the intention made at the miqat.
- Two or three loose abayas or long dresses in breathable fabrics. Dark colors hide dust; lighter colors are cooler in summer.
- Several hijabs, including one that stays in place easily during tawaf.
- Comfortable layers underneath, such as loose trousers and long-sleeved tops.
- Socks and comfortable shoes or sandals.
- A light cardigan or shawl for air-conditioned interiors.
In ihram, women do not cover the face with a niqab or wear gloves. Follow the guidance of your own scholar on the details.
Everyday clothing for everyone
- Light, loose, modest clothes for the days outside ihram. In Saudi Arabia, both men and women dress modestly in public, and shoulders and knees are covered.
- Thobes or long shirts for men, if you prefer them for the mosques.
- A warm layer for winter in Madinah, where nights can drop into the 50s°F from December to February.
- A sun hat or umbrella for the walk to and from the mosque outside ihram. Men do not cover their heads in ihram.
- Sleepwear and enough underwear for the trip, or a plan to use the hotel's laundry.
Footwear
You will walk more than you expect. Tawaf and sa'i alone are several kilometers, and that is before the walks between the hotel and the mosque.
- Sandals you have already worn in for at least two weeks. New sandals cause blisters.
- A drawstring shoe bag, so you can carry your shoes inside the mosque rather than leaving them at a rack you may not find again.
- Blister plasters and a small foot cream.
- Socks for the cool marble floors in winter.
Toiletries: unscented for ihram
Perfume and scented products are avoided while in ihram. Pack unscented versions of everything you use daily:
- Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant.
- Unscented lip balm and sunscreen. The sun in the courtyards is strong in every season.
- Unscented wet wipes and a small hand sanitizer.
- A toothbrush and toothpaste, or a miswak.
- Nail clippers and a small comb. Pack them, but leave trimming until you are out of ihram.
- Scissors or a razor for cutting or shaving the hair at the end of Umrah. Barbers are close to the Haram for men who prefer them.
Money
The currency is the Saudi riyal. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants in Makkah and Madinah, and contactless payment is common. Carry a small amount of cash in riyals for taxis, small shops and charity, and tell your bank before you travel so your card is not blocked. ATMs are easy to find near both mosques.
Packing by season
| Season | Weather | Add to the list |
|---|
| December to February | Mild days in Makkah, cool nights in Madinah | A warm layer, socks for the marble floors, lip balm for dry air |
| March to April | Warm, getting hot | Lighter fabrics, sunscreen, a cooling towel |
| June to September | Extreme heat | The lightest ihram and abayas, an umbrella for shade outside ihram, extra rehydration salts, a small spray bottle |
| October to November | Hot, easing | Light fabrics and sun protection, with one warmer layer for Madinah in late November |
In Ramadan, add a few dates and a water bottle to your mosque bag, so you can break the fast where you are if you cannot reach the hotel by Maghrib. Our guide to the best time for Umrah in 2027 compares the seasons in more detail.
For the long flight from the US
Flights from the United States to Jeddah or Madinah take 12 to 20 hours, depending on the city and the connection. Keep these within reach:
- Compression socks, which help circulation on long flights, especially for older travelers. Ask your doctor if you have a history of clots.
- A change of clothes and basic toiletries, in case your checked bag is delayed.
- Ihram, if you are flying into Jeddah for Umrah. Many men change at the connecting airport, where there is more space than in an aircraft restroom, and make the intention on board before the miqat.
- A neck pillow and a light blanket or shawl.
- Medicines for the journey, set to your departure time zone, with a reminder for when to switch to Saudi time.
- Snacks, especially for children and for anyone fasting in Ramadan who needs to time suhoor or iftar on board.
A one-page checklist
| Cabin bag | Checked bag |
|---|
| Passport, visa, Nusuk permit, vaccination record | Second ihram set or extra abayas and hijabs |
| One ihram set, belt and pins, or modest clothing for women | Everyday modest clothing |
| Daily medicines and the doctor's summary | Backup medicines |
| Phone, charger, power bank and plug adapter | Unscented toiletries in larger sizes |
| Sandals and shoe bag | Warm layer for Madinah in winter |
| Water bottle, snacks, wet wipes and sanitizer | Prayer mat, books and gifts |
How Fond Travels can help
- We plan the whole trip: flights from your US airport, hotels by walking distance, transfers and the Haramain train.
- We send a checklist of documents, permits and vaccines for each traveler before you fly.
- We advise on baggage for each airline, including Zamzam on the way home.
- We arrange wheelchair assistance and the right hotel for older parents.
See our Umrah packages from the USA, or call +1 (323) 800 6001. A travel expert answers any hour.
FAQ’s
How many sets of ihram should a man bring?
Two. Keep one in your cabin bag for the flight and a spare in case the first gets wet or dirty.
What should women wear for Umrah?
Loose, modest clothing that covers the body except the face and hands, with a hijab. There is no special garment for women, and in ihram women do not wear a niqab or gloves.
What type of plug is used in Saudi Arabia?
The Type G three-pin plug at 230 volts. Bring an adapter, and check that your chargers support 230 volts.
Can I use scented soap during Umrah?
Not while in ihram. Pack unscented soap, shampoo, deodorant and sunscreen.
What shoes are best for Umrah?
Comfortable sandals you have already broken in. In ihram, men's sandals must leave the top of the foot and the ankle uncovered.
Can I bring my medicines to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, in original packaging with a prescription. If a medicine is a controlled drug, check the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's rules before you travel.
Do I need cash in Makkah and Madinah?
A little. Cards and contactless payment are widely accepted, but cash in riyals is useful for taxis, small shops and charity.
Can I bring Zamzam water home?
Many airlines allow a sealed Zamzam container bought from authorized outlets on flights out of Saudi Arabia. Check your airline's rule before you buy.
What should I pack for a child doing Umrah?
Their documents, light modest clothes, a card with your phone number and hotel name, snacks and a lightweight stroller for small children.
Is it cold in Saudi Arabia in winter?
Makkah stays mild, with highs in the 80s°F, but Madinah's nights can drop into the 50s°F from December to February. Bring a warm layer.
Can Fond Travels help with the trip, not just the packing?
Yes. We plan and book Umrah trips from across the US, including flights, hotels, transfers and the train.
+1 (323) 800 6001
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