Umrah Guides for 2026

How Long Does Umrah Take? Complete Guide to Umrah Duration and Rituals

Umrah Mar 6, 2026

Last update: 2026-03-09

An Umrah is a minor pilgrimage having fewer rituals than Hajj. Therefore, one can complete all the Umrah rituals in one day. But now the question comes that how long does Umrah take to complete?

Well, the answer isn't as simple as you think. And even the Umrah duration isn't the same for everyone as well. This is because of several personal and surrounding factors that shape the answer of this question. So, let's break down the whole Umrah journey step by step and consider how much time each ritual can take possibly.

How Long Does Umrah Take? (Quick Answer)

Umrah takes 3 hours on average to complete all the Umrah rites until exiting the Ihram state. However, the duration of Umrah isn't fixed anyway. For example, there are factors such as crowd levels, health condition, time of day and walking pace that decide how long is umrah. Additionally, the duration of a complete Umrah journey largely depends on personal choice and thus varies from 5 to 14 days.

How Long Does Umrah Rituals Take to Complete? (Time breakdown of each step)

An Umrah journey is a combination of four essential rituals starting from entering the Ihram state and performing Tawaf and Sa'i to completing Halq or Taqsir. Therefore, it's important to consider how much time each ritual takes to ultimately know the exact total duration of the whole Umrah journey.

Entering Ihram and Making Intention (40 minutes)

Entering into the Ihram state is the foremost ritual of an Umrah journey which isn't the same as wearing Ihram clothes. It involves physical preparation before wearing Ihram clothes and making an intention to enter the Ihram state. And here's how long does each act take:

Ghusl (purification bath): 15-30 minutes.
Trimming nails and removing unwanted body hair: 10-15 minutes.
Wearing the Ihram garments (men): 5-10 minutes.
Applying permitted fragrance before Niyyah: 2 minutes.
Women's preparation (modest clothing, no specific garment): 10-20 minutes.

Therefore, this physical preparation takes 30 to 45 minutes on average.After being physically prepared, there's a need to make niyyah and enter the state of Ihram before crossing Miqat. And it takes almost 2 minutes to make niyyah of performing Umrah and then keep reciting Talbiyah until facing the Kaabah.

Performing Tawaf of the Kaabah (45 minutes to 1.5 hour)

Tawaf is the most important ritual of an Umrah journey to perform in Masjid al-Haram. As it's an act of completing seven circuits around the Kaabah, it takes a significant time. And this time also varies according to time of the day and the pilgrimage season on the whole. Besides, it depends on the floor you are performing Tawaf. For example, here's how time varies:

At ground level (Mataf)

Normal crowd: 8-12 minutes per round.
Heavy crowd: 15-25 minutes per round.

At first floor level

Normal crowd: 10-15 minutes per round.
Heavy crowd: 20-30 minutes per round.

At rooftop level

Normal crowd: 12-18 minutes per round.
Heavy crowd: 25-35 minutes per round.

How Much It Becomes for All the Seven Tawaf Rounds

For off-peak, ground floor: 45 minutes - 1.5 hours.
For regular season, ground floor: 1.5 - 2.5 hours.
For peak season or Ramadan, any floor: 2.5 - 4 hours.
For elderly pilgrims on wheelchairs: 2 - 4 hours.

Here's one thing to remember is that each circuit becomes shorter when you're closer to the Kaabah but it becomes more and more crowded which takes time. Similarly, 20 minutes on average will add to this time period for each congregational prayer break.

Offering two Rak'ah Salah After Tawaf (20 minutes)

After completing Tawaf, pilgrims have to offer two Rak'ah salah near Maqam e Ibrahim or the nearby available space in the Mataf area. Here's how long does it take:

Finding a spot near Maqam Ibrahim during busy times: 5-15 minutes.
Offering two Rak'ahs: 10 minutes.
Making Dua afterward: 5 minutes.

Drinking Zamzam After Tawaf (10 minutes)

Drinking zamzam after completing Tawaf is a Sunnah act which also involves specific Dua's to recite. And thus, it takes time.

Locating a nearby Zamzam station: 2-5 minutes.
Drinking zamzam and making dua: 5 minutes.

Performing Sa'i in Mas'a Area (45 minutes to 1.5 hour)

Sa'i is another important ritual to perform in the Mas'a area of Haram. Similar to Tawaf, Sa'i also involves seven laps to complete. The whole process also includes time for walking from Mataf area to Mas'a area and getting to the Safa hill. Here's how much time Sa'i takes to complete.

Walking from Mataf area to Safa hill: 5-15 minutes.
Navigating the crowd during peak times: 15-20 minutes.
Making dua and reciting the opening supplication at Safa before starting: 3-5 minutes.

Because the corridor between Safa and Marwah is approximately 450 meters one way, here's how much time the seven laps take altogether:

Walking pace

Normal crowd: 8-10 minutes per lap.
Heavy crowd: 12-15 minutes per lap.

Wheelchair or assisted pace

Normal crowd: 10 minutes per lap.
Heavy crowd: 15 minutes per lap.

Therefore, this whole ends up this way:

For off-peak, comfortable pace: 1-1.5 hours.
For regular season: 1.5-2 hours.
For peak season or Ramadan: 2-2.5 hours.
For elderly or wheelchair-assisted: 2-3 hours.

In addition, 20 minutes on average will add to this time period for each congregational prayer break. Similarly, making Dua after completing each lap at Safa and Marwa takes almost 10-20 minutes on average.

Completing Halq or Taqsir (15-30 minutes)

Performing Halq or Taqsir is the final ritual of an Umrah journey that pilgrims complete to exit the Ihram state. It's the practice of cutting or shaving hair which doesn't take much time. For example,

Performing Halq at a barber (for men): 5-10 minutes.
Performing Taqsir of the the entire head (for men): 5-10 minutes.
Performing Taqsir (for women): 1 minute.

The moment Halq or Taqsir is done, Ihram ends. And here's what it includes and how much time it takes:

Changing out of Ihram garments into regular clothes: 5 minutes.
Performing a quick Ghusl: 20 minutes.
Making dua and expressing gratitude: 5 minutes.

This way, it counts as a complete Umrah pilgrimage which takes 2.5 to 4 hours on average.

How long is the entire Umrah journey?

The duration of Umrah journey is something fixed that pilgrims can decide on their own. For example, it depends on the Umrah package you choose either of 5 days, 7 days, 10 days or 14 days.

This Umrah duration decides the time that pilgrims can spend in Ibadah, ziyarat and rest beyond Umrah rituals. So, here's a complete breakdown of each Umrah travel plan and see what to expect during these days:

How the 05-Day Umrah Trip is Typically Planned

It's an ideally quick Makkah-only trip for pilgrims looking for a shorter pilgrimage window. It's a perfect choice for busy professionals and frequent travelers only.

Day 1 - Arriving in Makkah, check-in the hotel and performing Umrah rituals.
Day 2 - Spending the whole day in worship in Masjid al-Haram.
Day 3 - Performing voluntary Tawaf and visiting the nearby ziyarat sites.
Day 4 - Spending the final day in Haram.
Day 5 - Performing farewell Tawaf, checking out the hotel and returning home.

7-Day Umrah Trip (Standard Trip)

This 7-day Umrah trip offers a standard balance of worship and comfort for individuals who can manage everything without rushing.

10-Day Umrah Trip (Comfortable and Recommended)

The 10-day Umrah trip is more comfortable and fulfilling which provides extra days for worship and reflection. It's a perfect choice for first-time yet budget-conscious pilgrims.

Day 1 - Arriving in Makkah, check-in the hotel and performing Umrah rituals.
Day 2 - Spending the whole day in worship in Masjid al-Haram.
Day 3 - Performing voluntary Tawaf and exploring Masjid al-Haram.
Day 4 - Visiting the nearby ziyarat sites of Makkah.
Day 5 - Traveling to Madinah and offering Salam at Rawdah e Rasool in Masjid an-nabawi.
Day 6 - Spending full day in Ibadah in masjid an-nabawi.
Day 7 - Visiting the nearby ziyarat sites of Madinah.
Day 8 - Traveling back to Makkah and performing Umrah.
Day 9 - Spending the final day in Ibadah in Masjid al-Haram.
Day 10 - Performing farewell Tawaf and returning home.

Extended Umrah Trip (12-day or 14- day)

There is also an option of extending the Umrah duration while booking the whole journey. It's a perfect choice for first-time pilgrims which provides enough time to understand the whole process.

Days 1-4: Traveling to Makkah, Performing Umrah and focusing on Ibadah.
Days 5-6: Visiting ziyarat sites in Makkah and traveling to Madinah.
Days 7-9: Spending more time in Ibadah in masjid an-nabawi and visiting nearby ziyarat sites in Madinah.
Days 10-12: Traveling back to Makkah and performing Umrah.
Days 13-14: Performing farewell Tawaf, spending more time in Ibadah and returning home.

Breaking down the time duration an Umrah Journey takes from start

An Umrah journey involves booking an Umrah package, getting an Umrah visa and boarding Umrah flights. So, here's how much each step takes time.

Umrah Visa Processing Time

Pilgrims have to apply for an Umrah visa every time they plan an Umrah journey. Though getting an Umrah visa from the USA is far easier in 2026, it still requires applying in advance. However, it's more streamlined and quick to get an Umrah visa through authorized travel agents.

In routine, getting an Umrah visa through a US-based travel agency takes 4 to 7 business days. However, the whole visa processing can take up to 2 weeks or more during peak seasons. Therefore, applying for an Umrah visa 4 to 8 weeks before travel dates is always recommended. This also gives more time for getting prepared for the sacred journey ahead.

Flight Duration from the USA to Saudi Arabia

The flight duration largely depends on the departure airport from the USA and the number of layovers it has. Here's how much time one-stop Umrah flights takes when departing from major US cities:

New York (JFK) to Jeddah: 13-15 hours.
Washington D.C. (IAD) to Jeddah: 14-16 hours.
Chicago (ORD) to Jeddah: 15-17 hours.
Houston (IAH) to Jeddah: 16-18 hours.
Dallas (DFW) to Jeddah: 16-18 hours.
Los Angeles (LAX) to Jeddah: 18-22 hours.
San Francisco (SFO) to Jeddah: 18-22 hours.

Importantly, layovers are unavoidable for most American pilgrims which add meaningfully to total travel time.

For example:

Short layovers add 1.5-3 hours to total flight duration.
Standard layovers add 3-5 hours to total flight duration.
Long layovers add 5-8 hours to total flight duration.

Similarly, the destination airport also contributes differently to the Umrah journey. For example:

Arriving at Jeddah airport: It takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Makkah.
Arriving at Madinah airport: It takes 30-45 minutes to reach Madinah city near Masjid al-Haram.

Overview of Time Required for Each Step of the Umrah Journey

Stage of the Umrah Journey	Key Activity	Estimated Duration
Trip Planning	Researching Umrah packages, choosing travel dates, budgeting	1–3 days
Passport Preparation	Applying for or renewing passport if needed	1–3 weeks (if required)
Umrah Visa Processing	Submitting documents and receiving Umrah visa approval	1–10 days
Booking Flights	Reserving international flights and confirming itinerary	1–2 hours
Booking Accommodation	Reserving hotels in Makkah and Madinah	1–2 hours
Packing & Preparation	Packing Ihram, documents, and essentials	3–6 hours
Travel to Departure Airport	Traveling from home to international airport	1–4 hours
Airport Check-in & Security	Check-in, baggage drop, and security procedures	2–3 hours
Flight from USA to Saudi Arabia	International flight to Jeddah or Madinah	12–15 hours
Airport Immigration in Saudi Arabia	Passport control, visa verification, baggage collection	1–3 hours
Travel from Jeddah Airport to Makkah	Bus, taxi, or train journey	1–2 hours
Hotel Check-in	Checking into hotel near Haram	20–40 minutes
Preparing for Ihram	Wearing Ihram garments and making intention	30–60 minutes
Travel from Hotel to Masjid al-Haram	Walking or short transport to Haram	10–20 minutes
Entering Masjid al-Haram	Reaching the Tawaf area around the Kaaba	10–20 minutes
Tawaf (7 Circuits Around the Kaaba)	Completing seven rounds around the Kaaba	30–90 minutes
Two Rakats After Tawaf	Prayer near Maqam Ibrahim or anywhere in the Haram	5–10 minutes
Drinking Zamzam	Drinking Zamzam water after Tawaf	5 minutes
Sa’i (Safa to Marwah)	Walking seven times between Safa and Marwah	45–90 minutes
Halq or Taqsir	Shaving or trimming hair to complete Umrah	10–15 minutes
Total Time to Perform Umrah Rituals	From Tawaf to completion of Halq/Taqsir	2–4 hours
Rest After Umrah	Returning to hotel and resting	1–2 hours
Additional Worship in Makkah	Extra prayers and worship at Masjid al-Haram	2–5 days (typical stay)
Travel from Makkah to Madinah (optional)	Bus or train journey	4–6 hours
Visit Masjid an-Nabawi	Prayers and visits to historical sites	1–3 days
Return Travel to Jeddah Airport	Travel from Makkah or Madinah to airport	1–5 hours
Airport Procedures for Return Flight	Check-in, immigration, and boarding	2–3 hours
Flight Back to USA	Return international flight	12–15 hours
Travel from Arrival Airport to Home	Domestic travel after landing	1–4 hours
Typical Total Umrah Trip Duration	Entire journey from departure to return	7–14 days

Factors That Affect the Time Duration of Umrah Rituals

The duration of Umrah Journey isn't all about rituals only. In fact, there are different factors that influence how long does Umrah take to complete. So, understand these factors to perform Umrah without unnecessary delays:

Crowd levels in Masjid al-Haram: Heavy crowds in Haram slower down the mobility and thus increase the time duration of Umrah.
Time of Day: Performing Umrah after prayers or in the evening takes longer than usual.
Season of the Year: Performing Umrah during peak seasons such as in Ramadan or December takes more time than performing Umrah in off-peak seasons.
Walking Pace: Umrah takes much more time to complete for pilgrims who walk slowly or take breaks between rituals.
Location of Tawaf Area: Performing Tawaf on upper floors almost takes double the time than performing on ground floor.
Group vs. individual Performance: An Umrah takes longer when pilgrims perform rituals in group together.
Prayer Times During Umrah: Congregational prayers in between Umrah rituals significantly enhances the Umrah duration.
First-Time Pilgrim Experience: It takes more time for first-time pilgrims to perform Umrah while navigating the Mataf and Mas'a area for the first time.

Final Words

In conclusion, the answer to how much time Umrah takes to complete isn't as simple as you think. The whole duration depends on personal and surrounding factors that can slow or boost the time Umrah takes. However, one can easily complete all the Umrah rituals in a single day and even in 2 to 4 hours on average. But it's not the time that matters but the quality and focus on rituals which make the difference.