KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Discover amazing stay options in Makkah
- Understand why location and hotel amenities matter
- Learn about smart budget planning and easy tips for stress-free umrah
It may surprise you to learn that in the first quarter of 2025, 59.9% of internal Umrah performers did the Hajj with their families. Well, this is the data of people who live there, but don’t worry, even if you live outside Saudi Arabia, you still can perform Umrah with your family.
Yes, it sounds difficult, like traveling with family, especially with kids, in a highly populated place like this, is obviously challenging, unless you plan every detail, especially where to stay.
I have been to Makkah to perform umrah with my family, and it was one of the most beautiful and unforgettable experiences. Also, this experience taught me how to travel to and stay in Makkah with a family. With the help of this blog, let’s understand how this is done. For more info, you can also check out the DIY Umrah guide.
The Maze of Hotel Options: What I Discovered
Imagine you are ready to book a hotel in Makkah, but you realize there are tons of options, now it’s a good thing, but at the same time difficult to pick one. Here is how I tackled this situation:
- Luxury hotels (like 5-star): These stunning towers right next to Masjid al-Haram just blew us away. Less walking means more energy for prayers. With little kids and grandparents, that was HUGE. And breakfast buffet? Let’s just say even my pickiest eater still talks about the waffles.
- Mid-Range Hotels: They were a bit further from Haram, but many had free shelters (what a lifesaver after a long day). Here you will get good value for money as they have clean rooms, friendly staff, and decent breakfasts.
- Budget Hotels and Service Apartments: You will find these further away, but they are much cheaper. One of my friends tried an apartment with 2 bedrooms and a kitchenette, and according to them, it was good, especially for families.
As my parents and kids could not walk long stretches of road, so we decided to go with the first option. According to your needs, you can choose from one of these stays.
Location, Location: Why Does It Matter More Than Anything
The best hotels are the ones that save your energy for prayer, not for walking back and forth. Hotels across the street from Haram are a blessing (I’m glad I picked a hotel here), especially during prayer time or if a kid needed a nap.
But pros come with cons. These hotels get booked very fast, mainly in the busy season. We booked our hotel three months in advance and still found limited options. But the good part was that it was near the supermarket and pharmacies; if you often travel with family, you know how important these are.
Hotel Amenities That Made Our Stay Easier
Here is a fact: as a parent, little things make all the difference:
- Family Rooms or Suites: Two connected rooms? BLESSING (that we got)! Kids played, we prayed, and everyone had a good space.
- Breakfast Included: We love this feature everywhere we travel because with this, we don’t need to hunt for breakfast before sunrise (and trust me, morning hunger is real).
- Laundry Services: With toddlers and parents, this almost felt like a fortune, I mean, FRESH clothes with ZERO stress or mess!
- Private Payers Area: Honestly, there were many days when we found the mosque packed with people, and that’s when the spiritual hotel prayer space helped us out.
Apart from these, 24/7 room service, kid-friendly menus, Wi-Fi, plentiful outlets, etc, are important too.
Our Budget Adventure-Making Every Riyal Count
Honestly, at the end of this trip, I legit became a pro at budgeting. I compared prices on every travel site possible, both online and offline. Hunted for family deals (many restaurants and tourist places have great offers for groups or families).
Also, I double-checked the reviews of everything, cleanliness, hospitality, and services (to know if they are worth the money I am paying). And yes, not to forget, my brilliant decision to take a hotel near Masjid al-Haram really paid off, as we didn’t have to pay for taxi rides to reach our destination.
Tips That Helped Us Survive (and Smile!) When Traveling With Kids
No exaggerated story, just the lifesaving steps that help us enjoy every moment of our trip:
- Pack Smart: Might sound weird, but wet wipes, snacks, and coloring books were our survival kit.
- Stick to the Routine: We kept meal and sleep time close to our daily routine (key to happy kids on trips).
- Teach Kids About Umrah: Teach them what Umrah is and why so many people gather to do it in Makka. This knowledge can help them understand things better.
- Don’t Rush: We didn’t rush anything or jam-pack our schedule. Rest is as important as other rituals (especially for kids).
Stay Precautious: During the entire trip, I kept medicine, water, and some other important things in my bag to deal with any emergency.
Easy Tips to Plan a Stress-Free Umrah Stay
I guess by now you have already got many tips, but wait, there is more, because I feel that if my experience can benefit a devotee, then there is nothing better than that. So here are some more useful tips:
- Book early, family rooms vanish in a matter of minutes
- Check the packing checklist more than twice (so you don’t leave essentials behind)
- Download all the important apps (navigation, entertainment, prayer apps) ahead of time
- Bring copies of important documents and keep them safe
Apart from these tips, one piece of advice, things might not go perfectly every time, so be patient and flexible according to the situation, and do not forget to take tons of photos.
Are there childcare services available at Makkah hotels?
Yes, some Makkah hotels offer childcare services, including babysitting and kids’ clubs.
Are strollers allowed inside the Haram?
No, they are not, especially in crowded areas like Mataf.
Are prayer times different for visitors staying far from Masjid al-Haram?
No, prayer time doesn’t change according to your location.
Are there any medical facilities close to the main hotel areas in Makkah?
There are many, such as Albayt Medical General Center (AMC).
