Umrah in the Cooler Months: Planning a November to February Trip
November to February is the most comfortable time of year for Umrah. Average daytime highs in Makkah fall from about 36°C in November to about 31°C in January, against about 44°C in June, and evenings are mild enough for tawaf and sai without the summer heat. Plan around Ramadan, which is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, and book Jeddah hotels early for January. A pre booked chauffeur covers the airport, the Haram drop and the Madinah leg at times that suit you. Jeddah to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah are quoted per route.
For many families the cooler months are the natural window for Umrah. School holidays, the end of the working year and the gentler weather all point the same way, and the difference on the ground is real: walking from the hotel to the Haram at midday in December is a very different experience from the same walk in July.
This guide covers what each month is like, how Ramadan changes the picture from February, and how to plan the transport so the trip stays calm: the arrival at Jeddah, the drive to Makkah, the journey to Madinah and the return. Religious questions belong to your scholar or group leader. We cover the logistics, and we link to our detailed guides along the way, starting with our Jeddah airport to Makkah transfer guide.
The Season at a Glance
| Month | Average high in Makkah | Average low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | About 36°C | About 23°C | Warm days, pleasant evenings, crowds building |
| December | About 33°C | About 21°C | Comfortable, busy around the year end holidays |
| January | About 31°C | About 19°C | The coolest month, strong demand in Jeddah |
| February | About 33°C | About 20°C | Ramadan expected to begin around 8 February |
Temperatures are long term averages for Makkah (1991 to 2020 normals). Individual days can be warmer or cooler, so check the forecast in the week you travel.
Why the Cooler Months Suit Umrah
Umrah is physical. Tawaf around the Kaaba and the seven circuits of sai between Safa and Marwah add up to several kilometres on foot, often after a long flight and a drive from Jeddah. In summer most pilgrims wait for the night to perform them. In the cooler months the window opens up: late afternoon, evening and the hours after Fajr are all comfortable, which makes it easier to avoid the busiest times.
Cooler weather also changes the transport plan. Waiting at a drop point, walking from a permitted drop zone to the hotel, or standing at the miqat while the family gets ready are all easier at 25°C than at 44°C. That matters most for elderly parents and young children, who feel the heat first.
Month by Month
November
The first month of the season. Days are still warm, but evenings are pleasant and the crowds are lighter than later in the winter. It is a good choice for travellers who want the cooler weather without the peak of the holidays. Hotels near the Haram are easier to secure than in December or January.
December
The weather is comfortable and demand rises sharply in the second half of the month, when year end holidays in many countries bring families and groups. Book hotels, flights and transport together, and give the transfer company your flight number early so the vehicle is held for your arrival time.
January
The coolest month in Makkah and a popular one. Jeddah is especially busy this January because the AFC Asian Cup runs from 7 January to 5 February 2027 in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. If your trip includes nights in Jeddah, book the hotel well ahead. In Makkah and Madinah the season simply continues at a steady pace.
February
Early February is still comfortable, and from around 8 February the picture changes as Ramadan is expected to begin. That date is an astronomical estimate; the start is confirmed by the moon sighting announcement. Ramadan is the most sought after time for Umrah, and demand peaks in the last ten nights.
Planning Around Ramadan
If your dates fall in February, decide early whether you want to be in Makkah before Ramadan or during it. Before Ramadan, the first week of February is one of the calmest and most comfortable windows of the whole season. During Ramadan, everything is busier: hotels, flights and transport fill early, the Haram is fullest around the night prayers, and traffic into the central zone is managed tightly at peak hours.
For transport this means three practical steps. Book the airport transfer and the Makkah to Madinah leg as soon as your flights are fixed. Plan arrivals outside the hours just before Iftar, when roads into Makkah are at their busiest. And expect drop points near the Haram to move further from the hotel at peak times, so allow a short walk.
Arriving at Jeddah
Most pilgrims fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Many Umrah flights use the Hajj Terminal; our Hajj Terminal arrivals guide explains how the meeting point works. Pilgrims travelling to Makkah for Umrah usually enter ihram on the flight before passing the miqat, so they leave the airport ready to go.
The drive from Jeddah airport to a hotel near Masjid al Haram is usually around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the terminal and traffic. A chauffeur booked through our airport transfer service tracks the flight, waits through delays at immigration, loads the bags once and takes you to the nearest permitted drop point for your hotel.
The Madinah Leg in Winter
Most trips include a few days in Madinah. Madinah sits inland and higher than Makkah, so winter nights there are noticeably cooler. Pack a light jacket or shawl for early morning visits to the Prophet's Mosque and for Ziyarat at Quba and Mount Uhud.
The road between Makkah and Madinah is about 430 kilometres, usually four and a half to five and a half hours with a rest stop. Our Makkah to Madinah by road guide covers that journey, and if you start in Madinah instead, our guide to Umrah from Madinah and the ihram stop at Abyar Ali walks through the day. If you are weighing the Haramain train, our train or chauffeur comparison sets out when each works best.
Packing for a Winter Umrah
- A light jacket, shawl or fleece for Madinah evenings and air conditioned hotels.
- Comfortable sandals or shoes already worn in, because the walking adds up.
- A refillable water bottle; it is cooler, but you still need to drink.
- Ihram garments and unscented toiletries in a cabin bag, not in the hold.
- Passports, hotel confirmations and your Nusuk permit details where your group uses them.
- A small bag for Zamzam on the return, and space in the vehicle for it.
Families, Elderly Travellers and Groups
The cooler months are the best time to bring parents and grandparents, and the transport plan should be built around them. A private car that waits at the hotel, goes straight to the drop point and comes back when called removes most of the standing and waiting. For a full day of Ziyarat, a full day chauffeur keeps the same car and driver with you for twelve hours. Our Ziyarat planning guide lists the main sites in both cities.
Size the vehicle to the bags as well as the people. Winter travellers often carry more clothing, and everyone brings Zamzam home. Full specifications are on our fleet page, and group transport covers coaches for larger parties. Our guide to choosing Umrah group vehicles goes into more detail.
| Party | Suggested vehicle |
|---|---|
| One to three travellers | Lexus ES, BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S Class |
| Family of four to six with full luggage | GMC Yukon or Mercedes V Class |
| Seven to eleven people | Hyundai Staria, Hyundai H1, Toyota Hiace or Mercedes Sprinter |
| Groups up to 21 | Toyota Coaster |
| Larger groups | 34 or 47 seat coach |
What It Costs
Jeddah airport to Makkah, Makkah to Madinah and every other holy city or intercity route is quoted per route and fixed in writing before you travel. Vehicle class, timing, waiting time and the number of stops all go into the figure, and Ramadan dates are quoted on the same basis. If your trip includes days in Jeddah, the published Jeddah full day rates below apply. All figures are in SAR from our pricing page; a full day is 12 hours with chauffeur and fuel included, and VAT applies.
| Vehicle | Seats | Jeddah airport to Makkah | Jeddah 12 hour day | Extra hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Fortuner | 6 | Quoted per route | 1,380 | 115 |
| Ford Taurus sedan | 3 | Quoted per route | 1,725 | 140 |
| Lexus ES | 3 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| Hyundai H1 | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| GMC Yukon | 6 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 185 |
| Toyota Hiace | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,070 | 175 |
| Hyundai Staria | 11 | Quoted per route | 2,300 | 210 |
| Toyota Coaster | 21 | Quoted per route | 2,300 | 210 |
| Mercedes V Class | 5 | Quoted per route | 4,025 | 370 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 7 | Quoted per route | 4,370 | 405 |
| BMW 7 Series | 3 | Quoted per route | 4,600 | 440 |
| Mercedes S Class | 3 | Quoted per route | 4,830 | 460 |
Corporate accounts and group programmes are quoted separately.
How Booking Works
Send your flight numbers, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, the number of passengers and bags, and the dates you want to travel between the cities. We confirm the vehicles, the collection times and a fixed price in writing. The evening before each journey you receive the chauffeur's name and number. We operate in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, so one booking covers the whole trip. For the journey home, our Makkah to Jeddah airport departure guide explains how much time to allow.
Planning Tips
- Choose early November or the first week of February for the calmest comfortable weeks.
- Book Jeddah hotels early if you travel in January.
- Book transport as soon as flights are fixed, especially for late December and Ramadan.
- Perform tawaf and sai in the late afternoon or evening to avoid the busiest hours.
- Pack a warm layer for Madinah nights.
- Check the latest travel advisories and your airline before you travel, as conditions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month for Umrah weather?
January is the coolest month in Makkah, with average highs of about 31°C. November to early February is comfortable overall, and evenings are mild throughout.
When does Ramadan start in 2027?
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027. That is an astronomical estimate; the official start depends on the moon sighting announcement.
Is Umrah busier in winter?
Yes. Late December, January and Ramadan are the busiest periods of the cooler season. Early November and the first week of February are usually calmer.
Do I need warm clothes for Umrah in winter?
Days in Makkah stay warm, but a light jacket or shawl is useful for Madinah nights, early mornings and air conditioned hotels.
How long is the drive from Jeddah airport to Makkah?
Usually around an hour to an hour and a half to a hotel near the Haram, depending on the terminal and traffic.
How much is a chauffeur for Umrah in winter?
Jeddah to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah are quoted per route and fixed in writing. Full days in Jeddah follow our published rates, from SAR 1,380 for a Toyota Fortuner. Send your dates to +966 56 644 0190 for an exact quote.
Planning Umrah this winter? Email info@roarkchauffeur.com or call +966 56 644 0190. Our published rates are the starting point for every quote.
