The Challenge: Rising Prices and a Closing Window
In early 2026, Qamar Khan began planning Umrah for his family of five, including his elderly parents who are both above 60 years of age.
The family wanted to travel in April 2026, before the Hajj season began and the Umrah window closed. However, every agency they approached quoted prices above £1,300 per person.
Qamar contacted four to five different travel agencies. Each quotation came back over budget. The family needed a package below £1,200 per person, and no agency was able to meet that figure.
The rising cost was not surprising. As the Hajj season approaches each year, Umrah prices increase significantly. Airlines raise fares on popular routes from London to Jeddah. Hotels near the Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madinah increase their rates as demand peaks. Agencies that rely on standard online hotel pricing and direct flight bookings pass those higher costs on to customers.
For a family of five, even a difference of £100 per person meant an additional £500 on the total cost. At £1,300 or more per person, the trip would cost the family over £6,500, well beyond what they had planned.
Despite the difficulty, Qamar was not ready to postpone. His elderly parents were eager to perform Umrah, and delaying by another year was not something the family wanted to consider. They continued searching for an option that would work.
That is when Qamar contacted Tawaf E Haram Travel.
How Tawaf E Haram Travel Brought the Cost Down to £1,050
When Qamar reached out to us, we did not simply offer a standard package from a fixed price list.
Our team reviewed the family’s requirements carefully, including the number of travellers, the room type needed, their travel dates, the comfort level required for elderly parents, and most importantly, their budget ceiling of £1,200 per person.
We then used three specific advantages that allowed us to bring the total cost down to £1,050 per person, which is £250 less per person than the lowest quote the family had received elsewhere, and £1,250 less for the entire family of five.
1. Direct Hotel Relationships in Saudi Arabia
Unlike many UK-based agencies that book hotels through online platforms at published rates, Tawaf E Haram Travel works directly with hotel owners and authorised dealers in Saudi Arabia.
These long-standing relationships give us access to rates that are significantly lower than what is available through standard booking channels.
For Qamar’s family, this meant we could secure rooms at Voco Makkah and Emaar Mektan Hotel in Madinah at economy pricing, even though both properties offer services well above their price point.
2. Discounted Airline Rates Through Volume Booking
We book flights with major airlines regularly throughout the year. This consistent booking volume gives us access to discounted airfares that are not available to occasional bookers or smaller agencies.
For this package, we secured economy flights from London at a lower rate than what was showing on standard booking platforms during the same period.
3. Indirect Flights — The Biggest Cost Saver
During the booking conversation, our agent asked Qamar whether the family would be open to an indirect flight rather than a direct London-to-Jeddah route.
Qamar confirmed they were flexible.
This single decision made the largest difference to the overall cost. Direct flights from London to Jeddah during the pre-Hajj period are among the most expensive options. By choosing an indirect route, the family saved a substantial amount on airfare without any meaningful impact on their travel experience.
The Result of These Three Steps
| Detail | Other Agencies | Tawaf E Haram Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Price Per Person | £1,300+ | £1,050 |
| Total for 5 Travellers | £6,500+ | £5,250 |
| Total Saving | — | £1,250+ |
| Hotels | Similar category | Voco Makkah + Emaar Mektan |
| Flights | Direct (expensive) | Indirect (affordable) |
| Visa | Included | Included |
| Transfers | Varied | Private Transfers Included |
| ATOL Protection | Not always confirmed | Fully ATOL Protected |
The family received a complete 12-night Umrah package with 4-star accommodation, visa processing, private transfers, and dedicated agent support for £250 less per person than any other quote they had received.
Why These Hotels Were Chosen for Elderly Travellers
Selecting the right hotels was not just about price. With parents above 60 who tire easily, proximity to the holy sites and available services mattered just as much.
Voco Makkah
Voco Makkah was selected for several specific reasons relevant to this family.
The hotel offers shuttle services to the Haram, which removed the need for Qamar’s elderly parents to walk long distances to reach Masjid al-Haram. This was one of the family’s main concerns, and the shuttle service addressed it directly.
Despite being available at economy pricing through our direct hotel contacts, Voco Makkah provides services comparable to a 5-star property. The family did not have to sacrifice comfort to stay within budget.
Emaar Mektan Hotel, Madinah
Emaar Mektan Hotel was chosen because of its close proximity to Masjid Nabawi. For elderly travellers, being within easy walking distance of the Prophet’s Mosque significantly reduces physical strain across multiple daily prayers.
The hotel also offers reliable services that made the family’s stay in Madinah smooth and comfortable.
Both hotels were booked in a one double room and one triple room configuration, which suited the family’s size and kept the cost efficient.
Dedicated Support for a Family with Elderly Parents
Qamar’s parents had specific concerns that go beyond what a standard travel package addresses.
At their age, long walks, crowded spaces, unfamiliar transport systems and the physical demands of Tawaf and Sa’i can be genuinely exhausting. The family needed more than just a booking confirmation, they needed someone who would guide them practically.
Tawaf E Haram Travel assigned a dedicated agent to the family from the moment they booked. This agent remained their single point of contact before departure, during the trip, and after they returned.
Before Departure
The agent helped the family prepare by advising them on:
- What to expect at each stage of the journey, especially for first-time elderly travellers
- Packing and preparation tips relevant to the season and their parents’ needs
- Documents and visa confirmation, ensuring nothing was missed
During the Journey
Once the family arrived in Saudi Arabia, the agent remained available by phone and message. Support included:
- Advising on less crowded times to visit the Haram, so the elderly parents could perform Tawaf and Sa’i with less physical strain and more comfort
- Private transfer coordination between Jeddah airport, Makkah and Madinah, so the family never had to navigate shared transport or wait in queues with elderly travellers
- Answering questions as they came up, whether about prayer times, hotel facilities, local transport or anything else
After Returning
The agent followed up with the family after they returned to London to ensure everything had gone smoothly and to address any feedback.
This level of continuous, personal support meant the family could focus entirely on their Ibadah rather than worrying about logistics.
The Outcome
Qamar Khan and his family completed their Umrah successfully in April 2026, before the Hajj season began.
What had seemed unlikely just weeks earlier, performing Umrah within budget, with elderly parents, before the season closes, became a reality.
What the family achieved:
- Umrah completed before the Hajj
- Total cost stayed within budget at £1,050 per person
- The family saved over £1,250 compared to other quotes
- Elderly parents travelled comfortably with shuttle services, nearby hotels and private transfers
- Dedicated agent support was available at every stage of the journey
- Smooth private transfers between airport, Makkah and Madinah removed travel stress
- Umrah performed without unnecessary stress or compromise
After returning home, Qamar sent us this message:
“Thank u for managing the Journey for us. You made it possible when we thought its over. Jazak Allah”
The family has since referred other families to Tawaf E Haram Travel, and one of those referred families has already booked their own Umrah package with us.
Why This Case Study Matters for Families Planning Umrah from London
Qamar’s experience reflects a challenge that many UK-based Muslim families face every year.
As the Hajj season approaches, Umrah prices rise. Families who have not booked early often find themselves facing quotes that exceed their budget. When elderly parents or larger family groups are involved, the cost pressure increases further.
What made the difference for Qamar’s family was not luck. It was a combination of:
- An agency with direct supplier relationships that can access rates below standard market pricing
- A willingness to consider flexible flight options like indirect routes
- Expert guidance on hotel selection that balances cost with comfort
- Personalised support to the specific needs of the family
These are the same advantages available to every family that books with Tawaf E Haram Travel.
Planning Umrah from London?
If rising prices, elderly family members, or tight timelines are making your Umrah planning difficult, speak to Tawaf E Haram Travel.
We specialise in affordable Umrah packages from London and take the time to understand your budget, travel dates and family requirements.
Every booking is ATOL protected and supported by a dedicated agent from start to finish.
Contact us today to discuss your Umrah journey. We will work with you to find a package that fits your budget without compromising your experience.
