If you have saved for years, booked your flights and started counting the days to Makkah, the news from Saudi Arabia this month has probably left you anxious. Is it safe to go to Umrah now? It is the question on many UK pilgrims' minds in October 2026, and you deserve a clear, honest answer rather than a sales pitch.
Is It Safe to Go to Umrah Now? The Quick Answer
The UK government currently advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) last updated this advice on 27 October 2026, after missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports.
Three facts matter most: Umrah has not been suspended (as of 29 October 2026, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made no announcement stopping it). Flights are heavily disrupted, with thousands cancelled and many airlines pausing routes. And your travel insurance is at risk: travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate your cover.
So while Umrah is still possible, travelling right now carries real risks that you should weigh carefully. The seven points below explain what has happened, what the official advice means for you, and exactly what to do next, whether you decide to travel, postpone or rebook.
1. What Has Happened at Saudi Airports
Since 13 July 2026, the Houthis, an armed group in Yemen, have fired missiles and drones at several locations in Saudi Arabia. In October, the attacks reached major civilian airports. The FCDO now warns of a heightened threat to airports across the country, naming Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Yanbu among others.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 27 Oct 2026 | FCDO updates its advice again; all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia still advised against |
| 25 Oct 2026 | Riyadh's King Khalid Airport partially reopens; many foreign airlines stay away |
| 22 Oct 2026 | An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam kills two people |
| 16 Oct 2026 | FCDO widens its warning from airports to the whole of Saudi Arabia |
| 11 Oct 2026 | FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Saudi airports, except Madinah |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Missile strike on King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh |
The knock-on effect has been huge. More than 7,800 flights have been cancelled in Saudi Arabia since 8 October, according to Gulf News. Thousands of pilgrims from other countries, including India, were left stranded when their return flights were cancelled.
What this means for you: the biggest practical problem for UK pilgrims right now is travel itself. Airports remain a target, and flights in and out of the country can be cancelled at short notice.
2. Is Umrah Still Happening in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. As of 29 October 2026, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has not suspended Umrah, and pilgrims already in the Kingdom are still performing their rituals at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and visiting Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
The Ministry is also tightening its oversight of the industry. Earlier this month it suspended four Umrah companies and four overseas agents for housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodation in Makkah, according to Arab News. That is a reminder to book only with approved, accredited providers, especially during uncertain times.
In short, the holy sites are open. The question is not whether you can perform Umrah, but whether now is the right time to travel.
3. What the FCDO Travel Advice Means for UK Umrah Pilgrims
The FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia, last updated on 27 October 2026, says:
- Do not travel within 10km of the border with Yemen.
- Avoid all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia, which includes Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
- Further attacks on airports, plus disruption and cancellations, are very likely.
- Check your booking is confirmed and your flight is running before you go to the airport.
- If you need to leave and flights are unavailable, consider travelling by land to a neighbouring country and flying home from there.
What "all but essential travel" means: the FCDO is not banning travel. It is telling you the risk is high enough that you should only go if your trip is truly necessary. The FCDO does not decide for you whether a particular Umrah trip is essential; that judgement is yours. Read the full advice, including the FCDO's dedicated pilgrimage page, before you make it.
A note on Madinah: on 11 October, Madinah's airport was the one exception to the FCDO's airport warning. Since 16 October, the advice covers the whole country, so flying into Madinah instead of Jeddah no longer avoids it.
4. Travelling Now Could Invalidate Your Umrah Travel Insurance
This is the point many pilgrims overlook. The FCDO states clearly that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice.
In practice, that could mean no cover for medical treatment, cancelled flights, extra hotel nights or lost belongings while you are in Saudi Arabia. For older pilgrims or anyone with a health condition, travelling uninsured is a serious risk.
Before you decide anything:
- Call your insurer and ask directly: "Am I covered if I travel to Saudi Arabia while the FCDO advises against all but essential travel?"
- Get the answer in writing, by email, so there is no dispute later.
- Ask about cancellation cover. Some policies pay out if you cancel because the FCDO changed its advice after you bought the policy.
- Look for specialist cover if your current insurer will not cover you. A few insurers offer policies for destinations under FCDO warnings, usually at a higher price.
5. Which Flights to Saudi Arabia Are Running From the UK?
Most UK pilgrims fly to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, either direct or via a Gulf hub such as Dubai or Doha. Here is where the main airlines stood in late October 2026:
| Airline | Status for Saudi routes (late October 2026) |
|---|---|
| British Airways | No Jeddah flights since April 2026; limited Riyadh service planned from 3 November |
| Saudia | Has flown London to Jeddah nonstop; check current schedule with the airline |
| Riyadh Air | London flights operating via Al Qassim Airport from 25 October |
| Emirates | Dubai to Jeddah flights scheduled to resume on 30 October |
| Qatar Airways | Jeddah flights reduced from 7 to 4 a day |
| Etihad | Some Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled until 5 November |
| Eurowings (Lufthansa Group) | Jeddah flights planned to restart on 12 November |
Airlines are extending suspensions week by week, so treat these dates as a snapshot, not a promise. Two practical tips:
- Check twice: look up your flight status 24 hours before and again a few hours before you leave for the airport.
- Watch your connection: if you fly via a Gulf hub, a cancelled second leg can leave you stuck in Dubai or Doha. Booking both legs on one ticket gives you more protection than two separate tickets.
6. Should You Go, Postpone or Rebook Your Umrah?
When pilgrims ask whether it is safe to go to Umrah now, the honest answer depends on their own circumstances. Umrah is a sunnah act of worship that can be performed at any time of year outside Hajj, so postponing does not mean missing your chance. These five questions can help you decide calmly:
- Is my travel insurance still valid? If not, the risks of travelling rise sharply.
- How flexible is my booking? Ask your travel agent whether you can change dates without losing money.
- Who is travelling with me? Elderly parents, young children and anyone with health needs are harder to move quickly if flights are cancelled.
- Can I cope with delays? Do you have spare leave, money and medication if your return is pushed back by days?
- Is there a good alternative date? For many families, a later trip could be just as meaningful.
Good alternative dates to consider
| Option | Expected timing | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan Umrah 2027 | Ramadan expected to begin around 7 to 8 February 2027 | Highest reward but busiest and priciest; book early |
| February half-term 2027 | Overlaps with Ramadan in many areas | Ideal for families with school-age children |
| Easter holidays 2027 | Late March to April | Popular with families; check Umrah visa cut-off before Hajj season |
Dates depend on moon sighting and local school calendars, so confirm them before booking. You can explore our Ramadan Umrah packages and Easter Umrah packages if postponing suits you.
4 common mistakes to avoid
- Cancelling before speaking to your agent. If you cancel first, you may lose rights to a free change or refund that you would get if the airline cancels.
- Assuming your insurance still covers you. Many policies stop covering trips once the FCDO advises against travel.
- Booking flight and hotel separately to save money. A separately booked flight and hotel may not be ATOL protected as a package, which leaves you with less protection if things go wrong.
- Choosing an unlicensed provider. As the Ministry's recent suspensions show, unapproved agents and accommodation can leave pilgrims without the services they paid for.
7. What to Do If Your Umrah Flight Is Cancelled
A cancelled flight is stressful, especially when it is tied to hotels in Makkah and Madinah and a visa with fixed dates. Follow these steps in order:
- Stay calm and don't cancel anything yourself. Let the airline or your agent make the change, so you keep your rights.
- Contact whoever you booked with. If you booked a package, your travel agent should rebook flights and adjust hotels and transfers for you. Airlines such as Riyadh Air tell passengers who booked through an agent to contact the agent directly.
- Ask for your options in writing. These usually include new dates, a different route, or a refund.
- Check your Umrah visa dates. If your trip moves, make sure your visa is still valid for the new dates.
- Call your travel insurer. Tell them about the cancellation and ask what they will cover.
- Keep every document. Save emails, booking references and receipts for any extra costs, such as meals or hotel nights.
If you are already in Saudi Arabia and your flight home is cancelled, contact your airline and travel agent first. The FCDO suggests considering travel by land to a neighbouring country, such as Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait or Jordan, and flying from there if Saudi flights are unavailable. You can also contact the British Embassy in Riyadh for consular help.
How ATOL protection keeps your money safe
ATOL is a UK financial protection scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If your Umrah package includes a flight and was sold by an ATOL-holding company, it is ATOL protected. That means if the travel company fails, you can get your money back, and if you are already abroad, you will not be left stranded.
Always ask for your ATOL certificate when you book and keep it safe. Al Marwa Travel is ATOL protected (ATOL No: 74904), so every eligible package with flights we sell carries this protection.
Umrah Travel Checklist for UK Pilgrims (October 2026)
If you decide to travel, use this checklist before you leave home:
- Read the latest FCDO Saudi Arabia travel advice and sign up for its email alerts
- Get written confirmation that your travel insurance covers you
- Check your flight status 24 hours before and again on the day
- Keep your ATOL certificate and booking confirmations, printed and on your phone
- Make sure your Umrah visa matches your travel dates and register on the Nusuk app if required
- Carry your meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate
- Save your travel agent's phone and WhatsApp numbers
- Note the British Embassy Riyadh contact details
- Share your itinerary and hotel details with family in the UK
- Pack extra money and at least a week's spare medication in case your return is delayed
Frequently Asked Questions About Umrah Safety Right Now
Is it safe to go to Umrah now from the UK?
The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia because of attacks on airports. Umrah has not been suspended, but flights are disrupted and your insurance may not cover you. The decision is yours, so weigh the risks carefully.
Is Umrah cancelled in 2026?
No. As of 29 October 2026, Saudi Arabia has not suspended Umrah. Pilgrims are still performing it in Makkah.
Is it safe to fly to Jeddah from the UK right now?
The FCDO names Jeddah among the airports facing a heightened threat and says further attacks are very likely. Check the latest advice and your flight status before travelling.
Will my travel insurance cover me if I go?
It may not. The FCDO warns that travelling against its advice could invalidate your insurance. Ask your insurer directly and get the answer in writing.
Can I change my Umrah dates instead of cancelling?
In many cases, yes. Speak to your travel agent about moving your trip to a later date, such as Ramadan 2027 or the Easter holidays.
Final Word: Making a Confident Decision About Your Umrah
The longing to stand before the Kaaba is not something that fades with a few months' delay. Whether you travel now or later, the most important thing is that you make the decision with full information: the latest FCDO advice, a clear answer from your insurer, and a flexible booking with a trusted, accredited provider.
If you have an Umrah trip booked or are planning one, our team can talk you through your options honestly, including changing dates or planning ahead for 2027. Al Marwa Travel is ATOL protected (No: 74904) and has supported UK pilgrims since 2012.
Call us on 020 3504 6001, message us on WhatsApp, or contact us online. You can also browse our Umrah packages for future dates.