Surging Umrah Package Prices in Riyadh Ahead of Ramadan’s Qiyam Al-Layl

Understanding the Price Surge

Riyadh: Umrah travel agencies and tour operators have nearly doubled the price of tour packages per person, with fees expected to triple in anticipation of a heavy rush during Qiyam Al-Layl, the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Doubling of Umrah Package Prices

Umrah travel operators in Riyadh have almost doubled the price of individual tour bus packages from the regular fare of SR110 ($30) to up to SR200. This fee will further increase to between SR250 and SR300 during the Qiyam Al-Layl, said tour operators in Hai Al-Wizarat district.

Reasons Behind the Hike

“The hike in the Umrah package prices is due to the huge rush of pilgrims during Ramadan,” said tour operator Al-Fajr, also citing an increase in value-added tax to 15 percent as one of the reasons for soaring prices when compared to pre-pandemic years.

Demand During Ramadan

“Most people want to spend Ramadan in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah,” Abdur Rahman Oomeri, a Riyadh resident who came to inquire about Umrah packages, told Arab News.

Impact on Travel Plans

There are about 100 Umrah travel operators spread throughout the capital, most of them in the districts of Hai Al-Wizarat and Batha.

Rise in Umrah Package Prices

Rises in Umrah package prices are seen every year during Ramadan, only halting with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since pandemic restrictions were lifted, however, prices have soared due to a high influx of Umrah pilgrims returning to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Travel Challenges During Ramadan

Flights from Riyadh to Jeddah are also filling up quickly.

Limited Ticket Availability

“Tickets for some of the closer dates are not available as they sold out amid the heavy Ramadan rush,” Mohammed Aslam Jameel, a supervisor at a Riyadh travel company, told Arab News.

The surge in Umrah package prices and flight fares poses challenges for travelers planning trips during Ramadan, especially during the peak period of Qiyam Al-Layl