Can I go on vacation during Ramadan?
Yes, you can go on vacation during Ramadan. Travel isn't forbidden in Ramadan, and a traveler may skip fasting and make the days up later. But planning a trip just to avoid fasting misses the point of the month, and many scholars dislike it. If you go, try to keep the spirit of Ramadan with you.
Travel is allowed in Ramadan
The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions traveled during Ramadan, including on major journeys. Allah built an exemption for travelers right into the fasting verses:
Anas said they traveled with the Prophet ﷺ, and those who fasted didn't criticize those who didn't, nor the other way round (Sahih al-Bukhari 1947). For the details on when the travel exemption starts, see Can I skip fasting while traveling?
Vacation as a way to escape fasting?
Here scholars are more cautious. If the main reason for the trip is to avoid fasting, many scholars say it's disliked or even not allowed, because it's a trick to dodge an obligation. If you're traveling for a normal reason (a family visit, a booked holiday, school break timing), you can use the exemption without guilt. Many travelers simply keep fasting anyway, especially when the journey is easy, which the Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i schools consider better if it causes no hardship.
Things to plan for
- Make-up fasts: any day you don't fast must be made up before next Ramadan. See Do I have to make up missed Ramadan fasts?
- Destination time zone: you follow local suhoor and iftar times where you are.
- The last ten nights: the Prophet ﷺ said to look for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017). Many people avoid traveling then so they can focus on worship. See What is Laylat al-Qadr and how do I find it?
- Eid: if you'll be away, find out where the Eid prayer is held at your destination.
Turning the trip into a Ramadan trip
A Ramadan vacation can be beautiful. Many converts travel to Istanbul, Morocco or Malaysia during Ramadan to experience iftar in the streets, taraweeh in packed mosques and the night-time atmosphere. Umrah in Ramadan has special reward too. Keep up your Quran reading, give some charity where you are, and pray taraweeh in a local mosque.
- Travel during Ramadan is allowed.
- Travelers may skip fasting and make the days up later.
- Traveling only to avoid fasting is disliked by many scholars.
- Consider staying put for the last ten nights.
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