How long does Umrah take?
It depends on the crowds, but the rituals of Umrah usually take about 3 to 6 hours. Tawaf takes roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours, sa'i about 45 to 90 minutes, and the haircut a few minutes. Most people plan a trip of 7 to 14 days so they can rest, pray in the Sacred Mosque and visit Medina.
Time for each step
- Ihram: a shower, putting on the ihram clothes and making the intention takes 20 to 40 minutes, usually at the hotel, airport or miqat before you reach Mecca.
- Tawaf: seven circuits around the Kaaba. On a quiet night close to the Kaaba it can take 30 to 45 minutes; in a busy season or on the upper floors (which are much longer laps) it can take 1.5 to 2 hours. Add a few minutes for two units of prayer and a drink of Zamzam water.
- Sa'i: seven laps between Safa and Marwah, about 3 km in total, all indoors and air-conditioned. Most people finish in 45 to 90 minutes.
- Halq or taqsir: men visit a barber near the mosque or trim their hair; women cut a small lock. This takes 5 to 20 minutes, and then your Umrah is complete.
What makes it faster or slower
Crowds matter most. Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, and school holidays are the busiest times, and the hours around the five daily prayers fill the mosque fast. Late night and the time after Fajr are often calmer. You can pause your tawaf or sa'i for a congregational prayer and continue where you stopped, so don't rush to finish before the iqamah.
Your health matters too. Wheelchairs and electric carts are available, and there's no rule against walking slowly. The Prophet ﷺ said tawaf is like prayer, except that talking is allowed, so whoever talks during it should only say good (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 960, hasan). Use the time for dua and dhikr in any language you know. See Can I make dua in English during prayer?
How many days should the trip be?
The Umrah itself fits in one evening, but most travelers stay a week or two. That gives time to recover from the flight, pray many prayers in al-Masjid al-Haram, and spend a few days in Medina at the Prophet's Mosque. Some people repeat tawaf many times during their stay, which is a great way to use your days in Mecca. Keep your daily prayers on track during the journey too. See Can I pray on a plane?
If cost is a worry, remember that Umrah is never meant to put you in debt. See Do I have to go to Hajj if I can't afford it?
- The Umrah rituals take about 3 to 6 hours in total.
- Tawaf: 45 minutes to 2 hours; sa'i: 45 to 90 minutes.
- Crowds, season, floor level and your health change the timing.
- Most people plan 7 to 14 days to include rest and Medina.
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