Umrah from Delhi
What pilgrims leaving from Delhi need to know: the flight, the visa route for Indians, the season and a realistic budget.
Flying from Delhi
As India's capital and a major aviation hub, Delhi offers frequent nonstop service to Jeddah and Madinah from Indira Gandhi International Airport, alongside a dense network of one-stop options through the Gulf for travellers who find better fares that way. Delhi's Muslim community is large and long-established, particularly around Old Delhi and Nizamuddin, and the city has a correspondingly mature and competitive Umrah travel industry, which is generally good for pilgrims comparing packages but means it pays to check credentials rather than assume every advertised deal is equal. Winter in Delhi (November to February) brings fog that can disrupt early-morning flights, so pilgrims with tight connections should build in slack. The Indian rupee is used throughout; carry a mix of card and cash for pre-departure errands. Given Delhi's size, allow extra time simply getting to the airport during peak traffic hours.
Umrah visa for Indians
India is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Indians normally cannot self-apply online for Umrah. The route is a licensed Umrah company, or an external agent contracted through Nusuk Masar, which books the visa with an approved hotel and transport package as one file, not a visa alone. It must be used within 30 days of issue, so confirm dates with the operator first. Many Indian pilgrims already resident in the Gulf apply through their country of residence instead. Holders of a valid, used US, UK or Schengen visa, or GCC residents, may instead qualify for the eVisa or visa-on-arrival route, so ask the operator to check. For the 1448 AH Umrah season (31 May 2026 to 7 Apr 2027), start several weeks ahead, since checks move faster the earlier you begin.
When to go
Ramadan carries the greatest reward and the greatest crowds and prices; the weeks after Hajj (late Dhul Hijjah into Muharram) and the winter months (November to February) are cooler and quieter. The 1448 AH season runs from 31 May 2026 to 7 April 2027 for arrivals and departures. See the best time to perform Umrah.
What it costs from Delhi
Your biggest variables are the flight from DEL, the hotel's distance from the Haram, and the season. Use the cost calculator for a range in INR, then compare operator quotes line by line: visa, flights, hotel nights and category, transfers, and Makkah, Madinah transport.
Before you book
- Check that the operator is contracted through Nusuk Masar (ask for their Saudi partner's name).
- Confirm the hotel name and distance, not just "near Haram".
- Read how to avoid Umrah scams and how to choose an operator.
- Install the offline companion before you fly.