Umrah from Makassar

Flying from Makassar

Makassar, the main hub for eastern Indonesia, sees seasonal Hajj and Umrah charter flights at busy times of year, but for most of the calendar pilgrims from Sulawesi connect through Jakarta or a Gulf hub for the international leg to Jeddah or Madinah, so confirm the current routing before booking rather than assuming a direct option. As with the rest of Indonesia, only use a travel agency holding a valid PPIU (Umrah travel organiser) permit from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, since this licensing is a genuine protection against fraudulent operators. South Sulawesi has a strong Islamic community with its own distinct travel networks, and local agents are generally well practised in coordinating the domestic-to-international connection through Jakarta. Makassar's climate is hot and humid, with a wet season roughly November to April that can affect flight punctuality. The Indonesian rupiah is used locally. Book well ahead of Ramadan, when demand and prices both rise sharply across the country.

Umrah visa for Indonesians

Indonesia is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Indonesians 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. Indonesia's Hajj waiting list is the world's longest, often decades in some provinces, since demand far exceeds the quota. 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.

Full visa guide for Indonesians →

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 Makassar

Your biggest variables are the flight from UPG, the hotel's distance from the Haram, and the season. Use the cost calculator for a range in IDR, 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.