Since the enactment of Law Number 14 of 2025, independent Umrah has officially been legalized in Indonesia. This opens up opportunities for pilgrims to plan their worship without a travel agent, offering greater flexibility in both time and budget. However, for first-timers, the biggest challenges lie in navigating transportation routes, understanding the complex gates of Masjid al-Haram, and knowing which ziyarah sites to visit.
Independent Umrah Legalized: What Has Changed?
Independent Umrah in 2026 has been officially permitted since the enactment of Law No. 14 of 2025, allowing pilgrims to independently arrange their visa, flights, accommodation, and transportation without going through a travel agency. What’s important to understand is that even though it is “independent,” you are still required to process your Umrah visa through an official PPIU (Umrah Travel Organizer), as Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk Masar system can only be accessed by registered agents.
Which Visa Is Used for Independent Umrah?
For independent Umrah, you can use two types of visas:
- Umrah Visa – valid for 90 days, strictly for religious purposes, costs around IDR 1.3–2.8 million, and must be processed through an official PPIU/authorized agent.
- Tourist Visa – valid for 90 days, can be used for both Umrah and tourism, costs approximately USD 117 (including insurance), and can be applied for online at visa.visitsaudi.com.
The Umrah visa is more affordable but less flexible compared to the tourist visa, which allows you to explore other cities.
How Many Days Does Independent Umrah Take?
Independent Umrah typically takes around 9–15 days. A common breakdown is as follows: Madinah for 3–5 days (ziyarah and worship at Masjid an-Nabawi), one day for travel from Madinah to Makkah, Makkah for 5–9 days (performing Umrah, sunnah tawaf, and ziyarah), then returning via Jeddah. The Umrah visa is valid for 90 days, allowing for a longer stay, but in practice, 12 days is sufficient to complete the main acts of worship and ziyarah without excessive fatigue. The daily budget is approximately SAR 50–100 (IDR 200,000–400,000) for meals and local transportation.
Transportation Routes from the Airport, Hotel, to the Mosque
Option 1: From King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah to Makkah
Upon arrival at Terminal 1 of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, pilgrims can exit the terminal and proceed directly to the ground transportation area on the lower floor. From here, there are three options to reach Makkah:
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Haramain Train Station: From the airport, take the escalator to the train station, purchase a ticket (SAR 50–120), then take the train for approximately 1 hour to Makkah Station. Continue by Careem or taxi (SAR 15–30) to hotels in Ajyad or Aziziyah.
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SAPTCO Bus: From the arrival hall, go to the transportation counter (SAR 30–60). The journey takes about 2 hours and goes directly to the Makkah bus terminal, followed by a taxi or Careem ride to the hotel.
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Direct Careem/Taxi from the Airport: Fare is around SAR 200–300, with a travel time of approximately 1.5 hours directly to the hotel.
Option 2: In Makkah – From Hotel to Masjid al-Haram
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Ajyad Hotel Area (budget, 500 m–1 km distance):
The closest access is via Gate 79 (King Fahd) or Gate 1 (King Abdul Aziz). Walk from the hotel along Ajyad Street toward the Ajyad Tunnel (underpass), which leads directly to the mosque basement. The walk takes around 10–20 minutes; the tunnel is air-conditioned and safe for elderly pilgrims. -
Aziziyah Hotel Area (mid-range, 1–2 km distance):
Take Makkah Bus route 7A and get off at the stop near Gates 74–79, then walk about 5 minutes; or walk via Ibrahim Al Khalil Street for 15–25 minutes. A faster alternative is taking Careem for SAR 10–15, which takes around 5–8 minutes. -
Clock Tower/Fairmont Hotel Area (premium, within the mosque complex):
The nearest access is via Gates 89–92 (Umrah Gate). Take the elevator or escalator down from the hotel and enter directly to the upper levels of the mosque, with only a 2–5 minute walk.
Makkah to Madinah
Option 1: Haramain Train
- From your hotel in Makkah, take a Careem or taxi to Makkah Central Station (approximately 15 minutes, SAR 10–25).
- Then board the Haramain train for about 2.5 hours to Madinah Knowledge Economic City Station.
- Upon arrival in Madinah, continue by Careem or taxi to a hotel near Masjid an-Nabawi (20–30 minutes, SAR 30–60).
Train ticket prices range from around SAR 60 (economy) to SAR 250 (business). It is recommended to book via haramaintrainrtes.sa at least three days in advance (H-3) to get the best fares.
Option 2: Bus
- Travel from your hotel to Makkah Central Bus Station
- Take a Darb Alwatan or SAPTCO bus for 4–6 hours to Madinah Bus Terminal
- Followed by a taxi ride to the hotel.
This option is more affordable (approximately SAR 60–80) but has a longer travel time and limited comfort.
Madinah: From Hotel to Masjid an-Nabawi
If your hotel is located approximately 500 meters from Masjid an-Nabawi (Al Haram/premium area), you can walk 5–10 minutes via Gate 10 (Bab as-Salam) or Gate 21 (Bab ar-Rahma). The route is flat, with no stairs, and is elderly-friendly. If your hotel is in the Quba area or along King Fahd Road (2–4 km away), take the Madinah Bus from the nearest shelter and get off at the Masjid an-Nabawi stop (Gates 1–5), then walk 2–5 minutes, or use Careem (SAR 10–20).
Tip: choosing a walking-distance hotel in Madinah is more worthwhile, as the mosque area is more comfortable and less crowded than in Makkah.
Madinah to Jakarta (Return via Jeddah/Madinah Airport)
Option 1: Via Jeddah
From your hotel in Madinah, take Careem to Madinah Station (SAR 30–50), then continue by Haramain Train to Jeddah Airport for approximately 3.5 hours. The train arrives directly at the station inside Terminal 1 of Jeddah Airport, allowing you to check in for your flight to Jakarta without leaving the airport area.
Option 2: Via Madinah Airport
From the hotel, take Careem to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) in Madinah (SAR 60–100, around 30 minutes). Then fly directly from Madinah to Jakarta (Saudia, approximately 10 hours) or transit via Riyadh or Dubai. This option is more expensive but the most time-efficient, as there is no need to return to Jeddah.
Masjid al-Haram Gates: Which One Is Closest to Your Hotel?
Masjid al-Haram has more than 200 gates, and choosing the right one can save 15–30 minutes of walking time.
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Ajyad Area (budget hotels): Gate 79 (King Fahd), Gate 1 (King Abdul Aziz) – close to the Sa’i area.
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Aziziyah Area: Gates 74–79, 10–20 minutes walking distance.
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Misfalah/Jarwal Area: Gates 89–92 (Umrah Gates), with access to the upper levels of the mosque.
Tip: Download the Masjid al-Haram map on Google Maps. Save the location of the gate closest to your hotel, and use real-time GPS navigation to avoid getting lost in Makkah’s look-alike alleyways!
Worship Route in Masjid al-Haram
After entering through the gate, the standard Umrah sequence is:
- Tawaf (7 circuits around the Kaaba, starting from Hajar Aswad)
- Maqam Ibrahim (perform 2 rak‘ahs of prayer)
- Sa’i (7 rounds between Safa and Marwah, starting from Safa)
- Tahallul (shaving or trimming the hair).
Important locations: Hijr Ismail (the semi-circular area beside the Kaaba; sunnah to enter during tawaf), Multazam (the area between Hajar Aswad and the Kaaba door, a place where supplications are highly recommended), Zamzam water (available from dispensers throughout the mosque—drink freely!).
Makkah Ziyarah Route
Photo by Arisdp – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17689765
Jabal Rahmah (Arafah)
Located about 20 km from Makkah, this is the place where Adam and Eve are believed to have reunited. You can take Careem for SAR 50–80 one way, with a travel time of around 30–40 minutes.
Hira Cave (Jabal an-Nour)
The site of the first revelation, located about 4 km from Masjid al-Haram. The trek takes around 30–45 minutes and is quite challenging. Bring drinking water and wear proper hiking shoes.
Masjid at-Tan‘im (Aisyah)
Located about 7 km away, this mosque is commonly used to take miqat for a second Umrah (sunnah). You can get there by Makkah Bus route 2 or 12, or by Careem for SAR 10–15. Thawr Cave (Gua Tsur) The cave where the Prophet hid during the Hijrah. It is generally less crowded compared to Hira Cave.
Madinah Ziyarah Route
Photo by Kaliper1 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81283684
Masjid Quba
The first mosque in Islam, located about 5 km from Masjid an-Nabawi. You can reach it by Madinah Bus or Careem (SAR 10–20). Praying two rak‘ahs here carries a reward equivalent to performing Umrah.
Jabal Uhud
Jabal Uhud is located approximately 6 km from Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah and is the site of the Battle of Uhud as well as the burial place of Hamzah (RA). It can be reached by taxi or Careem in about 15 minutes (SAR 20–40) or by public bus (SAR 3–5).
Bir Ali (Dhul Hulaifah)
Bir Ali (Dhul Hulaifah) is the miqat for pilgrims traveling from Madinah to Makkah to perform Umrah. It is located about 11 km from Masjid an-Nabawi and can be reached by taxi or Careem in around 20 minutes (SAR 30–50) or by public bus (SAR 3–5).
Date Palm Gardens
Around Madinah, there are many date palm farms selling directly from farmers. The dates are fresher and cheaper, starting from around SAR 5–10 per kg for regular dates and SAR 30–60 per kg for premium dates such as Ajwa—significantly more affordable than buying from souvenir shops.
Important Tips for First-Timers
Arrive early (5–8 AM) to check in at the hotel and perform Umrah right away (the mosque is still relatively quiet!). Bringing a power bank is a must, as GPS, Careem, and your phone camera can quickly drain the battery. Use a Saudi Arabia eSIM from Global Komunika to ensure stable internet for navigation, transportation bookings, and communication—no hassle of changing physical SIM cards.
Estimated Budget for a 12-Day Independent Umrah
The cost of an independent Umrah is quite flexible and can be more budget-friendly. A round-trip Jakarta–Jeddah flight costs around IDR 8–15 million; Makkah hotel for 6 nights costs IDR 3–6 million (near Masjid al-Haram); Madinah hotel for 4 nights costs IDR 2–4 million; local transportation costs IDR 1–1.5 million; meals cost IDR 1.5–2.5 million; and ziyarah costs IDR 500,000–1 million. In total, the estimated range is IDR 16–30 million per person, depending on hotel choices and travel style.
