To embark on an Umrah is a moment that every Muslim treasure. When planning this trip from Canada, various things need to be observed. Along with the spiritual side of the trip, timing is as essential. For any journey, its distance is affected by flying time, layover times, and domestic travel in Saudi Arabia. This time we will have a detailed discussion on the duration it takes to complete the Umrah from Canada. This will also entail some of the pointers and steps needed before commencing the journey in the first place. In this way, this guide will help ease your travel.
Time Taken by Flight
A flight from Canada to Saudi Arabia lasts somewhere between 13 hours to 16 hours. However, Non-stop flights are faster but might not always be an available option. Airlines operating over the routes of Jeddah or Madinah such as Saudia and Air Canada do provide direct options. Direct or non-stop flights do cut travel time significantly; however, they are not always guaranteed on certain airlines which in turn leads to connecting flights that may travel for several extra hours. Canadian travelers usually have layovers in other cities before reaching their final destination with London or Dubai being the most common. Other such instances include weather conditions and flight schedules and timings that may dictate how long the flight may become.
Time for Layovers
For travelers making Umrah from Canada, layovers tend to be the longest endured portions. Some travelers also sit for connecting flights having connections of time between two to up to eight hours. Others sit for connecting flights that have stops in Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Istanbul. Considering this, it would make sense to look for flights that have fewer waiting times in the case of layovers. Not to forget, it is equally vital to check visa restrictions for the countries where the layovers would be made. Some travelers can also find help in oversleeping or freshening up for long waiting times when they have layovers. Doubtless, planning extra activities in advance can help make the wait less agonizing.
Traveling from Jeddah to Makkah
The distance between Jeddah and Makkah is quite small and can take just between one to two hours.
- The majority of the pilgrims take this distance by buses, taxis, or even their private vehicles. There are high-speed trains which offer a quicker and more enjoyable option as well.
- The aerial distance between Makkah to Jeddah is around seventy-five kilometers. So, having a strategy in mind for the means of transport makes the process easier.
- Also, take into consideration the time needed for the traffic or the road conditions. Reliable transportation not only saves time but also eases tension. Moreover, some vacation plans provide ready-made vehicle services to Makkah.
Jeddah Upload Time Check-In
Depending on the person, registering with their Makkah’s hotel can be done anywhere between thirty to sixty minutes. Most of the time hotels are available after midday due to check-in hours and so early people have to sit on wait. So, to have more choices, it is wiser to book your vacation beforehand. Also, most people check in their bags as they get to the hotel and most of the stays allow this. Many times, one can find travel organizations which take care of hotel reservations so that one does not have to do the work. If trying to manage your time effectively is your goal, paying attention to check-in details will help.
Conducting Initial Prayers
As soon as the pilgrims land in Makkah they start the basic prayers of Umrah. These prayers encompass Tawaf, Sa’i, and haircut. Such acts normally don’t take more than three to four hours to be accomplished. However, the completion may extend depending on the flow of people at the Makkah Mosque. Apart from that, being in good shape also assists in the process. Of course, by doing one’s rituals at the less crowded times, there is always time saved. As much as that, watch out for those who have been there several times, or those who are travel guides. In addition, drinking enough water and getting some rest enables the pilgrims to perform the other rituals.
Journey Time for the Trip
For people over here in Canada, the estimated number of hours it would take for them to complete their Umrah from Canada is somewhere around twenty to thirty hours. The following estimate has taken into consideration the time spent on flights, waiting in between flights, going through immigration and reaching Makkah. However, the timing may differ for an individual due to certain reasons. For example, longer periods of waiting between flights and heavy traffic can prolong the journey. Because of that, try allowing yourself some flexibility so you won’t end up stressed out. In reality, creating a travel plan that spells everything in detail serves to ease things out.
Ways to reduce travel time
The first thing that should be focused on while traveling is planning.
- First of all, always look for the flights which are the shortest in duration and also have the least number of stops.
- Secondly, select flights that are non-stop to avoid wasting hours on flights. Also, ensure that all necessary documents are to avoid waste of time and any kind of holdups at the immigration.
- Furthermore, making arrangements for a ride from Jeddah to Makkah in advance can also save time. In the same way, reserving hotel rooms close to Haram decreases the time spent on transportation.
In summary
When making plans for an Umrah from Canada perspective, it is important to know the amount of time the journey itself takes as well as the main stages that characterize the travel experience. Ordinarily, the journey lasts from 20 to 30 hours, it includes flight time, waiting time and other types of transportation services. Besides, there is a great difference in the experience when everything is organized and prepared in advance because it reduces stress levels. When choosing tickets be smart to not waste your precious time. When you plan well, the practice of pilgrimage becomes more spiritually focused. Therefore, you can have a great time with your Umrah travel as well as take part in the rituals in an organized manner.
