Smart Budgeting Tips For Your Hajj or Umrah Travel

Fulfilling Hajj or Umrah obligation is a dream for many Muslims. However, the expenses for Hajj or Umrah can make it challenging for many Malaysians to fulfil this spiritual obligation.

It’s crucial to properly plan a budget for the package and the spending money during your Hajj or Umrah travel. With some savvy tips, it's possible for you to plan a smart budget to make your Hajj or Umrah travel as comfortable as possible.

This guide will help you navigate the travel expenses to expect so you can get the most of your Hajj or Umrah travel experience within a budget you can afford.

Food expenses for Hajj or Umrah

Many Hajj or Umrah packages in Malaysia already include three daily meals. This is already a very good cost-saving measure.

However, pilgrims may want to experience the local cuisine and not be limited to eating the provided meals. Knowing how much food can cost in Makkah and Madinah is important if you want to put together a food spending budget.

Here is an estimated average cost per meal for one person when eating out at various eateries at your destination: 

• Street Food: SAR8 - SAR20 (RM10 - RM25).
• Fast-food chains: SAR15 - SAR30 (RM19 - RM37)
• Budget-friendly restaurants: SAR20 - SAR40 (RM25 - RM50)
• Mid-range restaurants: SAR30 - SAR70 (RM37 - RM87)
• Fine-dining restaurants: SAR120+ (RM150+)

If you'd like to save money, sticking to street food and local fast-food chains is a smart choice while still allowing you to enjoy authentic local cuisine.

There are plenty of choices to tantalise your tastebuds. Bite into some tasty street food like shawarma, falafel, sambousek, mutabbaq, and grilled kebabs or hop over to popular fast-food chains like Al-Baik, which is famous for its delicious fried chicken and shrimp.

Based on your budget, you can determine how many times you can afford to eat out so you don’t overspend. Remember to account for any dependents, too.

Bonus tip: To maximise your spending power, use our handy guide to foreign exchange rates to exchange your money at the most favourable time.

Pack smart to save costs

With careful planning and thoughtful packing, you can reduce the need for last-minute purchases. Here are some essential items that you can pack to reduce unnecessary expenses.

Clothes

• Essential Ihram clothing to perform Hajj/Umrah
• Comfortable footwear
• Breathable clothing
• A lightweight jacket or shawl
• Washing powder to wash and dry your clothes in the hotel and save on laundry costs

Personal care

• Essential toiletries
• A basic first aid kit and any over-the-counter medicine
• Adequate supply of prescription medication and/or supplements

Practical accessories

• Reusable water bottles to save money on bottled water
• Portable charger
• International adaptors
• Small backpack

Food & snacks

• High energy non-perishable snacks like nuts and granola bars to fuel your energy
• Instant meals for a quick and inexpensive meal option

Apps to reduce travel costs

Many Hajj or Umrah packages include tours, but sometimes, you may want to visit other key landmarks on your own, such as the Quba mosque, Jannat al-Baqi, and more. Traveling to these places by taxi can add up in costs, especially since taxis also charge a waiting fee of around SAR50 per hour. This can easily cause you to blow your budget.

One of the best ways to avoid high transportation costs and stick to a budget during Hajj or Umrah travel is to get around with public transport, which is an affordable alternative to taking a taxi everywhere. The following apps can help you save on these travel expenses during Hajj or Umrah.

• Makkah Bus App
  This app is a complete transit solution at your fingertips. You can check real-time arrival estimates for all bus stops on all routes and buy digital tickets through your phone.
  The app will also show you the best route to take from your current location to where you want to go, the nearest bus stops, and the walking time to these bus stops from your current location.
• Madinah Bus App
  Like the Makkah Bus App, the Madinah Bus App allows you to buy digital tickets through your phone.

Hot Tip: Both of these apps are available on Google Play and App Store. We highly recommend downloading them before you travel so you can plan your bus journeys in advance and stick to your budget.

Hajj and Umrah financing

There are two ways you can finance this important journey of a lifetime. The first way is to save up the money needed to secure a Hajj or Umrah package. How much you need to save, and how long that will take you, will differ from person to person.

For some Malaysians, reaching the minimum goal to make the pilgrimage may take years or decades. Others may want to save up more than the minimum so they can opt for a more luxurious or convenient pilgrimage experience. Finally, those with dependents may need even more savings so their family members can join them in performing the pilgrimage together.

Waiting to save up could delay your pilgrimage into old age, where age-related health decline or other unforeseen issues could add complications. Those who are worried about this and want to take advantage of their youth to perform their pilgrimage can opt for financing to secure a basic package or to top up their savings and upgrade to a premium package for a more comfortable experience.

While it is better to use savings instead of financing to fulfil a spiritual obligation, it is permissible to get financing for Hajj or a financing for Umrah under certain circumstances for those who require it.

Shariah ruling on Hajj and Umrah financing

According to Portal Rasmi JAKIM, in June 2005, the 69th Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa Majlis Kebangsaan (National Council Fatwa Committee) stated that it is permissible for a Muslim to perform Hajj or Umrah with financing under the following conditions:

1. They are confident in their ability to pay the financing without it becoming a burden and without affecting their normal day-to-day life and responsibilities.
2. The financing scheme is operated by a body or cooperative that adheres to the principles of sincerity, cooperation, justice, and transparency and is free from riba (interest/usury).

Start planning your Hajj and Umrah

If you’re considering opting for Hajj and Umrah financing, refer to this payment schedule to determine the financing amount you are eligible to take out based on a monthly payment that is comfortable and within your means.

Ketahui lebih lanjut

maybank.my/hajjumrahfinancing

Tertakluk pada terma dan syarat.

💡 The information provided above is purely for educational purposes.