Umrah Cost Comparison: Pakistan vs UK
The journey to complete Umrah is a spiritual choice and is easier with cost estimating before you begin your trip. Whenever a pilgrim prepares to go to Umrah, he/she always asks this one important question. Is Umrah cheaper from Pakistan or the UK?
To effectively plan for Umrah requires a solid understanding based on accurate and current (Real) data. Therefore, BookUmrahToday.com has compiled an extensive cost comparison guide for Umrah which includes, Pakistan versus the UK Pilgrimages. The guide outlines not only the actual costs of pilgrimages but also gives pilgrims an idea of how these amounts may affect their income and provides tips for effective and successful planning to ensure a worry-free pilgrimage experience.
Average Umrah Cost from Pakistan
You can find Umrah packages in plenty of different places from Pakistan, however the price of the package will be dependent on the seasonality, hotel distance and airline.
The average price to perform umrah from Pakistan (per person) is:
• Economy Package: PKR 250,000-350,000
• Standard Package: PKR 400,000-550,000
• Luxury Package: PKR 650,000-900,000+
Most packages include the following services:
• Umrah Visa
• Return Airfare (Economy Class)
• Hotel Accommodations in Makkah & Madinah
• Local Transportation and Basic Guidance.
Important Point: Due to volatility in currency exchange rates, the rising cost of airfare may also result in increased prices of umrah packages in Pakistan. Even the smallest amount of increase in the dollar affects local prices hugely.
Average Umrah Cost from the United Kingdom
The price of Umrah packages departing from the UK seem expensive at first glance, however this is not necessarily true as the pricing method is different than others.
Typical Umrah package costs from the UK (for each individual):
• Economy Package-£600 - £900,
• Standard Package-£900 - £1,100,
• 5 Star package-£1,200 - £1,450.
As well as having strong competition within the airline industry, UK packages tend to:
• Have more flight options
• Have a stable currency (GBP)
• Allow for larger groups to be booked together
The price of Umrah packages departing from the UK seem expensive at first glance, however this is not necessarily true as the pricing method is different from others.
Below is an example of how much Umrah generally costs from the UK (cost per person).
• Economic Package: £600 - £900
• Standard Package: £900 - £1,100
• 5 Star Package: £1,200 - £1,450
The UK is able to provide packages with benefits such as:
• Strong competition between airlines
• A greater number of flights available
• A stronger currency compared with the country of destination (GBP)
• Large volume of group bookings
Often, the cost of flights has a higher ratio to your income, and the upgrade options of hotels are generally less expensive.
A New Concept: Umrah Affordability Index (UAI)
The UAI (Umrah Affordability Index) is a way to compare the cost of Umrah for pilgrims.
UAI = Total Cost of Umrah / Average Monthly Income
To calculate how many months' income it costs a pilgrim to perform the Umrah.
For example:
Average Monthly Income of Pilgrims in Pakistan: =70,000 PKR
Average Monthly Income of Pilgrims in the UK: =£3,200
Example Cost of Standard Umrah Package:
Cost of Standard Umrah Package for Pakistan: 450,000 PKR / 70,000 PKR =6.4 months
Cost of Standard Umrah Package for the UK: £900 / £3,200 =0.28 months
A pilgrim from Pakistan has to use more than six months of his or her income to perform the Umrah as opposed to a pilgrim from the UK who will use less than one month of his or her income to perform the Umrah. This explains why Umrah feels like it's more expensive to a Pakistani pilgrim even if the prices of packages are similar around the world.
Why Umrah Feels More Expensive from Pakistan
There are many real factors that place additional financial pressure on people:
• On average, the income is lower.
• Exchange rates for PKR (Pakistani Rupees) fluctuate.
• The number of budget airline choices is limited at peak travel.
• There is greater dependence on agents for all-inclusive packages.
In contrast, pilgrims traveling from the UK will usually purchase their own flight and/or take advantage of bundled travel deals.
Smart Planning Tips for Pilgrims
• Travel when it is not Ramadan for reduced costs
• Stay at hotels that are further away from the Haram and save on your travel
• Request for full breakdowns of costs
• When comparing, use affordability comparison instead of only price comparison
• Obtain a written guarantee of the fixed price to avoid any currency fluctuations
Final Thoughts for Readers of BookUmrahToday.com
The cost of Umrah is based on the location of the traveler and also their financial ability to pay for Umrah.
The majority of Pakistani pilgrims require a stronger budgeting system and will need to start planning months before traveling.
Pilgrims from the UK have an advantage to travel on a higher income basis and will benefit from pricing that is more stable than Pakistan.
BookUmrahToday.com offers comparisons of Umrah expenses for pilgrims travelling from Pakistan and the UK in an honest and informative way. By obtaining accurate information, creating an effective strategy and concentrating on worship instead of monetary anxieties, pilgrims will be better able to manage their finances when it comes to Ummrah travel.