Packing well makes the whole pilgrimage easier. Here is the list we give our own pilgrims before every departure.
- Keep your passport, visa and travel papers in hand luggage, with photos on your phone.
- Men: two sets of Ihram cloths. Women: breathable abayas and hijabs.
- Bring broken-in walking sandals and a small bag to carry them in the mosques.
- Unscented toiletries for the days in Ihram, plus your regular medicines.
- Leave room in your case for dates, prayer items and gifts.
Documents and money
Passport (valid at least six months), visa paperwork, flight details and hotel information. Keep originals in your hand luggage and a photo of each document on your phone. Bring a payment card and some cash in US dollars and Saudi riyals for personal expenses and gifts.
Clothing and Ihram
For men: two sets of Ihram cloths, a belt or pouch for valuables, and light, breathable clothing for the days outside Ihram. For women: comfortable abayas and hijabs in breathable fabric. Makkah and Madinah are warm most of the year, but evenings and air-conditioned spaces can be cool, so pack one light layer. December and January travellers should add a warm layer for Madinah mornings.
Footwear
You will walk a lot: Tawaf, Sa’i, Ziyarat tours and large crowds. Bring well-broken-in, comfortable walking sandals or shoes, plus a small bag to carry them inside the mosques.
Toiletries and personal items
Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant for the days in Ihram (scented products are fine after). Vaseline or unscented cream helps prevent chafing during long walks. Also pack sunscreen, a small towel, tissues and any personal essentials.
Health items
Bring your regular medicines in hand luggage, with prescriptions where possible, plus simple basics: pain relief, plasters, oral rehydration salts and any items your doctor advises. Drink Zamzam and water regularly, rest when you need to, and do not skip meals on busy days.
For families
Travelling with children or elderly parents? Pack snacks, a change of clothes in hand luggage, any baby essentials, and a small backpack each person can manage. All Yusrah packages welcome families, and our team helps groups stay together.
Leave room in your case
Almost everyone returns with dates, prayer items and gifts. Leave space, or pack a foldable extra bag, so the journey home is easy.
Printable packing checklist
- Passport (6+ months valid)
- Visa paperwork
- Flight and hotel details
- Photos of documents on your phone
- Payment card
- US dollars and Saudi riyals
- 2 sets of Ihram cloths (men)
- Belt or pouch for valuables
- Breathable abayas and hijabs (women)
- One light layer
- Warm layer for Dec–Jan
- Broken-in walking sandals or shoes
- Small bag for shoes in the mosques
- Unscented soap, shampoo, deodorant
- Vaseline or unscented cream
- Sunscreen, small towel, tissues
- Regular medicines and prescriptions
- Pain relief, plasters, rehydration salts
- Snacks and a change of clothes
- Baby essentials
- A small backpack per person
- Foldable extra bag
Questions and answers
What currency should I bring?
A payment card plus some cash in US dollars and Saudi riyals for personal expenses and gifts.
Can I use scented products?
Use unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant while in Ihram. Scented products are fine afterwards.
Will it be cold?
Makkah and Madinah are warm most of the year, but evenings and air-conditioned spaces can be cool. December and January travellers should add a warm layer for Madinah mornings.
Where should I keep my medicines?
In your hand luggage, with prescriptions where possible.
