Look for four things first: financial protection, a clear written itinerary, named hotels with real walking distances, and honest terms about visas and cancellations. If a package is strong on those, it is worth comparing on price. If it is vague on any of them, keep looking.

Booking Umrah from the UK involves flights, hotels, visa support and transfers, often paid for months ahead. A little checking before you pay is far easier than fixing a problem in Makkah or Madinah. This checklist is arranged by priority, with the protections that matter most at the top.

Start with protection, not price

GOV.UK's travel advice for Saudi Arabia says UK pilgrims should make sure their travel agent or operator is ATOL protected when booking Umrah. ATOL is the financial protection scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for air packages. In simple terms, it exists so that travellers are not left out of pocket if a licensed business fails.

Do three things:

• Look up the company's ATOL number on the CAA website, and make sure the licence name matches the name you are paying.

• Ask for an ATOL certificate once you make a payment.

• Remember that accommodation-only bookings are not covered, so check what your booking actually includes.

GOV.UK also advises researching the company before you book, even when family or friends recommend it. It notes that criminals sometimes advertise fraudulent deals through licensed travel companies, so a trusted name on its own is not proof.

Read the itinerary line by line

A good package spells out what you are buying. Ask for a written itinerary showing:

• Flight dates, departure airport and baggage allowance

• Number of nights in Makkah and Madinah

• Transfers, and whether they are private or shared

• Meals included, if any

• Guided visits (ziyarah) included, if any

Vague phrases such as "premium service" or "luxury experience" are not details. If something is not written down, assume it is not included.

Check the hotels properly

The hotel affects your comfort, energy and daily routine more than almost anything else. Ask for:

• The hotel name. A package that says only "hotel near the Haram" leaves too much to chance.

• The walking distance. Ask how many minutes it takes on foot, and to which gate or entrance. For older pilgrims or small children, this can be the deciding factor.

• The route. Whether it is flat, has steps or crosses busy roads.

• Facilities. Lifts, air conditioning and room sharing arrangements.

Compare categories as well as prices. If you are weighing up budget-friendly options, 3 star Umrah Packages are a useful reference point for seeing what a mid-priced hotel level includes and where higher categories may add comfort. Star ratings are only a guide, so a clear description and a sensible location often matter more.

Understand who handles the visa

Ask three questions: Is visa support included? Who submits the application? What happens if it is delayed?

GOV.UK says you can apply for an e-visa or an electronic visa waiver to perform Umrah outside the Hajj season. Some travellers apply themselves, while many prefer the operator to arrange it. Either is fine, as long as responsibilities are clear in writing.

Also check the basics yourself. GOV.UK's entry guidance says your passport should have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive.

Plan the health requirements

GOV.UK says you must have a valid certificate of vaccination against the ACWY strains of meningitis 10 days before arriving for Hajj and Umrah. Book your vaccination early so that the certificate is ready before you travel. Ask the operator whether they expect to see it before departure.

If you take regular medication, GOV.UK advises having enough for the whole trip, including a possible delay.

Look at flights and transport

Flights can make or break the start and end of the trip.

• Is it a direct flight or does it include a stop?

• Is the baggage allowance enough for your party?

• Are transfers from Jeddah or Madinah airport arranged?

• How will you travel between Makkah and Madinah?

Late-night arrivals and long waits can be tiring, especially for older relatives, so ask for timings.

Know who to call when you are away

A package is only as good as the support behind it. Before you book, ask:

• Is there a contact number you can reach while in Saudi Arabia?

• Is there a representative on the ground, or only a UK office?

• What happens if a flight changes or you are unwell?

Do not rely on a reply you cannot find in writing.

Pay safely and keep records

GOV.UK's advice on paying for Hajj and Umrah trips is simple and worth following:

• Use a credit card where possible

• Keep a record of every transaction

• Get everything confirmed in writing

• Always ask for written terms and conditions

Also ask for the payment schedule, the deposit amount and the refund and amendment terms before you commit.

Red flags worth taking seriously

• No ATOL number, or one that does not match the trading name

• Pressure to pay in cash or by bank transfer to a personal account

• A price far below every other quote, with few details

• No written itinerary or terms

• Reluctance to name the hotels

• Refusal to explain who handles the visa

If something feels wrong, GOV.UK says victims of Hajj fraud in the UK can contact their local police, the City of London Police fraud desk or Action Fraud.

A simple way to compare packages

Put two or three packages in a table with the same rows: price, flights, hotels and distance, meals, visa, transfers, support, cancellation terms and ATOL. Fill in each from written information and let the gaps show you where to ask more questions.

When the details match, price and personal preference can decide. When they do not, choose the package that is clearest, not the cheapest.

FAQs

Is an ATOL certificate really necessary? GOV.UK tells pilgrims to make sure their travel agent or operator is ATOL protected for Umrah. Ask for the certificate once you pay and keep it with your booking records.

How early should I book? Earlier gives you more choice of dates and hotels, particularly around Ramadan and school holidays. Just make sure the cancellation terms are fair.

Should I book flights and hotels separately? You can, but you lose the convenience and any package protection, and you manage changes yourself. Compare the total cost and the risk before deciding.