Muslims know that Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. There is no specific time of the year to travel for Umrah like Hajj. But Muslims have set some particular months, which are also called the best time, according to their experiences. So, we will discuss the best months here for Umrah from Chicago.
Muslims from all over the world go to perform Umrah every year. One of the most famous Umrah departure destinations is Chicago. It’s a well-known city located in the state of Illinois in the USA. Chicago is the third-largest city in America, which has many Muslim residents, approximately 300K. So, if we look from this perspective, many Muslims travel from here for the Umrah pilgrimage.
Fall Season From October to November
By the way, October and November are the fall months in the Northern Hemisphere. But in Saudi Arabia, the weather changes from hot to moderate during this period. In October, the temperature usually remains between 35°C to 38°C during the daytime, and at night, it’s between 25°C to 28°C in Makkah and Madinah. While in November, the temperature slightly decreases, which makes the weather perfect and cold to perform Umrah. The temperature is between 30°C to 34°C during the day and 20°C to 24°C during nighttime.
This means it’s somewhat hot during the day but doesn’t have the intensity like in June and August. Hence, October-November are the best months for Muslims from Chicago to perform Umrah. One of the main benefits is that you get away from the cold of Chicago when you leave there. As the heat in Saudi Arabia is less intense, it makes prayer easier to conduct. The biggest thing is that flights and hotels are also cheaper during October and November.
Cost of packages: The standard cost for Umrah in October and November is around $2500-3000 per person.
December – February (Winter in Saudi Arabia)
December to February is the peak period of winter in almost the world. At the same time, Chicago hits -7°C to -8°C minimum temperature. To avoid this cold temperature, many Muslims think that the warm and mild weather of Saudi Arabia is best to perform Umrah. However, December to February is also the coldest season in Saudi Arabia, but not like Chicago, very cold with snow. The day temperature in Makkah and Madinah is between 20°C-30°C, and the night temperature is around 15°C-20°C. So, for Americans, it’s neither too hot nor too cold and a perfect balance to worship Umrah. During the day, you can comfortably perform Tawaf and Sa’ee inside the Haram.
December is also the best month for Chicago Muslims to travel for Umrah because it’s the time of the holidays. During winter holidays such as Christmas or New Year break, many families get the chance to schedule their Umrah trips. Hence, travel becomes convenient due to school or office holidays, and the weather in the Middle East is comfortable. Flight from Chicago to Jeddah or Madinah is also cheap and usually takes 13-15 hours to reach Saudi Arabia via connections.
Cost of packages: It remains approximately $3500 to $4500 per person. You should be concerned with a reliable travel agency for accurate costs.
Spring Break From March to April
Spring break is a holiday period in Chicago between March to April. This break usually lasts from one to two weeks. Families, couples, and individuals in the United States, including Chicago, plan Umrah travels during this time. In this period, the cold is decreasing, and people travel before the summer starts in Saudi Arabia.
The heat is manageable between March to April in Saudi Arabia, which is much milder than in June-August. Flights and hotels are also cheaper than in Ramadan and Hajj, so spring break is economical for Chicago Muslims. Due to school holidays, parents can spend time comfortably with their children during Umrah. So, it’s the best time for Umrah from Chicago.
Cost of packages: Around $25000 to $3000, if leave the first 20 days of March because of Ramadan dates. This is just a general cost; real-time cost depends on the package factors and the agency you choose.
In 2026, the last ten days of Ramadan will start at the beginning of March. So, March packages at that time may also be called Ramadan Umrah Packages and will be costly. Since the last ten days are very significant, so Umrah crowds are more in Masjid al-Haram.
Travel Tips for Umrah from Chicago
For a successful Umrah from Chicago, these practical travel tips will come in handy:
- Make sure that you have valid documents to travel for Umrah. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the expiration date.
- Book your package and get your visa timely.
- If it’s necessary, fulfill the health requirements.
- Pack simple and modest clothes in your luggage; avoid overpacking.
- Reserve your necessary permits for Umrah on the Nusuk application.
- If you want to travel by train locally in Saudi Arabia, you have to book tickets from their mobile app.
- For a comfortable and memorable Umrah experience, travel in off-peak season.
Ultimately, the most important thing when planning Umrah from Chicago is to choose the best time and budget. Winter months and the time after Hajj are the best options as flights are cheaper, crowds are less, and the weather is quite comfortable in Saudi Arabia. If you choose to go during Ramadan, the rewards and spiritual atmosphere are amazing at this time. Hence, choose the best time that is comfortable and convenient for your family.
