5 Pros and Cons on DIY Umrah vs Booking via a travel agent
These are based on my own experience of booking Umrah via an agent and going through a DIY Umrah.
1. YOU'RE IN CONTROL:
You have complete control over your itinerary, allowing you to choose the dates, duration, and specific services that suit your needs.
You get to explore and choose your flights, hotels, transportation and other needs without having to go back and forth with an agent.
2. SAVE MONEY:
Potentially saving money on booking hotels and flights at your convenience as well as not paying extra to agents for their services.
3. YOUR OWN ITINERARY:
You have the flexibility to choose your own schedule, plan your days according to yourneeds, go particular places you want to go to, make adjustments etc. You are also not bound by a group schedule.
You don't need to go back and forth with an agent.
4. LEARNING EXPERIENCE:
Whilst booking your own package, you will learn and research the different aspects of the booking process. You will explore the dynamics of booking a flight, learn about the different Saudi cultural aspects and achieve a fulfilment of organising your own trip fully.
5. DIRECT COMMUNICATION:
You can have direct communication with airlines, hotels etc so you are well aware of everything that's happening. In some cases you may get a better service by having direct contact. If you have an issue with hotels booked via an agent, the hotel may not take responsibility and getting in contact with the agent during a stressful moment can be unpleasant.
You may even get a better service with hotels for example, as you are a direct customer of theirs and not via and agent.
CONS
1. STRESS
It might be overwhelming to make bookings for flights, hotels, transport, visas etc. You may even make errors in booking, which can be mitigated with an agent who has more expertise and experience in the field.
2. COSTS
You might actually be paying more doing things on your own, as sometimes agents block book hotel rooms for example and get it cheaper than what you might pay for it. Prices for hotels often fluctuates with websites such as booking.com so you might be paying more than expected. Some agents give cheaper options than booking websites.
Remember, your costs isn't just hotels and flights, but includes transport, food, gifts etc.
An additional point is, booking hotels via an agent may secure your booking and use hotels that actually exist. (I booked a hotel in Madina via booking.com one which didn't exist and I didn't know until I reached Madina. It was stressful but resolved Alhamdulillah.)
3. LACK OF PLANNING
You may not plan your bookings of hotel in line with the time you land/arrive in Makkah/Madina and miss out on check-in times with your hotel for example. This could potentially keep you waiting without a hotel room and potentially a longer time in the state of Ihram.
You may also not be aware of certain requirements of the Saudi government such as Visas, booking Rawdah slots, cultural aspects, Tips and advice etc.
All of this will affect your itinerary.
4. TIME CONSUMING
Sorting out your own booking can take up so much time and requires being very organised.
This may take away time from your own learning on how to perform Umrah, preparing spiritually and physically too.
5. LACK OF SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
Perhaps the biggest downside of doing a DIY Umrah is the lack of spiritual guidance. Watching videos and reading books may not be enough.
Having someone physically present reminding you about the value of the Haramain, encouraging you to do good deeds, pointing out significant landmarks, makes a big difference for your Umrah journey.
Even if you take a personalised package from an agent and not go as a group, it could help with asking any questions and seeking clarification on Umrah rulings or be signposted etc.
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