How can I travel to Dubai from Jeddah with family?

Questions regarding Umrah Travel?

• Assalamulaykum, I am 35 years and will be travelling solo for Umrah in next 4-5 days Inshallah. I have procured the Visa from a travel agent and will be travelling Business Class with Saudi Airlines. My agent said that Business class travel will help speed up processing at the Jeddah Airport. How true is that. Anyways, I have a series of questions, and I am looking for someone to help me prepare for the journey ahead. Most of my questions are Immigration and logistics related. 1. What is the process of immigration once I reach Jeddah Airport. I mean, do I just walk straight to the immigration counter like at other airport, or like at Dubai Airport, there is a separate place I have to go first to get eye scan first and then move to the immigration line. Or is there a totally different procedure. 2. Is the immigration process similar to other countries/airports where there is a immigration officer who asks few questions and stamp your passport and you move on to pick your luggage from the belt and then move out of the airport and take a taxi to your destination. From what I have read on the internet, I am expecting a different process. But wherever the process is mentioned on the net it is mainly focused for the Hajj season and mostly focused on people travelling in groups. I am travelling solo, and there is not enough material that I can find. 3. What is a Muallim. Will I get one? Is it mandatory to get a Muallim? What if I dont want one? I mean I am totally confused on the Muallim topic. Who is this person and who appoints him in charge. Is it random of will I get someone of my nationality. 4. If a Muallim is assigned to me, will he decide how I stay and where I stay. I mean I have already booked Hotels for both Mecca and Medina online. 5. Will I just walk out of the airport and hail for a taxi to go to Mecca. I cant travel in Buses as I feel uncomfortable. I prefer CABS, shared or single, does not matter. How much will they charge me to take me to Mecca from Jeddah. 6. Now the most important issue that has been making me nervous. I have read it on a couple of sites that they take your passport and issue you some other form of ID. and when you return to the airport they return your passport. How true is that. Will it apply to me as well though I am travelling solo. And most important, My return flight is from Madinah, so how will I collect my Passport. 7. I will land at Jeddah at 6:00 PM Local time. By what time should I expect to check in to my Hotel in Mecca. 8. Once in Hotel I plan to catch some sleep first as I dont want to lay my first sight on holy Kaba with tiered eyes. I am planning to do my Umrah just before Fajr. Is this a good time. Or should I do my Umrah immidiately after fajr. When will be less crowd so that I can go as close to Holy Kaba while doing Tawaf. I really wish to be as close as possible. 9. Mecca to Medina. How much should I expect to pay for a taxi. and how much time. I thank you very much for your replies in advance. Allah will reward you for helping and guiding a nervous traveller. Thanks Again.

• Answer:

  I have just returned from doing my first umrah,and i had the same worries as you but u need to calm down and not stress the process isnt that hard,the processing at jeddah airport was very quick,firstly u will head straight to the immigration counter where they will stamp your passport with no questions asked,head to pick up your luggage then as your exit a army official will collect your passport and photocopy it but they do not keep it, also we did not get fingerprinted or eye scanned the whole process took less then 30 minutes depending on the amount of people, there are plently of taxis waiting outside,the trip to mecca from jeddah is around 1 hour and from mecca to medinah is about 4 or 5 hours,consult with your hotel and they will help organise taxi bookings and tours. My plan was to do my umrah before fajr as well but subhan allah there was so many people it did not matter what time u went it was full and this is the most busiest time for umrah so good luck. Stop being nervous and allah will guide you and once u see the first sight of the Kabaa u will never forget that feeling.