Umrah and Ramadan 2027: Saudi Arabia eSIM Guide for UK Pilgrims

For Umrah in Ramadan 2027, the simplest way to stay connected is a Saudi Arabia data eSIM installed before you leave the UK, with your UK SIM kept on for texts and bank codes. Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around Monday 8 February 2027, so plan for heavy crowds in Makkah and Madinah and book permits in the Nusuk app early.

Last checked: 15 October 2026. Dates depend on the sighting of the moon, and travel advice for the region has changed several times in 2026. Please check GOV.UK travel advice for Saudi Arabia and the GOV.UK pilgrimage guidance before you book and again before you fly.

Ramadan 2027: expected dates for Umrah planning

Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year because it follows the lunar calendar. Early estimates from the International Astronomical Center, reported by The National, put the key dates as follows. None of them is confirmed until the moon is sighted.

If you are flexible, the first ten days of Ramadan are usually calmer than the last ten. Whatever you choose, book flights with some room either side of Eid in case the date moves by a day.

Check the travel advice before you book

As of 15 October 2026, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several Saudi provinces and cities, including Jeddah and Taif, and to all Saudi airports except Madinah. Many UK Umrah packages fly into Jeddah, so this matters. Read the current advice, ask your operator how they are routing pilgrims, and check that your travel insurance is valid for the route. Insurance can be invalid if you travel against FCDO advice.

GOV.UK also reminds pilgrims to use an ATOL-protected operator, to pay by credit card where possible and to be wary of deals that look too good to be true. Umrah fraud targets UK travellers every year.

Visas, Nusuk and the permits you need

For Umrah outside the Hajj season, GOV.UK says to apply for a Saudi e-visa or electronic visa waiver before travel. Once you are there, the Nusuk app is central to your trip:

• Umrah permit. You book a time slot for Umrah in Nusuk. Keep the permit and its QR code ready on your phone.
• Rawdah permit. Visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in the Prophet's Mosque needs a separate, free permit booked through Nusuk. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah lists visitors as eligible. Slots go quickly in Ramadan, so check the app regularly.
• Health. You need a valid ACWY meningitis vaccination certificate, given at least 10 days before you arrive, according to GOV.UK.

All of this needs working data. Download Nusuk and set up your account at home on Wi-Fi, so you are not doing it in a queue outside the Haram. Take screenshots of every permit and QR code in case the signal drops in a crowd.

Mobile coverage in Makkah and Madinah

Saudi Arabia has three main networks: STC, Mobily and Zain. All three have strong 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah and Madinah, with extra capacity added around the Haram for peak seasons. The telecoms regulator is the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST).

Good coverage does not mean fast data at every moment. In Ramadan, millions of people use their phones in the same small area, especially around iftar, Taraweeh and the last ten nights. Expect slower speeds at those times. Practical tips:

• Send photos and videos home later in the night or from your hotel Wi-Fi, not straight after prayers.
• Agree a meeting point with your group in advance. Do not rely on calls or live location in the busiest moments.
• Carry a small power bank. Searching for signal in a crowd drains your battery quickly.
• Write your hotel name and your group leader's number on paper as a backup.

How much data does an Umrah trip use?

Most pilgrims use their phone for Nusuk, maps between the hotel and the Haram, prayer-time apps, WhatsApp messages and some video calls with family. A rough guide for a typical day:

For a 10 to 14 day Umrah, many people are comfortable with 5GB to 10GB. If you video call every day or share a hotspot with family, an unlimited plan is easier. Our travel data calculator can help you work it out.

SimplySIM Saudi Arabia eSIM plans

These are current SimplySIM plans that work in Saudi Arabia. Prices are in GBP as shown on 15 October 2026. Unlimited plans include 1GB a day at full speed, then continue at a reduced speed until the next day.

If your package includes a stop in another Gulf country, the Gulf Cooperation Council 10GB 30Days plan (£45.35) covers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. You can see every option on the Saudi Arabia eSIM page.

What UK networks charge in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is outside every UK network's Europe roaming zone. Most charge a daily fee on each day you use your phone. These are the prices we found on official pages; they can change, so check your own network before you go.

Those charges are per phone. A family of four on daily passes could pay well over £300 for a fortnight, compared with £37.94 each for a 14-day unlimited eSIM. See the official pages for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three.

Setting up your eSIM before you fly

1. Check your phone supports eSIM and is network-unlocked using our device compatibility checker.
2. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you travel. Leave it switched off until you land.
3. On arrival, set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for that eSIM only.
4. Keep your UK SIM switched on for calls and texts if you want to receive bank and verification codes, but turn its data roaming off so it does not use your UK plan abroad.

Our guide to dual SIM settings before you fly walks through each step on iPhone and Android.

What a travel eSIM does not do

A SimplySIM eSIM is data only. It does not give you a Saudi phone number, so it cannot receive local SMS codes. If a hotel, tour group or app asks for a Saudi number, use your UK number or ask your group leader. WhatsApp calls and messages work over data as normal, and you keep your existing WhatsApp account on your UK number.

FAQs

When does Ramadan 2027 start?

It is expected to start around Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 or 10 March 2027. The exact dates depend on the moon sighting, so confirm them nearer the time.

Does the Nusuk app work with a travel eSIM?

Yes. Nusuk only needs a data connection, so it works on a travel eSIM or on Wi-Fi. Set up your account and book permits before you travel where you can, and save screenshots of your QR codes.

Is there good signal inside the Haram in Makkah and Madinah?

Coverage is strong, but speeds can drop at the busiest times, such as after Taraweeh and during the last ten nights. Plan to upload photos and make video calls at quieter times.

How much data do I need for a two-week Umrah?

Around 5GB to 10GB suits most people who message, use maps and make a few video calls. If you video call daily or share data with family, choose an unlimited plan.

Will I get a Saudi phone number with a SimplySIM eSIM?

No. The eSIM is data only. Keep your UK SIM active for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp for calls over data.

Can I use the same eSIM if I visit another Gulf country?

A Saudi Arabia plan only works in Saudi Arabia. For a multi-country trip, the Gulf Cooperation Council plans cover Saudi Arabia plus the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.