Planning a Pilgrimage from Blackburn: What UK Muslims Need to Know Before They Go

Blackburn is not the type of city that makes your travel wish list. No coast, no world-famous landmarks, or Michelin-starred restaurants that lure visitors across the nation. Yet, for many of its residents Blackburn is the gateway to one of the most beautiful journeys a person will ever make, the Umrah journey into Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia.

Blackburn has around a 35 percent Muslim population, one of the largest concentrations of any town or city in Britain. Hundreds of families from Bastwell, Audley, Wensley Fold and Ewood make the pilgrimage to the holy cities each year. It is long in the planning for many. For others, it is the path they have quietly set out on for all their adult lives.

This guide is for any Muslim, or non-Muslim who wants to understand what that journey entails in practical and logistical terms, from the moment you step out of your doorway in Blackburn until you set foot inside Al-Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque, next to the Kaaba.

Why Blackburn’s Muslim Community Travels to Makkah

Hajj, the largest pilgrimage required on specific days of the lunar Islamic calendar; Umrah, performed throughout the year. This was outlined by entering Ihram, the state of spiritual purity; Tawaf, circling the Kaaba seven times; walking between two hills of Safa and Marwa for seven times and cleaning or lastly shaving his hair. This whole ceremony takes from two hours to four to complete.

The majority of UK pilgrims are away anywhere from 7 to 14 nights, spending the first half in Makkah, home of the Kaaba and the second part in Madinah, city of our Prophet ﷺ where pilgrims flock to Masjid an-Nabawi for prayers, remembrance and reflection.

The reasons Blackburn’s Muslim families make this trip are deeply personal. Some travel after the arrival of a child; others go when a parent is sick, somehow expecting them to pull through or simply wanting company while they can. Many go simply because the desire has been in their hearts for decades, and the time has finally come. Whatever the cause, preparing is common.

Getting There From Blackburn

 Blackburn does not own an airport. The closest big choice is Manchester Airport (IATA: MAN) at 35 miles which sees a lot of use by Blackburn pilgrims flying directly to Jeddah and Madinah on Saudia, Turkish Airlines and Emirates.Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the nearest and 44miles point to point covering major European hubs. Depending on fares and flight availability others are expected to operate from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL).

Pilgrims from Blackburn do the usual road between Manchester and their hotel in Makkah around 90 minutes by car or coach, via King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. The Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport is for pilgrims who leave Madinah now or arrive from it directly.

They usually limit their selection to complete packages, including the return flight from UK regional airports, visa application process, hotel in both cities and all surface transfer between Madinah and Makkah. For Blackburn families comparing options, detailed breakdowns of what different package tiers include are available at Umrah Packages from UK, which covers the specific considerations for pilgrims travelling from this part of Lancashire.

What the Trip Actually Involves Day to Day

Even with experience in travelling, listening to life in Umrah will not fail to amaze you.

It is the common practice for pilgrims to offer five mandatory prayers near Kaaba in Makkah. The capacity of the mosque is normal, over two million worshippers but until you have maximum levels at key events such as Ramadan. At the center of a huge cube-like, cavernous marble courtyard is the Kaaba and circling around (Tawaf) covers a distance of between 1.4 to 3.5 km (0.87 — 2.17 mi), depending on crowd density and which floor level you do it at!

The mosque also has chilled dispensers for zamzam water all across the mosque. It comes from a well – located 20 metres (66 ft) away from the Kaaba which has flowed for more than 4,000 years. Many pilgrims drink it during their stay and take sealed containers home to give away as presents for relatives or friends who could not make the trip.

The second leg of the journey is a four to five hour car ride or bus drive to Madinah (Al-Munawwarah). Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the place of burial where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is burrowed have been opened for pilgrims to pay their respects at Rawdah. For a lot of people Madinah consists of the most peaceful days of their life as it is quieter than the busy city since Makkah.

The Practical Side: Documents, Visas, and Timing

If the subject of the journey down from Blackburn is on your mind, a few words from one viewer

Passport should have a minimum 6 months of validity from the travel date. Saudi law obliges you to receive a (MenACWY) meningitis vaccination 10 days before arrival. This can be obtained through your GP or the travel clinic before you go on holiday. The Umrah visa is not issued on your behalf, but through an accredited tour operator and from June 2025, Saudi requirements dictate that hotel bookings must be monitored via the Nusuk platform before a visa is approved.

The Nusuk permit is in no way similar to the visa. The visa results in an entry to Saudi Arabia, however the Nusuk permit allows you to perform Tawaf and access certain areas of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. These are both necessary stages and two steps that licensed travel agencies usually carry out as part of the package.

Timing matters significantly. It is the highest and the most sacred period while at the same time being one of the busiest periods, but also one of very high cost during Ramadan. Autumn (September–November) is the quietest and cheapest season. December is a busy choice as it overlaps with UK school holidays and summer works for families despite the persistent 40°C heat levels in Makkah.

A Journey That Stays With People

Most travel writers write about uncharted lands, exotic food and foreign peoples. The trip from Blackburn to Makkah is not a journey for novelty like the majority of trips when someone goes somewhere rather a pilgrimage which serves up deep spiritual connotations with it unlike traditional excursions.

But returning pilgrims reflect on a hard to describe change in priorities. To be standing in front of the Kaaba for the first time, praying one prayer at the Rawdah close to where our beloved ﷺ is resting in Madinah, drinking Zamzam and supplicating / making dua with 100% concentration… memories that barely get transformed into normal travel writing. However, this is in fact the reason hundreds of Blackburn families continue to make this pilgrimage each year.

Although seldom seen on typical travel itineraries, Blackburn sees a remarkable number of residents embark upon one of life’s most important journeys. That is worth knowing.

Author Bio: An article by Umrah Packages from UK, the travel provider for all 3-star, 4-star & 5-star Umrah packages from £655pp including flights from Manchester Airport, visa (full process), hotels in Makkah and Madinah and ground transport. For tailored travel plans and quotes, visit umrahpackagesfromuk.com/umrah-packages-blackburn.