What are the good agencies to buy your hajj packages from? How late is too late to apply for the visa? When do people start preparing the travel?
Any experience with any of these two agencies?
How different is a 3-star hotel from 5-star in Arabia? Does it make a big difference?
Please share your opinion!
Re: Hajj Packages
Hay gemini,
If this for new england, then try the two numbers at the bottom of this page. They usually arrange good packages with some agencies.
Re: Hajj Packages
gemini....i went with Sara International Travel...I woudlnt recommend it.
I went with my Shaykh, and he took care of us (the canadians). the poor americans had no one to guide them, so some of them stuck with us.
read the reviews on hajjbuddy.com
Re: Hajj Packages
i've seen people from Chicago Hajj at hajj last year..they had this huge balloon during muzdalifah..so couldn't miss them..lol.
Re: Hajj Packages
Thanks Coolbreeze.. I would look into it.
Afshi..oh great, I will definitely check out the hajjbuddy.com... I will also check out if our masjid offers hajj groups etc from the community.. that would be such a blessing!!!
How different is a 3-star hotel from 5-star in Arabia? Does it make a big difference?
It's a huge difference. I just got back from Umra a few days ago. In Medina we had a 5-star hotel that would probably be classified as 4-star elsewhere in the world, but it was still very nice.
The hotel we had in Mecca however, which calls itself a 4-star was absolutely pathetic. I would have rated it as 0-star. The rate per night was the same as for the 5-star in Medina, even though both of them had a similar distance to the Haram, ie approx. 50 meters.
Generally hotels in Medina are cheaper than comparable ones in Mecca. It didn't really matter that much, because we spent most of our time in the Masjid and only went to the hotel to relax and sleep. But it was still annoying to spend so much money on such a crappy hotel.
Re: Hajj Packages
How much they take for 5 star and for 4 star hotels ?
Re: Hajj Packages
Umer.. great to know that.. the package that we are looking at allows us to upgrade the hotel in madinah for $275/person for 8 days.. but then of course we are not looking for luxury and just need a place to sleep/relax so probably we will not consider taht..well I will continue my research and keep everyone posted here!
Aqls.. overall there is a difference of about $500-1000 in packages but thats all I saw in my one day reserach.. we will probably know better near the hajj season!
Re: Hajj Packages
In Madinah, we stayed at Al Safeera (which was different than Al Safwah - which they promised us..but for some reason, they gave that to the americans and the canadians and west indians were stuck in this crap hotel). I would rate it 1 star at the most - the floor in the washroom was always wet, the room was too tiny, and the food was just awful.
but like you said, i didnt mind that much since i spent most of my time in the masjid and at the souqs. There is a great pakistani place for food next to the masjid (in front of the ladies entrance)...its sort of like in this food court thingy...yummy food...but too found we only found this place on our last day in madinah..lol.
in makkah, we stayed at the hilton..great place. would stay there again inshallah next time.
Re: Hajj Packages
I have read many reviews about accomodation not being excellent in Madinah and in fact my own mom said the same thing even though she travelled from Pakistan.. her stay in makkah was much more convienient than in madinah!
I am also confused in terms of 4 people per room versus 2 people per room... do they separate husband and wife and have 4 women in one room and 4 men in another or how does it work? To be cost efficient, 4 person per room is what we would go for.. is it okay?
I know too many questions but none of my family members ever went for hajj from the US so its kind of confusing and I need plenty of help.
Afshi.. I will be talking to you soon regarding the hand bag needed for hajj ;-)
Umer.. great to know that.. the package that we are looking at allows us to upgrade the hotel in madinah for $275/person for 8 days.. but then of course we are not looking for luxury and just need a place to sleep/relax so probably we will not consider taht..well I will continue my research and keep everyone posted here!
But if you are traveling with kids, I'd make sure that you book a hotel as close to the Haram as possible. And the closer they are, the more expensive and "luxerious" they get.
Re: Hajj Packages
no kids.. just my husband and I will be going! If we choose an agency then I dun think we have a choice of hotel, we will go for whatever they have a contract for.. the agency that we are thinking about has listed 5 star Sofaraa Hotel close to Haram for madinah and a 3 star Aqeeq Najd Hotel, or similar in Makkah. Reviews?
In Madinah, we stayed at Al Safeera (which was different than Al Safwah - which they promised us..but for some reason, they gave that to the americans and the canadians and west indians were stuck in this crap hotel). I would rate it 1 star at the most - the floor in the washroom was always wet, the room was too tiny, and the food was just awful.
but like you said, i didnt mind that much since i spent most of my time in the masjid and at the souqs. There is a great pakistani place for food next to the masjid (in front of the ladies entrance)...its sort of like in this food court thingy...yummy food...but too found we only found this place on our last day in madinah..lol.
in makkah, we stayed at the hilton..great place. would stay there again inshallah next time.
Afshi, which food court u talking about in madianah. can i have the name/location please. thanks :)