Re: Umrah with 28 month old son...
Hmmm...it depends on how long ur staying. we first went to mecca, then to medina and then back again to mecca (for the hajj). We took a coach bus to go back and forth. it took a good 6-8 hours. not really sure since i was reading my quran that time, doing dhikr, or the shaykh with us was telling us about the journey.
I'm pretty sure they have those toddler backpack thingies..ive seen them around.
Re: Umrah with 28 month old son...
We went by bus from Makkah to Madina (took about 7 hours)
We came back by a flight and if you count the waiting at the airport and travel back from Jeddah to Makkah - it took the same amount of time.
The buses were really comfortable. They had a bathroom in it which was a huge plus.
I would also recomend the Movenpick in Madinah. The hotel was average but it was really close to the women's area AND there was a kitchen with a small fridge and a stove in our room. It maybe helpful with the baby.
Re: Umrah with 28 month old son...
My parents have done it both ways... gone to Madinah first and then Makkah and vice versa. They preferred going to Makkah first ..... we always get a private car (all sorted out through the agent) and it takes around 5 hrs (a little bit quicker than the bus)
We were looking at internal flights for this yr but to be honest it's a waste of time as takes around the same time, what with going to a totally different part of the airport and waiting around.
I would advise you to go to Makkah first. The car journey from Jeddah to Makkah is roughly 1 -2 hrs ( i think) and then you can just go to your hotel, freshen up and do your Umrah.
I absolutely LOVE Madinah.... atmosphere is totally different from Makkah.... both places are amazing (ofcourse) but for me, Madinah is just tooo phenomenal for words!!
makkah to madina or vice versa by private car/ taxi is quicker - usually 3.5 hrs driving and a 30 minute break for food or prayers or restroom etc. the fares are usually constant and start from 400-450 saudi riyals one way.
whether its makkah first or madina really is a matter of personal preference. it can be equally tiring i feel, especialy if u go to madina first, and then go by bus to makkah, it will take u a good 7-8 hours of travel, including check in and check out at the hotels. ditto for going straight to makkah, there's the flight, and then the 1.5-2 hr transfer time from jeddah to makkah, plus the immigration officials, whose turnaround time is highly unpredictable.
the best hotel wrt both location and amenities is darultaqwa intercon in madina, it is right infront of the ladies gate that goes straight to riazul Jannah and Roza - e Rasul SAW. the options for Makkah have already been given by others.
anwar ul madina movenpick and elaf taiba are close to other women's entrances for the masjid, but not the gate that goes to the roza. also, movenpick has a very confusing layout. couldnt find much logic for the numbering of rooms and the layout on each floor. it can be a little confusing.
and yes, do get an elastic strap for ur toddler for the times when u will be praying. it is a MUST.
there are like 6 flights a day from madina to jeddah and from there u go by car to makkah, the flight time is 55 minutes; add in 1 -1.5 hrs for transfer to makkah. cost is 140-240 saudi riyal for eco and business class; add in i think 100 riyals for the taxi from jeddah to makkah.
i hope this helps. i just loovvveee visiting makkah and madina and i am so praying we go again this year InshaAllah. Good luck with your trip and remember us in your prayers!
Re: Umrah with 28 month old son...
Insha Allah I am planning to go in aug or sep or oct with mine now 5 month old (then she would be 9 or 10 months old). Lets see when it happens as its a bulawa from Allah , we can only plan but plans can not be carried out without His will.
Have been there twice in my life time Alhamdolillah :)
Re: Umrah with 28 month old son...
As njgal mentioned movenpick is a good hotel in madina.
in makkah darul-tawheed is very nice , they even have speakers fitted in rooms and you can hear azan and jamat over there also.
Insha Allah I am planning to go in aug or sep or oct with mine now 5 month old (then she would be 9 or 10 months old). Lets see when it happens as its a bulawa from Allah , we can only plan but plans can not be carried out without His will.
Have been there twice in my life time Alhamdolillah :)
Can you go for Umrah in Sept/OCT? I thought that time visas are closed for preparation of Hajj??