Ask a pilgrim travelling from abroad which form of Hajj suits them best and the answer is usually Tamattu. The reason is practical: most pilgrims reach Makkah days or weeks before the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, and Tamattu lets them perform Umrah on arrival and then leave ihram until Hajj begins. This article follows a Tamattu pilgrim through the trip in the order it happens, with practical travel notes along the way. For detailed rulings, rely on qualified scholars and your licensed Hajj operator.
What sets Tamattu apart
| Form | How it works | Sacrifice (hady) |
|---|---|---|
| Tamattu | Umrah in the Hajj months, leave ihram, then a fresh ihram for Hajj the same season | Required |
| Qiran | One ihram for Umrah and Hajj together, no release until the Day of Sacrifice | Required |
| Ifrad | Ihram for Hajj only | Not required |
The Tamattu pilgrim combines two rites in one journey and "enjoys" the normal state in between, which is where the name comes from.
Stage one: ihram and arrival
You enter ihram with the intention of Umrah, to be followed by Hajj, at or before the miqat. Flying into Jeddah, you pass the miqat in the air, so the easy approach is to change into ihram clothing before take-off and make the intention and talbiyah when the crew announces you are near the miqat. If you start in Madinah, your miqat is Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) when you set out for Makkah.
After landing in Jeddah you are tired, in ihram, and want to reach the Haram by the most direct route. A pre-booked car helps here: a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign, flight tracking, and 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. Our guide to the Jeddah Airport to Haram transfer explains this step. The fare from Jeddah Airport to Makkah is 200 SAR by sedan, 350 by family car and 500 VIP, per car rather than per person.
Important: Hajj requires an official permit, and entry to Makkah during the season follows special arrangements. Check the current rules on Nusuk and other official channels rather than relying on older information.
Stage two: the Umrah of Tamattu
- Tawaf: seven circuits of the Kaaba, each starting and ending at the Black Stone.
- Sa'i: seven laps between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah.
- Trimming or shaving: many scholars recommend that the Tamattu pilgrim trims at this point, leaving hair to shave at Hajj.
With that, Umrah is complete and the restrictions of ihram are lifted.
Stage three: the waiting days in Makkah
Pilgrims use these days for prayer in the Grand Mosque, extra tawaf and supplication, and rest before the demanding days ahead. Our practical advice: save your energy and avoid long walks in the heat before Arafah. For rides between your hotel and the Haram, the published fare starts at 80 SAR by sedan. Travelling far from Makkah during this period has implications for Tamattu, so ask someone whose knowledge you trust before planning it.
Stage four: the days of Hajj
8th – Day of Tarwiyah
The Tamattu pilgrim enters ihram for Hajj from wherever they are staying in Makkah, goes to Mina, and prays there, shortening the four-unit prayers without combining them.
9th – Arafah
Standing at Arafah is the central pillar of Hajj. Pilgrims stay until sunset in remembrance and supplication, then move on to Muzdalifah.
The night of the 10th – Muzdalifah
Maghrib and Isha are prayed together and the night is spent there. Pebbles can be collected there or elsewhere.
10th – Day of Sacrifice
- Stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah with seven pebbles.
- The hady sacrifice, required for Tamattu. Someone unable to offer it fasts three days during Hajj and seven after returning home.
- Shaving or trimming the hair.
- Tawaf al-Ifadah, followed by the Sa'i of Hajj for the Tamattu pilgrim.
The days of Tashreeq
Nights in Mina and stoning all three jamarat each day after midday: the small, then the middle, then Aqabah. Those leaving early depart Mina on the 12th before sunset; others stay and stone on the 13th.
Farewell Tawaf
The last act before leaving Makkah.
Getting between the holy sites
During the Hajj days themselves, movement between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah is by the organised transport of your Hajj operator or official routes; private cars do not move freely inside the holy sites. Our service therefore covers the periods before and after: airport pickups, rides within Makkah, and the trip to Madinah. See our Hajj taxi service page.
After Hajj: Madinah or home
| Ride | Sedan | Family | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makkah to Madinah | 400 | 600 | 1000 |
| Makkah to Jeddah Airport | 190 | 300 | 500 |
| Madinah to Makkah | 400 | 600 | 800 |
Prices are in SAR per car, paid on arrival. Madinah is about 450 km from Makkah, roughly four and a half to five hours. Read about our Makkah to Madinah taxi, and see the fare guide for the rest. Book your post-Hajj ride early, because demand jumps as soon as the days of Tashreeq end.
Frequently asked
Does the Tamattu pilgrim do Sa'i twice?
Yes, according to most scholars: once for Umrah and again for Hajj after Tawaf al-Ifadah.
What if I can't afford the sacrifice?
Fast three days during Hajj and seven on returning home. Where you can, buy the hady through the official approved channels.
When should I book my ride back to the airport?
As soon as you know your flight time. Send the flight number and hotel address on WhatsApp and we'll confirm a sensible departure time.
Can you carry elderly pilgrims and wheelchairs?
Yes. Tell us in advance and we'll send a family vehicle with enough room.
To book, contact Mishwar Al Haramain on WhatsApp at +966582918075, any time of day. May your Hajj be accepted.