Australia has around 813,000 Muslims, making it one of the larger Muslim-minority populations in the English-speaking world. The community is concentrated in South-Western Sydney, where suburbs like Lakemba, Auburn, and Bankstown have significant Lebanese, Turkish, and South Asian Muslim populations, and in Melbourne's north and west, in areas like Coburg and Broadmeadows. There are also established Muslim communities in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Tarteel Travel serves Muslims across all of these cities, coordinating flights from the nearest major airport and handling visa and documentation so the logistics of the trip do not get in the way of preparing for it spiritually.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1773)
Tarteel Travel runs fixed group departures throughout the year. Australian travelers join one of those groups, and Tarteel coordinates your flights from your nearest airport to meet the group itinerary. See what previous travelers say on our Instagram and in our reviews.
Umrah is the lesser Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah al-Mukarramah, which can be performed at any time of year. Its essential acts are: entering Ihram (declared at the Miqat), performing Tawaf (seven circuits around the Ka'bah), walking Sa'i (seven times between Safa and Marwa), and completing with shaving or trimming the hair. Many Muslims describe Umrah as a turning point in their relationship with Allah, a chance to make tawbah and return to their Deen with renewed intention.
Australia has five major international departure points for Umrah. Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) and Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) have the widest range of connections and are where the majority of Australian Muslims depart from. Perth Airport (PER) is geographically the closest Australian city to Saudi Arabia, cutting roughly two to three hours off the total travel time compared to the east coast. Brisbane Airport (BNE) serves Queensland, and Adelaide Airport (ADL) serves South Australia. Flights from Australia to Madinah typically route via Doha on Qatar Airways or via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, with total travel times ranging from around 14 hours from Perth to 17 to 18 hours from Sydney or Melbourne.
Tarteel Travel has partnered with Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines to provide Australian Muslims with reliable routing to Saudi Arabia. When you fill out the booking form, note your preferred departure city and Tarteel will build your flights around the group itinerary.
Australian Muslims planning Umrah around school holidays should note that the December and January holiday period is summer in Australia, not winter. Tarteel's December departure is marketed as a "winter break" package reflecting the northern hemisphere calendar used by the broader group, but for Australian travelers it falls during the summer school holiday period, which is one of the most popular times for Australian families to travel. Booking early for December and January departures is particularly important given the demand from both Australian and international travelers during that window. The July school holidays also align with one of Tarteel's regular departure months.
Tarteel Travel selects hotels in Makkah and Madinah that are close to the Haramain, so you are not spending energy on long transfers when your focus should be on worship. Daily breakfast is included at both hotels. Your itinerary includes guided Ziyarah to Masjid Qubaa', Mount Uhud, and other significant sites in both cities, with context and explanation at each stop. Travel between Makkah and Madinah is on the Haramain high-speed train.
Australian residents can obtain a Saudi Arabia tourist visa, and Tarteel Travel handles the full application on your behalf. You receive a one-year, multiple-entry tourist visa, which means you could return for a second Umrah or explore other parts of Saudi Arabia within the same visa period.
Every group is led through the Umrah rituals step by step by Tarteel's guides. If this is your first Umrah, you will not be left to figure things out alone.
How to Make the Best of Your Umrah Trip
Tarteel Travel's itineraries arrive in Madinah first. That means your Miqat is Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), the Miqat designated for the people of Madinah and the furthest of all Miqat points from Makkah. Your Tarteel guide will tell you exactly when and how to enter Ihram before you leave the Madinah area for Makkah.
Tarteel Travel is founded and led by Mohamed Abu Rayan, who was born and raised in Makkah al-Mukarramah and has been working in the Hajj and Umrah field since 2000. His brothers and fellow guides were also born and raised in the Haramain. Australia has established local Umrah operators, and Australian Muslims have no shortage of options. What Tarteel offers that is difficult to replicate is a guide who grew up in the city you are visiting. Mohamed knows Makkah the way a person knows the city they were raised in, not as a tourist site but as a living place of worship. His guides lead you through the rituals in accordance with the Sunnah, answer questions about the history and significance of what you are seeing, and support first-time pilgrims throughout. Every trip also includes a visit to a local camel farm where travelers drink fresh camel milk, a practice from the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Is It Better to Go for Umrah With a Group or By Yourself?
Umrah Packages from New Zealand
If you are a Muslim in Australia and you are ready to go, Tarteel Travel will coordinate your flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, or your nearest airport to the House of Allah and back. Book your place in an upcoming group.
