The decision between a 3-star package and a 5-star package can be hard considering both of the packages have their benefits. You need to choose a package that is in line with your needs.
Umrah Packages come in different categories. They offer varying levels of service, hotels, and ease. While both 3-star and 5-start packages include the main focus of your pilgrimage, the key difference between these packages is the quality of hotels, and how far the hotel is from the Holy Mosque.
In this guide, we will be going through these differences and by the end we hope that you can reach a final decision between either choosing a 3-star or a 5-star Umrah Package.
1. Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the biggest differences between a 3-star and a 5-star Umrah package. It is still a good practice to check what hotel both the package providers are offering as the possibility of the package provider upselling is possible as well.
3-star
The 3-star Umrah packages come with hotel accommodation in a mid-range hotel. These hotels are by no means ‘bad’. They are functional with all the basic amenities such as WiFi, Air conditioning, daily housekeeping etc., but they won’t be luxurious. The square footage of these rooms generally isn’t a lot.
Distance to the Holy Mosque
The unique selling point some hotels have over their competition is that they are closer to the Ka’ba than the rest. Muslims of all ages go to perform an Umrah and the elderly are a big chunk of it, as they have financial means to do it. The elderly prefer shorter walking distances due to their age and the hotels charge a premium for giving them this privilege. If you are young or even old but can walk a few kilometres (10-15 minutes), the 3-star Umrah accommodation is doable.
However, when the pilgrim count is low, some 3-star packages also provide more convenient locations. This happens when the amount of people visiting Saudi Arabia is low and thus this decreases demand.
5-star
5-star hotel deals aim to provide the most amount of comfort and ease, it offers high-end, luxury accommodations. They are usually as close as possible to Ka’ba.
The room size in a five-star hotel is big. The food options are vast and the level of service is inherently higher than the 3-star accommodation.
Distance to the Holy Mosque
They are located as close as possible usually a few minutes of walk from the Holy Mosque.
2. Transport
The difference between a 3-star and a 5-star package becomes apparent when transport is taken into account. Here’s how;
5-star
The premium Umrah packages include transport to and fro from Madinah and Mecca. Depending upon the money you spend, these packages include private VIP buses with spacious seats and in some cases, the packages even provide private vehicles for your transport.
3-star
In a 3-star package, the buses are shared and somewhat congested when compared to the luxury 5-star busses provided. However, these buses are reliable and safe. If your main goal is to just travel and comfort is not a priority, these buses will do just fine.
3. Meals
This factor can significantly affect the overall experience of your pilgrimage as food is a necessity and if good food is not provided, it can ruin things for you.
5-star
The meals included in the 5-star Umrah Package are gourmet with high-quality food prepared by professional chefs. The dining experience is not limited to food, but it's an experience in itself. The premium packages offer international and local dishes.
3-star
The 3-star meals are buffet-style dishes, and the food is generally good, but the options may be limited.
In some cases, the 3-star Umrah package may not include food and they may give you coupons or tickets to nearby restaurants.
4. Service Quality
5-star
A five-star package provides personal care, with tour guides or personnel on hand to help with any issues, such as special requests, language challenges, or other issues.
Expensive hotels employ a good number of staff and their presence ensures a more custom and attentive experience for each pilgrim, which makes the whole experience comfortable.
In the end, the deciding factor is YOU. Take into account your budget and the level of comfort you want to have during your trip. Keep in mind, that both packages will fulfil the spiritual part of Umrah.
3-star
In a 3-star Umrah package, the help is usually pretty basic, and there are fewer people to help, so tourists may have to do more of the planning on their own. The staff is either minimal or occupied so in most cases you will have to bring your luggage inside etc. However, a group guide might be available, the service is typically less personal and more general.