Coach and minibus hire with a driver, from Glasgow. Every quote in writing.

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Umrah and Hajj group transfers from Glasgow

Ritaat Coaches takes Umrah and Hajj groups from their mosque or homes in Glasgow, Scotland, to the airport and back, by minibus or coach with a driver. Pilgrims flying home from Jeddah or Madinah are usually allowed one 5-litre Zamzam container each, so we size the return vehicle for it. Send your flight details for a written quote.

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How a pilgrimage group transfer works

  1. The organiser sends the details

    Outbound and return flight numbers, the airport, the number of pilgrims, the pick-up point (the mosque or several homes) and the cases per person.

  2. We size the vehicle for the return

    Pilgrims come home with more than they took: Zamzam water, gifts and a heavier case. We quote for the return load.

  3. We set the pick-up time

    We work back from the airline’s check-in time, add the drive time and a buffer, then check it against your mosque’s prayer timetable. If departure falls near a prayer time, we agree with the organiser whether the group prays before leaving.

  4. Departure

    The driver arrives early so families can say goodbye without the group running late.

  5. Return

    Give us the return flight’s landing time when you book. We meet the group and load the cases.

Which airport do Scottish pilgrims fly from?

There are no direct flights from Scotland to Saudi Arabia that we could find, so groups either connect through a hub or travel to an English airport with a direct flight. Ask your travel agent which airport your package uses before booking the coach.

Route typeExample (check current schedules)AirportDistance from GlasgowDrive (car, no traffic)
Connect via the GulfEmirates via DubaiGlasgow (GLA) or Edinburgh (EDI)GLA about 10 miles; EDI about 40 milesabout 17 minutes; about 53 minutes
Connect via the GulfQatar Airways via DohaEdinburgh (EDI)about 40 milesabout 53 minutes
Connect via IstanbulTurkish Airlines via IstanbulEdinburgh (EDI)about 40 milesabout 53 minutes
Direct to JeddahSaudia, Manchester to Jeddah (daily, AeroRoutes, Sep 2026)Manchester (MAN)about 225 milesabout 4 hours 25 minutes

How the Glasgow pick-up works is on our Glasgow Airport minibus transfers page. All airports are compared on our group airport transfers hub. A run to Manchester Airport is a long-distance job: an early flight can mean leaving Glasgow overnight, and the driver’s legal hours are part of the plan. We cover the whole UK, so we can run it; tell us your dates.

Zamzam water: what the rules usually say

  • The common rule. Pilgrims leaving Saudi Arabia are usually allowed one sealed 5-litre Zamzam container each, bought at the official counter at the airport. Many airlines carry it as a separate piece rather than inside a suitcase.
  • Airlines differ. Qatar Airways’ 2026 advisory says a maximum of 5 litres is allowed and that Zamzam must not be carried in the cabin or packed inside checked baggage. Check your own airline’s page before you fly.
  • What it means for the coach. A group of 30 can come home with 30 extra 5-litre containers, about 150 litres. Tell us how many containers to expect so the return vehicle has space.

Booking Hajj from the UK

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says British pilgrims can secure a Hajj place only through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuk platform, and warns that organised fraud targets people booking Hajj and Umrah. Umrah outside the Hajj season uses an e-visa. Check your package is booked properly before you book the coach; we only provide the ground transport in the UK.

Pick-up points, driver and comfort

  • From the mosque. Most groups gather at their mosque, which keeps timing simple and gives families a place to see pilgrims off. We can also collect from several homes in Glasgow if the route still meets the check-in time. We cover the whole UK, so groups outside Glasgow can ask for a quote too.
  • Older pilgrims. Tell us about wheelchairs and walking aids in advance. Our vehicles are wheelchair accessible, so tell us when you book.
  • Seating. If the group wants men and women seated separately, the organiser can plan the seating; tell us when you book.

Which vehicle

Group sizeVehicleSupplied by
Up to 16 pilgrims, with about 10 to 15 large suitcasesMercedes Sprinter minibusOur own vehicle
A larger group, or heavy return luggageMercedes Tourismo or Volvo B8R coach with under-floor lockers (53 and 38 seats)Our own vehicles
More pilgrims than our own vehicles carryExtra coachesA partner operator

Small groups often travel by our minibus: see minibus hire in Glasgow. For a full coach, see coach hire in Glasgow. For Eid outings and mosque day trips, see community and mosque group travel. All services: our services.

What it costs

What changes a pilgrimage transfer price:

  • The airport. Glasgow is a short run; Manchester is a full day for the driver.
  • The return load, which usually sets the vehicle size.
  • One pick-up point or several homes.

Typical price: a 16-seat minibus airport pick-up is from £375. Prices differ by season.

Every quote is in writing and lists what is included. See the coach hire price guide for how prices are built.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take our Umrah group from the mosque to the airport?

Yes. We collect the group from the mosque, or from several homes, and drive to Glasgow or Edinburgh airport. We set the pick-up time from the airline’s check-in time and the mosque’s prayer timetable.

Which airports do Umrah and Hajj flights from Scotland leave from?

We found no direct flights from Scotland to Saudi Arabia, so pilgrims usually connect via a hub such as Dubai, Doha or Istanbul from Glasgow or Edinburgh, or fly direct with Saudia from Manchester. Ask your travel agent which airport your package uses.

How much Zamzam water can each pilgrim bring back?

Usually one sealed 5-litre container per pilgrim, bought at the official counter at the Saudi airport, but each airline sets its own rules. Tell us how many containers the group expects so the return vehicle has room.

Can you plan around prayer times?

Yes. We check the pick-up time against your mosque’s prayer timetable and agree with the organiser whether the group prays before leaving.

Do you collect the group when they return?

Yes. Book the return with the outbound transfer. We plan around the return flight’s landing time and take pilgrims back to the mosque or to their homes.

Can you take a Hajj group to Manchester Airport?

Yes. We cover the whole UK, so tell us your dates. Manchester is about 225 miles from Glasgow, so an early flight can mean an overnight departure, and the driver’s legal hours are planned into the quote.

How do UK pilgrims book Hajj?

The UK government says British pilgrims can book a Hajj place only through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuk platform. We provide the ground transport in the UK only; we do not sell Hajj or Umrah packages.

Get a quote

Send the flight numbers, airport, number of pilgrims, pick-up point and number of cases. We reply within an hour.

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