Quick Answer
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March 2027, depending on the moon sighting. If you travel for Umrah or to spend Ramadan abroad, set up your phone before you fly: a travel eSIM for data (for Nusuk, maps, prayer times and video calls home at iftar) and your home line kept on for bank codes. Expect busy networks around the Haram in Makkah during the last ten nights, and send messages instead of calling when it is crowded.
Ramadan is the busiest season of the year for Umrah, and many families also travel to spend the month or Eid with relatives in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan or Morocco. Your phone does a lot of work during the month: permits and bookings, prayer and iftar times, finding your group at the Haram, and calling home every evening. This guide gives you the expected dates, what changes when you travel during Ramadan, and how to stay connected without roaming bills.
Ramadan and Eid 2027: expected dates
| Event | Expected date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First day of Ramadan | Monday 8 February 2027 | The first fast is on the day after the crescent is sighted. Some countries may start a day earlier or later. |
| Last ten nights | From about 27 February 2027 | Laylat al-Qadr is sought in these nights. The busiest period at the Haram in Makkah. |
| Eid al-Fitr | Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027 | Depends on whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days. |
These dates come from astronomical calculations, including Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar. Each country confirms the start and end of Ramadan after the moon sighting, so the dates can move by one day. Keep your flights and hotel bookings flexible around the start and Eid.
Key facts for travelling in Ramadan
- Umrah in Ramadan is the busiest time of the year in Makkah and Madinah, especially in the last ten nights. Hotels near the Haram book up months ahead.
- Umrah permits and Rawdah visits are booked through the official Nusuk app, so you need mobile data on arrival.
- Working hours change. Offices and many shops open shorter hours in the day, and malls, restaurants and markets stay open late at night.
- In some countries, eating, drinking or smoking in public during fasting hours is not allowed or is not appropriate, even for visitors. Check the local rules for your destination.
- Networks get crowded at iftar and around the Haram, when millions of people call and video call at the same time.
- Eid al-Fitr is a peak travel time. Flights and hotels in the region are busy for the Eid holiday, so book early.
Staying connected in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan
Saudi Arabia has three mobile networks, STC, Mobily and Zain, with strong 4G and 5G in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Riyadh. During Ramadan, the authorities and operators add extra capacity around the Holy Mosques, but at peak times (after Isha, during Taraweeh and in the last ten nights) the network can still be slow.
What helps:
- Install your Saudi eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you fly. You then have data the moment you land in Jeddah or Madinah, for the Nusuk app, Uber or Careem, and to let your family know you arrived. Plans for Saudi Arabia start when the eSIM first connects in the country.
- WhatsApp calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia, and they work on a travel eSIM. Read our guide to WhatsApp and FaceTime calling in Saudi Arabia.
- Send voice notes and messages when the network is busy. They get through when a call keeps dropping.
- Share your live location with your group in WhatsApp or Google Maps, so you can find each other after prayer in the crowds.
- Agree a meeting point, such as a numbered gate of the Haram, in case phones do not connect.
- Keep your home line on for SMS codes from your bank. See how OTP codes work with a travel eSIM.
For pilgrims, our Umrah and Hajj eSIM guide and calling home during Umrah go into more detail.
Spending Ramadan in other countries
| Destination | What to know about connectivity |
|---|---|
| UAE | WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked on local UAE networks and Wi-Fi, but they work on a travel eSIM that connects as roaming. Read why WhatsApp calls fail in Dubai. |
| Turkey | Busy iftar tables in Istanbul's squares and mosques at night. Strong 4.5G in cities. |
| Egypt | Ramadan nights in Cairo are lively until suhoor. Good coverage in Cairo, Alexandria and the Red Sea resorts. |
| Jordan | A quieter Ramadan. Good coverage in Amman, Petra and Aqaba. |
| Morocco | Medinas in Marrakech and Fes come alive after iftar. Download offline maps for the narrow streets. |
| Malaysia | Famous Ramadan bazaars in Kuala Lumpur. Good 4G and 5G in cities. |
How much data do you need during Ramadan?
Video calls with family at iftar and suhoor are the biggest data use during Ramadan. A 30-minute WhatsApp video call uses roughly 300 to 500 MB.
| How you use your phone | Data per day | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Light: prayer times, Nusuk, maps, messages | 300–500 MB | 5–7 GB |
| Normal: plus a daily video call home and social media | 1–1.5 GB | 15–20 GB |
| Heavy: several video calls, streaming lectures or Taraweeh | 2–3 GB or more | 30 GB or unlimited |
For a full month of Ramadan, a large plan or an unlimited plan is usually the easiest choice. You can always top up the same eSIM if you run low. Our data calculator helps you estimate your own use.
Apps that help during Ramadan travel
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- Nusuk: the official Saudi app for Umrah permits and visits to the Rawdah in Madinah.
- A prayer times app that shows Fajr and Maghrib for your exact location, and the Qibla direction.
- Google Maps or Apple Maps, with offline maps downloaded for Makkah, Madinah or your city.
- Uber, Careem or the local taxi app. Taxis are hard to find just before iftar.
- WhatsApp for live location, voice notes and calls home.
- Your airline's app, because flight times and gates often change around Eid.
Set up your phone before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM on our compatibility page.
- Choose an eSIM for your destination, with enough data for daily video calls home.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi from the QR code in your email, and keep the eSIM line switched off until you land.
- Download Nusuk (for Umrah), a prayer times app and offline maps before you leave.
- When you land, switch on the eSIM, set it as your line for mobile data with data roaming on, and turn off data roaming on your home line.
- Share your live location with your family or group, and save your hotel's address and a meeting point at the Haram.
Frequently asked questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, according to astronomical calculations. Each country confirms the date after the crescent moon is sighted, so it can move by a day.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027, depending on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days.
Is Umrah in Ramadan very crowded?
Yes. Ramadan is the busiest time of the year for Umrah, and the last ten nights are the most crowded. Book hotels early and expect slow mobile networks around the Haram at peak times.
Do WhatsApp calls work in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan?
Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia and work on a travel eSIM. When the network is very busy, voice notes and messages get through more easily than calls.
How much data do I need for two weeks of Umrah in Ramadan?
About 5–7 GB for maps, Nusuk and messages, or 15–20 GB if you make a video call home every day. For heavy use or a full month, choose an unlimited plan.
Do I need mobile data for the Nusuk app?
Yes. You need an internet connection to book and show Umrah permits and Rawdah appointments in Nusuk. Install your eSIM before you fly so you are online when you land.
Can I keep my own number while using a travel eSIM in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. A travel eSIM is data-only, so your home SIM keeps your number for calls and bank codes. Turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid roaming charges.
The bottom line
Ramadan 2027 is expected from 8 February to 9 or 10 March 2027. If you are going for Umrah or spending the month abroad, book early, keep your plans flexible around the moon sighting, and set up your phone at home: a travel eSIM for data, your home line for codes, and Nusuk and offline maps ready before you fly. Find plans for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey and Egypt.
Ramadan Kareem.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026:
- The National: When is Ramadan 2027? Potential dates for the UAE
- Nusuk: the official platform for Umrah and visits
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