Prayer: qibla and times
- A prayer-times app: detects your location and gives you the times and qibla in any city; some play the adhan.
- A light prayer mat: folds into your carry-on and takes no space.
- Nearby mosques: search 'mosque' on the map near your hotel; you'll usually find a mosque or prayer room even where Muslims are few. Jumu'ah is a good chance to meet the local community.
- Travel concessions: shortening and combining prayers is a well-known concession for travellers, and the details (distance and duration) differ between schools, so ask someone whose knowledge you trust before you go.
At the airport and on the plane
Many international airports have prayer rooms or multi-faith rooms, shown on the airport map or at the information desk. On board, many scholars allow praying seated if standing isn't possible, and some larger aircraft have space near the doors where you can pray with the crew's permission. Plan your prayers around flight and layover times.
Halal food
- Halal certification: look for the country's official halal logo on the restaurant door or on products. The logo differs from country to country.
- Halal restaurant apps: specialist apps and sites show halal restaurants around you, with travellers' reviews.
- Seafood and vegetarian dishes: a good fallback, but ask how they're cooked: some sauces contain alcohol, and some kitchens fry everything in the same oil.
- Hotel breakfast: watch out for processed meats, read the labels next to the dishes, and ask the chef if you're unsure.
- A halal meal on the plane: request it when booking or at least a day or two before the flight; it's often called a 'Muslim meal', code MOML.
Choosing a hotel
- Ask the hotel before booking: does the restaurant have halal options? Can they be ordered in advance?
- A hotel near a Muslim neighbourhood or a mosque makes halal food easy to find.
- For families and couples, a private pool villa or serviced apartment gives you more privacy.
- Some hotels and resorts offer women-only hours at the pool or spa, so ask.
- Ask for alcohol to be removed from the minibar if you prefer: many hotels do this on request.
Travelling in Ramadan
Breaking the fast is a concession for travellers, and for the details you should refer to scholars. If you decide to fast, check the suhoor and iftar times in the city you'll be in, as they can be very different from home, and ask the hotel about suhoor and iftar: some hotels in destinations popular with Muslim visitors prepare them on request.
Our advice: our team knows the mosques and halal restaurants at our main destinations, and we send you a list of places near your hotel before you travel. See also our guide to halal food in Thailand.