Travel Dua — Dua for Travelling

Are you travelling soon? Do you want to learn the travelling dua? On this page, you will find the authentic dua for travel in Arabic, with English transliteration, meaning, and how to use it.
Travel is one of the best times to make dua — the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the dua of a traveller is answered. Whether you are flying abroad, going by road, visiting family, or going for Umrah, this page gives you the complete travel dua.
Table of Contents
Travelling Dua (Dua for Travel)
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadha-l-birra wat-taqwa wa minal-‘amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu’dahu. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’is-safari wa ka’abatil-manzari wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.
Meaning in English:
“O Allah, we ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are the Companion in travel and the Guardian over the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the difficulties of travel, from sadness of sights, and from a bad return regarding wealth and family.” (Sahih Muslim 1342)
This is the famous and authentic travel dua from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is also called the dua for journey, safar ki dua, and the safar dua in Hindi and Urdu. Short version / summary: “Allah — make my journey easy, protect my family, and bring me home safely.”
Travelling Dua Full (Arabic) — Copy and Learn
The full travelling dua is the one above. If you want it in pictures, please continue reading: you can save this page and read the full dua before you leave. Use the whole dua for the long journey, and keep the most simple version in your mind: البِرُّ وَالتَّقْوَى (duru-piha — piety and good deeds).
Tip: Read the travel dua once before leaving your home. It takes about 30 seconds to read it aloud slowly, and about one minute to recite it easily.
How to Recite the Travelling Dua
There is no fixed set way to recite the travelling dua. Here is what we recommend based on how the Prophet (peace be upon him) used it:
- Before leaving home — recite the travel dua in full. Say it once before you walk out or before you get into the car. It covers your safety, your family’s safety, and your return.
- When boarding the plane or vehicle — say “Bismillah. Allahumma.” Then say “Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar” three times, then the boarding dua below: “Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2992)
- When returning home — recite the travel dua again (the first part of it) and add the return dua below. This is the correct way to use the dua for coming back, and it closes the journey with praise to Allah.
Dua for Boarding a Vehicle or Plane
Arabic:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration: Bismillah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.
Meaning: “In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to the One who has subjected this to us, for we could never have done it ourselves, and indeed to our Lord we will return.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2992)
This is the dua for boarding a plane in Arabic (for plane), bus, car, train, or any vehicle. It is the same dua whether the travel is for a short journey or a long trip.
Dua for Someone Travelling
When a friend, family member, or loved one is travelling, make a short dua for them, and say:
Arabic:
أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا تَضِيعُ وَدَائِعُهُ
Transliteration: Astawdi’ukallaha-lladhi la tadi’u wada’i’uhu.
Meaning: “I entrust you to Allah, whose trusts are never lost.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3446)
This is the dua for a safe journey for someone else, the dua for travelling by a loved one, and the dua for someone travelling abroad. You can also say your own words: “May Allah protect you and bring you home safely.”
Dua for Returning from a Journey
When you are coming back home, recite the travelling dua again and add:
Arabic:
آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Transliteration: Ayibuna, ta’ibuna, ‘abiduna, li rabbina hamidun.
Meaning: “We are returning, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6385)
This is the dua for returning from a journey home, and it is also said for coming back from a long journey or from Umrah / Hajj.
Travelling with Children
Parents and children can travel together in Islam.
When travelling with children, it is helpful to:
- Teach them “Bismillah” when they get into the car or on the plane.
- Memorise the travel dua with them using the short version in this page.
- Help them make dua for safety, during travel and at boarding.
Common Mistakes in the Travelling Dua
Here are the most common mistakes people make with the travelling dua, and how to avoid them:
- Reading the dua without knowing what it means. Learn the meaning once, then the words will come naturally and with feeling.
- Thinking the dua is only for Hajj or Umrah. The travelling dua is for any journey — for work, for family, for study, or for vacation.
- Saying it once and forgetting it. Recite it when you leave, when you board, and when you return, so the whole journey is covered.
Praying While Traveling in Islam
A traveller in Islam shortens the four-rakah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) to two rakahs, and may combine Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha. This is the concession Allah gave to travellers in the Quran: “And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer.” (Quran 4:101)
The travelling dua itself does not replace prayer — it is read alongside the prayers of the journey, asking Allah to make the travel easy and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the travelling dua?
The travelling dua is the dua the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited when he travelled. It starts with “Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadha-l-birra wat-taqwa…” and it asks Allah to make the journey easy, to protect your family, and to bring you home safely.
What is the dua for travelling with kids?
The same travelling dua applies to children. Teach them the short form and the boarding dua: “Bismillah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha…” — start with these names first, and give them clear meanings.
What is the dua for travelling for Umrah?
For Umrah, recite the same travelling dua, plus duas for the journey to the Kaaba or Medina: the Talbiyah, the duas for entering the Masjid, and the duas of the rites. The travelling dua itself does not change for Umrah.
What is the best time to recite the travelling dua?
Recite it before you leave home, when you board your vehicle or plane, and when you return. The dua of a traveller is answered, so keep making dua during the journey as well.
More Duas & Related Pages
- Duas – Daily Duas in English & Arabic — the main duas hub page on this website
- Dua for Quran Khatam — the dua read after completing the Quran
- Rabbana Hablana Min Azwajina Dua — Surah Al-Furqan 25:74, dua for a righteous family
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