Dua for Travelling: Complete Guide to the Islamic Travel Duas

Sufyan Amjad

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ

Whatever the length of your journey, from the shortest drive to the longest of flights, it begins with the remembrance of Allah. One of the Prophet’s favourite duas was the dua for travel, and he would recite it when he rode out on any of his mounts. This resource provides all the information about the travel dua, from the Arabic text and its translation to its benefits and the rules concerning it. It also provides the associated duas for each phase of the trip.

Our readers are very much concerned about the dua for travel when they are about to take a flight or go on a trip or perform a pilgrimage. All these situations have been included in this resource.

What Is the Dua for Travelling in Islam?

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

The dua for travel is to make a supplication to Allah to provide you and your family with safety, ease, and righteousness, and to protect you all. It is composed of part of a verse from the Quran (43:13-14) and other additional dua.

A traveller recites the dua for travel to let Allah know that he is aware that, for his protection and safety, means of transport and ease have been created for him. The traveller is also aware that every means of transport is created for him to take him to his final destination and ultimately to Allah.

Travel Dua in 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 الأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ

This is the travel dua as reported in Sahih Muslim. The Prophet (PBUH) would say Allahu Akbar thrice, then say the words written above. This is the most comprehensive and the most beneficial travel dua. If you are looking for the travel dua in Arabic for personal use or for a gift, this is the most authentic and the best version.

Travel Dua Transliteration

For those who cannot yet read Arabic, here is the dua for travelling transliteration:

Allahu Akbar (3 times).

Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun.

Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda.

Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu’dah. Allahumma anta s-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’is-safar, wa ka’abatil-manzar, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.

Learning the travel dua in English translation allows you to learn this important prayer. It is beneficial for you to learn the pronunciation of this dua. You may listen to a recording of someone reciting it.

Dua for Travelling in English (Translation and Meaning)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى

The dua for travelling in English reads:

“Allah is the Greatest (3 times). Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And to our Lord we shall return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for goodness and piety and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Successor (Guardian) over the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from a bad sight on return, and from an evil outcome in wealth and family.”

The travel dua has four important components:

First, we express our gratitude to Allah for enabling us to use the means of transportation.
Second, we are reminded of the journey’s end and the journey itself as part of our return to Allah.
Third, we request that our journey be easy and our travel plans be accomplished with good deeds and righteousness.
Fourth, we make a dua for the protection of our family and wealth.

Upon the Prophet’s ﷺ return from a trip, it was his practice to recite this dua and say the following.

آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ

Ayibuna ta’ibuna ‘abiduna li-Rabbina hamidun (We return, repenting, worshipping, and praising our Lord).

Dua Before Travelling (When Leaving Home)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

The dua before travelling starts at your doorstep. Before you even reach the vehicle, say the dua for leaving the house:

Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. (“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might or power except with Allah.”)

The Prophet ﷺ said a person who recites this dua is ‘guided, defended, and protected.’ It is recommended that one should recite the travel dua and also perform two units of prayer at home prior to leaving and make a charitable donation.

Dua for Travelling by Plane (Aeroplane Travel Dua)

اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ

A common question is what dua to say when travelling by air. The Sunnah dua stated above is what is to be recited when travelling by air or any other means of transportation. The Sunnah dua for air travel is to be recited while sitting or once the plane moves.

Use these tips to make the most of your travels by plane:

Travel Duas should be done in a soft voice while putting on your seat belt or while the plane starts moving.
A dua for plane travel is not different from the normal travel duas. The normal travel duas have been revealed by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and therefore can be applied to all means of transportation.
Plane travellers can recite the dua for travel a number of times, particularly at the time of take-off.
It is beneficial to say the dua for travel while waiting for the next connecting flight. Also, repeating the dua can be useful in calming your nerves during a flight and helping to overcome anxiety.
A dua for travelling in flight may also include general protection prayers, such as: أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq).

Many people also look for the dua for travelling on a plane in Arabic or the dua for travelling on a plane transliteration so they can recite it without a phone. Save the text above on your device before you board.

Dua for Travelling in a Car

Use the travelling duas as you commence your journey by car. Before starting the engine, say the travelling dua for travel by car. The travelling dua for travel by car is the same as the travel duas. The car travel dua is the same as the travel dua.

Before a long trip, it is advised that a family recite the travel dua for travel by car for a safe journey. Travel duas should be repeated multiple times during travel. According to a Hadith, a traveller should seek Allah’s protection and mercy by reciting travel duas before starting a trip.

Also remember the Prophet’s guidance while driving: say “Allahu Akbar” (اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ) when going up a slope and “Subhanallah” (سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ) when going down.

Dua for Travelling by Boat or Ship

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

The dua for travelling by boat draws on the Quran. In Surah Hud (11:41), Nuh (Noah) said this as he boarded the ark:

Bismillahi majreha wa mursaha, inna Rabbi laghafurun rahim. (“In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”)

You can recite this alongside the standard travel dua on ferries, cruises, or any sea voyage.

Dua for Long Travel and Long-Distance Journeys

اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ

All duas (supplications) are important, but particular importance is given to a specific dua during a long and tiresome journey. This dua is a sunnah (recommended) dua. The meaning of this dua is to shorten the distance of the journey.

Repeat the dua during travel whenever you feel tired or worried.
Keep your tongue busy with dhikr, salawat, and istighfar: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ (Astaghfirullah).
Make the dua while travelling for your parents, your family, and the Muslim ummah, since it is a time when supplications are especially hopeful.

The dua for travelling abroad works the same way. Before leaving your country, recite the dua for travelling abroad, entrust your family to Allah, and ask for goodness in the place you are going.

Subhanallazi: The Famous Opening of the Travel Dua

Many people search for the dua for travelling, Subhanallazi, or the travel dua Subhanallazi, named after its opening words, “Subhanal-ladhi”. This opening comes from the Quran, Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:13-14. The Islamic travel dua subhanallazi is often used by itself when a person is in a hurry. Still, the fuller version reported in Sahih Muslim is better because it includes the requests for goodness, ease, and protection.

Dua for Safe Travel and Protection

رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا

A general dua for safe travel can be made in your own words as well. The dua for safe travels, the dua for safe travelling, and the safe travel dua are all based on the same Sunnah text. You can also add this short Quranic supplication:

Rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqin wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqin waj’al li min ladunka sultanan nasira (Quran 17:80): “My Lord, cause me to enter in a good way and to exit in a good way, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.”

For dua for protection when travelling, recite Ayat al-Kursi, the last three surahs of the Quran, and the morning and evening adhkar. The dua for safety while travelling and the dua for safe travel are best combined with these daily adhkar. For a wider dua for safe travel and protection, keep it simple: the sincere heart matters more than the length of the words. If you prefer a short version, the short dua for travelling is:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ

Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah.

Dua for Someone Travelling (For a Loved One)

أَسْتَوْدِعُ اللَّهَ دِينَكَ وَأَمَانَتَكَ وَخَوَاتِيمَ عَمَلِكَ

زَوَّدَكَ اللَّهُ التَّقْوَى، وَغَفَرَ ذَنْبَكَ، وَيَسَّرَ لَكَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ مَا كُنْتَ

Islam also teaches us how to pray for others who are leaving. The dua for someone travelling and the dua for safe travel for a loved one reflect the care Muslims have for one another. The Prophet ﷺ taught these words for the traveller:

Astawdi’ullaha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima ‘amalik. (“I entrust to Allah your religion, your trustworthiness, and the last of your deeds.”)

Zawwadakallahut-taqwa, wa ghafara dhanbak, wa yassara lakal-khayra haythu ma kunt. (May Allah provide you with piety, forgive your sin, and make goodness easy for you wherever you are.)

This is the best dua to say to someone travelling and the best dua when someone is travelling. In Arabic, people often look for the dua for safe travel for a loved one in Arabic, and the wording above serves that purpose.

Parents, spouses and friends can use these words in the dua for someone who is travelling and the dua for the travelling person. If you are praying for a passenger on a flight, the dua for someone travelling on a plane is the same, with your own personal additions.

Dua of the Resident for the Traveller

أَسْتَوْدِعُكُمُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا تَضِيعُ وَدَائِعُهُ

The dua of the resident for the traveller is the one quoted in the previous section (Astawdi’ullaha dinak…). It is what the person staying behind says to the one leaving. Scholars also call it the dua for the resident to the traveller, or the dua for the traveller by the resident.

The traveller also has a supplication to leave with those staying behind: Astawdi’ukumullahal-ladhi la tada’u wada’i’uh (I entrust you to Allah, whose trust is never lost). Both sides therefore leave each other under Allah’s care.

The Dua of a Traveller Is Accepted

ثَلَاثُ دَعَوَاتٍ مُسْتَجَابَاتٌ لَا شَكَّ فِيهِنَّ: دَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْمُسَافِرِ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ

An important reason to make dua while travelling is the hadith that says the supplication of a traveller is among those that are answered. The Prophet ﷺ said that three supplications are answered without doubt: that of the oppressed, that of the traveller, and that of a parent regarding their child (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi).

So when people ask whether the dua of a traveller or the dua of the traveller is accepted, the answer is that it is among the supplications with strong hope of acceptance. The hadith on the dua of a traveller is well known, and Islamic Q&A sites discuss the dua of a traveller, IslamQA, and the dua of a traveller, accepted hadith, at length. Whether you ask whether a traveller’s dua is accepted or search for the dua of a traveller, the reported hadith gives the same reassurance.

This is why making dua while travelling is so encouraged. Use the journey to ask for forgiveness, guidance, and every need you have. The dua of the traveller and the dua of the travelling person are not limited to the travel dua itself, so that you may ask Allah for anything.

How to Make Dua While Travelling

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Many readers ask how to make dua while travelling. Here is a simple approach:

Begin with the dua when you travel (the Sunnah dua above).
Continue with praise of Allah and salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Ask for your worldly and religious needs, for example, with the comprehensive supplication above (Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar).
Repeat “Bismillah” and seek refuge in Allah at each new stage.
End with istighfar.

The dua to recite while travelling and the dua to recite when travelling may be repeated any number of times. The dua to say when travelling and the dua when travelling need not be memorised perfectly at first; begin with what you know and improve over time.

Other Duas During the Journey

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

When stopping at a rest stop, hotel, or new place, say the dua reported in Sahih Muslim: A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He created). Whoever says it will not be harmed until they leave that place.

When you enter a new town, you may say the dua for entering a settlement that the Prophet ﷺ taught, asking Allah for its goodness and seeking refuge from its evil.

These additional adhkar are part of a full dua during travelling, and they complement the main travel prayer dua.

Dua for Umrah and Hajj Travellers

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

The dua for travelling to Umrah starts with the same Sunnah dua. Many pilgrims search for the Umrah travel dua, the dua for Umrah travellers, and the dua while travelling for Umrah. After the standard supplication, the pilgrim enters the state of ihram and recites the talbiyah:

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.

This transforms the whole journey into worship. Add your own requests for acceptance and a safe return.

Travel Dua in the Quran

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ (الزخرف ١٣)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا (هود ٤١)

رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ (الإسراء ٨٠)

The travel dua in the Quran is found mainly in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:13-14), which gives us “Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha.” The travelling dua in the Quran also includes Surah Hud (11:41) for boats and Surah Al-Isra (17:80) for entering and leaving wells. Together with the hadith wording, these verses make up the complete dua for travelling in the Quran, as many readers phrase it. There is no need to search widely, since these few passages contain the core.

Travel Dua in Other Languages

Muslims around the world search for the travel dua in Urdu: the travel ki dua, the travelling ki dua, and the safar dua for travelling (safar means journey). The Arabic wording is always the same, and only the translation differs. The safar dua for travelling on a plane is likewise the same Sunnah dua, recited in Arabic with a translation in the language you understand best. Below, each language has the transliteration (how to read the Arabic) and the translation (what it means).

Travel Dua in Urdu (سفر کی دعا): Transliteration and Translation)

Roman Urdu transliteration:

Allahu Akbar (3 baar).

Subhaanal-lazee sakhkhara lanaa haazaa wa maa kunnaa lahoo muqrineen, wa innaa ilaa Rabbinaa lamunqaliboon. Allaahumma innaa nas’aluka fee safarinaa haazal-birra wat-taqwaa, wa minal-‘amali maa tarzaa. Allaahumma hawwin ‘alaynaa safaranaa haazaa watwi ‘annaa bu’dah. Allaahumma antas-saahibu fis-safar, wal-khaleefatu fil-ahl. Allaahumma innee a’oozu bika min wa’saa’is-safar, wa ka’aabatil-manzar, wa soo’il-munqalabi fil-maali wal-ahl.

اردو ترجمہ:

اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے (تین بار)۔ پاک ہے وہ ذات جس نے اس سواری کو ہمارے تابع کر دیا، حالانکہ ہم اسے قابو میں لانے والے نہ تھے، اور بے شک ہم اپنے رب کی طرف لوٹ کر جانے والے ہیں۔ اے اللہ! ہم اپنے اس سفر میں تجھ سے نیکی اور تقویٰ کا سوال کرتے ہیں، اور ایسے عمل کا جس سے تو راضی ہو۔ اے اللہ! ہمارے لیے اس سفر کو آسان کر دے اور اس کی دوری کو ہم سے لپیٹ دے۔ اے اللہ! تو ہی سفر میں ساتھی اور گھر والوں میں نگہبان ہے۔ اے اللہ! میں سفر کی مشقت، بری حالت میں لوٹنے کے منظر اور مال و اہل میں برے انجام سے تیری پناہ مانگتا ہوں۔

Etiquette of Travelling in Islam

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ

Reciting the dua for travelling is one part of good travel manners. Also:

Repent, settle debts, and seek forgiveness before leaving.
Travel with righteous companions and appoint a leader for the group.
Keep your prayers on time; you may shorten and combine prayers where the rules allow.
Avoid harming others and stay grateful.
Say the return dua (آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ) when you come back, and greet your family with gratitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dua for travelling?

It is the Sunnah supplication beginning with “Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha,” recited after saying “Allahu Akbar” three times. This answers what the dua is for travelling and what the dua is for travelling.

What dua to read when travelling?

Recite the full travel dua. This answers what dua to read when travelling and what dua to read when travelling. The best dua for travelling is this Prophetic supplication.

Can I recite it in English only?

The Arabic wording is preferred because it is the Prophetic text. If you cannot read Arabic, read the transliteration and learn the meaning gradually, and you may also ask Allah in your own language.

When should I say it?

Say it when you begin the journey, at the moment you board or start moving. The dua when travelling and the when-travelling dua apply to the start of the trip.

Is there a dua for the plane, car, and boat separately?

No separate texts are reported for each. The same dua for travel in a plane, dua for travel in a car, and dua to travel in a boat apply to every vehicle, with the boat verse as an optional addition.

Where can I learn more?

Islamic Q&A sources such as IslamQA discuss the dua for travelling and the travel dua in more detail.

Conclusion

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى

The dua for travelling is a short but powerful means of placing your journey in Allah’s hands. Learn the Arabic, the transliteration, and the meaning, and recite it with presence of heart before every trip, whether by car, plane, boat, or on foot. With this Islamic dua for travel, your journey becomes an act of worship. May Allah make all your journeys easy, safe, and full of blessings. Ameen.