Dubai
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah — the UAE's
iconic global city.
DXB Airport
Flights
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Flights to UAE from the UK start from around £179 one-way (from £299 return), with Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines all operating routes from London and other UK airports to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Flight time to Dubai is roughly 6h 45m–7h direct. The cheapest months are typically June to August. UK citizens receive a free 30-day visa on arrival — no pre-booked visa needed — and fares rise sharply around UAE National Day, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and GITEX Global in early December, so book those dates 10–16 weeks ahead. Compare all airlines and routes below, or call +44 7478 061159 for a live quote.
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From the Burj Khalifa to the Yas Marina Circuit — cheap flights to UAE from UK make it all possible
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Palm Jumeirah. Only ~7hrs away with the widest flight choice.
Flights from £179
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque & the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island.
Flights from £185
IMG Worlds, Legoland Dubai & Aquaventure — Emirates' generous baggage suits family luggage.
Flights from £189
The UAE's cultural capital — museums, heritage districts and the lowest fares of the Emirates.
Flights from £155Based on historical fare data from UK airports to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah combined — indicative economy return prices
Direct and connecting flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and more to the most popular UAE cities
Compare best airlines UK to UAE — read our full best airlines UK to UAE guide for more detail
More direct Emirates flights to Dubai from UK airports than any other carrier — covering London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle with the most generous baggage allowance on the route.
The best route for Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with direct service from both London Heathrow and Manchester and a business class product that rivals the world's best.
A dependable direct option from Heathrow for Avios collectors, with Club World lounge access and a familiar UK carrier experience on the London-Dubai route.
The most practical one-stop option for UK travellers outside London, connecting Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh to Dubai and Abu Dhabi via a short layover in Doha.
Popular with leisure travellers thanks to Virgin's in-flight experience and a highly rated Upper Class cabin on the direct London to Dubai route.
The cheapest way to fly from the UK to Dubai for budget-conscious travellers, with the option to add a free Istanbul stopover and explore Turkey en route.
Compare airlines on price, baggage inclusion, route coverage and service to choose the right one for your UAE trip
| Airline | Route Type | Economy Baggage | From (one-way) | Connects Via | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Top Pick | Direct | 25–35 kg | £179 | Direct (DXB) | Families, comfort, regional UK airports | |
| British Airways | Direct | 23 kg | £195 | Direct (DXB) | Avios points, Heathrow lounge | |
| Virgin Atlantic | Direct | 23 kg | £189 | Direct (DXB) | In-flight experience, Upper Class | |
| Etihad Airways | Direct | 23–30 kg | £185 | Direct (AUH) | Abu Dhabi visits, business class | |
| Qatar Airways | Connecting | 23–30 kg | £199 | Doha (DOH) | QSuites business class, on-time record | |
| Turkish Airlines | Connecting | 23 kg | £169 | Istanbul (IST) | Lowest fares, budget-conscious | |
| Air Arabia / flydubai | Connecting | 20 kg | £155 | Various hubs | Budget one-way, Sharjah (SHJ) access |
Prices are indicative. Fares vary significantly by date, class and availability. Call +44 7478 061159 for live pricing on direct and connecting UAE routes.
The cheapest time to fly to the UAE depends on your tolerance for heat and how flexible you can be with travel dates
The UAE's hottest months, when international leisure demand drops and fares consistently hit their lowest point of the year.
UAE National Day, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and GITEX Global all land within a nine-day window, triggering the sharpest fare spikes of the year.
Mid-week departures on the UK-Dubai route are consistently 15–25% cheaper than Friday or Saturday flights.
Warming temperatures across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with fares generally lower than the winter event season but still comfortable for sightseeing.
Good valueExtremely hot, often exceeding 40°C, with international leisure demand at its lowest — the cheapest fares of the year to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Cheapest faresTemperatures cool into the low 30s by November, and demand starts building ahead of the busy December events calendar.
Rising demandThe most comfortable weather of the year (24–30°C) and the busiest period, packed with National Day, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, GITEX and the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Highest faresPractical, proven tips for cutting the cost of your UK to UAE flight
Shifting your travel by a few days, or comparing London Heathrow against Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow, can uncover meaningfully cheaper fares to the UAE.
A connecting flight via Istanbul or Doha can undercut a direct London departure on certain routes and dates — always compare both before booking.
National Day, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and GITEX all land within nine days of each other — travelling just outside this window can mean significant savings.
Aim for 6–10 weeks ahead for off-peak travel, and 10–16 weeks ahead for the December event season and the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Emirates' generous 25–35kg allowance can make it better value than a cheaper fare that charges extra for hold bags — always compare the total, all-in price.
Mid-week departures on the UK-UAE route are consistently cheaper than Friday and Saturday flights, which are popular with weekend getaway travellers.
Everything you need to know before booking cheap flights to the UAE from UK
The UAE — particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi — has become one of the world's most visited destinations, welcoming over 17 million international tourists annually. UK visitors are the single largest source market, drawn by year-round sunshine, world-class shopping, luxury resorts, theme parks and a remarkable concentration of attractions within a compact area.
From the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the UAE offers extraordinary experiences for families, couples and solo travellers. With direct flights from London taking under 7 hours, it's comfortably within reach for a long weekend, a school holiday or a two-week winter escape.
The UAE is home to a substantial South Asian and broader expat community, with hundreds of thousands of British nationals either living or regularly working in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. UK families visiting relatives benefit from the UAE's generous baggage policies — particularly Emirates at 25 to 35kg economy — and multiple direct services from regional UK airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle.
For families with children, Dubai is an exceptionally child-friendly destination with world-class theme parks, water parks and indoor entertainment options that make it ideal year-round. Emirates' generous economy allowance and excellent inflight entertainment make it consistently popular for family travel on this route.
Dubai is the Middle East's leading business and financial hub, hosting the offices of thousands of multinational companies across DIFC and Dubai Media City. Early December alone brings GITEX Global and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix within a nine-day window, making it one of the busiest business and networking periods of the year.
Emirates Business Class and Etihad Business Studio are widely regarded as the best business class products on the UK-UAE route. For business travellers based in the North or Midlands, Emirates' direct services from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle provide genuine competition to London Heathrow.
Plan your cheap flights to the UAE around the Emirates' biggest events and peak travel windows
The UAE marks the anniversary of the 1971 union of the seven emirates with fireworks over Dubai Marina and the Corniche, parades and citywide celebrations. It's the unofficial start of the UAE's busiest travel fortnight.
Formula 1's season finale returns to Yas Marina Circuit for a twilight race weekend packed with after-race concerts. One of the highest-demand weekends of the year for flights and hotels into Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The world's largest tech and AI show, held at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, with the GITEX Scale Summit on 7 December followed by the main expo. Over 200,000 attendees are expected — book flights and hotels early.
Dubai's flagship winter festival brings city-wide discounts, nightly fireworks and drone shows. Official dates are confirmed closer to the time by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism — expect a similar window to the 2025–26 edition.
One of the region's largest healthcare trade exhibitions, drawing significant UK business travel demand into Dubai.
Ramadan is expected to end around this date, triggering one of the busiest travel periods of the year across the UAE as families reunite for the Eid holiday.
The hottest months of the year, when international leisure demand drops and UK to UAE fares consistently hit their lowest point.
Event dates can shift closer to the day — always confirm with the official event website before booking non-refundable travel. For help planning a trip around any of these dates, call +44 7478 061159 or message us on WhatsApp.
Which UK airport should you fly from? Compare departure airports, airlines and UAE routes
| UK Airport | Code | UAE Destinations | Airlines | Route Type | Total Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, Qatar Airways | Direct (DXB/AUH) | 6h 45m–7h 30m |
| London Gatwick | LGW | Dubai | Emirates, flydubai (connection), Turkish Airlines | Direct (DXB) Connecting | 7h–11h |
| Manchester | MAN | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines | Direct (DXB/AUH) | 7h 15m–8h |
| Birmingham | BHX | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways | Direct (DXB/AUH) | 7h 30m–8h 15m |
| Glasgow | GLA | Dubai | Emirates | Direct (DXB) | 7h 30m–8h |
| Newcastle | NCL | Dubai | Emirates | Direct (DXB) | 7h 30m–8h |
| Edinburgh | EDI | Dubai | Emirates, Qatar Airways | Direct (DXB)Connecting | 8h–10h |
| Bristol | BRS | Dubai | Emirates (via LHR), Qatar Airways (via DOH) | Connecting | 9h–12h |
Route availability changes seasonally. Call +44 7478 061159 for the latest schedule and fare information for your preferred UK airport.
Travelling to the UAE for an extended stay or shopping trip? Here’s what each major airline allows in economy and business class
Entry requirements differ depending on your purpose of visit — check your category below before you book
Entry requirements can change. Always verify the latest visa and entry rules on the official UAE government immigration website (icp.gov.ae) and the UK government's travel advice page (gov.uk) before booking. TripNext does not provide visa advice — this is general guidance only.
The UAE isn’t just Dubai — explore the incredible diversity of Emirates accessible on cheap flights from UK
The most searched questions about booking cheap flights to the UAE from the UK — answered for UK travellers
Expert advice from our UAE flight specialists — read before you fly
Seasonal GuideWhen are fares cheapest? When is the weather best? A complete seasonal guide for UK travellers planning UAE trips, including the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Airline GuideComparing baggage, price, in-flight comfort and on-time performance across the main airlines operating UK to UAE routes.
Event GuideEverything you need to know about flying to Dubai for GITEX Global, including hotel and flight booking timing.
Discover more UAE city flight pages and travel guides from TripNext
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