Given that Dubai retained its position as world’s busiest international airport in 2024 – with 92.3 million passengers passing through it – it is unlikely that travellers will ever have a problem reaching the United Arab Emirates. Consider that second place London Heathrow saw a paltry 48 million.

Major hubs like Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Sharjah (SHJ) offer excellent onward connections within the UAE and beyond, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular have a robust stopover market. Flights to neighbouring Saudi Arabia and Qatar leave several times a day, and the UAE is well connected to its neighbours via a first rate road network.

As well as cruise ships, Dubai is becoming a superyacht capital, with over 15 marinas and more than 3,500 berths. The annual Dubai Boat Show is almost an experiment in superlatives and first evers: in 2024, Dubai was visited by an 136-metre yacht, the Flying Fox, that had two helipads and a cryosauna, a reverse sauna that is capable of reaching -180°C.

Start planning your own trip now (superyacht not required) with our guide to everything you need to know about getting to the UAE.

Wizz Air now serves the UAE.

Wizz Air - website

Save money by using a budget airline

The budget airline revolution has been going strong in Dubai for a number of years, ever since FlyDubai and AirArabia started offering flights without the trimmings more than 15 years ago.

That homegrown market has been joined by Wizz Air, in Abu Dhabi, which serves European destinations, as well as central Asia. AirArabia is based in Sharjah but also serves Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as multiple other airports in the GCC.

Budget airlines are an excellent option for regional hops, including to the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere in the Middle East.

For long haul flights (i.e. to Europe), officially you can get tickets on Wizz Air for around £200, but with the baggage add-ons it can end up costing a lot more, especially if you factor in transport from Sharjah or Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Does going budget actually save money? The jury is out.

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail - brand asset from website

Hang on for the GCC rail revolution

Sure, it has been vaunted for decades, but recent rail links in Saudi Arabia – including the Riyadh Metro and the high speed line between Jeddah and Mecca – as well as the much-loved Dubai Metro, suggest that rail is in favour in the GCC.

In the UAE, Etihad Rail is building a national rail network with plans to expand to Oman and Saudi Arabia. The plan is for the passenger network to eventually connect 11 cities across the UAE from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah all the way to Fujairah.

When completed, you'll be able to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in about 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes.

The Residence cabin on Etihad.

Etihad Cabins The Residence

Emirates Business Class cabin.

Emirates Business class

Emirates Business Class cabin; The Residence cabin by Etihad.

Luxury flight options to the UAE

If you come into some money and want to see how the other half travel, why not check out the business and first class options on some of the Gulf’s top airlines, Emirates (Dubai), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) and Qatar Airways (Doha). The options on all three airlines are beyond luxurious, complete with exclusive airline lounges, bars, flat beds and concierge services.

A cruise ship in Dubai Marina. Unsplash

Cruise Ship on the Dubai Marina - alla-rome-nA4i_aN1V7w-unsplash

Consider a cruise to the UAE

Cruise liners such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises include UAE ports Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas on winter itineraries. The latter is an opportunity to visit the national park near the southern border with Saudi Arabia, which is home to unique local wildlife.

Cruises depart from Europe, India, and Gulf countries, typically between November and March, and are great for those who want to visit multiple countries in one trip with minimal stress.

Lots of countries can quickly get a visa to visit the UAE.

Lots of countries can quickly get a visa to visit the UAE.

Visa requirements - kit-formerly-convertkit-htQznS-Rx7w-unsplash

Visa requirements are straightforward for many travellers

The UAE is visa-free or visa-on-arrival for citizens of the US, UK, the EU Schengen zone, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and dozens of others, and GCC nationals don’t need a visa. Most others can apply for a tourist eVisa via the airline (e.g., Emirates) or UAE government portals.

Special routes: Best ways from key regions

From the UK: Direct flights with Emirates, British Airways, Wizz Air (to Abu Dhabi), and Etihad. Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester offer daily direct service.

From the US: Direct flights from NYC, Chicago, Washington, LAX to Dubai or Abu Dhabi with Emirates, Etihad, and United Airlines.

From MENA: Budget carriers like Air Arabia, flydubai, and Saudia serve routes from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

From Asia: Excellent direct connections from India (IndiGo, Air India), Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia.

generic plane on runway - pexels-mh92-11150267

FAQs and tips on getting to the UAE

Is it safe to travel to the UAE? Yes, the UAE ranks among the safest countries for tourists with low crime rates and excellent public infrastructure.

Cheapest month to fly? Typically June to August (the low season due to the heat). Use fare tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner if you can be flexible with timings.

Best airport to arrive at? Dubai (DXB) for the most flight options and best onward transport; Abu Dhabi (AUH) for luxury arrivals; Sharjah (SHJ) for budget travellers.

Accessibility? All major UAE airports are wheelchair accessible with support services available, check with your airline in advance.

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