Kerala packages from UAE start from approx. AED 769 per person (4 nights, double sharing). All three major UAE airports — Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ) — have direct flights to Kerala in roughly 3 h 45 min–4 h 30 min. Indian passport holders need no visa; most other nationalities apply for an India e-Visa online. October to March is the most pleasant time to visit.
Updated 2026-10-29 · For travellers from UAE — flying from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ)
Kerala is one of the most popular holiday destinations for residents of the UAE — and it is easy to see why. Direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah put you on the backwaters or the beach in under four and a half hours, making it one of the most accessible long-weekend or week-long escapes from the Gulf.
Whether you are a UAE national looking for a culture-rich retreat, an Indian expat heading home in style, or a Filipino or Pakistani resident planning a holiday abroad, Kerala delivers a remarkable variety: serene houseboat cruises on the Alleppey backwaters, cool hill stations in Munnar, Ayurvedic spas, wildlife parks, and some of India's most beautiful beaches. Travelzeego's Kerala packages are priced in USD per person and sold in UAE, with options ranging from budget-friendly escapes to fully private luxury tours.
All three main UAE airports — Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi's Zayed International (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ) — have direct flights to Kerala, so you do not need to connect via another hub regardless of which emirate you live in.
From Dubai (DXB), airlines including Air India, Air India Express, flydubai, Emirates, Air Arabia and IndiGo fly direct to Kochi (COK), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) and Kozhikode (CCJ). Flight time is roughly 4 h 05 min to 4 h 30 min.
From Abu Dhabi (AUH), Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo operate direct services to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode in approximately 3 h 45 min to 4 h 20 min.
From Sharjah (SHJ), Air Arabia flies direct to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in around 3 h 45 min to 4 h 05 min. Kochi is the main international gateway for most Kerala itineraries, but the right airport depends on your itinerary — Kozhikode suits northern Kerala and Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram is ideal for Kovalam beach and Varkala.
October to March is generally the most comfortable time to visit Kerala — the monsoon has eased, skies are clear, and temperatures are pleasant. This window also aligns neatly with several key UAE holiday periods.
— UAE National Day (late November / early December) and the December winter school break are ideal for a 5–7 night Kerala trip when the weather is at its finest.
— Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (dates shift each year with the Islamic calendar) often fall in spring or summer; Eid breaks are popular for Kerala getaways even if the weather is humid.
— The long summer school break (July–August) sees high demand from UAE-based Indian families visiting Kerala — book well ahead, as flights and hotels fill up and fares rise.
— UAE Spring Break (late March–April) coincides with Kerala's warm but pre-monsoon season — still enjoyable, especially in the hills.
Visa rules depend on your passport, not your UAE residence visa. Always verify the latest rules on India's official e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) before booking.
**GCC / UAE nationals (Emirati passport):** India offers Visa on Arrival at nine airports, including Kochi (COK) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV). The VoA grants up to 60 days with double entry for tourism, business, medical or conference purposes. First-time visitors are advised to obtain an e-Visa before travelling; the VoA is available from the second visit onward.
**Indian passport holders:** No visa needed — you simply travel on your Indian passport. OCI cardholders travel on their foreign passport plus OCI card, which serves as a lifelong multiple-entry visa to India.
**Pakistani, Filipino and most other expats:** Apply for an India Tourist e-Visa online before travel. The process is fully online and typically takes a few working days. Fees are approx. USD 25–80 depending on nationality (check the current fee schedule). Your UAE residence visa does not waive the Indian visa requirement.
The total cost of a Kerala holiday from UAE has three main components: return flights, the land package, and incidentals. Travelzeego's Kerala packages start from approx. AED 769 per person (based on USD 209, double sharing) for a 4-night budget escape. A mid-range 6-night family holiday runs from approx. AED 2,125 per person, while a luxury 7-night private tour starts from approx. AED 6,566 per person. Return economy flights from UAE to Kerala typically range from approx. AED 360–1,800+ per person depending on the season, airline and how far in advance you book — summer and Eid periods are usually the most expensive. See the budget breakdown below for a realistic per-person estimate.
**4-Night Budget Backwaters & Beach Escape (from AED 769/person):**
Day 1 – Fly from Dubai / Abu Dhabi / Sharjah to Kochi; airport transfer to your 3-star heritage lodge; evening walk in Fort Kochi.
Day 2 – Guided Kochi sightseeing: Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town spice market.
Day 3 – Transfer to Alleppey; shared half-day houseboat cruise on the backwaters; overnight in Alleppey.
Day 4 – Transfer to Kovalam beach; afternoon at leisure on the crescent beach.
Day 5 – Guided Kovalam sightseeing; departure transfer to Thiruvananthapuram airport for your flight back to UAE.
**6-Night Family Fun — Spices, Wildlife & Beaches (from AED 2,125/person):**
Days 1–2 – Arrive Kochi; Fort Kochi guided sightseeing; drive to Munnar; tea estate tour and spice garden visit.
Day 3 – Guided wildlife safari in Eravikulam or Periyar; family nature walks.
Day 4 – Drive to Alleppey; private overnight houseboat cruise with dinner on the water.
Day 5 – Transfer to Kovalam; beach day and guided local sightseeing.
Day 6 – Leisure; Ayurvedic massage option. Day 7 – Departure from TRV back to UAE.
**5-Night Romantic Honeymoon — Backwaters & Bliss (from AED 2,712/person):**
Day 1 – Arrive Kochi in a decorated private AC car; check in to premium boutique resort; welcome amenities.
Day 2 – Scenic drive to Munnar; romantic hilltop resort; tea estate at sunset.
Day 3 – Drive to Alleppey; private full-day + overnight houseboat with A/C suite; candlelit dinner on the water.
Day 4 – Transfer to a Kovalam beachfront boutique resort; couple's Ayurvedic massage.
Day 5 – Leisure morning on the beach; afternoon departure to Thiruvananthapuram airport.
**7-Night Luxury Kerala — Palaces, Spas & Private Cruises (from AED 6,566/person):**
Day 1 – Arrive Kochi; private luxury transfer; check in to a 5-star heritage property; private Kathakali performance.
Days 2–3 – Munnar: guided tea estate and spice plantation tours; spa treatments; gourmet private dinners.
Day 4 – Transfer to Kumarakom; private luxury houseboat with butler and chef; full-day cruise.
Day 5 – Alleppey to Kovalam; Panchakarma spa session; curated private dinner.
Day 6 – Village cooking class; leisure; Varkala clifftop sunset.
Day 7 – Late checkout; TRV airport departure back to UAE.
Kerala's currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). The AED is not accepted for day-to-day spending in Kerala, so exchange currency before you travel or on arrival.
**Before you fly:** UAE exchange houses (Al Ansari Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange, UAE Exchange and others) typically offer competitive AED-to-INR rates. Compare rates before converting.
**On arrival in Kerala:** ATMs are widely available at airports, malls and town centres. International Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards work at most hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller guesthouses, auto-rickshaws and local markets are cash-based.
**Cards:** Notify your UAE bank before travel to avoid your card being blocked for overseas transactions. Currency conversion charges may apply — check your bank's fee schedule.
**Travel insurance:** Strongly recommended. A basic policy covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation and baggage loss can be purchased from UAE insurers or through Travelzeego. Do not travel without it.
| From | Direct | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai (DXB) | Yes | approx. 4 h 05 min – 4 h 30 min |
| Dubai (DXB) | Yes | approx. 4 h 00 min – 4 h 15 min (to Thir |
| Dubai (DXB) | Yes | approx. 4 h 05 min – 4 h 20 min (to Kozh |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Yes | approx. 3 h 45 min – 4 h 20 min (to Koch |
| Sharjah (SHJ) | Yes | approx. 3 h 45 min – 4 h 05 min (to Kozh |
| Return flights from UAE to Kerala (economy, per person) | approx. AED 360 – 1,800 |
|---|---|
| Kerala Budget Backwaters & Beach Escape (4 nights, per person, double sharing) | from AED 769 |
| Kerala Family Fun — Spices, Wildlife & Beaches (6 nights, per person, double sharing) | from AED 2,125 |
| Kerala Romantic Honeymoon — Backwaters & Bliss (5 nights, per person, double sharing) | from AED 2,712 |
| Luxury Kerala — Palaces, Spas & Private Cruises (7 nights, per person, double sharing) | from AED 6,566 |
| India Tourist e-Visa (non-Indian, non-GCC passport holders) | approx. AED 90 – 300 (varies by nationality) |
| Daily spending money (meals, local transport, shopping) | approx. AED 50 – 250 per day per person |
| Travel insurance (per person, 7–10 days) | approx. AED 40 – 120 |
Yes. Dubai International (DXB) has direct flights to all three of Kerala's main airports — Kochi (COK), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) and Kozhikode (CCJ). Airlines including Air India, Air India Express, flydubai, Emirates, Air Arabia and IndiGo operate these routes. Flight time is roughly 4 h 05 min to 4 h 30 min depending on destination and wind conditions.
Yes to both. Abu Dhabi (AUH) has direct services to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode with Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air India Express and IndiGo, among others. Sharjah (SHJ) has direct Air Arabia flights to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. No need to drive to DXB if you live in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ajman.
It depends on your passport, not your UAE residence visa. UAE nationals (Emirati passport) qualify for Visa on Arrival at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports. Indian passport holders need no visa at all. Pakistani, Filipino and most other expats need an India Tourist e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Always check the current rules at indianvisaonline.gov.in before booking.
Generally yes — Filipino passport holders have typically needed an India Tourist e-Visa, applied online before travel. From mid-2025, the Philippines introduced a 14-day visa-free arrangement for Indian arrivals, but this covers Filipinos visiting India, not the reverse. As rules change frequently, we recommend checking India's official e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in before booking your Kerala trip.
October to March is the most popular and comfortable window. UAE National Day (late November) and the December school winter break line up perfectly with Kerala's dry, clear season. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are also popular travel periods — just book early, as flights fill fast. July–August (UAE summer school break) is busy but humid in Kerala; expect higher flight prices.
Travelzeego's packages start from approx. AED 769 per person (double sharing) for a 4-night budget trip including accommodation, airport transfers, a backwater cruise and guided sightseeing. A 6-night family package starts from approx. AED 2,125 per person, a 5-night honeymoon from approx. AED 2,712, and a 7-night luxury private tour from approx. AED 6,566. Return flights are additional and vary by season.
Major UAE bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) work at most hotels, large restaurants and shopping malls in Kerala. However, local markets, auto-rickshaws, small guesthouses and street vendors are largely cash-only. Exchange AED to Indian Rupees at a UAE exchange house before you fly, or withdraw INR from ATMs on arrival. Notify your UAE bank before travel to avoid card blocks.
The Kerala Family Fun — Spices, Wildlife & Beaches package (6 nights, from approx. AED 2,125 per person) is designed for families. It includes 4-star family resorts, a private houseboat overnight, a guided wildlife safari, a tea estate tour and all private AC vehicle transfers between destinations — so there is no need to arrange anything independently once you land.
Last updated: