UAE tour packages from Chennai start at approx. ₹18,300 per person (double sharing, land package). You fly direct from Chennai International (MAA) to Dubai (DXB) in around 4 hours 15 minutes on Emirates or IndiGo, no layover needed. October to April is the most comfortable window; Diwali, Pongal, and school summer breaks are popular travel periods for Chennai families.
Updated 2026-10-29 · Departing Chennai (MAA)
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are practically on Chennai's doorstep, a direct flight of roughly four hours puts you in the UAE before you've finished your in-flight meal. For families flying out of MAA, that means a tidy long weekend or a five-night break without the exhaustion of a long-haul journey. The UAE works across most budgets and travel styles. Budget travellers can do Dubai on a structured tour with desert safari and city sightseeing for under ₹20,000 per person (land package). Families wanting a five-star hotel and theme parks have packages for that too. This page covers flights from MAA, visa rules for Indian passport holders, a realistic total budget in INR, and our UAE packages, everything you need before you book.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) in Meenambakkam has daily direct flights to Dubai International (DXB) on both Emirates and IndiGo. Emirates operates 2–3 direct flights a day on this route; IndiGo runs daily direct service too. Air Arabia flies direct from MAA to Sharjah (SHJ), which is about 15 km from Dubai, a short road transfer away. The flight time is approx. 4 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes depending on the airline and winds, making it one of the shorter Gulf routes from South India. No connection needed. If Abu Dhabi is your final destination, the practical approach is to fly into DXB or SHJ and take a road transfer of around 90 minutes, which is what most Chennai travellers do. Economy return fares from MAA range from approx. ₹22,000 to ₹55,000 per person. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for better fares, and avoid peak school-holiday windows if lower prices matter to you.
October through April is the most comfortable time to visit the UAE. Temperatures are warm but manageable, ideal for desert safaris, beach time, and walking through Old Dubai. From May to September the heat regularly exceeds 40 °C, and outdoor sightseeing becomes genuinely uncomfortable. From Chennai, the popular travel windows are the Diwali long weekend (October/November), Christmas and New Year (December), Pongal holidays (January), and the school summer break (April–May, though UAE summer heat is a real factor). December is peak season, hotels and flights cost more. For a good balance of weather and value, October–November or February–March are the sweet spots.
Most Indian passport holders need a pre-approved UAE tourist e-visa before flying. Apply online through a licensed travel agent, an eligible airline, or the official UAE portal, approval typically takes 3–5 working days. A 30-day single-entry tourist e-visa costs approx. ₹7,000–₹9,500 including service fees. A visa-on-arrival (14 days) is available only for Indian passport holders who also carry a valid US visa or Green Card, an EU residence permit, or a residence permit from certain other qualifying countries. UAE visa rules have been updated multiple times in 2025–2026, so always verify the current requirements on the official UAE ICP portal or with us before booking. Your Indian passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of travel.
A realistic total budget for an UAE holiday from Chennai covers return flights from MAA, the land package (hotel plus tours), UAE visa, travel insurance, and personal spending. Here is a rough per-person breakdown for a 3–5 night trip in double sharing: - Return flights from MAA (economy): approx. ₹22,000–₹55,000
- UAE tourist e-visa (30-day single entry): approx. ₹7,000–₹9,500
- Land package: from approx. ₹18,300 (Dubai Budget Escape, 3 nights) to approx. ₹72,200 (Dubai Glamour 5 Nights Family Fun, 5 nights)
- Travel insurance: approx. ₹500–₹1,500 per person
- Personal spending (meals out, shopping, local transport): approx. ₹8,000–₹20,000 All package prices are per person on double sharing and cover only the land component, hotel, transfers, and tours. Flights and visa are booked separately.
**3-Night Dubai Trip (Dubai Budget Escape or Dubai Classic 3-Night City Escape)**
Day 1: Fly out of MAA on an early morning flight. Arrive DXB by midday. Airport transfer to hotel, check in, rest. Evening: stroll along Dubai Creek or JBR beach. Day 2: Dubai City Tour, Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and Jumeirah Mosque area. Afternoon free for mall shopping. Evening: Desert Safari with BBQ dinner under the stars (included in the Dubai Budget Escape package). Day 3: Burj Khalifa At the Top (Level 124) in the morning, book the first slot to beat crowds. Dubai Frame in the afternoon. Old Dubai walking tour through Al Fahidi Historic District (included in Dubai Classic package). Evening at leisure. Day 4: Check out, airport transfer, fly back to MAA. **4-Night Dubai + Abu Dhabi (Dubai Desert & Abu Dhabi 4-Night Adventure)**
Day 1: Arrive DXB, transfer to hotel. Day 2: Check in to desert camp for overnight desert safari, camel ride, dune bashing, BBQ dinner, stargazing, breakfast at camp. Day 3: Return to Dubai hotel. Burj Khalifa At the Top (Level 124) in the morning. Day 4: Full-day guided Abu Dhabi tour, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche, and Yas Island or Heritage Village. Day 5: Leisure morning, check out, fly back to MAA. **5-Night Family Trip (Dubai Glamour 5 Nights Family Fun)**
Day 1: Arrive DXB, private transfer to hotel. Day 2: IMG Worlds of Adventure, a full day for families (included in package). Day 3: Burj Khalifa At the Top (Level 124) and Dubai Mall. Aquarium or ice rink for the children. Day 4: Desert Safari with buffet dinner. Day 5: Beach day or Dubai Frame plus a heritage walk through Al Fahidi. Day 6: Check out, transfer to DXB, fly home to MAA.
**Airport:** Chennai International (MAA) is in Meenambakkam. Give yourself at least 3 hours before international departure. MAA gets busy during Diwali and Christmas, arrive earlier during those periods. **Forex:** The UAE currency is the Dirham (AED); 1 AED is approx. ₹23 (indicative, subject to change). Exchange INR to AED at authorised forex counters in Chennai, T. Nagar, Anna Salai, or at MAA itself, or withdraw AED from ATMs in Dubai. Carry some AED cash for taxis and tips; international debit and credit cards are widely accepted across the UAE. **SIM:** Pick up an UAE SIM (du or Etisalat/e&) at Dubai Airport arrivals for easy local data. Alternatively, international roaming packs from Jio, Airtel, or BSNL work in the UAE. **Food:** Halal food is available everywhere across the UAE. Chennai vegetarians will find plenty of South Indian restaurants in Dubai, particularly in the Karama and Meena Bazaar areas. **Baggage:** Emirates allows 30 kg checked baggage in economy. IndiGo and Air Arabia have lower limits, check your ticket before you pack.
| Return flights from Chennai MAA (economy, per person) | approx. ₹22,000 – ₹55,000 |
|---|---|
| UAE tourist e-visa, 30-day single entry (per person) | approx. ₹7,000 – ₹9,500 |
| Land package — 3 nights, 3-star hotel (per person, double sharing) | from approx. ₹18,300 (Dubai Budget Escape) |
| Land package — 3 nights, 4-star hotel (per person, double sharing) | from approx. ₹33,500 (Dubai Classic 3-Night City Escape) |
| Land package — 4 nights, 4-star hotel (per person, double sharing) | from approx. ₹40,400 (Dubai Deluxe Experience) |
| Land package — 5 nights, 4-star/5-star hotel (per person, double sharing) | from approx. ₹72,200 (Dubai Glamour 5 Nights Family Fun) |
| Travel insurance (per person, per trip) | approx. ₹500 – ₹1,500 |
| Personal spending — meals out, shopping, local transport (per person) | approx. ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 |
Yes. Emirates operates 2–3 daily direct flights from Chennai International (MAA) to Dubai International (DXB), and IndiGo also runs daily direct flights on the same route. Air Arabia flies direct from MAA to Sharjah (SHJ), which is about 15 km from Dubai. Direct flight time is approx. 4 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes, no connection needed.
Yes, most Indian passport holders need a pre-approved UAE tourist e-visa before travel. Apply online through a licensed agent, an eligible airline, or the UAE's official portal, approval usually takes 3–5 working days. A 30-day single-entry visa costs approx. ₹7,000–₹9,500 including service fees. Only Indians who also hold a valid US visa, EU residence permit, or certain other qualifying country documents may be eligible for a visa on arrival. Verify the latest rules before booking, as they change frequently.
Budget approx. ₹22,000–₹55,000 per person for economy return flights from MAA, ₹7,000–₹9,500 per person for an UAE tourist e-visa, and from approx. ₹18,300 per person (double sharing) for the land package. Add personal spending of ₹8,000–₹20,000 per person. A 3-night trip for two people could total approx. ₹1,10,000–₹1,70,000 all-in, depending on flights and the hotel category you choose.
Our Dubai Budget Escape (3 nights, from USD 218 per person, approx. ₹18,300) suits a long weekend well. It includes a 3-star hotel with daily breakfast, airport transfers, a Dubai City Tour, and a Desert Safari with BBQ dinner. If you prefer a 4-star hotel and want Burj Khalifa on the list, the Dubai Classic 3-Night City Escape from USD 399 (approx. ₹33,500) per person is the one to look at.
October to April is the most comfortable time weather-wise. From Chennai, popular windows are the Diwali long weekend (October/November), Christmas and New Year, Pongal in January, and February–March. December is peak season with higher prices. Travelling during the April–May school summer break means dealing with Dubai's intense heat, above 40 °C, so plan plenty of indoor activities if you go then.
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Our Dubai Desert & Abu Dhabi 4-Night Adventure (USD 489 per person, approx. ₹41,100) covers 4 nights in a 4-star hotel, an overnight desert safari with BBQ dinner and breakfast, a full-day guided Abu Dhabi tour, and Burj Khalifa entry. Abu Dhabi is about 90 minutes by road from Dubai, so it works comfortably as a day trip or an overnight extension.
Yes. Our Dubai Glamour 5 Nights Family Fun package (from approx. ₹72,200 per person, double sharing) includes a 4-star or 5-star family hotel, IMG Worlds of Adventure tickets, Burj Khalifa entry, private airport transfers. A desert safari with buffet dinner, a strong mix for families travelling from Chennai.
For standard travel periods, booking 4–8 weeks ahead usually gives reasonable economy fares. For peak windows, Diwali, Christmas, New Year, and Pongal, MAA-DXB fares rise sharply, so book 2–3 months ahead. Economy return fares from MAA to DXB typically range from approx. ₹22,000 to ₹55,000 per person, varying with season, airline, and how early you book.
UAE holiday packages from India — every departure city in India
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