UK holiday packages from UAE start from approx. AED 1,502 per person (double sharing) with our London City Break Budget Explorer. Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ) all have direct flights to London, with flight times of roughly 7 to 8 hours. GCC nationals need an UK ETA; most other UAE residents need a Standard Visitor Visa applied in advance. May, June, September and October are the most popular travel months.
Updated 2026-10-29 · For travellers from UAE — flying from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ)
London's majestic skyline, rolling Cotswolds countryside, royal palaces and fabulous West End theatre, and from the UAE, you are only seven to eight direct flight hours away from all of it. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah all have non-stop flights to London, so wherever you are in the UAE, getting to the UK is genuinely straightforward. Families chasing Harry Potter studios, couples after a romantic city escape, groups wanting culture and great restaurants, the UK delivers across the board. At Travelzeego, our UK holiday packages are built for travellers leaving from UAE airports: pricing is in AED, departure logistics are already sorted, and visa guidance is part of the conversation from day one. From a three-night budget break in central London to a six-night Luxury Icons and Culture Tour with Rolls-Royce transfers and a Michelin-star dinner, browse the options below and get in touch with our team to book.
All three major UAE airports have direct flights to London, no connecting through a third country required. **Dubai (DXB):** Emirates operates multiple daily non-stop flights to London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and Stansted (STN). Flight time is roughly 7 to 8 hours. Dubai offers the widest choice of departure times and airlines of any UAE city, making it the most flexible starting point. **Abu Dhabi (AUH):** Etihad Airways runs several daily non-stop flights to London Heathrow, with British Airways also operating direct on this route. Typical flight time is around 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours, a solid option for Abu Dhabi residents who want to skip the drive to Dubai. **Sharjah (SHJ):** Air Arabia operates twice-daily direct flights to London Gatwick, making this a genuinely good choice for residents of Sharjah, Ajman and the Northern Emirates. No need to battle traffic all the way to DXB. For onward connections to Manchester, Edinburgh or other UK cities, Emirates also serves several regional UK airports. Always check the latest schedules, as frequencies and routes shift seasonally.
**May to June** is widely considered the sweet spot for an UK trip from the UAE, long daylight hours, mild temperatures and far fewer crowds than the July–August peak. September and October are equally good: the summer rush has cleared and prices ease off. The raw beauty of autumn across the Cotswolds is genuinely gorgeous. **UAE school summer holidays (July–August)** are the busiest travel period for UAE families heading to the UK. Flights and hotels fill up fast, so book well in advance if those are your only available dates. **Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha** both generate strong demand for UK trips, a long weekend plus a day or two of annual leave makes for a proper city break. **UAE National Day** (around 2–3 December) and the **December winter break** work well for a festive London Christmas-market trip. If crowds and peak pricing bother you, July and August are the months to avoid.
Your visa requirement depends on your **passport nationality**, not simply the fact that you live in the UAE. **UAE (Emirati) nationals and GCC citizens:** No traditional visa needed. Apply for an UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travel, it is straightforward and low cost at approx. AED 75 (based on GBP 10; check gov.uk for the latest). **Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and most other expatriate passport holders:** An UK Standard Visitor Visa is required. Apply online at gov.uk, then submit biometrics at a VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Your valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID are needed at the time of application. Allow at least three weeks for standard processing. The visa fee runs approx. AED 620–680 (based on GBP 135; check gov.uk for the latest). The decision arrives as a digital eVisa, no sticker in your passport. **Important:** Visa fees, processing times and rules do change. Always verify requirements on the official UK government website (gov.uk) before you book.
A realistic all-in budget varies widely depending on travel style. Our packages (per person, double sharing) cover hotel, breakfast, airport transfers and key experiences, flights are priced separately. See the budget breakdown below for the full picture. Return flights from UAE in economy typically run approx. AED 1,800–5,000 per person. Our most affordable UK package, the **London City Break Budget Explorer** (3 nights), starts from approx. AED 1,502 per person. At the other end, the **London Luxury Icons and Culture Tour** (6 nights, 5-star with butler service) starts from approx. AED 11,521 per person. Daily meals and personal spending in London run approx. AED 180–550 per person, and local transport on the Oyster or contactless system costs around AED 30–80 per day. Travel insurance for one week runs approx. AED 80–250 per person, do not skip it.
**Day 1, Arrive London:** Your private airport transfer takes you from Heathrow or Gatwick straight to your hotel. Check in, freshen up, and take an evening walk along the South Bank or around Covent Garden to shake off the flight. *(All packages include return airport transfers.)* **Day 2, Royal London:** A half-day guided walking tour covers Buckingham Palace, St James's Park, Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Afternoon: visit the Tower of London *(included in the Budget Explorer)* or spend time at the National Gallery. **Day 3, London your way:** Families head to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour *(included in the Family Fun Adventure Week)*. Adventure travellers can do the guided street art cycling tour and canal kayak tour *(Urban Adventure)*. Couples on the Romantic Honeymoon Getaway can enjoy a private Thames sunset cruise with canapés and Prosecco. **Day 4, Culture and a West End show:** Browse the British Museum or the V&A. In the evening, catch a West End theatre show *(Honeymoon Getaway)* or the Royal Opera House *(Luxury Icons and Culture Tour)*. **Day 5, Out of London:** A private day trip to the Cotswolds with a gourmet hamper *(Luxury Icons and Culture Tour)*, or ride the London Eye and cruise the Thames *(Family Fun Adventure Week)*. Spend the final evening at a restaurant of your choice. **Day 6, Depart:** Your private chauffeur or transfer takes you back to the airport for your flight home to the UAE.
The currency in the UK is the **British Pound Sterling (GBP)**. The AED is not accepted in the UK, so exchange before you travel or on arrival. **Best ways to handle money from UAE:**
- Exchange AED to GBP at UAE exchange houses such as Al Ansari, Al Fardan or UAE Exchange, rates are generally competitive. Compare a few before you go.
- Most UAE bank debit and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) work across UK shops, restaurants and hotels. Check your bank's foreign transaction fee before departure.
- Contactless payments are widely accepted in London, tap your card directly on the Underground and buses.
- Carry a small amount of GBP cash for markets, smaller shops and tips. **Travel insurance:** Take out a comprehensive policy before departure covering medical expenses, trip cancellation and lost baggage. This is especially important for UAE residents travelling on non-GCC passports.
| From | Direct | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai (DXB) | Yes | approx. 7–8 h to London |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Yes | approx. 7h 30m–8 h to London Heathrow |
| Sharjah (SHJ) | Yes | approx. 7–8 h to London Gatwick |
| Return flights from UAE (economy, per person) | approx. AED 1,800 – AED 5,000 |
|---|---|
| Travelzeego UK package (per person, double sharing — covers hotel, breakfast, transfers and key experiences) | approx. AED 1,502 – AED 11,521 |
| UK Standard Visitor Visa fee (non-GCC passport holders) | approx. AED 620 – AED 680 (based on GBP 135 standard fee; check gov.uk for lates |
| UK ETA (UAE/GCC nationals) | approx. AED 75 (based on GBP 10; check gov.uk for latest) |
| Daily meals and personal spending in London (per person) | approx. AED 180 – AED 550 per day |
| Local transport in London (Oyster/contactless, per day) | approx. AED 30 – AED 80 per day |
| Travel insurance (per person, one week) | approx. AED 80 – AED 250 |
It depends on your passport. UAE nationals and GCC citizens do not need a traditional visa, they apply for an UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before departure. Residents holding Indian, Pakistani, Filipino or most other passports need an UK Standard Visitor Visa, applied online with biometrics submitted at VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Your valid UAE residence visa is required at the time of application. Always check gov.uk for the latest rules before booking.
Yes. Emirates operates multiple daily non-stop flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and Stansted (STN). Flight time is roughly 7 to 8 hours. This is one of the most well-served routes in the world, with a good range of departure times and cabin classes to choose from.
Yes. Etihad Airways and British Airways both operate direct flights from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport (AUH) to London Heathrow (LHR). Etihad runs multiple daily departures, with a typical flight time of around 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours. A strong option for Abu Dhabi residents who prefer to skip the drive to Dubai.
Yes. Air Arabia operates twice-daily non-stop flights from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to London Gatwick (LGW). A good low-cost option for residents of Sharjah, Ajman and the Northern Emirates. Flight time is similar to Dubai, roughly 7 to 8 hours. From Gatwick, central London is around 30 minutes by train.
May, June, September and October are generally the sweet spot, mild UK weather, long daylight hours and lower demand than the peak July–August school summer holiday rush. Travelling during the UAE school summer break means booking flights and hotels well in advance. The UAE National Day break in early December also works well for a festive London trip.
Travelzeego's UK packages start from approx. AED 1,502 per person (double sharing) for the 3-night London City Break Budget Explorer, which includes hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers and a guided Royal London tour. The 5-night London Family Fun Adventure Week starts from approx. AED 3,519 per person, and the 5-night Romantic Honeymoon Getaway from approx. AED 6,602 per person. Flights are additional to all package prices.
Our London Family Fun Adventure Week (5 nights, from approx. AED 3,519 per person, double sharing) is designed with families in mind. It includes a 4-star family room hotel, daily full English breakfast, a family airport vehicle transfer, London Eye tickets, a Thames River Cruise and entry to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour, one of the most popular family attractions in the UK.
UAE exchange houses such as Al Ansari Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange and UAE Exchange all offer AED to GBP conversion at generally competitive rates, compare a few before you go. You can also use an UAE Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card in the UK, with contactless widely accepted including on London's public transport. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees beforehand to avoid any surprises.
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