Aberdeen to Dubai Flights

  About Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a port city located on the coast of the exquisite North Sea. The city is famed for its offshore petroleum industry. Interestingly, the city houses many international populations, including the Italians and Japanese. The city also connects the beautiful rivers, Dee and Don.

Best time to visit Aberdeen

Aberdeen's weather is extremely erratic and inconsistent. The weather continues to show varied sides without any warning. It might be rainy in the morning but turn sunny within the next minute. You simply can't determine what is going to happen next in terms of weather in Aberdeen. Hence, figuring out an ideal season or month to visit the city is quite pointless. However, you can follow the season that would best work for you. The spring season is from March through May with the temperatures ranging from 5 degree Celsius to 10 degree Celsius. You can imagine how cold the winters are if the spring temperatures do not go beyond 10 degree Celsius. While it doesn't seem like the best time to visit as the temperatures are still very less, it might be good if you wish to soak in all the brisk cold breeze. It is advised that you do carry proper parkas and other clothing as it would come in handy. Also, no matter what season, you should ensure to keep an umbrella with you as it can rain at any random time. It can get cloudy and terrible to deal with as the rains tend to affect the touristy plans.

Summer, on the other hand, is the best time to visit out of all the seasons. Aberdeen's summers are cold, irrespective. However, it is pleasant and would certainly be the fun winter vacation that you have been opting for. The temperatures during summers in Aberdeen range between 15 degree Celsius and 20 degree Celsius. June through August sees some warmth in the air. As it is on the coast, the breezy North Sea brings cold air in the city. The summer is actually quite pleasant with clear skies and lovely vibe. Even though it is cold, you would still feel happy as the air of Aberdeen is fresh and invigorating. The hotel prices during this season does see a slight spike. You might want to make your hotel bookings in Aberdeen in advance to ensure that you do get good deals. Winter is definitely not the best time to visit as the temperature does drop below negative. December through February is not the best time for you to venture to Aberdeen. Not to mention how it also rains out of the blue during the winters. It can get supremely cold and not favourable for tourist activities. You wouldn't be able to check out any of the famous attractions, and you cannot even take a stroll down the beaches. Hence, it would be best to avoid winters in Aberdeen. Do make a note of the fact that the hotel prices are lower than usual, making the accommodation extremely cheap. But, thanks to the bad weather, it doesn't work in your favour.

Places to visit in Aberdeen

The best way to get around Aberdeen would be to first visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The museum is located close to the harbour and has quite the exemplary architecture. The Maritime Museum is a perfect way to start learning about the city's history and its relationship with the popular North Sea. As an art patron, you would be happy to witness some of the fabulous art exhibitions that the Aberdeen Art Gallery. The huge gallery has a melange of traditional and modern Scottish art. You will also find some artwork by international artists. These include works of Ivor Abrahams, Bruce McLean, Ken Currie, to name a few. Another major tourist attraction in Aberdeen is Craigievar Castle. The structure with its pink walls and authentic Scottish architecture is too beautiful. Another pristine castle that would definitely work perfectly in your postcards (if you plan to make any) would be the Balmoral Castle.

Things to do in Aberdeen

To enjoy the lovely Aberdeen sun amid a gorgeous environment, you should visit Duthie Park. The place was built back in 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Duthie. She dedicated the park to her uncle and brother. The spectacular 44 acres of the park is nestled close to the banks of the Dee River. The place also has a greenhouse which was once demolished but was built back. If you do get tired of all the tourist activities, you can visit Codona's Amusement Park. The place has many fun rides and activities that you would enjoy. You should also visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum. The place does have an interesting collection of artefacts and exhibitions that would give you a peek at their history. The museum also houses a lovely tea room that you would enjoy.

Food and restaurants in Aberdeen

Aberdeen's food is eccentric but heavily influenced by Italian cuisines and seafood. You will be able to find the best of Italian trattoria in Aberdeen, at Rustico. The neat little cafe is run by an Italian-family where they offer exquisite seafood such as king prawns tossed on linguine, pork ragu with rigatoni and some Sicilian-style lamb meatloaf. The whole spread is beautiful and flavourful. Another Italian restaurant in the city is Carmine's. The food establishment is very low key and quaint, which works well on the pockets. They also have an authentic Japanese restaurant in the city where you can find some of the famous dishes from the cuisine. Yatai Izakaya is your place, which is affordable as it falls within a perfect budget. They also have sake, so you don't have to travel all the way to Japan for the same. The Conservatory Restaurant located in the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is a place you simply cannot miss. Although it is pricey as it is situated in the premise of a five-star hotel. But this would be quite the indulgence that you should opt for in Aberdeen.

At the food establishment, you will find some lovely seafood menu. While you're there, do not miss their Shetland scallops, Perehead monkfish, North Sea shellfish bisque and cod. The place also brings about an interesting spin to beef and other meat-based dishes. You might want to keep enough money in your pockets to visit this place. Although relatively new, the Bonobo cafe has already managed to find fame in the neighbourhood for its exquisite vegan food. The place serves only vegan food, so if you do not wish to have any of the seafood or meat cuisine, you can visit this place. Their vegan take on Scottish breakfast, which includes scrambled tofu, seitan sausages, veggie haggis and tattie scones is delicious. Not to mention how they have a coconut milk latte as opposed to the usual regular-milk latte. Coffee connoisseurs on the trip should visit Foodstory as the place makes lovely brewed coffee merged with healthy desserts and baked goods. Plus, the place also offers yoga and drawing classes. It would be quite an experience, if anything. Their take on the local cuisine is also quite good and would go down well with your sensibilities.

How to reach Aberdeen

Flights to Aberdeen are aplenty, but they do not particularly fly from India. There are no direct flights to Aberdeen, and you will have to opt for a flight with layovers or even change flights at London's Heathrow Airport. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways, Air France, have immaculate flight connectivity to Aberdeen. This makes the travelling far easier. Most of the flights flying to Aberdeen have layovers that cannot be ignored. However, from Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata, you will be able to get flights flying to Aberdeen without much concern. The most popular route to Aberdeen often chosen is from London and Amsterdam. Since British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch have direct flights to Aberdeen, these international routes are favoured over the others. Many even choose to visit Edinburgh and take a flight to Aberdeen from here. However, to opt for the said international route, you will have to book a ticket to Edinburgh directly and drive up to Aberdeen.

The flight duration to reach Aberdeen from India ranges from 11 hours to 13 hours. It doesn't take much time to reach the Scottish coastal city as the flight connectivity is good and layovers are minimum. You will have to ensure to travel with a transit visa. As the airlines flying to Aberdeen traverse through European cities too, it is necessary to carry a transit visa. You can get hold of the visa at the embassy. The easier and viable option to get the transit visa is by applying for it online. The embassy sites are very quick to respond to the applications online so you wouldn't have to worry about anything. The flight tickets to Aberdeen are decently priced. It could range from INR 30,000 to INR 40,000. The season doesn't really play a massive role in the change of the flight ticket cost to Aberdeen. However, it would be recommended to make prior bookings to Aberdeen as that way, you will be able to avail some online flight deals.

  About Dubai

The Las Vegas of the Middle East, Dubai, is the place to go if you are looking for a lavish vacation. The city promises a lavish vacation and is worth every penny spent. The spectacular skylines, the larger-than-life attractions, beaches, and the food in Dubai will only leave you awestruck. Not to mention, Dubai is also a very popular destination for people to go shopping. Be it electronic products, high-end fashion accessories, gold jewellery or the spices, and it is a shopping paradise for everyone. The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city and is quite close to the Burj Khalifa, too. It is a well-planned city, and despite embracing modernity, the city has managed to retain its old charm. You can book a hotel in Dubai that is closer to all the tourist spots or something lavish that is a little farther away.

Best Time to Visit Dubai

Dubai experiences very extreme weather. It's difficult to step out when it's hot, and you will want to put on 2-3 layers of clothes when it is cold. November through March is the best time to visit the city since it is winter. The temperature ranges from 13 to 23 degree Celsius. This is peak tourist season, and you must book your hotel in Dubai in advance if you are taking off to the city during this time. It can get a tad bit difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Dubai, too, during this time. The cost does fall considerably by March-end and April. Since November to March is the high season, you will find a lot of tourist spots quite crowded. The nightlife scene in Dubai is also very happening, and the New Year celebrations in the city are grand. This is also when you will find a lot of crowd at Jumeirah beach. Not to mention, you'll reach right in time for the Dubai International Film Festival and the Dubai Shopping Festival.

April to October is summer in Dubai, and it is not the best time to visit the city. The temperature is above 37 degree Celsius, and the heat is simply unbearable. Though you may get a good flight deal to Dubai during this time, it won't be a wise choice since you won't be able to enjoy anything. May and July is Ramadan month, which only leads to a quieter nightlife and lesser hustle-bustle in the city. The scorching heat will make you cancel your plans to venture out and go sightseeing. Even heading to the beach won't help. However, if you are planning a trip to Dubai during this season, make sure you put on sunblock at all times and drink lots of water. The evenings and nights might seem a little pleasant compared to the day, but it is best to avoid travelling to Dubai during the summer. While there is scarce rainfall during summer, the city does not witness a monsoon season. It's only winter and summer here.

Places to Visit in Dubai

The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular places to visit in the city. Not only is it huge, but you can get a lot of high-end fashion brands here. The mall also has a fancy fountain in it which is a popular spot in the mall to take pictures. But make sure Dubai Mall is last on your itinerary because you will definitely want to swipe your credit card a lot at the mall here. The Burj Khalifa is an architectural marvel and one of the most popular places in Dubai that you cannot miss. The view from the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa is unbelievably spectacular. You will have to pay around 125 to 400 AED to get up there, but it is completely worth every penny spent. The Jumeirah beach is yet another popular tourist destination in Dubai. You can book a hotel in Dubai close to Jumeirah Beach and know that you will be well taken care of by the staff. You will absolutely love the sunset view from the beach. The Burj Al Arab is the fourth tallest hotel in the world and is also one of the most expensive 7-star hotels that have the Skyview Bar on the 27ht floor. The exotic hotel offers you the best view of the Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Creek is one romantic destination that you cannot miss at all, though it is open for families and friends as well. You will find a lot of restaurants that have outdoor seating right next to the creek, so you get the best view of the water. You can also go boating here at a minimal price.

Dubai Aquarium at Dubai Mall is a famous place to visit for families and friends. It is exquisite, and you can even go cage snorkelling and shark diving here. Of course, you will have to pay a nominal fee to get in, but it is totally worth it. If Dubai Mall is on your itinerary, make sure you go during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Global Village is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai that is basically a compilation of all countries and cultures of the world. You can shop here, eat here and catch a few entertaining performances here. It happens from November to March every year. Next on your itinerary must be the Dubai Marina. It is an exotic place to visit and has gained popularity for being one of the biggest human-made marinas in the world. It also has a lot of activities in store, so you don't just drop in for some sightseeing and food. You can also head to Ski Dubai or better, book an accommodation at the resort to enjoy the indoor resort that is dedicated to snow. You can also visit the Snow Park here.

Things to do in Dubai

You can hire a car to go sightseeing around the city or just take the metro to get around the city. The metro is a far affordable way to commute within the city. You can have dinner at one of the restaurants at the Dubai Creek. Post dinner, you can just walk around the area and be marvelled at the clean, beautiful streets. The Burj Khalifa is highly recommended, and the view from up top calls for great pictures and a few more followers on social media. It has also proven to be a popular spot where romantic proposals have taken place. You can visit the local markets to buy spices, which is a speciality in Dubai. The city is known for its lavish and exotic nightlife. You can party till wee hours and be assured that you will have a lot of fun. You must also try the Desert Safari, a popular activity taken up by tourists here. Shopping is one of the main highlights of Dubai, and it would be a shame to not visit the Dubai Mall during the shopping festival that happens around January.

Food and Restaurants in Dubai

Dubai is a paradise for food lovers, and the various cuisines will only leave you wanting for more. In case you want to try the speciality of the Middle East instead of settling for Indian or Chinese cuisine, there are quite a few restaurants that you must try. A few popular Middle Eastern cuisines include the Manousheh, Iranian Sangak, Baba Ganoush, Tabbouleh, Chelo Kebab, Fattoush, Falafel, Taboon break, Madrouba and so on. The Local Bites Cafe in Jumeirah is popular for serving Luqaimat, hot dumplings that have a doughnut-like texture. You can head to Ruya to try Turkish cocktails like the Anatolian Fizz. Cafe Bateel is popular for its signature Qahwa and a complimentary Arabic coffee. Aseelah at Radisson Blu is known for serving the best Margoogat, a tomato-based stew rich with special spices.

How to reach Dubai (Transportation)

Dubai International Airport is not very far from the main city. The flight connectivity to Dubai from India is excellent. There are quite a lot of direct flights to Dubai, too, and it only takes 3 to 4 hours to land in Dubai. It is one of the busiest airports in the world for passengers and quite efficient, too. AirArabia, AirIndiaExpress, EmiratesAirline, FlyDubai are some of the airlines that frequently fly to Dubai. The Dubai airport is quite huge, and the Duty-Free stores inside the airport are a treat to all your shopping needs. Getting a taxi from the airport to reach your hotel is not very difficult. Make sure you book your tickets way in advance if you want a good deal on flights to Dubai. The metro is also quite close to the airport, and you can choose to take a metro or a bus instead of a taxi if you don't have a lot of baggage. Connecting flights to Dubai stop at Mangalore, Delhi, Ahmedabad and a couple of other cities. A lot of flights also land in Sharjah instead of Dubai, depending on which airline you choose.

  About Dubai Airport

Dubai International Airport serves as the primary airport located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airport is touted to be one of the world's busiest airport concerning international passenger traffic. Dubai International Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the entire world in terms of passenger traffic. It follows Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport. Dubai Airport also boasts of being the busiest when it comes to operations of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. The airport is known for its massive capacity. It managed to handle a capacity of 88 million passengers in 2017 as well as 2.65 million tonnes of cargo as well as a registered aircraft movement of 409,493. Much recently, the management also installed a solar system for energy to enhance the functioning of the airport. Dubai International Airport's mission is to reduce the energy consumption to 30 per cent by 2030. Located in the Al Garhoud district, the airport is sprawled across 7,200 acres of land. The airport's Terminal 3 is also known to be the second massive building in the world with respect to floor space.

The airport also caters to the Emirates Airlines with an entire terminal dedicated to its operations. The terminal has three concourses and is shared with flydubai. Emirates hub is recognized as the largest airline hub in the Middle East. The airlines takes care of about 51 per cent of the overall passenger traffic as well as 42 per cent of aircraft movements of the airport. Dubai International Airport has a collective capacity to handle 90 million passengers on a yearly basis. The airport has undergone various upgradations in the years. It is currently aiming to enable a 37 per cent economic contribution from Dubai's aviation sector to further enhance the city's overall GDP.

About Airport Terminals

Dubai International Airport is said to be one of the busiest airports in the world. In fact, the infrastructure is also known to be one of the largest in the world. Dubai International Airport has three terminals, numbered as Terminal 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 3 caters completely to the Emirates airline. Terminal 1 and 3 have been perfectly connected to the common transit area. There is also an airside area reserved for passengers to walk through the two terminals without the necessity of undergoing immigration processes. A shuttle service is also present between the terminals for passengers. The terminal 1 was built originally to accommodate 18 million passengers in a year. However, it was expanded to handle more passenger action. The terminal currently has 28 remote gates, and the airport has undergone quite a few developments too. A fourth terminal is also in works, and the plans to expand Terminal 3 to accommodate more than 90 million a year in the terminal is being aimed. Terminal 3 is partly underground and is exclusively reserved for Emirates airlines. The terminal is also capable of handling the massive Airbus A380. Currently, though, it shares the terminal with Qantas.

About Airport Authority

Dubai Airport is owned by the Government of Dubai and is operated by Dubai Airports Company. It is basically the airport authority handles all the management of the Dubai International Airport but also has shares in the business. They handle Al Maktoum International Airport along with Dubai International Airport. The company came into existence in 2008 with duties to take care of all management activities of the Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village. Under their administrative power, Dubai Airport has seen a lot of improvement in terms of safety and efficiency of flight and cargo operations. A modular data centre that facilitates accumulating data availability has also been installed at the Dubai International Airport. The airport alone plays a strong role in contributing to the economy of the city of Dubai. The airport authority has further expanded Terminal 3 to make it the second-largest building in the world with respect to floor space. It has been recognized as the largest airport terminal, too, worldwide.

Top airlines flying from Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport accommodates a slew of international and domestic airlines. As one of the most important airports in the world, the connectivity of Dubai is excellent with other cities and countries. Not to mention how they also have Emirates, which is one of the biggest and most important airlines available. Along with it, the airport also helps operate some Indian airlines as the demand from some of the Indian cities is quite high. Dubai International Airport has Indian airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara, that operate from the city. These airports have direct connections with Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and more.

Along with some Indian airlines, the Dubai International Airport extensively caters to a plethora of international airport. A majority of the airlines that operate from Dubai Airport cater to various Middle Eastern, African and Central Asian cities. The most prominent airlines that operate from Dubai International Airport include African Express Airways, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Azerbaijan Airlines, Azur Air, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Druk Air, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, flydubai, Flynas, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Kuwait Airways, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Saudia, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Ural Airlines and Thai Airways. The airport also caters to reserving terminals for cargo flights. Carriers such as Emirates SkyCargo, Iran Air Cargo, Silk Way Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, FedEx Express, Spice Xpress and UPS Airlines operate from the Dubai Airport.

Facilities at the Dubai International Airport

WiFi - One of the major upgrades of the Dubai International Airport is the installation of a high-speed WiFi system across all terminals. You will need to follow some instructions available at the airport's website.

Currency exchange - You can find many exchange services across the terminals. The foreign exchange bureaus have good deals to help get good exchange rates as well as some more perks where you can reserve the rate and collect the amount later.

Baby care rooms - There are reserved rooms for baby care across all the terminals. You can attend to the child's needs with privacy at the rooms. In fact, you should visit the information desk or ask for help from one of the staff to guide you to the room.

Baggage - The airport has baggage storage facilities in the premise, and you can make use of the same. These services are open at Terminals 1 and 3. You can peruse through the airport's maps that would take you to the storage space.

Prayer rooms - There are Muslim prayer rooms available everywhere at the airport. Signs have been put up that direct you to the rooms.

Smoking lounges - The airport prohibits smoking in public and has reserved smoking lounges for the same. They are comfortable and have been located at various spots in the airport.

Showers - You can refresh yourself with some shower at Terminal 3. The facility is for free, so you can easily avail it.

Medical services - There are medical services and pharmacies available 24/7. You can visit the information desk to ask for help, or you can ask any of the airport staff to direct you to the medical centre. There are buggy ambulances also available at the Dubai International Airport.

Special assistance - The airport provides special assistance for passengers with mobility issues and special needs. For this, you will have to inform the airlines in advance.

How to reach Dubai International Airport

Dubai Metro

There are direct rail links from the Dubai Metro and the Dubai International Airport. A dedicated Red Line is connected directly to Terminal 3 and 1 of the airport. These services are run from 6 AM to 11 PM. The stations are accessible from the arrivals sections of both the terminals. Meanwhile, a Green Line has also been stationed close to the Airport Free Zone. The Terminal 2 and the Green Line is accessed conveniently. Currently, the airport authority is working on the Purple and Blue Lines to construct lines that would further connect the terminals better.

Bus

There are RTA-run Dubai Buses too that directly connect to the main city from the Dubai Airport. You can reach the Dubai International Airport by taking the inter-terminal shuttle bus service. These links operate on a frequent basis and are perfect for passengers who wish to transfer between terminals. A complimentary coach service is also available to reach the Dubai International Airport and is provided by Emirates.

Taxi and rental services

Government-owned and operated Dubai Taxi Agency can be availed to reach the Dubai International Airport. They have 24/7 services which can be found at the arrival terminal. There are counters and booths at the arrivals where you can book your ride to reach the main city of Dubai from the Dubai International Airport.