Abu Dhabi to Glasgow Flights

  About Abu Dhabi

While Abu Dhabi is not exactly a tourist destination when compared to Dubai, it is definitely a place where you can go just to relax and feel rejuvenated. Abu Dhabi is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even though Dubai is considered as a more happening place, Abu Dhabi also has a certain charm to it. The Ferrari World is one of the major highlights and tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. Not only will you get to see a lot of Ferraris, but you can even drive them to get a glimpse in the life of a race car driver. The city also has waterparks for everyone who is planning a vacation to the capital of the UAE with their family or group of friends. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not only beautiful, but it is also a marvellous piece of art architecturally. It is also a safe place for solo female travellers. You will find a lot of malls, too, to satisfy the shopaholic in you.

Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi

November to March is an ideal time to visit Abu Dhabi since it is winter and the weather remains quite pleasant. It is the best time for you to go sightseeing. Since it is also a peak season in Abu Dhabi, you might even get a good deal on flights to Abu Dhabi during this time if you book well in advance. Make sure you also book your hotel in Abu Dhabi in advance since the prices tend to increase in winter. Since this is high season, you will find a lot of tourists in the city. You will also get to go sightseeing without feeling all dehydrated. This is also the best time for you to hit the beach and spend some time there. If you are travelling in March, you can attend the Abu Dhabi Festival or the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

The temperature ranges from 19 to 42 degree Celsius from April to October. While April and May are pleasant because of Spring, the months following May get hot, hotter and hottest. Hotel prices do stop dropping April onwards. For all the book lovers, you can attend the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in April and May. The temperature increases considerably in June till August, but if you just want to be by the pool or indulge in expensive spa treatments and pamper yourself, you can plan a trip during these months. The hotel prices also drop a lot during these months since the city does not have a lot of tourists. It also rains inconsistently during these months, which might put a damper on your sightseeing plans. The temperature starts dropping during September and October since it is the end of summer. This is also one of the best times to head to Abu Dhabi if you want to attend the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Emirates International Date Palm Festival or the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

Yas Mall at Yas Island and Marina Mall is the most popular malls in Abu Dhabi for tourists. The Ferrari World is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and quite the luxurious ones, too. You also get to drive one of the cars to experience what it is like to be an F1 driver. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the two mosques in UAE that is open to non-Muslims, too. It is also one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the country. Abu Dhabi does not deprive you of the beach fun that you might want. You can head to the Saadiyat Public Beach or the Corniche. You can also visit Al Lulu Island to indulge in beach and water activities. It is another tourist destination in Abu Dhabi that is quite popular. You can attend free concerts at Corniche or just enjoy the sunset by the beach with a cup of ice cream. You can also book a hotel in Abu Dhabi in Corniche and stay here for a couple of days.

While you are in Abu Dhabi, you might also want to stay at the Empire Palace for a night or two. Even if you are not, the resort is open for non-guests to book spa treatments here and indulge in a traditional hammam experience. Not to mention, you might also want to put on your fanciest outfit here. You can also head for a desert safari on a jeep or try any of the other desert tours arranged by tour companies here. It is one of the major highlights of Abu Dhabi. Head over to the Emirates Park Zoo with your family, and you'll get to see over 1700 animals here. The zoo is home to lions, cheetahs, Siberian bears, white tigers and so on. You can also have breakfast with giraffes and parrots here. Another lovely tourist attraction is the Warner Bros World. It is a fun theme park that has rides like The Joker Funhouse, Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin, The Scooby-Doo: Museum of Mysteries and so on. You can also visit the Al Jahili Fort and Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Sightseeing is one of the major tourist activities in the city. You can go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to know more about the culture and to admire the sheer architecture of the mosque. You can also spend a day shopping at some of the best malls in Abu Dhabi. If you are travelling during the sale, you might even get to buy a lot of high-end fashion products at an affordable price. Visit the Emirates Palace. If you are not staying at the majestic resort, you can still indulge in self-pampering spa treatments and a relaxing hammam (a Turkish bath). You can also indulge in water and beach activities at Corniche. Going on a desert safari is another popular activity that tourists in Abu Dhabi take up. Spend a day at Ferrari World and take lots of pictures, too.

Food and Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Like Dubai, you will find a variety of cuisine in Abu Dhabi, too. Be it Indian cuisine or Mexican, Korean, Chinese, or even Russian food, and you will find whatever you feel like eating here. However, trying out the local food is a must to complete your holiday experience at Abu Dhabi. Some of the important ingredients include the famous Middle Eastern spices like cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and cardamom. Cuisines made of chickpeas are also quite popular in Abu Dhabi. If you want to grab a bite as soon as you land, before you head to your hotel, you can go to Madang Korean Restaurant which is near Terminal 2. Cabana Beach Bar and Grill at Corniche is a popular place to have healthy food or European cuisine. You can also head to The Terrace On The Corniche or Kuzbara for authentic Middle Eastern food. Khayal Restaurant is popular for its variety of cuisines. It offers Japanese, Arabic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian food in its menu. Treat yourself to delicious burgers and shakes at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes at Yas Mall. Hoi An is an interesting place to head to if you want to try out Vietnamese or other Asian food. The service is great, so is the ambience. Dino's Bistro Italiano and Villa Toscana are known for their expertise in Italian cuisine. In fact, at Villa Tuscana, you can also choose between the Mediterranean, Tuscan and European food. Desert Lotus Thai Bisto & Sushi has the best Thai food in the city, and you will simply love the sushi here. If you want to try authentic Indian food, you can head to Punjab Grill at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal.

How to reach Abu Dhabi (Transportation)

The Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Arab Emirates. The flight connectivity from Abu Dhabi to other cities and countries is excellent. There are a few direct flights to Abu Dhabi from India on a daily basis, and it takes about 3 to 4 hours only to reach. While you might choose Etihad Airways or Emirates to fly to the Middle East, other airlines like GoAir, British Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Srilankan Airlines frequently fly to and from Abu Dhabi. The airport is only 30 km from the main city, and it is quite easy to get a taxi service from the airport to your hotel. Abu Dhabi International Airport is quite a luxe with a lot of facilities. It has airport lounges, premium spa facilities, sleeping pods, children's play area, shopping areas and a lot of international dining options. You will certainly not get bored if at all if you have to wait for a few more hours to board your flight. If you are travelling by Etihad, they also have premium lounges and spa facilities for their passengers at the airport.

  About Glasgow

Glasgow is a flourishing port city nestled on the Clyde river in the western Lowlands of Scotland. The city's exemplary Victorian architecture topped with a rich and illustrious legacy has attracted a lot of tourists for a long time now. The traditionally gifted city has interspersed or rather adapted to the new age culture to become a national hub for tourism. Glasgow bustles with tourists through their peak season. Even though it often finds competition with Edinburgh, the city manages to gauge the attention of tourists who wish to experience culture and history.

The city has way too many museums for a tourist to engage in, making it historically rich. Plus, the thriving Glasgow also sees a refreshing food culture that doesn't limit to the Scottish delicacies. The flight connectivity of Glasgow has also improved tremendously over the years as it is now well-connected with the rest of the world. The accommodations in Glasgow are quite steep as their peak season is the only time travellers can enjoy the vibrant nature of the city.

Best time to visit Glasgow

For Glasgow, March to August are the best months when you can explore the city while relishing the lovely rays of the sun. One of the highlights is actually the longer days that can be experienced during summers. This alone becomes a big reason for tourists and even locals to enjoy the best of what the city has to offer. Travelling to Glasgow from India is relatively affordable as the city is mostly a business hub. However, accommodations and staycation will have to be planned beforehand. You will have to find deals on cheap hotels in Glasgow to ensure that you don't end up splurging far too much on hotels alone. Booking a flight ticket to Glasgow for the weekend is considered to be perfect as the city doesn't have a vacation vibe or even many tourist attractions. The spring and summer months are warm and welcoming in Glasgow, which also plays the perfect host to some events. With up to 15-hours of sunlight bestowed upon the city, it certainly adds more vigour and vibrancy to the neighbourhood. Many art and cultural events also take place during this time, including the Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Pride Glasgow, Scottish Open and more.

Fall temperatures are agreeable in September which leads to winters till February. The positive of the season is fewer crowd and better accommodation choices. You can book a luxury hotel room in Glasgow without having to worry about the exorbitant pounds that you might have to shell. As the city witnesses extreme cold winters, the tourism sees a dip. You can actually make a winter trip to Glasgow and celebrate Christmas as well as ring in the New Year's at Glasgow. The city does celebrate the December month with utmost gusto irrespective of the extreme climate. You will undoubtedly get good flight deals to Glasgow as well as accommodations so that is one thing you wouldn't have to worry about when planning for this trip.

Places to visit in Glasgow

Despite being dwarfed by Edinburgh's presence, which is bang opposite, Glasgow is a city that certainly shouldn't be missed. As Scotland's largest city, Glasgow does have limited tourist attractions. However, what it places in places to see, it makes up for in things to do. Some of the attractions that do deserve your attention in Glasgow include the Glasgow Cathedral, an extremely ancient structure that brings life to the legends of St Mungo. The Burrell Collection is another major attraction in Glasgow that sees a tremendous footfall of tourists. Thanks to the impeccable collection of objects and artwork and the stunning landscape where the museum rests, the whole experience is worth the excursion. Plus, you don't have to pay any fees or get tickets to the place. If you're all for museums, then the Riverside Museum is yet another interesting place you can visit. The backdrop of the museum with the riverfront adds to the charm of the place. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will amaze you with its Renaissance-style architecture and art collections which include original Monel and Botticelli.

Adjacent to the museum is the Kelvingrove Park that sees a good number of tourists rest after a long day of museum tours. The city has far too many museums, which only if you're an enthusiast, will you enjoy. The parks and surroundings of the museums are loved by all, thanks to the way they have all been well-maintained. Speaking of gardens and open spaces, you would definitely fall in love with the People's Palace and Winter Gardens in Glasgow. The location is prime and the scenery, incomparable.

Things to do in Glasgow

Glasgow's excess museum tours might be a little too much for you to handle. However, you can take a breather from all the historical places by renting a bike and riding around the city. It would be best to go exploring on your own instead of booking a tour. It would be more fun as you might bump into new neighbourhoods and discover quaint cafes with no touristy crowd. While you're in Glasgow, you should also catch a play at the Citizens Theatre, the locals call it 'the Citz'. There are always shows that take place at the theatre, so make the most of it. While you are here, the distilleries are establishments you cannot miss. From watching how the Scotch whiskey is produced to nabbing a small drink, the distilleries would be quite an experience. Visit Glengoyne Distillery and Clydeside Distillery. The nightlife of Glasgow is a celebration in its own with beautiful music and a lively atmosphere. Step out into the night and interact with strangers, make connections and try out some delicious Scottish food.

Food and restaurants in Glasgow

Glasgow might not have a lot of tourist attractions, but it certainly has an interesting food culture. The city offers a plethora of cuisines with Scottish specialities as the biggest seller. From haggis served with tatties and neeps (sheep's organs grated and served with turnips and mashed potatoes) to a cullen skink (soup curated from flavours of smoked haddock and potatoes), restaurants in Glasgow will take your taste buds through a Scottish tour. While the Scottish delicacies take the top spot in terms of a dining experience in Glasgow, Indian cuisine is finding quite some fame in the city. Glasgow is often being bestowed the title of Britain's 'curry capital' thanks to the exquisite Indian cuisine they offer. There are a plethora of international cuisines that the city has including restaurants such as Mono, Nippon Kitchen, Riverhill Restaurant and Bar, Alston Bar and Beef, Red Onion, to name a few food institutions. For those who cannot do without seafood, Glasgow's Crabshakk will give you quite dishes to remember. Their meals include fish club sandwich, and shellfish chowder, definitely dishes worth splurging on.

MacTassos and Ox and Finch are star players in the Mediterranean cuisine race. Both have Mediterranean cuisine as their big sellers. To get back to the basics of biryani and butter chicken, Obsession of India is the place to visit. On your trip, do not miss out some of their pubs and breweries. Drygate Brewery is one such place where you should definitely head for the cool Scottish club vibe as well as incredible beer binge. These places would definitely uplift your food expedition in Glasgow.

How to reach Glasgow

Glasgow receives a decent number of flights from India. Cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Chennai, have regular flights to Glasgow. None of the flights to Glasgow is direct though. Mostly, all the flights to Glasgow from India require connecting flights or undergo layovers. Flight tickets to Glasgow from India are quite expensive. Due to the demand, the airport sees from around the world, the ticket prices automatically see a surge. Depending on the season when you book flight tickets to Glasgow, it'll vary from cheap to expensive. However, the domestic routes from Glasgow airport to the city centre is quite good. There is public transport such as buses, taxi cabs and rental cars that travel from the airport to the city. Much of the layover on the international route to Glasgow takes place in London. As a popular route that connects Glasgow and India, London sees many layovers and even services connecting flights to the Scottish city.

Usually, it takes approximately 14 hours to reach Glasgow from Mumbai. However, this heavily depends on the flight that you have booked and the layover duration. The more expensive the flight ticket to Glasgow, the less the layover duration. So as per your convenience, you can make your bookings. It is necessary for you to keep a track on the accommodation options available in the city as well. There are various beautiful hotels and homestays that would intrigue you. As per your budget set, if you do manage to snag a good flight and hotel deal online in Glasgow, it would be very beneficial to you.

  About Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the only airport in Emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to cater to international flights and airlines. After Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second largest in UAE, which can accommodate 20 million passengers. The airport has three operational terminals for passengers. It is sprawled across 8,500 acres of land and provides services to over 30 airlines which fly to over 120 destinations. The airport is primarily the hub for Etihad Airways, which is also UAE's second flag carrier airline, after Emirates. The airport sees tremendous air traffic and passenger traffic for being a hub city and the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

About Airport Terminals

The airport has three terminals in total. Terminal 1 is the oldest building at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The terminal features arrivals and departure areas with nine gates and jetbridges. The airport also has check-in and arrivals equipped in a separate location that is connected to the building. Terminal 2 is comparatively new and located on the east side of Terminal 1. There are 19 check-in counters along with two baggage claim conveyor belts. It mainly caters to low-cost carriers only. Terminal 3 is fairly new from the other two terminals and has the capacity to hold bigger flights, including Airbus A380s that are flown by Etihad Airways.

About Airport Authority

Abu Dhabi International Airport is currently operated by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, which came into existence in 2006. ADAC has since offered a plethora of services to the aviation industry and Abu Dhabi airports. Along with Abu Dhabi International Airport, the organization also caters to managing Al Bateen Executive Airport, Al Ain International Airport, Sir Bani Airport and Dalma Airport.

Top airlines flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi sees tremendous passenger traffic from Indian cities and hence, accommodates flights from an Indian airline. Some of the airlines that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport are Air India, Air India Express, GoAir and IndiGo.

In terms of international airlines, the ones that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport include, AnadoluJet, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan, Turkish Airlines and Turkmenistan Airlines.

Facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport

WiFi - You can connect to the airport's free wireless network. All you would need to do is to follow some steps to get access to Abu Dhabi International Airport's WiFi connection. Plus, there are internet kiosks available for free. At the departure terminals, you can find about 50 internet kiosks. It is free of cost so you can simply just go over to the kiosk and use the facility. Airport lounges also have wireless connections that you can avail.

ATM and foreign exchange - The airport has many ATMs and foreign-exchange booths available at regular intervals. There are about 16 currency exchange facilities that are present at Abu Dhabi International Airport. There are local banks also present at the airport where you can make transfers and deposits along with cash withdrawals. The prices are also quite reasonable for foreign exchange. A dedicated agency, Travelex, is available at the airport.

Medical services - Abu Dhabi International Airport is also equipped to take care of medical emergencies that take place at the premise. There is a 24-hour clinic to ensure that medical services are available at all times. There is also a paramedic with an ambulance which will take the emergency case to the nearest local hospital. The information desk and 'May I Help You' counters will assist you with this service. Plus, the airport also has pharmacies installed at regular intervals.

Smoking zones - All terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport are non-smoking buildings. Hence, there are specific smoking zones that have been installed. Smoothing lounges and booths are located in each terminal and are enclosed. The booths also have good air quality that you can enjoy while you smoke a cigarette.

Multi-faith room - Separate prayer rooms have been installed for men and women at Abu Dhabi International Airport. They are present at all terminals of the airport. Intending to value diverse faith, the airport has ensured to have multi-faith rooms at all levels of the terminals. Wheelchairs are also accessible at the prayer rooms.

Airport lounges - Overall, Abu Dhabi International Airport has six airport lounges. In fact, four of the airport lounges are actually owned by Etihad Airways. While terminal 1 has Al Reem Lounge, Al Dhabi Lounge, Etihad Premium Lounge, Terminal 3 houses Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa, Etihad Premium Lounge and Etihad US Premium Lounge. These lounge experiences are one of a kind. Not to mention how the airport also has a dedicated Etihad Arrivals Lounge as well for international travellers. The facilities at the lounge are top-notch with exceptional services and hospitality.

Airport hotels - An in-house hotel is also available at Abu Dhabi International Airport. You can visit Aerotel to benefit from their world-class facilities and to unwind. The hotel is located in Terminal 1 and has been aesthetically designed to please the senses of international travellers. Premier Inn Hotel is also present within the airport premise that you can check out. Premier Inn is also very convenient and recognized for its high standards with respect to providing quality services with modern amenities.

Baggage services - The airport offers a plethora of baggage services ranging from wrapping to storage. In case you need to save your luggage from possibilities of theft and mishandling, you can get them wrapped in plastic. Further, on the same, you can also seal your baggage to prevent them from external damages. You can ship your luggage to a delivery address too instead of going yourself. There are storage facilities also available at the airport where you can keep your luggage, especially if it's a layover or if you need to spend time at the airport before the next flight.

Spa - There are two spas available at the airport's premise. Six Senses Spa is located within the Etihad Diamond First and Pearl Business Class lounges. Meanwhile, TOSA Spa, an award-winning spa chain of the Middle East, Maldives and India, is also available at the airport's Terminal 1. You can avail a string of services from the spas for relaxation. Body massage and other treatments are also there with separate rooms for women and men. Along with this, they also have separate changing rooms for men and women.

Special assistance - The airport caters to special assistance services that travellers require. This includes helping out passengers with reduced mobility and to take care of their trolleys, among a few. You can speak with your airlines in advance to book special assistance. The trained staff will help you through the process and even enable a comfortable experience at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Nursing stations - For all the parents who are travelling with infants and young babies, there are dedicated nursing stations available at all terminals. There are entertainment decks for kids as well as nursing rooms for new mothers with infants. Plus, the rooms are sanitized and kept in a hygienic condition.

How to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport

Public transport

One of the best things about the airport is its facilities that enable direct connections to the city centre. If you need to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport, you can always take a bus as it is economical and convenient. The air-conditioned buses are available from the bus stop to within the city. You can find the stops outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3. There are blue and white signs that indicate to the bus stops. You can follow them, or you can ask for more details at the airport's information desk. You can reach Abu Dhabi International Airport from any part of the city thanks to their bus services. Depending on where you wish to go, the buses have services to those routes. The ticket cost is also very affordable and menial. It would take close to 45 minutes to reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport from the city, depending on the traffic.

Taxicabs and rentals

There are luxury airport taxis that you can find at the airport. They are available at all the terminals, close to the arrivals. A clear signpost is also present to indicate the taxi services. There are male and female drivers who are well-equipped with the city's geography as well as international languages. You can also reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport by availing tax services. In fact, you can actually book for a ride online or check with your airlines for provisions of the same. Hotels in Abu Dhabi also have facilities for an airport shuttle. You can benefit from the same to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport without any hassle. As long as you make prior bookings, you wouldn't have to worry about anything with respect to reaching the Abu Dhabi International Airport.