Abu Dhabi to Leeds 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 Leeds

Located in the northern English county of Yorkshire is the quaint and lovely city of Leeds. It is snuggled up on the banks of the Aire River and is recognised highly to be one of the fast-paced economies. The city also has some famous food and the third busiest railway station in the country.

Best time to visit Leeds

As a city that is predominantly known to be cold, the summers automatically become the best season to visit. Even in summer, Leeds is not really hot to be specific as the temperatures stand at 21 degree Celsius during the days. Now, this could also vary depending on the erratic changes in the temperatures. Mainly, it ranges from 13 degree Celsius to 21 degree Celsius. June to August is considered to witness the best of summers in Leeds as the temperatures are extremely favourable, especially if you come from a hot country and do not wish to see extremely cold temperatures. July and August's months see a proper summer in Leeds. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit Leeds and also comes with some surge in the tourism industry. The hotel reservations are severe as many people from around the country and world flock over to witness the Leeds summer. This results in a massive spike when booking hotels in Leeds. Even flight tickets to Leeds are expensive during their summers. Hence, you should make prior bookings and avoid the excess surge in rates.

No matter what happens, though, avoid winters. The temperature can get quite low, and the air would be very dreary. The city continues to keep the morale up by hosting festivals and events, including ringing in the alluring Christmas and New Year's. However, the brisk cold breeze and temperatures could be bad for you. Not to mention how it could also lead to frostbites and other health conundrums that accompany cold weathers. Leeds is also known to face the typical English weather with monsoon showers taking over amid summers and winters. The fickle nature of the rain often might disrupt with your touristy plans. But do not let it bring your spirit down as the city's spring and summer do have a pleasant vibe. The best thing about spring in Leeds is it comes with a slash in hotel prices. You can actually book hotels in Leeds for cheap during spring. In fact, the earlier you book your rooms and flight tickets, the better it is. You might even be able to snag some lovely online deals that would enable you to save up and spend more pounds on other activities in the city.

Places to visit Leeds

Leeds is home to some interesting attractions that would further add to the tourist fun. You can start your excursion by visiting the Harewood House. It is located in West Yorkshire and spans over 1,000 acres. The estate is known to be a member of the Treasure Houses of England. An interesting location that would engage you is the National Coal Mining Museum for England. You can actually learn more about the industry and its relevance to the Leeds economy. Temple Newsam is actually one of the popular sites and part of the Leeds Museum and & Galleries. The estate does have an interesting brown building with green expanses making the place's vibe serene. You should also check out the intriguing ruins of the Cistercian monastery called the Kirkstall Abbey. The picturesque ruins paint quite a picture and have been attracting photographers and artists. The National Science and Media Museum is the perfect place to explore more of Leeds' exhibitions of animation, photography, video games, television and everything related to media and science.

Things to do in Leeds

You have got to visit the Roundhay Park, which is one of the most extensive gardens in the city. The popular tourist attraction does accommodate a huge crowd and is perfect for picnics and other fun activities. There are lakes, woodlands, gardens and parklands that easily manage to attract the tourists. RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a public garden which has waterfalls and exquisite flowers and other plants. It recently merged with the Northern Horticulture Society. The place also has coffee shops which serve amazing food and beverages. If you are interested in art, then you should directly check out the Leeds Art Gallery. It has been recognised to be of national importance by the British government. The structure is also quite Victorian and has a fantastic architecture that would marvel you. You should also visit The Hepworth Wakefield to check out some of the best works of artist and sculptor Barbara Hepworth. You should also check out the Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. While you're at it, do not miss Senado Square and A-Ma Temple in the city.

Food and restaurants in Leeds

Leeds is touted to be one of the culinary gifts of the United Kingdom. The city, with its impressive array of restaurants and quality kitchen, takes food rather seriously. You will be thoroughly amazed to find the diversity in Leeds' restaurant culture. Do not be surprised by the plenty of curry houses in the city as they do have a slew of Indian restaurants. From basic budget restaurants to upscale Michelin-starred establishments, you will find food for all kinds of mood in Leeds. From Italian trattorias to Thai restaurants, you will find them all, and you will fall in love with them too. You can start your food expedition in the city from Aagrah. The best thing about this place is it raves Kashmiri dishes and also has room for the famous Hyderabadi-style food. It is quite famous among the Yorkshire locals. To engage in a more elegant setting with wood-cooked food, you can try OX Club. As stated, wood-fired cooking is phenomenal, and the barbeque grills just bring forth a beautiful smokey flavour. It's especially perfect as you relish the lovely spring weather in Leeds.

Another upscale establishment is The Man Behind the Curtain. The setting of the place is rather compelling, not to mention how the food that borders pretence works well for them. It is undoubtedly an experience worth engaging in. The city also indulges in South American cuisine as they have the Brazilian steakhouse, Fazenda, as its jewel. The establishment is the kind which doesn't just offer exquisite skewered meat but also falls in the budget. Sukhothai is a cute mid-range restaurant which boasts classic Thai food. It actually has many branches within the city and offers authentic dishes from the South-East Asian kitchen. If you do miss home and wish to indulge in some Gujarati vegetarian food, you can find that here as well. Hansa's is a popular restaurant in Leeds that has often earned many accolades in the culinary world of Leeds for being the best vegetarian restaurant hub. The Gujarati thalis, especially, are a rage. You can further check out places like Roots and Fruits, Tharavadu, Nation of Shopkeepers and Prashad.

How to reach Leeds

There is no direct way to reach Leeds from India and flights is the only way out. Sadly though, there are no nonstop flights that fly to Leeds from Indian cities. Even though the demand to visit Leeds is quite a lot in the country, there are no dedicated flights from any of the Indian airlines. Luckily though, the flight connectivity to Leeds is impeccable as there are many international airlines that have regular services to the city. Airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, to name a few, have excellent services and connectivity to Leeds. The most popular route to reach Leeds is via Amsterdam and London. Many flights often connect to KLM Royal Dutch to fly to Leeds. Aside from Amsterdam, London and Paris are other famous international routes chosen to fly to Leeds. Since European cities are considered to be the best way to reach Leeds, a Schengen transit visa is required. You will have to apply for a transit visa for flight connectivity. This can be done online or by visiting the embassy.

The duration of flights varies from 13 hours to 15 hours, depending on the layover, change of flights and weather in Leeds. The UK weather is famed for its eccentric and untimely monsoon. Hence, this often disrupts with the flight behaviour and causes delays too. The flight tickets to Leeds are actually quite reasonable. As long as you make prior bookings of flights to Leeds, you will be able to avail some of the benefits. There is a slew of online flight deals to Leeds that can be availed, provided you make prior bookings. Even though the flights are cheap and affordable to Leeds, it would be better to get more discounts from the rates. The pounds saved can be instead spent on luxury accommodation. Speaking of, you can also make your hotel bookings in Leeds. Once again, prior booking of hotels in Leeds would help you as you will be able to get some discounts and online deals. You can opt for some budget rooms or even luxe hotels in the city. The best way to save money would be to book flights and hotels in Leeds together.

  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.