Dubai to London Flights

  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 London

London is recognised to be one of the most famous cities in the world, known to be the capital of the United Kingdom. It is also known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. London is a city that has traversed through time to see history in the making. Much like New York City, London is also recognised as one of the biggest economic, cultural, political, education, finance, healthcare and more. London is also raved to host some of the biggest names in the education business.

Best time to visit London

London is known to be rather dreary with a dull climate that takes up most of the year. However, the spring season in London is lovely and something you'll definitely fancy. March through May are months where the city breathes air under the bright sun sans the clouds. The temperatures are between 10 degree Celsius to 17 degree Celsius, which makes for a perfect vacation. It does manage to grab the attention of potential tourists from within the UK as well as internationally. The late spring and summers in London especially get a lot of tourists. Not to mention how the city also thrives with amazing festivals such as Virgin Money London Marathon, Museums at Night State Opening of Parliament, London Coffee Festival, St Patrick's Day Festival and Parade, to name a few. This time in the city is simply super pleasant and something that many tourists would want to experience. You can further see many gardens and parks blossom while the summer makes its way within the city. Of course, it also comes at a rather harsh cost which will affect your pockets. The hotel prices in London during peak season is just as expensive. Thanks to the humongous crowd that the city witnesses, it is not surprising that the hotels and accommodations also spike up their charges.

Prior booking of hotels in London will help you deal with this conundrum. However, the packed streets and city bustle could be a tad bit annoying. Considering how London is a big city with streets always full of people, it is something you're going to have to adjust with. September to November also sees a considerable number of tourists in the city as the fall weather is just as pristine. The autumn foliage forms quite a scenery that travellers would appreciate. The hotel accommodations are also decently priced. You might even get cheap hotel rooms in London during this time. It is essential that no matter which season you choose to visit London, there is going to be some amount of rain. Basically, you will have to pack in such a way that you are able to show off your winter wardrobe and at the same time protect them from the rainy weather. Rains in London are notorious and have a mind of their own. It often starts showering when you least expect. Hence, an umbrella would be the best companion for you during your London trip.

Places to visit in London

As one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, London has far too many tourist attractions within the city. It does house the royals, after all. You can start your trip by checking out the famous British Museum, which is an archaeological treasure trove. You can further go ahead and visit the Tower of London, an important structure in the city. Learn about its historical significance because it is quite interesting. Without a doubt, the Buckingham Palace should be on your list as it is where the royals of the UK live. It is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and has its gates open for tourists. Westminster Abbey is another beautiful and archaic church which is known for the weddings and coronations of the many royals of the UK. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are posh and relaxed areas in the city where you can visit to relax. While you're here, do not miss the National Gallery, comprising of a labyrinth interior that would certainly intrigue you. The Tower Bridge has found itself in several movies by now and should be on your travel list too.

Things to do in London

The city has far too many places that would attract tourists for shopping. The Camden Market would be a good place to start the excursion. This market caters to over 200 stalls and has everything one looks for in London. The West End Theatre District is an astounding place that is quite the rendition of New York city's recognised Broadway. Several big production houses and artists flock over to put up their shows, and you should witness them all. Piccadilly Circus is another lively part of the city, basically the heart of London, where you can indulge in street shopping or bar hopping. You will be thoroughly entertained by the lights and life of the city. Speaking of which, pub crawls are a big thing that happens in London, something you should totally try as they are fun. Plus, it would be a great way to network with people and return home with some fine memories.

Food and Restaurants in London

London's staple food fish and chips, bangers and mash and mince meat pies. However, over the years, the city has managed to upscale its culinary establishments to encourage a plethora of global cuisine. The city now houses the classic British cuisine and the curry magic from the Indian kitchen. With so many choices to pick from, the city only gets better for a foodie. It is important that you know where you should go when in London. The best way to do that would be to opt for a food tour, which is available in the city. In London, high tea experiences are a big deal, and you should definitely get some of that action. The Langham, London, Claridge or even The Lanesborough, are some establishments that would give you the experience that you seek. Make sure to book prior reservations and dress up for the outing. If you've got enough pounds in your pockets and wish to further explore the upscale dining experience, you can view some of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants in the Clerkenwell neighbourhood. While you're on your food voyage, do not miss St. John, a place recognised for its ability to utilise every part of the meat.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also has a slew of restaurants and food establishments in the city that you could indulge in. Plus, Jamie Oliver also has his own set of restaurants within the city to upscale your dining experience. Other fancy locations in London include Sketch who have egg pods in place of traditional washroom stalls, The Attendant Cafe, Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle, to name a few. To indulge in some lovely Indian cuisine, you can visit some of the curry houses located on Brick Lane. UK's pub culture is something you simply cannot miss. It defines the British lifestyle and is also one of the top attractions. You can either go to traditional pubs such as Magners or a little modern like Strongbow.

How to reach London (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to London from India is exemplary. There are regular direct flights as well as connecting flights reserved for London. Since the city witnesses a lot of tourists from India, provisions to service a regular flight to London has been made by various airlines. The best thing about flights to London from India is how they have the option of a direct flight, which reduces the duration of travel. British Airways is one such airline that has nonstop direct flights to London from cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Other airlines that fly to London from India are Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Emirates, Oman Air, Etihad Airways, Air France, Swiss, KLM Royal Dutch, to name a few. These airlines follow the international routes of the Middle East and Europe to reach London. Hence, their layovers and connecting flights are from cities such as Munich, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Muscat, Paris and more. The duration of a layover is not too much, which makes travelling easier, even if there are direct flights to London.

A nonstop flight to London from Mumbai takes approximately nine hours and ten minutes, barring the weather conditions and other delays. Flight tickets to London are quite cheap and affordable. Many airlines begin their flight tickets to London from INR 30,000. There is no major compromise in the flight duration as the maximum it can go up to is 13-14 hours. It is essential that you pick the right airlines to fly to London as the possibility of longer layovers is high. If you manage to get some online flight deals on tickets to London, your budget will further get a nice bonus. In fact, you can use this opportunity to book your hotels in London as well. It is a known fact that London accommodations are exorbitant, as is travelling within the city. To avoid splurging extra on hotel rooms in London, you can make hotel reservations ahead of time along with your flight tickets to London. That way, you will end up saving a major chunk of your money, which can be used to travel more within the city and to purchase loads of souvenirs.

  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.